catholicpagan

Halloween's Spirit Talk Ritual

Halloween – spooky good fun time! I ain't afraid of no ghosts.
Dress up or dress down to the bone, it’s all for amusement, right?

In ancient times Halloween (Holy Eve or All Hallows) and the following days November 1st - All Saints’ Day and November 2nd - All Soul’s Day or Day of the Dead was more than fun. It was a sacred time of the year for certain cultures such as the Celts to honor the elderly, their ancestors and the dead.

The history of these three days can be found in pagan and later in the Catholic holyday through festivities, celebration and rituals.

In the Celtic pagan tradition it was thought that the veils between the two worlds - the living and dead - thinned so that spirits of the dead could float through or walk the earth to visit their living relatives. Then they crossed back over to the “underworld”.

During the spirits’ visit spooky things happened, as you can imagine. The living would dress-up in hopes that some spirits wouldn’t recognize and haunt them.

But if you want the spirits of your loved ones to visit here’s some suggestions. I connect with spirits by writing a letter thanking them and my ancestors for bestowing blessings upon me such as the abilities and talents that help me living fully. After November 3rd I burn my note in a small cauldron and bury the ashes afterward. You too can connect with the spirits of your loved ones to say hello and/or ask a question.

This beautiful sacred ritual might be helpful to follow.

Gather:

Pen (perhaps a favorite color)

Paper

Flower – any kind

Photo of deceased

Incense – pleasant plus helps create a mood

Candles – white, black and orange – white – clear visions, black - spiritual unknown and orange for season and color of renewal

Burning vessel – ashtray or cauldron

Matches

Glass or bowl of water – signifies the other world and also can douse any fire mishaps. Sweet & beverage – Symbolic gesture for visiting spirit guests

Table or clothe on floor – to lay the above upon.

Chair - optional

Lay out on table or cloth on floor.

Or simply light a white candle, place in a window along with a treats and add a chair for a spirit to sit and visit. Remember to snuff candle before leaving the room for the night.

For a few minutes quiet your self, then say, ‘Only good can enter herein.’ Perhaps say a prayer for the Divine to bring forth healing, loving energies to you and protect you from negative fearful thoughts and/or energies. After all it is Halloween and negative energies/entities can roam free along with your loved ones’ spirits.

Next - make a list of all of those who have passed, and how they affected your life. You can fold the paper, keep it overnight and bury in earth or burn it while performing your ritual. As the paper burns it turns to smoke rising up and is symbolic for sending your thought to the mental psychic airwaves. Doing either is ‘mailing your message’.

Peer into the water, relax and connect to the psychic mind - perhaps an image will form or a memory will be recalled.

After that, invite your spirits to visit by taking your white candle, sweets and beverage to a window so as they walk the earth they will see the light and recognize you (home.)

Stay as long as you like, thinking of your loved ones, talking to her and him. If you hear, think or sense a message was given, take note it for later examination. Or, after your ritual (remember to snuff the candles and incense), you might dream about the spirits, as this is an easier way for them to communicate.

Spirits often can’t get through to their loved ones because the grief is so strong. To your best ability, endeavor to be calm, upbeat and peaceful.

You might get a message for another (relative or friend). If you do, share it. Spirit communication is often stronger when conducted in a group - even two people - so perhaps a relative and/or friend might want to do this ritual with you to share in the experience.

Wishing you a merry frolicking good time and a cauldron full of blessings.

In my novel the main character communicates with the dead, her angel and the living telepathically. Read more The Skye in June at www.juneahern.com

BOOK GIVE- AWAY CONTEST

I love to read and have done so since I was a little girl.  My own books continue to give pleasure to many readers. Both receiving overwhelmingly five star reviews on goodreads.com & Amazon and on my website, juneahern.com where you can learn more of what my novel "The Skye in June" and how-to book< "The Timeless Counselor:The Best Guide to a Psychic Reading"  and about me at Full Moon Bites - read in an interview PLUS join in for the book give-away before 10/4. Good Luck! I hope you win.

My first book reading for my novel, The Skye in June, on Friday the 13th.Much fun was had! Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again.

 

http://fullmoonbites.blogspot.com/?zx=ec5126fcb30824ca

PSYCHIC READER NEEDS GUIDANCE

I felt a great need for a psychic reading because like many others are experiencing at this time of history, parts of my life are changing rapidly. Who to turn to? I'm particular when it comes to having a spiritual psychic reading. 

