​And from the universal comms team a song by the same title by the epic Status Quo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlR4Z4AZ1ho
As I listen to the track whilst typing I'm almost laughing at the lyrics, you really couldn't make this stuff up universe!
Get down deeper and down
Down down deeper and down
Down down deeper and down
Get down deeper and down
I want all the world to see
To see you're laughing, and you're laughing at me
I can take it all from you
Again again again again
Again again again and deeper and down
Get down deeper and down
Down down deeper and down
Down down deeper and down
Get down deeper and down
I have all the ways you see
To keep you guessing, stop your messing with me
You'll be back to find your way
Again again again again
Again-gain-gain-gain deeper and down
Down down deeper and down
Get down
Get down deeper and down
Down down deeper and down
Down down deeper and down
Get down deeper and down
I have found you out you see
I know what you're doing, what you're doing to me
I'll keep on and say to you
Again again again again
Again-gain-gain-gain deeper and down
Down down deeper and down
Get down
Hmmm, I don't even think I need to elaborate on where the comms team are taking us with these lyrics.... here we go again down that old rabbit hole again on the way towards Christmas/ Yule.
So let's see what our cards have for us for December:
First out is the ace of pentacles, pentacles being of the Earth element and of manifestation into physical form. Also known as the root of the powers of the Earth.
It's time to plant our ideas, aspirations and intent for the future we wish to create, to tend to our hopes and dreams and nurture the seeding of them into the physical realm. We are literally planting the seeds of the new Earth.
The pentacles are sometimes called discs or coins, relating to physical money, I wonder where are we putting our well earned coins? how are we investing them for the future?
At the centre of the pentacle we see a turquoise colour, that of spiritual growth and change. Perhaps we are being urged to change, to grow spiritually. This colour is linked to the higher heart chakra. The higher heart chakra is the Spiritual heart chakra also known as the etheric heart.
This is the area where intent originates. It connects the emotions of Divine love, compassion, truth and forgiveness, with the area where language originates, allowing you to speak from the heart.
This is an important area of the body to aid the growth of Spiritual heart based feelings and communication. We are urged to communicate compassionately with others through this energy centre.
This chakra is associated with the thymus gland, one of the earliest glands that develop in the fetus while in the womb.
This gland is related to the immune system and has within it the patterning for our DNA, and our karmic design for this lifetime, including past life information.
This chakras meaning is all about the concept of 'Divine love' in a transcendent spiritual sense.
When we look at the picture we see hands and fingers covered in earth. Soil represents life on earth, but dirt is not dirty; dirt is the source of life. Without dirt there is no life. Soil, therefore, represents all natural life.
We humans are of the soil and from the soil. In fact, the very word “human” is from the Latin root “hum” from which we also get the word “humus” (that’s right: soil). Humility and humour are also closely related. Perhaps there’s profound wisdom, right at our fingertips, as it were,to notice the inter-relatedness of these four:
Human : Humour : Humility : Humus
At the core of the connection between humus (soil) and our humanness is a simple yet profound truth: our well-being, indeed our very existence, is wholly dependent upon our relationship and connection with the living soil.... with the Earth itself.
By cultivating this connection there is an opportunity for each of us, right at our fingertips. Maybe we are being asked to get our hands dirty, get in there, in that connectedness to the dirt and the soil, to set deep roots into the Earth, to reconnect with our grounded simple humanness.
As a child I recall spending hours making mud pies for my hobby horses ( they were actually broom poles with stuffed socks, with sewn on ears and buttons for eyes, no high tech gizmos back then)
Research shows that playing in the dirt can strengthen young immune systems. "Without exposure to everyday germs, which can be found in mud, children miss out on building a stronger, more robust immunity to sickness,” Dr Ryan Harvey.
Maybe a reminder that children need to be outside in nature, playing, getting grubby to build their immune responses, no artificial interventions are required just good old fashioned mud pie making, puddle splashing, snow man making fun.
The whole card is awash with a golden hue, gold symbolises the purity of the spiritual aspect of "All That Is". It is symbolic of spirituality and development in the realm of complete understanding, allowing one to both attain and maintain communion with the source of all being.
Gold is also associated with Archangel Metatron.
Archangel Metatron is the Archangel of Empowerment. He is one of only two angels that are believed to have ascended from a human incarnation on earth, into the angelic realm.
Metatron as one of the most powerful Archangels, as he represents all of our abilities to access spiritual power and achieve the highest version of ourselves.
He is associated with the seat of the Soul chakra (or Alta Major), found at the base of the skull. ( where they plugged Neo into the Matrix in the film) The Seat of the soul; the eighth chakra holds the ancient knowledge of our soul contracts and ultimately, our life purpose. This is the chakra energy centre of divine love, of spiritual compassion and spiritual selflessness.
Archangel Metatron is also associated with the Merkaba, The Merkaba (meaning light-spirit-body) is the energy sphere in which everything exists. It is the vehicle that carries you to the dimensions of unity and love that exist beyond the mind.
Our second card out sees a return of the 9 of wands, wands being of the fire element and of action. Also known as the lord of strength.
The nine of Wands brings out the most positive energy that Saturn could send our way, urging us to be gentle with ourselves when we are at the end of a journey and with our energy resources drained.
It requires balance, supportive contacts and time for rest, while at the same time showing our stability and decisiveness to endure in projects we've been fighting for, for quite some time. It brings a knowing that things are not over just yet. The words that come to me are "Hold the line".
In the picture the woman is defiant in her stand, she shoulders emotional responsibility and as her legs are bare, it shows her vulnerability in the movement she is taking forwards, yet still she holds the line. She continues to hold her position and defend her rights and beliefs.
Our third card out is 11 Justice, a major arcana card. Also know as the daughter of the lord of truth, the ruler of balance. Associated with Libra. The symbol of Libra is the scales as the sign represents balance, justice and equilibrium.
This is a card that brings wisdom, truth and karma. Often associated with legal matters and fairness.
In addition to balance and fairness, the number 11 is considered to be a gateway to enlightenment, it is linked to our intuition, urging us to see not just with our eyes but with our soul, to see the hidden meanings that are in front of us, in plain sight so to speak. It brings visionary leadership and heightened spiritual awareness.
In the card we see a woman and her reflection, the words "as above so below" drop in.
"As above, so below" can mean that whatever a person does on Earth will be reflected in the spiritual plane, or that whatever happens in nature or the stars is reflected within the human body.
The concept implies that the visible stars in the sky are linked to life on earth, and that the microcosm and the macrocosm are connected. The human world is related to the larger universe. In simple terms , everything is connected.
Where we may perceive division, segregation or separation, perhaps this is reminding us that in truth this is an illusion.
We are one.
Summary of themes for December:
* Seeding the new Earth
* Communicating with compassion
* Connecting with the Earth and nature
* Strengthening our immune systems naturally
* Spiritual growth
* Holding the line and finding balance
* As above, so below - We are one, we are interconnected, we are never truly divided or separated
#makingadifference #lifeisbeautiful

As I scroll through my facebook newsfeed over the past few days, it's awash with "back to school" photos. Proud parents marking those moments of their offspring as they start school for the first time, return to a new year, new teacher and a new class, or embark on "Big school".

