Living On The Edge Of Perception Magazine - Winter Solstice
Living ON THE EDGE
OF PERCEPTION
SHARE A JOURNEY WITH OUR ~ART DOULA~
ONCE THE TOWER FALLS, A STAR RISES
A SHAMAN’S WORDS OF WISDOM
SOLSTICE
JOURNEY OF SELF-CARE
THE POWER OF PICTURES
Reclaimingancient magicformodernliving
DISCOVER THE GIFT OF WATER WITH A HEALING RITUAL
LAVENDER AND THE FULL MOON? OH, MY!
THE GREAT SHIFT OF OUR ERA –what does it mean and how do we hold on during this wild ride?
THE ANCIENT HEALING POWERS OF RYTHM RECLAIMED
“This is the solstice, the still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight, the year's threshold and unlocking… …where the past lets go of and becomes the future; the place of caught breath.”
—Margaret Atwood
Living On The Edge Of Perception Welcome to
Reclaimingancient magickformodernliving
At one time, challenging one’s own thoughts was not only highly regarded, it was considered a vital part of learning, an essential element of crafting a democracy that could last the ages and weather the worst of times. Delve into these ideas and practices with the expectation of looking at something from a different perspective. In the pages that follow, we explore how people think, feel and interact with nature, rhythm and the mysteries of life in ways that support observation, discussion, and reassessment. It is one of the great joys of living to question what we see and feel, to stand in the place of caught breath.
CO-CREATOR AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
TL Woodliff
Terran@TLWoodliff.com
CO-CREATOR, DESIGN & EDITORIAL
Dr. Ruth Souther
RuthSouther52@Gmail.com
CO-CREATOR, DESIGN & EDITORIAL
Michelle Angone
ART PAGE 98 AND EDITING ASSISTANCE
Amanda Cornett
How to contact us: EDGE OF PERCEPTION
Michelle Angone
Loralyn Elizabeth
Elliott Challandes
Amanda Cornett
Teri Freesmeyer
Dwight Harriman
Peggy Patty
Ruth Souther
Amanda Wanless
TL Woodliff
2945 Stanton St, Suite F, Springfield, IL 62703
TheGoddesses@EdgeOfPerception.Org
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EDITORIAL
Unsolicited submissions of your story are always welcomed. Visit our website for guidelines. LETTER TO THE EDITOR
If you would like to respond to an article, your thoughts are welcomed and may be printed. Email directly to Terran@TLWoodliff.com THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS
RUTH SOUTHER Tarot Tidbits
MICHELLE ANGONE
Magickal Musings
ELLIOTT CHALLANDES
Sacred Ceremonies of Transformation
TERI FREESMEYER
The Art Doula
DWIGHT HARRIMAN
The Shaman’s Lens
LORALYN ELIZABETH
Spice of Life
TL WOODLIFF
Ecospirituality For The Angry Woman
For lovers of EPIC FANTASY
Best-selling author Ruth Souther has crafted another masterpiece of suspense!
“Death of Innocence is not only a page-turner, but it is HOT! I have never read a story about the Greek gods told in such a human and relatable way. Ruth Souther has a way of bringing her characters to life naturally. I didn't feel like I was reading dialogue. I felt like I was actually immersed in the conversations of these people.”
It’s Elderberry Season
The Celtic Lunar Tree calendar shares the wisdom of the Elder Tree at this time of the year. And, indeed, it is the last tree of the calendar year. It reminds us that before we can move on to new growth and the planting of new dreams, we must allow that which needs to end to do so once and forever. TheEldertree’swisdomistoseetheendinthe beginningandthebeginningintheend. So, take some of that wisdom and stuff it into your Yuletide turkey. Literally. It’s a great flavoring, but the act of shoving the past into the nether regions of a dead animal can be quite cathartic.