Yes, psychic readers like myself do find readings from another like-minded professional most helpful for insights and spiritual guidance. Litany Burns came to my mind as a reader I wanted to read me. The decision proved positive. In the first five minutes she spoke about my most important issue and that’s before I asked her. In that regards she and I are alike as readers, talk about the person’s energy without first hearing a question from her or him.  

Litany’s reading did exactly for me what I say in my book, The Timeless Counselor: The Best Guide to a Psychic Reading –– it validated much of what I already knew, but had some doubts about, and also gave me another ways of seeing my situations.

As I suggest to all my clients, I recorded the session for later re-listening and perhaps hear more than during the reading.

Litany Burns has several books I have found most helpful, not only on a personal level, but as an ESP teacher. After reading and experimenting with the excercises suggested by Ms. Burns,  I can comfortably recommend to students––Develop Your Psychic Abilities (And Get Them to Work for You in Your Life) and later The Sixth Sense of Children.

Many parents have asked me about their children’s unusual experiences and behavior, the children saying they pick things up or are seeing non-physical beings. Of course, I always tell parents to also check with their professional such as the child’s physician, psychologist and the likes, while contributing what I know about psychic children. Besides that I recommend Litany’s book since she herself was aware at a young age she had strong psychic abilities. As children with these abilities experience and as I wrote in my novel, The Skye in June, this can be seen as gift, at times, a curse.

I recently interviewed Litany. Enjoy!

When did you realize that you had strong psychic abilities? I don't know if there was one amazing 'Aha' moment when I realized I had psychic abilities. I feel, like most children, that I had these abilities all the time within me without thinking. Even when I began talking to a spirit guide at age 11- I had no idea at the time what that even was- I didn't think in terms of psychic or intuitive talents. The spirit was just a friend. As I learned more about these abilities, I realized they were more than just good advice, insights, etc. I shared with friends. They were predictions that came true, feelings that were right, and knowledge that had wisdom. I believe, as with all talents, developing your intuition is a process, a great one that can change your life in many good ways.

Was it difficult for you and for those close to you, to accept? Being a sensitive, a medium, without being aware of it as a talent was painful. As a child, I was ridiculed for being so sensitive. At age four, I remember wondering why everyone just didn't listen to their wisdom. I had trouble following and conforming to the norm, whatever that is/was, but desperately tried to fit in. Now, I celebrate the differences. In my family, there was no knowledge of anything psychic or intuitive. Even though my father was incredibly psychic and knew when things would happen, my mother had recurring dreams of dead relatives, my brother had an imaginary friend, and my sister saw auras- no one ever thought of these experiences as anything incredible. They were mostly treated as problems or disregarded, as most people do. Everyone in my family was extremely intuitively talented. No one knew or spoke of these abilities as talents at all. I did my best to fit in, was popular with friends, but felt everything and had no idea what to do with all those feelings at the time.

How, if in anyway, are your readings different from when you first began to give psychic readings? I remember my first reading. The person had many readings before me. I think I was most afraid of the tape recorder taping the reading. I just said whatever information came into my head and then when the reading was over, I apologized, thinking what I said was what anyone would say. The person told me it was the best reading she ever had. I always remembered that.  Now, after so many years of experience and my own growing as a person and psychic, I practice what I teach. My readings have more dimension and depth, I have more respect and confidence and gain more information from the other side, but I still maintain humility, honestly and integrity during a reading. I believe those three things are tantamount. I also feel it is important to get out the way, let the reading stand on its own merit, and check your ego at the door. Not to say I am perfect or ego-less, far from it, but I'm not into New Age jargon or giving information if I am not receiving it.

What inspired you to write your books? For both my books, Develop Your Psychic Abilities (And Get Them to Work for You in Your Life) and The Sixth Sense of Children, as well as my 30 minutes documentary on intuitive children, Children Among Us - I wanted to get the information I knew out to the greatest amount of people. I found, from giving workshops and readings, the information worked for everyone, so I wanted to share it with as many people as possible to make their lives better. It was that simple.

What was the hardest part to write in the books?  Being a professional writer, just facing a blank page or screen is always difficult as well as formulating words people understand for concepts people don't usually understand is often magical and frustrating at the same time. I usually laugh when people say they're going to write a book, because everyone is taught to write on some level in school. I say, "Go ahead. Then rewrite it at least ten times, and see if you really want to write the book."  It's work, but for me it was a calling to be a writer since I was six years old. 

What is the most important message you wish for you books to convey? That everyone has intuitive talents. We come here with them to better our lives and, hopefully, the lives of others. They are natural and can be developed easily with awareness and a little psychic muscle, like most talents.