Thinking back I recall that new school year feeling. New uniform, new shoes, more often than not a fresh haircut. There was most certainly a new pencil case and pens and pencils. Each new year had both an excitement and it's fair share of anticipation... What would have changed? Would their be new people joining our class?

There would also be the unbeatable moment of  writing on the first blank page of a fresh new exercise book. Do you remember baking your books in that first week back? Back in the day for me it was leftover wallpaper!

I wonder, how often do we have equivalent moments of childlike wonder now that we're adulting? Maybe if you start a new job, or at the start-up of a new business perhaps?

A friend of mine always says that September feels like a new year to her, as her children return to school , she says it always feels like a new start for her too. Funnily enough as I write this we have just had a new moon in Virgo in the early hours, brining us the perfect time to set our intentions, plant new seeds of ideas and with the help of Uranus to bring innovation into our lives, we can certainly expect the unexpected.... how exciting!

If you were to approach today just like your first ever day at school, with the curiosity and innocence of a playful child, what are the endless possibilities of creative ideas you could come up with? A fair few I dare to guess.

Life adulting can get all too serious, especially with the experience of the past 18 months ...So, why not harness the energy of innocence and childlike wonder today? How might a curious child look at the World? What would you create for yourself? What big crazy ideas could you have?

You know, those little children, they're playful,inquisitive, they live in the moment (that's why days seem as long as year to a 5 year old) ....  that's their natural state. They have boundless energy and enthusiasm... oh and they take a nap when they need to.... we kind of forget that, children listen to the innate wisdom of their body, when they need to refuel, go to the loo, nap.... play.... it sounds pretty obvious, but as adults we suppress many of those natural needs.... the amount of managers and leaders I train that don't take a lunch break, go all day without drinking any water, realise that they have got to the end of the day when they really needed the loo hours ago (seriously).

So today I urge you to get in touch with that childlike wonder, if you imagine you were turning that  page on a brand new exercise book, how would you make your mark?

March Storytelling - Hold me gently.

And from the universal comms team a song of the same name, that's a new one on me from 1974, "Hold me gently" by Dana Gillespie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg0b3L7e2dk

Whilst I can't find the lyrics on line, listening on You tube, it gives the feeling that no matter what we have collectively and individually gone through over these past months, despite perhaps feeling bruised and battered, we could all do with being held gently.

I have to say, looking at the cards, it's not just us humans who need to be held gently, so does our economy, our livelihoods and also mother Earth herself maybe.

As I reflect back, it's coming up a year since we really started to realise the magnitude of this time in history that we are living through. This time last year I was nearing the end of a retreat to Cornwall, little did I know at the time that the year ahead would be.... well, quite so unusual.

So, having taken a moment to reflect back, let's look forward and see what the potential energy of March may hold for us.

Our first card out this month is the Ace of Pentacles, Pentacles being the Earth element and manifestation into the physical realm. Also often associated with coins, wealth and abundance.

We see two cupped hands full of fertile soil. Soil represents the entire natural world, since without soil there is no food and without food there is no life, no trees, no forests. So soil represents life on earth.

We see a single pentacle (mandala in this instance) being gently held, roots straying down through the fingers of both hands and the shoots of new growth can be seen sprouting into life. A spring like feeling of the first shoots of the newness appearing. This is the seed of a new beginning. Full of potential, full of abundant hope. It takes gentle nurture to hold this new seedling, yet with tender care it can blossom into a cornucopia of abundance.

This golden mandala is the symbol of radiant energy. At it's centre we see an aqua coloured pentacle, aqua symbolises inner peace and serenity. It's a sign that we are strengthening our relationship with the universe and the World around us, whilst also achieving spiritual awareness. Aqua speaks about being on the right path and focusing on the depth of our emotions and our mental clarity.

Our second card is the 7 of Cups, Cups representative of the water element and of feeling and emotions. When I look at this card it really does make me smile, off the back of gently charting our course quite literally to the new birth of of life and World as we know it of the first card, the 7 of Cups follows swiftly, reminding us to use our discernment, not to be taken on the folly of illusion. We may feel like a kid in a sweet shop, all the choices and options we may have ahead of us, I'm especially drawn to the seaside depicted in our card, all of that pent up desire to go on holiday comes to mind! I'm not about to say it's wishful thinking, it does feel though, that we may be trying to make choices and decisions without all of the facts.... always a bit tricky.

It's a bit like that magic trick with cups and balls, as the magician moves them around, you have to try and guess which cup hides the ball..... of course there's always a little magical slight of hand, the question is which will we choose?

In the card we see the snakes and ladders, a reference maybe that if we make sudden unfocused choices now we may find ourselves sliding back down the snakes instead of climbing up the ladders.

We see the man in the card wearing an indigo blue T-shirt, indigo represents our deepest thoughts and spiritual wisdom. Indigo is the colour of the brow or third-eye chakra, also known as Ajna. This chakra is our link to the universal unconsciousness. When this energy centre is open and energy flows freely it aids in clear sight, intuition, integrity and lessens any feelings of despair.

In the picture we see a bat wing, bats often represent death in the sense of letting go of the old and bringing in the new. They are symbols of transition, of initiation and the start of a new beginning.

The illusionary castle in the card reminds us not to make plans that have very little chance of happening. The discarded mask is interesting, does it remind us to see things as they truly are, instead of the dreamy falsehood.... or perhaps it's a literal reference to the illusion that the masks will be coming off soon ?

Our final card for the month is the 4 of Wands, Wands representing the fire element and action. We see a celebration taking place, souls gathering together for a common goal. Kindred spirits dancing to their own tune. This marks some sort of milestone.... well quite literally March was the first time we stayed at home you may recall. We have come a long way on this journey. I'm urged to ask.... What have you learned?

One of the women holds a tambourine aloft. Historically the tambourine was used for a variety of different reasons including: praise, joy, rejoicing, triumph, singing victory and warfare.

She knew they would dance again. She knew someday, somewhere they would have reason to celebrate. She wanted to be ready when the invitation came to celebrate. She trusted the universe, that there would be reason to dance, that the music would play once again. And so she didn’t forget her tambourine.
Her friend wears a lime green top. Spiritually, the colour lime green is associated with creative inspiration and gives the go-ahead to start a new creative project.

We see a red thread around the wrist of one of the women. Throughout history and cultures, the red thread (or the red string) has been worn as a representation of protection, faith, good luck, strength and connection. While some cultures have slightly different views regarding the red thread, they are similar in that they view this red string as a powerful tool.

Many people use it as a symbol and as a reminder that they are not alone; a symbol that they are loved, supported and safe; a prompt to stay positive while staring down the face of what appears to be adversity.