BY AMANDA CORNETT
BY TL WOODLIFF
DWIGHT HARRIMAN
BY TERI FREESMEYER
about
The Edge of Perception brings sacred stories into the mainstream through seasonal celebrations, ceremonies, blessings, trance work, and meditations.
We offer fantastic writing retreats, programs for new writers, and a weekly writing group to find support, receive constructive feedback, and enjoy unique writing exercises while setting goals.
We believe everyone has a story –check us out and submit your work to our newest collection.
from the editor
PUTTING TOGETHER THIS issue has made me realize what extraordinary people I know. I am over the moon that they have agreed to share their wisdom and knowledge with us each month.
I admire every one of these authors and shamans, these storytellers and artists who are all Living life at the edge.
And you know what? I don’t agree with everything they write. I know for a fact they don’t agree with me on more than a few topics. We don’t support living in an echo chamber when it comes to things like thinking and feeling.
I’ve seen people practically get into a catfight over whether tarot is a psychological tool utilizing art and images or whether it calls in spirits to guide the reader.
It’s okay not to agree. We don’t have to get angry that another person has a different way of looking at things. I refuse to accept that we are in a place where we cannot get along with and thrive next to someone who has a different opinion. Call me the optimist.
But it’s not easy. It takes effort. That’s why my column is titled Ecospirituality For The Angry Woman. I share what helps me stay off the ledge.
And the stories within these pages help as well. They let me know I’m not alone. These brilliant souls share simple yet effective ways of bringing more of the sacred into everyday living.
Welcome~
Welcome
Winter
“In East-Asian Medicine, Winter is associated with the Element of Water. It is time for stillness and self-reflection.”
There are big Sacred Ceremonies such as Weddings, Funerals and Rites of Passage. However, there are smaller ceremonies that are both sacred and powerful for our personal transformation. These can be simple acts done with focused intention.
where you can find a quiet place to sit and relax. Try to do this for at least 15 to 20 minutes a few times a week. Have a glass or bottle of water available. Spring waterisbest,sinceitisallnatural.
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ALLOW YOUR BODY TO RELAX and your mind to concentrate on slow easy breaths. Push your conscious thoughts aside and focusonyourbreathing.
You can enhance your relaxation experience by using a variety of aids, if desired. You can light a candle, play soft slow music, or useincense.
AFTER A FEW MINUTES have passed, you should feel a deeper state of relaxation. See, sense or simply imagine yourself inaveryhappyandrelaxingplace. Perhaps it is a place from a memory, or perhaps it is simply a placeinyourimagination.
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If possible, envision a wintery scene or one that is near water. This will assist in activating the Water Element. Enjoy this place of happiness and relaxation for a few moments and allow yourself to relax even more.
If at this point, you are finding these first few steps challenging, then feel free to practice them a few times. Once you can be relaxed and see, sense or imagine a happy place, then move on to the next steps.
TURN YOUR ATTENTION INWARD and ask yourself, “Of what am I fearful?”
Give a few moments for an answer to bubble up to the surface of your mind. Take the first idea that comes to your thoughts. It may be about a person, a situation or a thing. It may be about success, failure, lack of money or one of manyotherthings.
TAKE A FEW SIPS of the Natural Spring water. Feel the water in your mouth and as you swallow it, feel it move down your throat. See, sense or imagine the water moving down into your stomach and being absorbed out into your organs, musclesandcells. 4 5 6
AS YOU FOCUS ON THIS FEAR, notice where you feel it in your body. It may feel like a hole, a hard spot, or an ache. You can achieve this by doing a mental scan of your body and simply noticing where you feel a change or where something feels different.
ALLOW THE WATER TO MOVE
into the space where you felt the fear in your body. The water will fill the hole, soften the hardness or reduce the pain. Use the sensation of the water to transform that fearful feeling in your body into something pleasant. Wait a few moments for the healing processoftheWaterElementtohappen.
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ONCE YOU FEEL that the process is complete, return your thoughts to the happy and relaxing place where you began this journey. Find yourself back in the wintery or water scene feeling more content, more grounded and more whole.