I see you have videos on youtube.com - Why did you make videos? I write for film as well, so it's a natural place for me to work. I know we're a visual society and again, wanted to get the information out to people in as many formats as possible. I love film and writing for it- I AM a clairvoyant... so it's an easy medium, pardon the pun, for me to use for my work. Not all my films are 'psychically oriented', but some are.

What was your life like before becoming an author? It was always my life, regardless of publishing a book. I do remember when I published Develop Your Psychic Abilities, my first book with a major publisher.  I drove home with the first copies, the author's copies sitting in the passenger seat of my car. Remember, I wanted to be a writer all my life.  Though I published my poetry and some short stories, this was my first published book!  I sat there, glancing over at it, thinking I'd be elated! Now I could answer all those people that continually asked me what I've published, something tangible. I felt nothing. How could that be? It was only in that moment, that I finally realized it wasn't ever about the book that I'd been longing to publish to validate myself. It was the journey, the whole process. It sounds a bit New Agey, but it was really profound for me. I still have the same life after publishing both books a few times, actually better, and the books are another part of it that I'm very proud of creating.

What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer? Writing is an art and takes a lot of hard work as with any creative talent. If you don't feel a fire burning inside you to be a writer and deal with all the rejections of the marketplace, you might re-think your direction. If you still want to write, keep writing. The more you write, the more you'll learn about your craft. Writing is the goal and publishing comes after that.

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? I always felt I'd like to meet with Nelson Mandela. I got to hear him speak in Yankee Stadium years ago. Maybe because our birth signs are both Cancer, but really because he has vision, integrity, and relied on his wisdom to get him through such difficult times for the greater good. I've also felt a strong draw to South Africa as well, past life.

Anything else you would like people to know? Don’t be afraid of your intuitive talents. They are there to help you in this intellectually focused world, to make you whole, more empathetic, wiser, and to feel excited when they happen. And when people tell me "I don't want you reading my mind," I answer, "I could read your mind if you were continents away, but why would I want to?"  Being a psychic, you have to have a sense of humor about, and a great respect for, your talents.  Discovering that, they could, and have helped thousands of people over the years is a humbling experience.

Both my five star reveiws books are also ebooks at smashwords.com and amazon.com. For an personally autographed paperback please contact me at www.juneahern.com Support INDIE authors!

 

Had a Revelation

I had decided this year that I would read books of different genre than my usual picks and with that declaration (to self) I offered to review a book by author, Jeff Horton of biblical magnitude. After all the Bible is the most read book on planet earth and I was ready for an update on my knowledge of it.

Our genres are quite different in most ways. My book, The Skye in June, is about a girl with visions, this book also is about a boy that has visions but we follow him into adulthood. This is where our characters' similarity begins and ends.

When I first received the book I contacted Jeff and said, 'do you realize that my site is of more interest to pagans, Wiccans and witches than bible thumpers (okay, Christians I said,)'. He kindly replied, "Oh I see what you mean. Well, you do what is right for you and your blog readers." I continued to read it.

I learned our spiritual thoughts are not so different,the presentation might be, but the faith in a Higher Being(s) is there, the observation that Mother Earth is unnder serious attack, and the bad characters in politics destroying human rights, as well as believing in certain people have true and useful visions are some of what I found similar.Because of that and because of Mr. Horton's positive reply (too many Christians have lambasted me and my kind for my spiritual choice) I continued with his book and more than that, I wanted to interview him as an author.

The Last Prophet by Jeff Horton

Jonah (Jon) Elijah March is born to ordinary parents in an ordinary town in the United States. But he is no ordinary child. He is one of the last of two prophets mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Revelations.

He has dreams that in time prove to manifest as actual events that become stronger when he is a teen. When his earlier visions, like the one about Lara––literally a girl of his dreams––being involved in an accident does not manifest as he envisioned, Jon thinks he is wrong. In time he realizes that his vision have merit and are not wrong, only he has not been patient or trusting enough to see them to fruition. In time Jon and Lara marry.

Another tells Jon he is slated for great things because of his visions and that God has chosen him to be a prophet but he doesn’t believe it. And then an angel appears to him and follows it up with a miraculous sign.  It is then that he accepts his fate. Along with his acceptance comes an ominous message––with the glory comes imminent death.

Jon is not alone in this journey. There are people who see him for what his purpose is to be, such people as the kind Pastor Weathersby who guides Jon to understand his gift and later he meets the Pope along with other spiritual world leaders who believe in his prophesies.