Themes for March:
* Nurturing the seeds of a new beginning
* Use our discernment, avoid folly or illusion
* Tap into our intuitive sense of what is true and what is illusion
* Let go of the old, in order that the new can be born
* Connection with like minded souls
* Reflect on our learnings
​
#makingadifference #lifeisbeautiful

February Storytelling.
All over the World.
And from the universal comms team from ELO the song of the same name " all over the World " https://youtu.be/X3N9SVfs0jg
Taking a look at the lyrics ...
"Everybody all around the world, gotta tell you what I just heard.
There's gonna be a party all over the world.
I got a message on the radio, but where it came from I don't really know
And I heard these voices calling all over the world.
Everybody all around the world, gotta tell you what I just heard, everybody walkin' down the street, I know a place where we all can meet.
Everybody gonna have a good time, everybody will shine till the daylight."
Wow that sounds positive in our current situation! What would it feel like I wonder to be celebrating all over the World right now ?
It could be said that there is little to be celebrating if you tune into the TV or radio or even social media platforms. Yet the lines that stand out to me are : "I got a message on the radio, but where it came from I don't really know
And I heard these voices calling all over the world".
It perhaps suggests that new information is on it's way, communication we have had absolutely no awareness until right now.
Voices being heard all over the World .... the word "groundswell" ( a rapid spontaneous growth) drops in as a cosmic fax..... curious hey?
Let's see what the cards have for us for the month of February.
First out is the page of swords. Swords being the air element of thought, higher mind and intellect.
I may have mentioned the shift we are making into the age of Aquarius of course the Page of Swords is a card associated with Aquarius.
This young woman has a thirst for knowledge and information as we see her deep into a thick tome of a book.
It's as if she may be cramming for an exam. She's without worry despite tiptoeing between those cliff edges.
Her curiosity and expanding consciousness allows her to question all that she perceives in the World. Look at those hawks.... winged messengers from her spiritual higher self. And those light bulb moments now lighting up like Blackpool illuminations !
What she believed to be absolute truth may now be appearing to reveal new truths, with new evidence and ideas.
It's exciting and her curiosity creates ever expanding awareness.
Our next card out is 21 The World .
The number 21 is made up of the vibration of the number 2 and number 1.
Number 2 resonates with the attributes of duality and finding balance, consideration and co-operation.
It signifies our divine life purpose and soul mission. We are all here right now for a reason.
The energies of the number 1 include new beginnings, uniqueness and motivation to strive forward.
This makes 21 a number of versatility, energy, charisma and communication.
The number 21 suggests that there may be some new opportunities or directions for us to take that will lead us in new and exciting directions.
Trust that we are supported and guided throughout these changes and transitions.
We are encouraged to remain calm and balanced.
The World is the last card in the Fool's journey before a new cycle of our collective souls begin the next phase of our development again.
The World is fullness and abundance. Having taken the journey of the fool The World signifies completion.... ready to step onto the next cycle of our evolution.
We see sacred geometry symbols surrounding the card.
These symbols focus on personal development, the achievement of enlightenment and well being and communication with higher forms of consciousness.
Of the sacred symbols it's the merkaba that jumps out at me today.
The merkaba (meaning light-spirit-body) is the energy sphere in which everything exists. It is the vehicle that carries us to the dimensions of unity and love that exist beyond the mind.
The upward and downward interlocked tetrahedrons represent the duality of existence, body and spirit united in the harmony of a singular form.
Together, they are one light.
It expresses the potential of a world of community and peace where no one is separate. All are one and one is all.
The merkaba is the most powerful symbol of spiritual evolution.
Our final card for February is the 5 of cups (cups representative of the water element and of feelings and emotions).
Ahh it's been a long haul hasn't it, at times overwhelming, deeply saddening, maybe it's felt hopeless... that we have lost so much and it may feel hard to even contemplate our dreams for the future. It may feel draining and exhausting .... yet the illusion is lifting, it's no less comfortable to see the truth behind that which has sapped our energy and life force.
But do you see the cup (singing bowl) to her right? Full of abundant colour, full of opportunity and hope.
It's time to let go of old expectations, it's time to actively see the future , a different and new future. Time to take back our life force, our energy, to reignite our spark.
Themes for February:
* New cycles and evolution
* New information and a coming together of people
* Revealing new truths, illumination
* Regaining our life force, imagining a new future

January 2021 Storytelling.
Light bursts.
And from the universal comms team a song I've never come across before of the same name "Light bursts" by Wren https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjOaqz9iqbc
The words beneath the YouTube video from the singer seem very apt:
At the end of every dark tunnel, there is a Light.
If you are struggling, hurting, or feel like giving up, may you find calmness and peace.
Tough times get tougher, but you are destined for greatness.
There is a Light inside of all of us. Wherever you are, may the Light find you.And, whenever you can, share your Light Bursts with those who need it.
May this song resonate in your heart and renew your spirit.
Be the love you wish to see in the world.
From the lyrics:
Ohm...
My car wouldn't start today to drive me to the job that I hate
Why can't I just get high inside?
The power bill came out yesterday, don't know how I'll get my groceries
Guess I'll get by
Oh, the World keeps spinning and the clock keeps ticking
And I ain't getting no younger
Why can't we all be free?
Positivity, prosperity is where I find the peace in me, transcendingly
All that I can find
Sending you Light Bursts (sending you, sending you Light Bursts)
Ohm... (Sending you Light)
The Man tried to bring me down today. I can do what I want with my body
Women we do just fine
What in the world is happening? I've seemed to lost my way again
Guess I'll get by
Cause my heart's still beating and my lungs still breathing
And my mind is getting stronger
We are too young to be so unhappy, no
Positivity, prosperity is where I find the peace in me, transcendingly
(Sending you Light)
Sending you Light Bursts (sending you, sending you Light Bursts)
Sending you Light
In your direction, in your reflection
To new dimensions, for you and me
We'd live so wonderfully
Just find the Light
A pretty interesting theme hey?
Being sent light bursts, I wonder is this the light I've read of being beamed to the Earth right now?
Thinking about the line " To new dimensions, for you and me" is this perhaps reference to a shift spoken about in spiritual circles from 3D to 5D?
There certainly seems a message to transcend the lower vibrations of the wall to wall messages we are receiving on a daily basis.
So let's see what our cards have to say:
First out is 11 Justice.
Let's take a look first at the number 11. The number 11 is the Master number that is related to Karma. This number is also a symbol of spiritual awakening. When this number appears, it means that we should turn more to our spiritual life. We each have our life purpose on this planet and we are asked to consider how we need to serve to others.
11 is a message concerning our soul mission or greater life purpose.
When we receive messages containing Master Number 11 we are being given inspiration and encouragement to develop our abilities in ways that will help all of humanity.
In the Justice card we have the light and the dark, the truth and the untruths... all is weighed and considered impartially, in loving objectivity. We are asked to consider all of our experiences to this point and learn from each of them. This is opportunity to seek truth, wisdom and perspective.
Our second card 9 of Cups really depicts the light burst.
Angel number 9 is all about purpose. When we see the number 9 appear in our daily experience, it is a message concerning the discovery and fulfillment of our life’s purpose.
Nine is the highest of all the single-digit numbers, which means that its vibration is also the highest.
When we receive messages containing this high vibration, they are sending us the spiritual inspiration necessary to take the next evolutionary step in our spiritual development.
From this perspective, the most meaningful and purposeful activity that anyone can engage in is service to humanity and all of life.
Encountering the number 9 could be a sign that we need to focus less on material gain and sensual experience and more on our larger purpose in life.
(a bit of a repeating message here) It seems we are here at this pivotal time in our history for a reason.
The 9 of Cups is all about receiving the gifts of the universe, we can see the figure in the card jumping for joy, abundant with the connection and energy to the limitless universe. It sees us stepping into total alignment with the universe and our true purpose.
We see the woman transcending the mundane and being lifted through a higher state of vibration. Her heart bursts with love and light that fills the whole picture. She feels filled up with this energy of hope, of her dreams manifest and her gratitude for the infinite universe.
Our final card for today is 17 The Star. The number 17 is a blend of the number 1 and the number 7.
When these two numbers are added together, we get the number 8, which is the number of Karma and also links us back to the Strength card.
This number is a fortunate one, but also requires working on some issues from the past.
This number is leading us towards the Divine truth and purpose. It is also considered the symbol of infinity.
The number 17 symbolises the beginning of the path to spiritual awakening and enlightenment. It signifies the development of psychic gifts and inner wisdom.
The Star brings us hope after traumatic events ( It follows The Tower after all) It lights the way of our Soul purpose, of what we are truly here on this Earth for at this time ( boy, what a strong repeating message for us all hey?) Just like the phoenix rising from the ashes the star emerges into the brightness of a new day ( or new era perhaps) Interesting that The Star should appear in our spread after the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on the 21st December, otherwise known as the Star of Bethlehem. As a flower essence Star of Bethlehem brings the positive potential of comfort after difficult unexpected times.
The great conjunction at 0 degrees of Aquarius really has marked our shift into a new age, many believe it to mark the dawning of the age of Aquarius. The Star is associated with the sign of Aquarius.
You can hear more on this here: https://lizianevents.org/.../christmas-eve-with-lisa-davies/
The Star calls us to hold the faith, follow her inspiration with hope and step into our fullest purpose. We have a big mission right now, the question is.... are we ready to step up ?
Themes for January 2021:
* Shinning a light into the darkness
* Stepping into our Soul's purpose
* Holding a willingness to serve
* Following our inner wisdom and inspiration