END YOUR SACRED CEREMONY by giving yourself a few positive reinforcements and a blessing. Use what words seem appropriate for your situation or use the blessing that follows. Drink some more water and allow it to bring stillness and comforttoyou.
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You can repeat this simple Sacred Water Ceremony as many times as you feel necessary. Often other fears will emerge, and you will be able to transform and heal them.
~ SACRED CEREMONIES OF TRANSFORMATION~ Elliott Challandes
Elliott is the owner of A Healing Place Springfield, providing integrative, complementary, and alternative medicine. A certified practitioner by the American Organization of Body Therapies ofAsia who specializes in Zen Shiatsu.
Elliott provides sessions offering complementary and alternative medicine that promotes holistic health, pain relief, injury recovery, deep relaxation and the integration of mind, body and spirit.
A Winter Blessing
I am quiet and still, like the dawn after the snow. I am strong like the Winter’s wind. I stand in the middle of this great Universe. I stand confident and unafraid. I call upon my deepest resources. I call upon the Element of Water. I find balance in the stillness.
I find peace in the silence. Blessed be, for Winter is welcomed.
The Star
RUTH SOUTHER WEAVES A STORY EXPLAINING HOW, AFTER DESTRUCTION, WE CAN NURTURE A NEW PATHWAY TO SHINE FORTH. THE CARDS IN THE MAJOR ARCANA TELL THE STORY OF LIFE. USE THEM TO SEE WHERE YOU ARE, WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THIS POINT, AND HOW TO KEEP YOUR STORY MOVING FORWARD.
Imagine the world has tumbled down around you.
MANY PEOPLE VIEW TAROT AS A PSYCHIC’S TOOL –SOMETHING ONLY USED TO OFFER HINTS ABOUT THE FUTURE. BUT THEY ARE MISSING OUT ON A KEY ASPECT OF TAROT: ITS ABILITY TO TELL THE STORIES OF OUR LIVES. RUTH SOUTHER EXPLORES HOW YOU CAN USE THE STAR TO HELP GUIDE YOU OUT OF THE FALLING TOWER AND INTO THE NEXT STEP.
IImagine the world has tumbled down around you. The acrid scent of smoke, fire, burnt wood, and scorched concrete makes your nose wrinkle. You check to make sure nothing is broken and you're not bleeding, although you might have a headache because you were thrown clear of the destruction. You remember the sensation of flying through the air before smacking into the hard ground.
Your body feels heavy and awkward as you lay in a field of grass surrounded by the smoldering rubble of your life, wondering what went wrong.
Cyclamen flower represents destruction or time to take a new path.
ASK YOURSELF
Was there satisfaction with your choices? Did you feel smug about your perfect world? Was this the dream manifested? Were you happy with your decisions? Or Were you beginning to question your choices? Deep down, was there a tiny edge of panic? Was there a discontented whisper in the air? Were you feeling the need to escape?
“Whatever those thoughts were, they're moot now. The Tower was destroyed, and you are overwhelmed with relief and gratitude to be alive.”
The weight of that world could have crushed you, but instead, you breathe a sigh of relief. You survived, and that's what matters most.
Maybe you’re glad it’s all gone. Maybe you’re ready for a fresh start. But how? You breathe another sigh as you stare toward the open sky.
Startled, you realize you haven’t seen such a vast expanse in many years.
The heavens sparkle with tiny white lights— thousands, maybe millions—like crystals sewn onto a dark cloth. They are breathtaking and brilliant, a sight that fills you with awe and inspiration.
When did you lose track of such beauty?
You take no notice as the fires around you cool. You could get up and walk away, but all you have eyes for is the night sky, filled with possibilities.
Why haven’t you felt the pull of opportunities?
Why have you kept yourself locked away in your Tower?
So many options! So much potential! So much time wasted.