As Jon begins his mission by proclaiming God's message spreading the news that "The End of Days is at hand,” the reader can find comfort in what Horton reminds us, “The world is a very transient place…” And warns people that the Beast (the Bible Beast who’s not a very nice chap) is gaining power and influencing those weakened by their greediness and materialistic needs to where they “worship him” ––the Beast ––thus forsaking all reason and goodness (God). Sounds familiar. I believe there’s a lot of that going on now, don’t you?  Jon then reassures all that will listen that “Jesus Christ will once again come to enlighten (or save) them."  The Beast is in the image of a charismatic politician, Abe Addon who scams the people into trusting him and his false promises. All the while his only purpose is to control and dominate mankind. We have here what all good stories have––a good protagonist and a good bad antagonist and Abe Addon is a really bad guy with a winning smile.

 Jon, Lara and their son Samuel travel to Israel as the end comes closer.  In time Jon meets the other prophet Moe Princeton.  I liked this character. There was something very earthly about him. Jon at times seemed so intense, even in his loving and insightful ways. On the other hand Moe is more of a regular kind of guy. Both have visions and messages for humankind, who per the usual, aren’t listening.

 Horton tells his readers that “Life is a only a brief stop on the road to eternity.” And I find that reassuring while reading about the worldwide disasters spreading––drought, floods massive earthquakes, and finally, a devastating asteroid alerting us that the end of the world is at hand. 

I’m not crazy for “Hey, guys! You screwed up big time and now it’s a done deal,” kind of books, but the journey with Jon is an interesting one.  I had to agree that the world is in a very precarious position and too many leaders (corporations) have sold out the health of our planet and the welfare of the people for their greed and power ego. All in all, if you want to acquaint yourself with the Bible prophecies and/or be aware that life is fragile and fleeting, this book could be of interest to you.

Interview with author Jeff W. Horton on his latest novel, The Last Prophet

• When did you start writing?

I started writing four or five years ago. I wanted to try and find something that I would enjoy doing, something I might one day be able to make a living doing. After several false starts, I sat down and began work on The Dark Age. Though it was the second novel to be published, it was the first one I started on first. The Great Collapse, the prequel to The Dark Age came out first, followed by The Dark Age and then The Last Prophet, which by the way is not part of the Survivors of the Pulse series.

• How personal is your writing?

I imagine that most authors draw a lot from their own life experiences, beliefs, worldviews, etc. Again, many authors write about subjects that they know a lot about or that they are interested in. These certainly apply to me as well. I write about subjects, situations, etc. that I feel are important, or that I find interesting. I enjoy watching and learning from stories that are transporting, giving us a break from the stress and pressures of life, so I attempt to write stories like that myself.

• What was your life like before becoming an author?

Not a lot different really, though I probably got more sleep and looked more rested. Perhaps that will change if one or more of my novels make the bestsellers list!

• What inspired you to write the book(s)?  What sparked the idea for your novel?

I started writing the Dark Age because I thought it would be interesting to write a post-apocalyptic novel, where swords, bows, and arrows were once more the norm of the day. The Great Collapse was the prequel to The Dark Age, and sets the stage for the post-apocalyptic world that follows.

I have always wanted to see more written around the book of Revelation in the Bible, and was excited about the opportunity to write a story about it myself in, The Last Prophet. To make it even more interesting and to change things up a bit, I also decided to write The Last Prophet in the first person, from the perspective of the prophet, John March.

• When did you decide to publish?

It was always my intent and my hope to get published. I was very grateful to my two publishers, Tate Publishing, who published The Great Collapse, and World Castle Publications, who published The Dark Age and The Last Prophet, for taking a chance on me. Hopefully, the novels will do well and we all will reap the benefits.

• What is your favorite part of the book(s)?

For The Dark Age, the favorite part of the story for me is at the climax, where the antagonist and the protagonist meet for the second time towards the end of the novel.

One of my favorite parts of The Last Prophet is when God raises the two prophets, John March and Moe Princeton. I thought it was a pivotal, and touching scene.

• What was the hardest part to write in the book(s)?

Believe it or not I had the most difficult time with the epilogue for The Dark Age. I had already finished most of the rewrites of the novel when I got around to the epilogue. After several revisions, I ended up discarding all of it and replacing it with a completely different epilogue. I feel the new one was far better than the original, however, and well worth the effort.

I suppose the hardest part to write in The Last Prophet was the ending. After several rewrites, I still felt I had included far too many quotes from scripture. I ended up paraphrasing a number of the quotes at the end, which helped the story flow much better.