​Will you choose happy today?
As we scroll social media, turn on the TV, what are you noticing is the predominant narrative right now?
Is it happy?
Is it inspiring?
Is it hopeful?

Today, I'm urging you to start a ripple, be the change, choose happy....
#choosehappy #selfcaretips #makingadifference #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth

Climate change awareness continues to increase. And as more information becomes available about ‘carbon footprints’ and how they are generated, many companies, governments and individuals are opting for greener solutions that can make a real and direct impact.

Although there are a number of factors to consider when businesses look to incorporate sustainability in their everyday operations, there are two major reasons that not only make long-term fiscal sense, but help ensure the planet’s health as well!

Reduce Operating Expenses Means Reducing Footprints .By utilising technology and recent innovations, companies are able to reduce the carbon footprint generated by everyday operations, and many of these new developments significantly reduce fixed and variable costs.

Green (aka renewable) electricity offers the biggest impact by eliminating the greenhouse gases produced by electrical use, since a large portion of the carbon footprint is energy use. 

Many sustainable practices also reduce waste, eliminating the costs associated with the garbage that ends up in landfills—which generates huge amounts of greenhouse gases—water usage, and other operations. Cloud technology helps significantly lower the reliance on paper, and upgrading taps, fixtures and toilets can reduce water consumption.

Switching to LED light bulbs will immediately save about 10 percent on electricity costs, and they last about 40 percent longer than traditional bulbs.

These and other sustainable practices combine to lower operational costs over time, leading to a healthier planet and bottom line.

Ultimately, while some of these options may have higher up-front expenses, over the long term they become significant ways to reduce operating costs...while allowing companies to take a bold action-oriented approach to environmental responsibility.

Utilise the power of social causes to enhance customer satisfaction and engagement.

With the widespread use and dependence of the internet, consumers are more knowledgeable than ever before. Many buyers deliberately choose companies that support environmental best practices, and look for businesses that go the extra mile to help protect and maintain natural resources.

Furthermore, having a strong focus on environmental responsibility and the social causes that accompany it (such as reducing extreme poverty in developing countries) can be powerful at giving companies the edge that ultimately drives consumers to side with the option that not only satisfies their needs--but helps save the planet as well.
Having a sustainability program in place is the first step, but supporting organizations and groups that work to combat climate change through tree planting and conservation activities have also been shown to create a favourable impression among consumers.

In 2007, about 50 percent of consumers said they prefer to buy from socially conscious, green companies. That number jumped to 88 percent in 2018 (source: Futerra)! In fact, more and more customers want to know the carbon footprint of the business they patron.

Introducing and carrying out greener practices don’t have to be super complicated. By making changes in small ways, businesses can improve their margins and know that their operations are doing their part to ensure that the planet stays healthy for future generations.
 
https://8billiontrees.com/

Today's storytelling.
Stepping into the light.

And from the universal comms team Wamdue Project and "King of my castle"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXSyQjppqG0
"Must be the reason why I'm king of my castle
Must be the reason why I'm freeing my trapped soul
Must be the reason why I'm king of my castle
Must be reason why I'm making examples to you"
The lyrics suggest to me that we are the keeper of our own "Castle" or ourselves in other words and that our soul cannot be trapped by another. The "making examples" line makes me think about disclosure, uncovering truths and discovery.
Let's see how this theme plays out in our cards today...
First card out today is the 7 of swords... hmm that crow is cawing loudly, trying to bring our attention to the figure skulking around in the moonlit sky, he appears to be up to no good. There appears to be trickery and deception afoot.... but to what ends? What is the intent, is all as it seems?
Crows symbolise transformation and change. They are watchful creatures that have a sharp and powerful foresight.
He sees the figure has taken feathers from the nest and he is now cawing like a siren in the night. The moon is illuminating the scene, shedding light on the truth. The picture would have us believe one interpretation of what is taking place.... but is it the truth I wonder?
The light of the full moon is uncovering truths, that before were hidden perhaps?
The moon represents our ‘inner world’, our hidden emotions, desires, our shadow-self, fears/worries and our dreams.
It represents our feelings, our unconscious beliefs, the past and our yin or feminine goddess archetype.
The Moon offers us the ability to feel, learn from the past and creatively unlock and express our essence.
During a Full Moon, the Moon is sitting opposite the Sun, fully illuminated by the light of the Sun. Hence the Moon & Sun are on opposite sides of the zodiac during a Full Moon which can make for a challenging or intense aspect of energy, but also a very potent potential as the Lunar & Solar (yin & yang) are in natural harmonic balance.
Our second card today is the king of pentacles.
Ahh look at the warmth exuded by this king. He is abundant in the true sense of the word. He has lived life and his experience shines through, he has reached a place of being totally comfortable in his own skin. Look at the library, symbolic of wisdom, intelligence, knowledge, education and new doors of opportunity.
Our king wears a comfy green jumper.Green, the colour of life, renewal, nature, and energy, is associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and the environment. It is also the colour of the heart chakra.
Beside him sits a wolf.The power of the wolf brings forth instinct, intelligence, appetite for freedom, and awareness of the importance of social connections.
This animal can also symbolise fear of being threatened and lack of trust. When the wolf shows up in our life, we are asked pay close attention to what our intuition is telling us.
Our final card today is the 6 of wands.
Our subject is centre stage and in the spotlight. She holds her arms heavenward and beside her we see a victory wreath, at first I thought it to be made of laurel leaves as is the tradition, but then I was drawn to white berries and the word "Mistletoe" came to mind.
Mistletoe flower essence encourages peace within even during times of transition; it is recommended when we are undergoing big changes in our lives, as it increases resiliency to stress and encourages a calm and steady mind on our journey through life.
Well she's stepped out and stepped up, she is ready to inspire those around her, to become a leader and influencer, whilst her heart may be in her mouth as she takes her place in the spotlight she is embracing the calling to share her truth and be seen and heard.
It feels like it has been some journey to get to this point, yet now is the moment, success at last.
It feels as though we are at a time of asking deep questions, tapping into our innate wisdom and intuition and standing up for our truth, we are being seen and heard.
We are leading our own castle so to speak and perhaps freeing our soul from the fears and worries of the past months.
It's been one heck of a journey, yet success appears to be on the horizon.
#makingadifference #lifeisbeautiful