You feel sadness settle over like a weighted blanket until one light in the velvety night brightens. You feel pulled toward it as if levitating right off the ground. The tug is a direct link to your creative soul. The Star becomes bigger, more compelling, dazzling, and filled with colors. It's unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
Suddenly, all the leftover debris means nothing. It’s all in the past. The Star is the only thing you can see. It grows brighter and stronger, and you are filled with juicy revelations of the path forward.
You don’t need what’s in the past except the experiences that inform your soul’s evolution.
The Star beckons with the urgency of the future, a future filled with endless possibilities and opportunities waiting for you to seize them.
What will you build?
How will you manifest all those spicy dreams?
MOST PEOPLE are aware that getting out in nature has measurable effects on mental, physical and even spiritual well-being. And the greatest minds in history had their best insights when walking in nature. (Not just walking down the street, mind you – heading out into the trails and woodlands.) We’re talking about the likes of Darwin, here. They walked to think.
watched as brains lit up, responding to images in the same way they had to walking outdoors. For the cold, dark days of winter, thisknowledgeis pure gold. Depression levels at this time of year hit an all-time high. And is it any wonder? It feels as if the sun has abandoned those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. As the Winter Solstice approaches, millions of the
A Picture’s Worth
A Thousand Steps
BUT DID YOU KNOW
that just looking at photos of nature has a measurable effect on you as well?
Researchers taped their sensors to scalps and then
people in my homeland suffer from this change in sunlight, the stress of the holidays, loneliness, or a combination of them all.
Take a few minutes each day to look at outdoor pictures you took during the year. Give yourself more than two seconds to allow the emotions felt at those times to resurface. (That’s key.) Or grab an oversized art book and dive in!
Pause. Allow. And receive.
Take Five
Today, we are viewing paintings by artist Albert Bierstadt: Among The Sierra Nevada; Merced River Yosemite; A Storm In The Rocky Mountains; The Buffalo Trail; Gates Of Yosemite
TERRAN WOODLIFF
RTT, M.S. Applied Psychology
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Read this article on the following pages.
Or, listen to the author share his tale in the video following.
Dwight Page 1 Intro and great pictures DEEPER
DWIGHT HARRIMAN EXPLORES
HOW WE CAN ALL KEEP THE “HOLY” IN OUR HEART AT THIS TIME OF YEAR
IT HAPPENS often this time of year. I am overwhelmed with the crass commercialism of “Buy Buy Buy”.
The big box stores having Christmas decorations for sale in August (quietly) in the back of the store, but they are there.
The light shows for individual homes that disorient migrating birds.
The push for more of everything.
The idea that many families haven’t paid
the credit card debt off by June. The meme that shows Mariah Carey being woken up in November to sing. “All I want is You” plays.
Then I go deeper.
Yes, that layer is there, There is also the joy of children opening presents, wandering through a city of lights, hot chocolate, or hot toddies, the cool air in the morning, the family dinners for
The holidays, the love and kindness people show one another, those who host orphan dinners for those without family in their area.
There is so much more than the rampant consumerism here.
“I’ll be home for Christmas” plays.
Then I go deeper.
Christ’s mass—it is a Christian holiday. Underneath all the rest is the celebration
of the birth of a Spiritual Leader, one who has influenced millions throughout the centuries to be better people.
Dwight Page 1
Intro and great pictures
While many have distorted his teachings for their own benefit, at this time of year we celebrate this kind gentle soul who taught us to love one another.
The carols and the Christmas eve services remind us to take his teachings into the rest of the year and the rest of our lives. “Angels we have heard on High” plays. Then, I go deeper.
There are Pagan roots to the Christian celebration. The virgin birth and the miracle stories are found in many earlier cultures, which doesn’t make any of them any less true.
The timing of Christmas is based on Pagan ceremonies. Once Christianity was established, they would go into a region, paper over the existing religion’s traditions with Christianity’s and claim them as their own. The “Delphic Hymns’ plays.