•How do you begin to set about writing your story (stories)

I am an organic writer. Once I have a core idea, I just sit down and start writing. The story soon takes on a life of its own, and I end up doing nothing more than recording what I see played out in my mind's eye. Once I have written a few chapters, I start to flesh out a rough outline for the remainder of the novel, which helps ensure a firm foundation for the entire novel. Like they say, writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint.

•Which comes first? The character's story or the idea for the novel?

For me it's been both. The Great Collapse and The Last Prophet began with the idea. The Dark Age began with the protagonist, Ferrell Young, and flowed from there. 

•What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
That is a tough question to answer. I believe it probably helps to know someone already well established in the business such as an agent or editor, or an established author, but most writers probably do not have that luxury. I believe that the biggest hurdle for an unknown author, after writing a great story of course, is to get above the noise level, to get the attention of publishers and most importantly, the reading public. Social networking sites are helpful in this regard, as are book blog websites and book reader sites like Goodreads.  I suppose the most important thing I can say to an aspiring author is this; never give up, and always believe in your self.  

CHECK OUT MY BOOKS, THE TIMELESS COUNSELOR: THE BEST GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL PSYCHIC READING AND THE SKYE IN JUNE, A NOVEL. BOTH ALSO  E-BOOKS.

Om, Om, Om; I ams who I says I ams

“Why am I the only one I can count on to get things done right?”  That had been one of my most concentrated on-going mantras for many years. And you know what chanting it often created virtually no (acceptable) help for me.  

A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of “creating transformation” or, as I learned, creating being stuck in a belief. Words that are repeated verbally or mentally by chanting, speaking or singing will result in a manifestation of what is being said.

 

Where did I learn that mantra? Why would I chant words that served no good and kept me trudging wearily along? Because I believed it from past experiences – ones that I relived in my mind of times where I received no or very little support, which in return, created a sense not being cared for or understood until I stopped asking for help or understanding.

My thoughts were “stinking thinking” and not giving my present time or future the opportunity to be better.

The day I found myself mentally chanting that mantra, I laughed out loud scaring my fellow nature walkers. OMG! What other negative thoughts were cursing my life? I discovered them by paying attention to how, and what, I was thinking, which is an on-going daily job.

Through meditation I learned to be more aware of what floats around the head. I also learned that I have choices of what I think. No need to bemoan my life as a victim. When I find disharmony in my head, I say stop! And say three positive things (at least) about my self and life (counting my blessing).

I also learned to take my negative mantra and make it into a positive transformational one. For example the mantra above I changed to, “With trust I depend upon others to help me.”  Chanting that mantra opened up many new doors for me with new opportunities and projects blossoming. The heavy burden of being a single parent and business owner was shared, successfully.

Life did not become an overnight bowl of cherries, but with knowing that I have and can choose and direct my inner voice, I am freer to guide my visions into fulfilling goals.

It worked for me. Can it work for you? How has your stinking thinking closed off positive paths?

Learn more about both of my books at www.juneahern.com and Life Coaching practice at www dot sfcoaching dot com

This blog was originally a guest blog at big girl bombshell

Image from original book cover (Beth Burgoyne) and original title. Can be found at amazon.com or smashwords.com 

 

Tough Chicks LOL

May 29th

Today would have been my friend, Rusty Dennis’ 75th birthday. I first met Rusty in 1984 while she was living in San Francisco.  A mutual friend invited me to Rusty’s flat to be part of a study group of Louise Hay’s book, “You Can Heal Your Life” – and indeed Ms. Hay’s book was an inspiration and a connection to a most vivacious unique woman who would become a good friend – Florence "Rusty Dennis" Steinberg Tullis

 You might remember her from the movie “Mask”, which was based on her and Rocky, her son. Cher played Rusty in the movie and did quite a good job, but wasn’t quite tough enough, I learned after meeting Rusty.

Rusty was a complex personality with many roles to play. One of which was a mother whose two children were to die before her.  I never met Rocky in person although I did meet Joshua, her eldest son, before he died. When Joshua’s illness progressed and he was hospitalized, Rusty asked if I’d spend time with him at the hospital to help him transition, which I did. She bravely accepted his death with her, I must go on, attitude.  

 When people would offer Rusty  condolences for the loss of her sons, she’d reply, they’re not lost. I know exactly where they are. They’re dead. 

She knew her boys’ spirits stayed around her. One time she showed me a small studio portrait of her and Joshua. Behind them appeared a whitish "ghostly" image of Rocky who had been dead for some time. Was it the photographer's addition -that she denied - or was it truly the spirit of Rocky? 