In today's interview I chat with sound healer Gregg Chapman. We talk about the healing power of sound, the detrimental effects of stress and fear around us in the World right now and how the vibration and resonance of the didge and our own conscious awareness of our personal energy can help us bring about a relaxation response.
Gregg also shares his personal journey of travelling the World, of learning from Aboriginal Tribal Elders, meeting his beautiful wife Gina in Japan and then following her back to the UK and his more recent journey through grief to healing after she sadly passed away a year ago.
Of course Gregg shares a beautiful piece of vibrational healing by playing the didge for us.
For more information about Gregg's work visit:
https://www.greggchapman.com/
Where you can also sign up for his newsletter the "Digeridoings"
Download his latest album "Serenity" here: https://www.greggchapman.com/serenity
Follow him on Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/greggchapmanenergy

Today's Storytelling
Walking on the moon
And from the universal comms team, "Walking on the moon" by The Police.
https://youtu.be/mbv-LcdLY-Y
Giant steps are what you take
Walking on the moon
Some may say
I'm wishing my days away
No way
Interesting lyrics, maybe we are delving into the watery, emotional, intuitive energy of the moon, yet by doing so we are able to take giant steps ahead in our growth and deeper understanding.
Maybe this dreamy state may make us feel that we are wasting our days.... in a daze... and yet illuminating the deeper and darker parts of our collective psyche.... bringing light in the dark we can bring our wounds to the surface to be healed.
Let's see how this shows in our cards.
First out today is 18 The Moon.floating in the watery depths our subject is mesmerised by the light of the moon.

On the land a wolf and a dog howl at the moon. The contrast of the wild and the domesticated.
The untamed and the tamed. The conscious and the unconscious.
A deeply intuitive card, suggests that we can trust our instincts, intuition and perception.
We may be faced with uncertainty, the road ahead unclear.... and yet the more we struggle to gain control the more frustrating it becomes.... if we can surrender and flow with what is, moment by moment, our instinct will support our movement forward.
Our second card today is the queen of swords.
A thought leader, she may appear distant or aloof, this couldn't be further from the truth. She simply keeps her emotions in check. She is proficient at managing her emotional state.... yet her care runs deeper than we might expect.
She takes in the grand vista.... she is thinking ahead, out to the ever changing horizon, with calm determination to create solutions for the greater good.
Our final card is the 7 of cups. All the choices... all the roads that could be ahead. What's true and what's an illusion?
There in lies the challenge..and the opportunity. We may not have all of the information, or the definitive route ahead.... and yet we are urged to make a considered choice.
Time to regroup perhaps ? To ,go back to basics , back to our centre, back to the fundamentals, follow our instincts and intuition yes.... yet avoiding illusion and distraction.

#makingadifference #lifeisbeautiful

Today's storytelling.
Starlight, star bright.

And from the universal comms team we have Coldplay and "A sky full of stars"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDonh28AY3I
'Cause you're a sky, 'cause you're a sky full of stars
'Cause you light up the path
Such a heavenly view
Let's see how this starlight, star bright shows up in our cards today...
First card today is the page of pentacles. Balancing carefully on the earth. What comes to mind here for me today is the fine balance between the needs of mother nature and the material needs of man, along with the balance between the divine masculine and the divine feminine.
It feels like this Page is at a pivot point, or sweet spot, again a reference to that point of balance.
She knows that it's a delicate step she takes into a new beginning.
Behind her we see spruce trees, labelled ‘The Tree of Birth’; their scented evergreen needles signify resilience and strength. This is the reason the tree is also associated with Artemis,the Goddess of the Moon, associated with hunting, nature and protector of women ( or maybe in our case mother earth or the divine feminine), as well as renewal, resilience and resurgence, as these are all qualities she prized above all others.
Spruce signifies a potentially difficult period in our life. Our resilience may have been tested on an emotional and physical level. This is a time of tapping into our inner reserves and not giving up even if we feel tired and worn out. Spruce reminds us of our inner resilience and to not give up now.
Our second card today is the 10 of swords... in the traditional Rider Waite, this is the card that appears with the person laying on the ground, face down with 10 swords in their back.
Not always considered the most cheery of cards, yet as I've said many times before, there are no good or bad cards.
Yes, things may not have worked out how we had planned, or expected and yet there is still hope on the horizon. Whilst these transformational times may be challenging, out of such illumination of the darkness , our resilience, creativity and strength often come to the fore.
The message of this card is to reflect on what we have learned through this period in our history, what will we take forward onto that new horizon?
Our final card for today is the 3 of cups. Ah, I see strength in family, kinship, friendships, community and bonds. If there's something to be learned from this time, this card suggests that it is in the strength, support and resilience we can muster when we come together. This is how we strike a balance or redress a balance that had gone array.
There's a higher spiritual feel to this card and the connections to the stars within it. The message I hear is we are not alone, we are never alone. We can count on our community.... and when I say that it feels vast... not just our immediate community, not just our local community, not even our global community.... I mean beyond that, way beyond that.
I'm urged to say, look up to the stars, not down to your feet!
Perhaps we are thinking too small, perhaps we are being asked to expand our thinking, as our song choice from the universal comms team suggests for us today.
After all as Einstein taught us:
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking ( or being I'd like to add ) we used when we created them".
~ Albert Einstein

#makingadifference #lifeisbeautiful

In today's episode I chat with Co-founder of MindHarp, Stewart Redpath. We chat all things, music, sound, resonance and healing.
Stewart shares his journey to creating MindHarp and the work he has been doing, in the field of Dementia and with teams in business along with his plans for the future.
For more details visit:
https://mindharp.world
https://music2meeting.com/mindharp-teamtuning

In today's Get a life moment, I am joined by Jon Chambers, co-founder of 8 Billion Trees.
As you will notice, I'm not interviewing him by video, but in the written word.
This is because he is currently in the Amazon! I first came across Jon whilst on YouTube, when I saw the video above, I was so moved by his work that I felt compelled to interview him and bring his message to the World.