Then, I go deeper. These traditions are ancient. Before capitalism, before Christianity, before Pagans, there were small groups of humans looking at the stars and moon.
Determining when to move on, when they should migrate with the birds and beasts.
When so many live in cities, you may not touch the earth or see the stars. Yet they are still there, calling to you.
Dwight Page 1
Intro and great pictures
There is a direct line between the earliest humans noting the winter solstice and the current version of humanity buying too many things in December. It is a reminder that there are vast cycles of time and history, that we are merely the latest in a long line of celebrating this season. Touching earth and looking at the stars is worship as well. All those songs have been lost.
~THE SHAMAN’S LENS~
Dwight Harriman
Dwight has been a mystic all of his life. He has been formally practicing as a shaman for over 25 years, deepening his relationship with Nature and Spirit through a melding of various paths.
Contact Dwight through www.atlantashaman.com or dwight@atlantashaman.com. View his photography at www.dwightharrimanphotography.com.
The Darkest Night
MICHELLE ANGONE Holds To Many Traditions And FindstheBeautyAndStrengthOfferedButOnceAYear
Tonight, I will sit vigil and wait for the return of the sun.
This practice has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. When I was a child, the Winter Solstice marked the first day of Christmas break. I stayed up the night before watching movies and enjoying the freedom of not having to wakeupearlyforschool.
As a young mother, I rocked my babies by the glow of the tree lights. Now that middle age has crept up on me, I spend my Winter Solstice sipping hot cider by the fire, snuggled up with a catortwoandagoodbook.
I imagine my ancestors waiting out the night centuries ago. They could not believe the sun had disappeared and wouldn’t returnwithouttheirwait,not after childhood any-way. So why did they sit in wait?
WhydoI?
“Yuletide means practicing childhood magic, no matter how old we are.”
Yuletide means practicing childhood magic, no matter howoldweare.
My home pays homage to every belief I have ever held during the holiday season. We decorate every inch of our home, including six trees decorated in different themes. Santa still visits, and we fill each other’s stockings with trinkets to open on Christmas Eve. Even though my youngest child is in high school, the Elf still causes mischief every night in December. We know the nutcrackers put on a show in the witching hour, and the gnomes torment our cats untilsunrise.
Over time, our Catholicism evolved into more, but we still hold on to the sacredness of the little Sun God.
Our nativity is prominently displayed as a shrine past the celebration of Epiphany in January. The Blessed Mother and Child remain close to our hearts; they get their holy night.
Whatdoesitmean?
For me, it means keeping themagicoftheseasonalive for not only my mostly grown children and grandchildren but me as well. It’s the innocence of belief.
We revere the religion we were raised in.
“Tonight... my arms will ache.”
It’s tradition. These things connect me to my family and my grandmother, who brought us together to celebrate the holidays, no matter what happened between us throughout the year. Christmas wasn’t a day. It was a season full of gatherings, sitting around tables, loving each other, and keeping us together no matter how far life took us awayfromher.
Thisyear,thenightwillbe longer and harder. The reflection of years past will most certainly haunt me as I stare into the flames of the fire. Tonight, I will sit in reverence, feeling my Nana’s loss above all else. My arms will ache for my babies who have moved away. Yet, I will bask in the memories of laughter and hugs of years gone by. My memories will be my refuge becausethatiswhatwedo.
dark night of the soul. The Great Mother provides us with this quiet night once a year as a gift. So I will sit as our mothers and grandmothers have done since the dawn of time. I willmourn,givethanks,andrecharge.Theholidayswillgoon.
“The sun will rise. Another year will be reborn. Love will prevail. I believe. So mote it be.”
~MAGICKAL
MUSINGS~ MichelleAngone
An author, editor, ritualist, and card reader who offers classes, workshops, and spiritual counseling. She is a lifelong student of the mysteries. Above all else, she is a Wife, a Mother, and a Nana. michelleangone@yahoo.com edgeofperception.org
The Solstice and the Dawning of Aquarius
AMANDA CORNETT, our bi-monthly columnist, The Pondering Priestess, explains this monumental shift we all must forge.