 

In addition to being a bodacious chick, Rusty was very funny – quick to laugh out loud!  She was an original LOL gal. She would puff up and challenge people and when doing so with me – testing my toughness - I met her squarely.  She laughed heartily declaring, you’re okay. And darn if she didn’t test my toughness more than once. With her, you had to be on your toes, and shake off her puffing with a  laugh. 

Besides a desire to heal our spirits, we quickly learned that we had more in common  like motorcycles (in 1975 bought a motorcycle, Honda 550 – big enough for me) - both  of us were Gemini’s, and had a great thirst for adventure. And then the glue of the friendship - our keen interest in the psyche.

After Joshua’s death Rusty’s interest in spiritual and psychic realm deepened. When she learned that I was a psychic reader and ESP and tarot card teacher, she was eager to learn about her abilities. It wasn’t long before she became one of my star students.

When I was scheduled to read at SF The Whole Life Expo I encouraged her to give reading too. There she sat in her “colors” reading the cards and loving it!  

When she moved back to Los Angeles, I visited her a few times. One time we stopped by her father’s house and she asked me to show him and her sister an ESP game – open two coat hangers, hold in both hands held together and then point at a person to measure energy.  I don’t think he or her sister was all that impressed with us, but we had fun.  We tripped around LA in her old beat-up VW bug going to metaphysical bookstores, and meeting up with other psychics. We were wild psychic girls!

I think if I had been out of broom closet with my witchcraft back then, she would have declared she was one too just to enjoy spicing up conversation and challenging the image of “society’s norm” once again.

In time, distance and my growing family eventually caused us to we lose touch. 

I know I inspired Rusty to trust her ESP and psychic abilities but in return, she also inspired me to “show” myself more to the world because she had faith in me. 

Rusty Dennis will always remain a powerful influence on my life’s work. Thank you, girlfriend.

“I have been inspired by June’s ability to awaken the awareness of many people and to train them to use their metaphysical gifts productively. Her readings and classes allowed me to recognize my own gifts and taught me how to utilize them effectively. Now I successfully do reading and healing for others. June is a loving and knowledgeable person. We could all benefit through the information she shares with us. – Rusty Dennis

Rusty’s review of my book, The Timeless Counselor: The Best Guide to a Successful Psychic Reading.  ebook, kindle and other ereaders

 

Fall or Step Away From Family Religion?

On numerous occasions I’ve been condemned for being a pagan and witch by those professing to be God loving religious folks.  

After years of avoiding inquiries about my spiritual path I became forthcoming to disapproving faces of those chastising my spiritual practice.

I’ve been asked how could a nice Catholic woman forsake God for a heathen practice?   

What demon seduced you to prance around under the moon naked to the world?

What evil spirit took control of your soul calling you to cast spells?

“Honestly,” say I, “it was a progression rather than a possession.”

It wasn't the spirituality of Catholicism that started my soul’s exodus and detachment from it, but rather the "old boy" attitude.

I began to view my religion as stuck in outdated dogmas. I questioned such things as, why women weren’t involved with electing a new pope? 

For centuries Catholic women have accepted backseat roles to male members, proving to me that they, my sisters, bought into men as superior to lead. As I looked around the church at a majority of women, girls and boys with a sprinkling of, mostly, senior men, I wondered why I supported a religion that didn’t allow for powerful decision-making roles for females.

But it was these incidents at Mass that finalized my decision to leave the Church. During a sermon a priest addressed the role of women as mothers and daughters. He said they were to serve their husbands and fathers’ needs (cook, clean) and not question his decisions for he was the head of the family just as the priest is the head of his flock. We are not to question him either?

Later at another sermon on Mother’s Day the congregation was told to condemn abortionist. Done deal for me, said I, a pro-choicer.

At the age of 44 I left my family’s religion forever. It was a most difficult and sad choice because religion was a large connection to, and part of, my family. But my spirit sought, amongst other needs, a spiritual group that contained equality of sexes in power roles.  

Some former Catholics hold a grudge against the religion. I do not. There is no reason to be stuck in what didn’t fulfill me. I am thankful for my religious upbringing and continue to appreciate some reasonable philosophical and spiritual concepts from it. Through the faith I learned to have a deep caring for, and practice in, spirituality and ritual.

Attending parochial school my memories are mainly cherished ones of my teachers, the nuns.  Most were good women and very interesting teachers who taught me to enjoy literature, geography, history and theology.