And what an inspiration he is !

​Here's the interview:

Jon Chambers formed 8 Billion Trees to combat the climate crisis by offsetting carbon while restoring biodiversity and rebuilding habitats for wildlife. He is motivated and driven by the concept that if humans can destroy the Earth, they can also work to rebuild it as well.

Launching large-scale planting operations in the Amazon Rain forest, forming agreements with government bodies to restore and conserve devastated areas, and utilizing non-profit planting partners to expand their impact, 8 Billion Trees formed a multi-faceted approach with the goal of making an impact not just this month or this year--but one that can withstand the test of time and make a real dent in the deforestation crisis.
​
Who is Jon Chambers: 

​
Troubled by the environmental and ecological crises unfolding around the globe, I hold the belief that a unified effort of ACTIONists is one of the only things powerful enough to reverse the destruction and begin healing our planet. ACTIONists are activists in motion--people who are pressed with the realization that only bold action can reverse the tides and make a lasting positive change for the planet.
What has been your journey to here: Interviewees share/ disclose as much
or as little as they feel comfortable to.

8 Billion Trees was founded with a huge goal, and one that I take very seriously: to plant and conserve 8 billion trees as the Earth's population exceeds 8 billion people.

The belief is that if we can form a strong connection of responsibility with every single person around the world to plant and safeguard just 1 tree, we can create a zeitgeist of environmental respect and love for the planet that can form the basis for a permanent switch in perspective that is powerful enough to change how people treat and care for precious ecosystems and wildlife.

What are you working on now/next?: What is your vision/ aspiration

We are working hard to continue expanding our planting operations in the Amazon Rain forest while launching new planting sites where they are desperately needed--like our new planting initiative in South Australia with the government there to begin restoring habitats destroyed by the horrific wildfires that ravaged the ecosystem there just months ago.

We are also focused on spreading awareness for our program that helps individuals to counter their carbon footprint and even go beyond to become carbon positive.

And finally what is your top tip for life? 

As cheesy as it sounds--be filled with gratitude. At the core of everything our team does--it all comes from a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation that we have the real capability to make a change. It's what drives us everyday to keep planting and conserving trees and caring for wildlife: we know our actions are making a true difference.

For more information on Jon's work visit:
https://8billiontrees.com/
https://www.facebook.com/8billiontrees/
#makingadifference #lifeisbeautiful

In today's episode I chat with Canadian author, leadership coach and hypnotherapist KG Johnston. We talk about the shift to the way of effortless leadership and just what we can learn from nature's flow in how we live and lead.
More about KG:
K.G. Johnston is a seeker, a big-picture-thinker and a quiet rebel. He loves learning, new experiences and challenging status-quo-thinking when it doesn’t work. He has always had a passion for ideas and people that transform the world and make it a better place. K.G. worked as a consultant and coach in Toronto for transition consulting firms, in addition to maintaining his own clientele.
He helped individuals and organizations flow with change. His first book was an accident waiting to happen. He literally followed a dream and took a long journey West to find it. He got a little lost along the way and couldn’t see the forest for the trees, but they whispered to him, changed him and told him that they had something to share with us.
He came upon a wise mentor who saw something in him and asked him to write a paragraph on his leadership philosophy. To his complete surprise, that one paragraph grew organically into a book. In the process, K.G. discovered that he loved to write.
He now aims to use his writing to touch, challenge and inspire you to see, think and feel anew and is currently working on his second book, along with planning a retreat for leaders to experience the way of effortless leadership first hand.
http://kgjohnston.com/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Way-Effortle...

Today's storytelling.
Grace.
And from the universal comms team "Blinded by your grace" by Stormzy.
https://youtu.be/HPuj6UISMhs
A beautiful song, well a hymn I guess, with a surprising singer perhaps? A grime star singing such a poignant song is perhaps a little unexpected.
But then grace shows itself in the most unexpected ways, don't you think ?
Let's see how it is represented in our cards today...
First card today is a return of the 6 of cups ( cups representative of the water element and of feelings and emotions).
A beautiful nostalgia washes through this card, the journey of two lifelong companions is depicted.
The words "loyal and trusted" come to mind.
A feeling of faith in one another, reliability and unending support, no matter what should cross their path.
Our second card today is 14 Temperance.
When I look at the card today I see balance and unending flow. The intertwined and interconnectedness of sun and moon, yin and yang .... it feels that in truth, there is no duality, just an unending graceful flow to oneness... there is no whole without the sum of parts.
All is overseen by an angelic figure, I'm reminded of mind, body and spirit and the trinity.
Our final card today is 0 The Fool. I'm drawn to the seed of life, the 7 over lapping circles a reference to the 7 days of creation.
A new world being created, one that our new born fool is about to step into perhaps.
The turquoise colour of spiritual growth and change seems strong in the card today.
Our fool appears to be taking a huge leap of faith.
I feel a sense of uplifting energy, hope and ....... well grace as I look at this group of cards.
A gentle strength, that no matter what, the new day will dawn and all will be well.
#makingadifference #lifeisbeautiful