This year’s Winter Solstice offers us more than just a return of light—it offers us a unique portal into a new beginning. As we honor the longest night and the return of the Sun, we also stand at the precipice of a grand cosmic shift: the full emergence of the Age of Aquarius. This moment, perhaps more than any in recent memory, invites us to reflect on the shadows of the past and embrace a radical transformation of identity, both individually and collectively.
The Age of Pisces, out of which we’ve been transitioning, has long cast a shadow that left us
The shadow of Pisces has been marked by surrender to external authority, religious dogma, and the dissolution of personal boundaries.
But as we step into the dawning light of Aquarius, we are called to reclaim our personal sovereignty and to understand that we are not mere followers, but sovereign co-creators in the vast cosmic landscape.
This pattern is reflected not only in nature but also in the grand shifts taking place within us and around us. The invitation of this Winter Solstice is to embrace this disconnected from our true selves. It was an age of illusion, of belief systems that kept us tethered to false ideas about who we are and what is possible.
This has severed our innate connection to our own divine essence and our unique sense of identity. Yet, the Solstice offers us the promise of renewal. As the Earth’s axis tilts, bringing us into the darkest period of the year, we are reminded that from the depths of darkness, light always returns.
The Winter Solstice this year feels like a particularly powerful moment in this transition. The Solstice, traditionally a time to pause, reflect, and release, becomes an opportunity to dig deep into the shadow of Pisces that has kept us disconnected from the core of our authentic selves.
For centuries, we have been taught to look outside of ourselves for answers: to religious institutions, societal structures, and the expectations of others.
“We are reminded that from the depths of darkness, light always returns.”
cosmic moment of darkness not as something to fear, but as fertile ground for deep introspection and renewal. The Age of Pisces, ruled by Neptune, has often been characterized by a sense of disillusionment, escapism,
and confusion. It is an era that encouraged surrender, but often to the wrong things: to the illusion of external authority, to the repression of personal power, to the abandonment of self.
Under the shadow of Pisces, many of us have forgotten our true identities —our connection to the divine spark within—and have instead placed our worth and meaning outside of ourselves.
This dissolution of self was necessary in some ways, as it allowed us to explore the depths of human compassion and transcendence but it also left us vulnerable to the illusions and deceptions of the external world.
In Pisces, we were taught to look for meaning in suffering, to find salvation in sacrifice, and to define ourselves through our roles in the collective or through external validation. Pisces energy has a tendency to dissolve boundaries and blur distinctions, which can lead to a loss of self-identity and a lack of clarity about who we really are at our core.
Now, as we stand on the threshold of the Age of Aquarius, we begin to see the full scope of the ways in which this Piscean shadow has affected us. For too long, we’ve been conditioned to live for others, to fit into molds, to relinquish our power. We have been made to forget the simple truth that we are all unique, sovereign beings with our own divine purpose and creative potential.
Aquarius is sign of the collective. The Age of Aquarius is not just about the liberation of the self,
“The promise of Aquarius is that we no longer need to search for our true identity outside of but about the awakening of humanity as a whole. In Aquarius, we are called to reclaim our individual identities, to step away from the collective illusions that have kept us locked in a prison of conformity. But it is also an era that invites us to realize that our true identity is not separate from one another—it is deeply interconnected.
Where Pisces encouraged us to dissolve into the collective, Aquarius asks us to awaken to the fact that we are unique threads in the grand tapestry of existence.
As we enter this Age, the Solstice offers us the opportunity to shed the skin of the past.
It’s a moment to release old patterns of selfsacrifice, martyrdom, and submission to external authorities. It’s time to step into the fullness of who we truly are, to understand that our personal truth is a vital part of the collective whole.