I’ve created a satisfying spiritual practice through mixing and matching philosophical and spiritual teachings from Buddhism, Rosy Croix, Native American spirituality, paganism, Wicca and witchcraft. I am open to learning about religions that support women in strong decision-making roles in regards to making laws and dogmas for I am a devoted student of theology.

Author of “The Timeless Counselor: The Best Guide to a Successful Psychic Reading” and “The Skye in June” 

www.juneahern.com

 

 

Talking to the Dead-Gift or Curse?

I just watched the movie Hereafter with Matt Damon as George, a retired psychic medium, who is called back into service against his will. I know how he felt.  

I’m one of those people who easily sees and talks to the dead––those who have passed over. In the movie George tells another how he became psychic: As a child he had become very ill and needed surgery on the back of his head. Because of it something happened in his brain resulting in him “knowing and seeing” things about people he had no prior access to and this information was told to him by dead people. 

I appreciated how the scriptwriter presented a correlation between head/brain surgery and changes in one’s psychic abilities. I also had a similar experience where a head injury had awoken my psychic abilities.

When I was nineteen I was in a very serious car accident and received grave injuries to my face and head and for a moment in the ambulance I “died”.  That brief moment profoundly changed the course of my life forever, although it took me years to, not only understand what happened, but talk about it openly.  Like one character in Hereafter I went to the“otherside”. My experience was like what some others had as described in the book Life after Life by Dr. Raymond Moody.

The attending physician told my parents that it was nothing short of a miracle that I came through as well as I did. I had blasted through the windshield, bounced back inside the car with glass embedded in my face and eyes. A leg hit the gearbox with such force that it broke it out. No  broken bones, no blindness (the biggest concern). The face scars were deep and ugly, but I lived through the initial freaking out. The physical part in time healed but the true miracle was what happened afterward. 

Within a couple of months I began to have strong premonitions, about people’s past (recognition) visions of future events (precognition) and dead people spoke to me. It was not pleasant. Heck it scared the bejeevus out of me! Not that I was new to accepting psychic occurrences. My mother had a curiosity in it, even having a few prophetic a few dreams and for fun read tealeaves, but my experiences surpassed this greatly.

Quite a few years later I read in the Time-Warner popular book series “Mysterious of the Unknown” how a head injury often happened before one experienced psychic abilities. The knock opened a part of the brain resulting in this phenomenon. 
One of my strong abilities is mediumship and I rather enjoy it. I’ve mostly given up giving spirit communication (aka séances) because of the physically living beings as George experienced.

Of course the dead can be an annoyance as Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg) in the movie “Ghosts” learned where she was deluged by spirits all coming through (talking) at one time––it can happen like that when they find a person who can see and hear them. 

Do they haunt you like Oda Mae was by the dead character Sam, Patrick Swayze? You bethca!  This happened to me once. The spirit didn’t lighten up until the police contacted me for all her information (her killer was successfully prosecuted.)

There are many rewards having these abilities’ and talents. I’ve met people from all over the world and been invited to travel to share my abilities. People have told me the information I shared changed their lives. Then again there’s a downside. In the movie George says that some people say he has a gift, but he thought  of it more as a curse. I can relate.  The curse is seeing and knowing too much as George says.  

Psychics do become tired. Its takes a lot of energy, much focus and a certain detachment as information surges through. I’ve worked with law enforcement and even the believers have a particular way that can make one feel a bit blocked. There’s the need and expectations of clients to fulfill (or not) and neediness of the people seeking help and connections to dead loved ones. Let’s not forget the testing doubters, the ridiculing critics and the condemning haters (oh yes!) of psychics. 

After having used my abilities for 40 years I believe that psychic energy must retire and the person must live for her or himself. But then, like George, there’s always that one more person who truly needs that information.

My book, The Timeless Counselor, tells it all - how psychics receive information, psychic readings, how to have a positive experience with and take my ESP test in it.

Available as an ebook at www.smashwords.com & Amazon Kindle. More at www.juneahern.com

 

When people learn that I'm a witch they ask curiously, and at times humorously, if I cast spells and add - bad spells.

Never a bad spell - although at times I've had to cast a turn around, banishing or binding spell. Seldom do I do those because I believe that they will have a negative backlash. This is based on the one time, in anger, I invoked a banishing spell against an adversary. Ouch. Backlash.  Once burned....I was warned not to do it!

Periodically I do cast spells to advance projects (goals), like for instance my books: The Skye in June and my first book self-published in 1990, The Timeless Counselor: The Best Guide to a Successful Psychic Reading. That magic continues to swirl around them.