Today's storytelling.
Believe.
And from the universal comms team "Believe" by Lenny Kravitz
https://youtu.be/spPWnh3JvZ0
As I looked at our cards, I was drawn to the star formation in our second card and the video from our song came to mind. It's a song that reminds me of my close friend and soul sister, Lisa.
I even included it in my book.
The lyrics are beautiful and pretty powerful, altogether apt for our current time.
" I am you and you are me, why's that such a mystery?
If you want it you got to believe.
Who are we?
We're who we are.
Riding on this great big star.
We've got to stand up if we're gonna be free yeah.
If you want it you got it,
You just got to believe,
Believe in yourself
'Cause it's all just a game.
We just want to be loved.
The future's in our present hands, let's reach right in, let's understand"
Let's see how this plays out in our cards ...
First out today is the king of swords (swords representative of the air element and of thought and mind)
Today my eyes are drawn straight to the owl. Owls are as we know nocturnal, their ability to navigate the world in darkness, gives us a clue to their wise medicine.
Owl asks us to see beyond the surface of life and see the tiny details of what's beneath. They help us see what is hidden in the darkness.
The owl looks to the future, never the past. Urging us to move forward in life and focus only on the present and what lies ahead.
The owl gifts us second sight, discernment and great wisdom.
I'm then drawn to bat. Bat symbolises rebirth, illusion, tenacity, and communication.
They have the ability to see through illusions and adapt in life when the timing is right.
With this heightened perception bats cannot be fooled and know that things are not always as they appear.
Bats are often found hanging upside down, a little like the hanged man, seeing the world from a different perspective.
A little like the owl, they have a deep intuition.
It appears that we are being urged to look beyond the surface and to tap into our intuition.
Bat connects us with the flow of our heart and giving out love to the world.
Our second card today is the 3 of cups ( cups representative of the water element and of feelings and emotions)
What jumps out at me is the lavender.
The planets that rule lavender are Mercury and Neptune.
Mercury is the messenger in astrology. It is the planet of communication.
Mercury’s action is to take things apart and put them back together again. It is an opportunistic planet, decidedly unemotional and curious.
Neptune is considered a planet of inspiration, dreams, psychic receptivity, illusion and confusion. Neptune rules spirituality and all things subtle.
Lavender is associated with Selene.
Goddess Selene was associated with the Moon, the sky, the night and the light. Many called her “the one who brought light”
She would drive her chariot in the night sky while pulling the moon. She was known for her personification of life's constant changes, although her weakness was her dislike of the moon's ever changing phases
We see three women arm in arm stargazing.
On the back of the first woman is a tattoo of the trinity knot, symbolising eternal, spiritual life and being, or life-death-rebirth.
It seems to be a message of continuous change and the cyclical changes of life that are never ending .... even if they are uncomfortable, it is the way of things.
Our final card today is the 7 of wands ( wands representative of the fire element and action)
Looking at the card today I'm reminded of a snow globe.
When we think of a snow globe it can innovoke feelings of wonderment, childhood innocence and a perfect scene.
However, as we know, when the globe is shook or disturbed the snow flurries around in a whirl until the globe is placed once again on a firm foundation, this is when the snow settles once more into a tranquil setting.
Perhaps a metaphor for our own globe right now, we are in the midst of the flurries, it is still in the state of being shook up and we cannot yet know when, where and how things we settle once more.
We notice the woman in our card is sitting in a yogic pose, hands in prayer position. Despite the many wands coming toward her, she is in a place of centred calm, despite any storm.
She emanates golden light from her solar plexus, shining her light into the world she is in her own little bubble, not effected by whatever may be happening around her.
She has learned to meditate and be in the present moment no matter what may be unfolding .
So in summary it seems we are urged to see way beyond the mundane and the obvious. We are perhaps being asked to trust and believe in our own inner sat nav, intuition and gut intinct.
Change is the one constant on which we can rely. When we stay in a place of the eternal now, moment by moment we can navigate both the small and the large daily changes more easily .
#makingadifference #lifeisbeautiful

Today's storytelling.
The tide is high
And from the universal comms team a great song by the same name from Blondie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppYgrdJ0pWk
The lyrics that jump out at me today:
"The tide is high but I'm holding on"
It feels like it might be quite apt with our cards today... let's see.
First out today is the 4 of pentacles (pentacles representative of the earth element and manifestation)
I notice our figure hanging on tightly to her purse, worried that there won't be enough, or that it will be taken away from her. She is using a filter of fear, when in truth she has all that she needs.
The number 4 spiritually is a sign of stability and balance. To reach a point of stability, we need to endure and overcome all the challenges that will present themselves in our life. To do this, we need to trust in our self and the abundant universe.
I notice the scarf wrapped around her head, it appears to be layer upon layer, it feels as though her head is overcrowded with thoughts and this is making her doubt her worth or abundance. Her red dress is symbolic of the base chakra, connected with safety, security and having her basic needs met, it makes me think of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
Around her hand I notice a string of Greek worry beads, which are commonly believed to have first been used on Mount Athos in northern Greece during medieval times, where strands of beads made of woolen knots were tied on a string and used as an aid to recount prayers.
There is a link to Mother Mary and Mount Athos and as such is known as the “Garden of the Mother of God. Mother Mary is associated with healing, abundance, vision and truth.
Our second card today is the 3 of wands (wands representative of the fire element and of action)
The tide is high, but our figure is holding on, waiting for the wave to come. ( hmm now there's a metaphor if ever I saw one) She's next to the beach, waiting to drive right on in to the sea, yet she's holding back. We can notice this in our news right now, holidays being cancelled and talk of a second wave.
Just when we were ready to take action we are perhaps holding back, not certain if another wave is coming.
There's an anticipatory feeling with this card today, like an energy building, yet we haven't yet put this energy into action.
But hang on... here comes 7 The Chariot. We are about to be fast forwarded, it's quite a ride with the chariot, we are going to be required to merge the energy of opposing energies in a forward momentum.
Perhaps this is depicting the challenging balance of the ongoing pandemic and spikes appearing, whilst driving the economy and life in a forward direction.
It feels like we're being asked to hold the course, keep the focus and harness the energy and ride with the delicate balance facing us.
For some reason the words "Fibre optic" come to mind, as I observe the card, which connects me with the crystal Ulexite which has fiber-optic capabilities.
It is a stone that has metaphysical properties that connect the emotions and the mind, to enable us to see what we are feeling more clearly, it is a strong stone to stimulate the imagination.
Ulexite encourages us to develop the gift of clairvoyance
(clear seeing) and of far-seeing, either far in time, or far in distance, as well as aiding the development of intuition.
It assists us to in picking up on the energy and intentions of others, perhaps allowing us to discern our route ahead.
#makingadifference #lifeisbeautiful

Today's storytelling.
Manifesting magic.
And from the universal comms team a personal favourite of mine "strange magic" by ELO.
https://youtu.be/eqxigCmFRng
Let's see what magic unfolds in our cards shall we?
First out today is a quick return of the 2 of cups (cups representative of the water element and of feelings and emotions)
Today it's the background colours that jump out at me, firstly the violet to the left of the card.
Violet is the colour of imagination and spirituality. It contains the energy and strength of red and the spirituality and integrity of blue.
It combines body and mind and creates a balance between our physical and mental energy. It helps us to find the meaning of life and attain spiritual fulfillment.
Violet governs the crown chakra, at the top of the head, relating to self-knowledge and spiritual awareness. It is the union with our higher self, with spirituality and our higher consciousness.
I'm then drawn to the lime green colour. This colour gives us a wonderful sense of anticipation at all the possibilities and opportunities the world offers.
Allowing us to be perceptive and non judgmental. Lime green inspires us to try new things by initiating change.
The colour then merges into a bright sunny yellow. This relates to the spleen and life energy. It is the colour of awakening, inspiration, intelligence and action shared. It's creative, playful, optimistic and easy-going.
It feels very much a progression through these colour energies in our card to bring connection and balance ,just as we looked at yesterday.
Our second card today is the King of swords ( swords representative of the air element and of thought and mind)
The cool ice backdrop of the snow capped mountains in the card jump forward to me today.
The mountain as a symbol is thought to contain divine inspiration, it is the focus of pilgrimages of transcendence and spiritual elevation.
It symbolises constancy, permanence, motionlessness and at it's peak it spiritually signifies the state of absolute consciousness.
Many ancient cultures considered the mountain the “Centre of the World.” It often serves as a cosmic axis linking heaven and earth and providing “order” to the universe.
When we look at the meaning of snow symbolically it gets quite interesting.
Snow consists of separate snowflakes that are actually independent of each other, unlike water which is one unified entity. Although it consists of droplets, each drop joins with another and they become one body of water.
As a metaphor then we can see this as a message of each of us being just like a unique collection of snowflakes, we maybe similar or quite different yet at some level, no matter how we come together we are still separate, when we become more fluid; just like water, we become a greater body of connectedness, we flow together so to speak.
My eyes are then drawn to the ties crossing over the heart of our king. Signifying perhaps that we are at a pivotal moment; a crossroads.
In folk magic and mythology, crossroads represent a location "between the worlds" and as such, a point where we can be the supernatural spirits that we truly are and where magic can truly take place.
Our final card for today is another king, this time the king of pentacles (pentacles representative of the earth element and manifestation)
He looks pretty chilled sitting in his beanbag , his wolf by his side.
The wolf totem symbolises a high level of intelligence and a deep connection with our instincts. The meaning of the wolf also resonates with our desire for freedom and independence.
Wolves can function well in a group, or in a 'pack', but can also flourish when they are on their own.
We see in the kings lap he has manifested a large sparkling pentacle. It looks as though it is surrounded by stardust.
He sits in a vast library of books. The library is an important symbol, as it refers to wisdom, being our own wisdom or the human wisdom as a whole.
It could mean that if we are ready to examine our life, we might get access to the universal human wisdom and use it for our benefit now.
So today seems to be a progressive movement forward. By drawing down from our connection to our higher wisdom, we can shift in both our hearts minds to a place of greater oneness and this is where we can manifest true magic.
That's not to say we cannot retain our own sense of self, just as the old saying goes ...
"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts".
#makingadifference #lifeisbeautiful