We must allow the light of Aquarius to illuminate our own individuality and embrace the radical
The shadow of Pisces may have severed us from that awareness, but the dawning light of Aquarius brings with it a call to reconnect—not only with our own authentic selves but with the collective spirit that unites us all.
freedom that comes with knowing ourselves deeply.
This year’s Winter Solstice, as the Sun begins its gradual return, is an invitation to confront the parts of ourselves that have been shaped by the Piscean shadows: the parts that still feel disconnected, that still seek external validation, that still question our worth. The promise of Aquarius is that we no longer need to search for our true identity outside of ourselves. The light that we seek is already within us.
As the Sun begins its ascent after the Winter Solstice, we too can begin our ascent—out of the shadows of Pisces and into the clear, cutting light of Aquarius.
We are not victims of time or circumstance.
We are not defined by the roles or identities imposed on us by others.
The Solstice teaches us that light is not only a gift from the heavens but a creation of our own making.
As the days grow longer, so too can our understanding of ourselves grow deeper.
The shadow of Pisces has already begun to recede, and with it, the constraints that have kept us from fully embodying our divine potential.
Let us step into the dawning Age of Aquarius with open hearts and minds, knowing that we are not leaving behind the lessons of the past, but integrating them into a new, more authentic version of ourselves. This year’s Solstice is not just the end of a cycle—it is the beginning of a new era, one that holds the promise of profound transformation, healing, and awakening.
It is time for us to claim our true identities, step into our sovereign power, and live in alignment with the cosmic flow of the Age of Aquarius.
~THE PONDERING PRIESTESS~
Amanda Cornett
Amanda Cornett is an ordained shamanic minister, licensed massage therapist, and the voice behind The Pondering Priestess. With a deep commitment to healing and spiritual
growth, Amanda blends her work as a teacher with her passion for guiding others toward transformation and self-discovery.
Learn more at amandacornett.com
Embrace the Dark and the Light
AMANDA WANLESS takes us on a journey of understanding what “selfcareinalignmentwiththe seasons”means.
As we reach the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, we welcome the returning light, a powerful symbol of transition and renewal.
This time invites us to honor both the darkness, which brings rest and reflection, and the light, which brings new growth and direction.
Darkness is often misunderstood in our fast-paced world, where it’s equated with the unknown or even discomfort.
YET DARKNESS IS essential to nature and our lives, a sacred space for stillness and the birthplace of new dreams. Many traditions view the dark as a place of deep healing and quiet creation. Seeds germinate in dark soil, ideas grow in solitude, and energy regenerates in moments of rest.
The long nights around the Solstice offer an invitation to step back, reflect, and take part in a unique form of self-care that connects with this sacred stillness.
In embracing this time of darkness, we can carve out intentional quiet moments to listen to our inner selves.
Free from distractions, a few moments spent in stillness can bring surprising insights. Light a single candle, sit in silence, or meditate to reflect on the past year.
What thoughts or emotions have lingered? What do you need to release to feel ready for a new season?
Engaging in shadow work during this time can also be a powerful practice. Shadow work is the gentle acknowledgment of hidden or repressed aspects of ourselves—fears, insecurities, or past hurts that may affect us more than we realize. This isn’t about dwelling in negativity; it’s about compassionately recognizing the parts of ourselves we often avoid. Journaling about recurring emotions or exploring patterns with kindness can help us uncover new strengths and let go of lingering fears. The darkness holds space for this release, allowing us to transform old energies into sources of strength, stability, and peace.
If there are things you’re ready to release— whether old beliefs, resentments, or lingering doubts—consider a release ritual.
Writing down what you wish to let go of, folding the paper away from yourself, and safely burning or burying the paper is a symbolic yet powerful way to free yourself, creating space for renewal.
While the Winter Solstice marks the deepest point of darkness, it also signals the return of the light, offering hope and new beginnings.
The light doesn’t rush in; it builds gradually, like the slow reawakening of our energy and creative spirit.
This is a time to welcome subtle growth and plant the seeds of intentions for the months ahead.