Today's surprise! I found that The Skye in June is on the top 500 list of Indie books with high rated reviews at thebookorbust.blogspot.com.  It has sold every month since it's release -well I did do a glamour spell on that one!

The Timeless Counselor recently received a new cover, became an ebook and is receiving five star reviews. Wow! 21 years later it still is of interest. 

In 1990 a tarot reading revealed that The Timeless Counselor would lead to more writing success. If you don't know,  it is very challenging and difficult to make any money as an author, and especially a self-published one.  But I haven't lost money yet, although my day job pays my way still. 

It led to the writing of my second and both books breath life into my screenplay and next in the works novel.  My first book taught me about the rocky marketing path.  I knew the difficulties but believed that I could sell it. 

Tonight I will sit at my altar and give my thanks to the Moneta the goddess for my good fortune and cast a spell to continue to attract book lovers to my book. Blessed be.

What would you cast a spell for?

Did You say Mote it Be?

      (by Paul Borda. See below for contact info)   

I am often asked what "so mote it be" means. The actual meaning of mote is based upon old Anglo-Saxon language and means thank you as in saying, "Thank you for asking".  The word is also related to "The truth has been spoken." The term can also be used when an agreement has been made between two or more people like a handshake to seal a deal.

     In witch circles the phrase "So mote it be” is spoken at the end of a meeting, a spell, and/or a ritual and is the same as saying, “So might it be” or “So be it” or “Let it be"; similar to ending a prayer with, amen.
In essence one (one witch that is in relationship to this blog) is confident and committed to what she has just declared as good and truthful. It's your word. You declared. Said it and own it. 
     Another ending statement that one might say besides or in addition to so mote it be, is “Blessed be." This shows a connection to, and respect for, Divine Forces outside of herself that empower her creation and she is pulling in their blessings (helping hands make light the work.)

Blessed is the power of many minds thinking sunny thoughts. Will you connect today with like minded by sending out rays of golden energy throughout planet earth? So Mote It be. 

My books: The Timeless Counselor - everything you want to know for a successful psychic reading novel, The Skye in June both ebooks and hardcopies. E-readers and PDF. Contact me at june ahern dot com.

Image: Lovely plaque by artist Paul Borda is cast in resin and hand finished. Measures 8" x 6" Copyright by Paul Borda. Buy it at moonlightmysteries.com

The Witch & The Christian

FREE EBOOK OF MY TIMELESS COUNSELOR AT SMASHWORDS.COM – CONTACT ME FOR CODE.

So there I was, sitting across from my friend who had become a bible-practicing Christian in the past few years. We were having a difference about religious beliefs and it wasn't going well. A knife could slice the tension.

 

We like each other and for about twenty-years basically been good supportive friends agreeing on most things. We both come from immigrant families, her first generation, me fob, and both grew up in the same City and went to parochial schools. Married and divorced young and like that. And now both are authors.

She has always been a wonderful encouragement to my creativity and advising me about my writings. In fact helped and guided me when I was writing my novel about a religious family and their daughter who was heading to witchcraft. And did so without judgment.

But now we both made the spiritual choices that were as different as oil and water.

She has a good place in my life. My heart. But the differences were quite obvious. To me, her questions, more like an interrogation - well she had worked in the legal profession. But her questioning began to chap my hide.  Had we become that different? 

I became quiet in voice, body language and then I breathed. Not a response from me to her questions and opinions. A thought was needed, but which?

                             Image bywww.sunda...rafts.net/blog.php

She said, "Junie, when I bring up my religious viewpoints, you become defensive."

I thought, "Yes, I do. I don't want you to push your stuff on me."

I pondered, studied her. She's feisty, a Leo, fiery and outspoken. Not unlike myself. And a good woman - a good friend. She braved her own community and friends to support my book...a scary thing since it is not of her religious beliefs and dogmas.

 I said, "Yes, you are right, I do feel defensive."

That truth broke whatever barrier had been created. Like wise crones we are, we began to discuss our religious and spiritual thoughts and practices. We opened our minds to understand each other. We braved our differences and we are friends. It is as it, we surmised. Friends can do this if they are willing to open to face differences and with courage are willing to embrace and move beyond them. We are sisters on a journey to self-realization. 

Viva la difference, Sister! Blessed be. Amen! 

FREE DOWNLOAD OF MY BOOK ‘THE TIMELESS COUNSELOR’ at www.smashwords.com. A complete guide to getting the most from a psychic reading. Contact me for code and details.  Good until 3/2/11

Please read an excerpt and learn more about my novel, The Skye in June, at www.juneahern.com