Today's storytelling.
Balance and connection.
And from the universal comms team a classic from The Beatles " I wanna hold your hand".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jenWdylTtzs
"Oh yeah, I'll tell you somethin'
I think you'll understand
When I say that somethin'
I want to hold your hand"
What comes to mind with this straight away is balance and connection. Duality connected into oneness, kind of following on from yesterday's storytelling.
Let's see how this weaves through our cards for today:
First out today is the 2 of cups (cups representative of the water element and of feelings and emotions)
What I notice today with this card is the rainbow created when the two hands come together. There is even a rainbow bracelet depicted on one of the wrists in the picture.
When the two become one through connection there is a domino effect as the rainbow merges in both directions, there is no separation only a infusion of energy.
When I think of a domino effect it's as though everything is lining up in order for us to make a breakthrough in the areas that we have most needed.
Once in alignment, a domino effect will happens where everything the universe has lined up for us will fall into place one after another.
Rainbows to me symbolise total balance, depicting the range of colours of the chakra system. It also signifies a bridge between heaven and earth. Which also for me has one of my own personal tarot birth cards, The Magician, who's wand points to the heavens and who's finger points to the earth, "As above ,so below" Whatever can be conceived in heaven can be made manifest on the earth... through balance and connection.
We see on one hand ( the right hand) a ring is worn on the middle finger. Because of its central location, the middle finger symbolises balance and responsibility and is associated with Saturn. Since Saturn's metal is lead.
Saturn is stability and calmness, It brings thrift, discipline, patience and seriousness, which can bring dominance, power, and change.Saturn can also represent being stubborn, organised and moving at a slower pace.
Lead is also associated with Saturn. For centuries, alchemists were convinced they could turn lead into gold. It’s associated with fire and melts easily over an open flame. Once burned down, the lead is replaced by a fine yellowish ashy powder, which is why alchemists believed that lead and gold were so intricately connected. Lead is the metal of transformation and resurrection.
Magical uses of lead include rituals that focus on connection with your deepest unconscious self, meditation, and stability and grounding.
On the other hand ( the left hand) we see a ring on the pinky finger. From an astrological or palmistry point of view, the little finger is associated with intelligence and persuasion. It represents Mercury, both the planet and the element.
Mercury is the messenger of the gods in mythology. It is the planet of day to day expression and relationships. Mercury's action is to take things apart and put them back together again.
Because it appears as a living, breathing thing in constant motion, mercury is sometimes associated with the serpent. It’s symbolic not only with the life force itself, but also with the aspects of death and decomposition and rebirth.
Mercury signifies communication and progress, the god Mercury we might remember was a wing footed messenger. As well as mental clarity, higher learning and education, Mercury gives us the ability to be persuasive and convincing.
Our second card today is the 8 of pentacles (pentacles representative of the earth element and manifestation).
Today my eye is drawn to the pile of old books and quill pen.
A quill, or a writing pen that is made from the feather of a bird, is a symbol of communication. It is also antiquated and old-fashioned, indicating manners and sensibilities that are a throwback to the past. It is often seen as being graceful and beautiful.
We notice that the feather is white. A white feather represents the crown chakra. It represents wisdom and blessing which are connected with the moon. It represents the celestial realm, angels, heaven, and higher dimensions. It denotes protection, peace, hope, faith, trust, innocence, purity, cleansing, and purification.
We are perhaps asked to reflect back in time so that we may cleanse and purify ready for the future.
Next I'm drawn to the Aloe Vera plant. It is believed that its presence on a spiritual and energetic level cleanses the surrounding environment from negative energy.
There are many shamanic uses for Aloe Vera, namely protection, cleansing rituals, as well as spiritual bathing, It is believed to raise spiritual energy. It has also been called the plant of eternity.
As it is placed next to the old books and quill, it is another suggestion of cleansing and purifying the past in readiness for our onward journey.
I'm then drawn to the bowls of herbs and flowers, in particular the daisy.
Daisies symbolise innocence and purity. This stems from an old Celtic legend.In Norse mythology, the daisy is Freya's sacred flower. Freya is the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, and as such the daisy came by symbolise childbirth, motherhood, and new beginnings.
As a flower essence daisy helps us to stay centred, grounded and in command when circumstances which are out of our control, or threaten to throw us off balance. This essence helps us to centre in ourself, remain calm and composed, collect our thoughts and then move forward with peace of mind.
Our final card for today is the 2 of pentacles ( another earth element card).
We see our subject balancing the two pentacles, in a constant flow. I've mentioned before that often when I look at this card, it looks as though her skirt is o back to front, as though she is looking backwards.Maybe another suggestion of going back over history to reflect before moving forwards.
I notice that our subject wears two rings on her right hand one on her thumb and one on her forth finger.
In classic mythology the the thumb was believed to be an indicator of character: strong, straight thumbs meant an authoritative personality, while crooked ones were seen as a sign of wickedness or dishonesty.We can see our subject has a straight thumb.
The thumb represents the brain in terms of the body and also thoughts and the mind.
Symbolically, the forth finger or ring finger is associated with Earth's moon, creativity, and beauty, as well as its obvious associations with romantic relationships. The moon's metal is silver.
In astrology, the Moon represents our emotions, our comfort zone, our maternal side and how we express our feelings and vulnerability.
Silver is the metal of emotions, of the psychic mind and of loving as well as healing. It is used to bring patience and perseverance.
Silver is known to enhance the powers of the moon, particularly during the full and new moons. Throughout the world it is identified with the lunar manifestations of the Great Mother or Goddess therefore associating with the yin and feminine energies.
The lunar qualities of Silver brings balance to our life, developing what is good and necessary while diminishing whatever causes us harm or prevents our evolution.
Well we have some very strong themes running though our cards today..... cleansing and clearing the past, being in balance in the present in order that we can make deeper and more meaningful connection with the future.
#makingadifference #lifeisbeautiful