With the sun’s return, you can begin visualizing what you hope to cultivate, allowing yourself to dream gently. Lighting a candle on Solstice night, creating a vision board, or simply setting intentions in your heart can be beautiful ways to honor this gradual reawakening.
Instead of setting grand resolutions, consider honoring the small beginnings that emerge slowly with the returning light.
Focus on small, meaningful steps that bring you joy. Celebrate the tiny wins and let the returning daylight guide you gently forward. The Solstice reminds us that meaningful growth is a gradual process, not something that must happen instantly.
You can also welcome the return of the light by brightening your space and infusing your surroundings with uplifting elements that remind you of warmth and light, such as adding greenery or candles throughout your home.
These simple gestures reinforce your connection to the sun’s return and invite positivity into your daily life.
In embracing the dark and the light, we find a balanced self-care practice that honors both aspects of ourselves. Darkness offers us rest and space for introspection; light brings warmth and clarity.
This balance is essential, reminding us that growth and healing are natural cycles.
After times of quiet contemplation, we can take steps toward gentle action, allowing ourselves to move between light and dark states as needed.
Trusting the natural rhythm of rest and action helps us avoid burnout. Letting go of the need for immediate clarity and embracing uncertainty as part of the journey allows us to make peace with life’s ebb and flow. Shadows contain lessons that support our aspirations, helping us integrate wisdom from all parts of ourselves.
The Winter Solstice invites us to honor the full spectrum of life. This Solstice, allow yourself the quiet moments of darkness, followed by the gentle emergence of light. Move fluidly between these states, celebrating the balance within you.
May this season bring peace, renewal, and a deep connection to nature’s rhythms and your inner world.
~FINDING MAGIC IN THE MUNDANE~
Amanda Wanless
Also known as The Wandless Witch, Amanda is an intuitive reader and writer exploring the intersection of everyday life and spiritual discovery. Her bi-monthly column, Finding Magic in the Mundane, brings witchy wisdom, guidance, and practical magic to those seeking a deeper connection with the cycles of nature and the self. For inquiries, collaborations, or more information about her services visit www.thewandlesswitch.com.
Welcome to my Column!
First and foremost, hail and hello! My name is Loralyn Elizabeth. In my column, I will discuss The Spice of Life (and herbs) through a humorous tall tale and turn of phrase.
I hope you get a laugh or a fun story to relate to your friends.*
This month’s discussion topics are the Full Moon and lavender.
Every full moon has its own particular magic. The last full moon was the Super Harvest Moon. This I knew.
However, I did not know this particular full moon was smack dab in the middle of a bunch of retrogrades. According to astrologists, a full moon with multiple planets reversing could bring all
kinds of chaos, emotional and physical, generally giving the moon an extra helping of lunar lunacy.
I am a crystal collector and like to charge my crystals on the full moon. Pretty standard stuff, they go in a bowl and sit somewhere in the moonlight, usually on a windowsill unless I am feeling adventurous, then I set them outside.
It was perfect! The night sky was clear, and the bright moon's rays gave my crystals a hugely needed glow-up—Rose quartz for love, amethyst for clarity, and a random purplish-black stone from a flea market that the seller swore would improve my Wi-Fi.
Pleased with my kitchen witchery, I went to bed excited about the crystalbased godsends looming.
The next day, I woke up
at my window. Pillow over my head, I decided to jump on social media, where the algorithm fairy informed me (much too late) that last night's full moon was also a retrograde-a-palooza and
crystal charging could result in a pile of overpriced chaotic rocks. oops.
Panic set in when I leaned over my toaster and it had flung hot bread in my face. Apparently, I am now a walking conduit of cosmic mayhem. Nothing to do at this point, just have to deal.
So, I formulated a plan: bubble wrap—lots of it.
Takeyourbestshot, universe!Iamready! A bargain-bin Michelin Man.
My walking was more of a waddle with a squeaky tune of rubbing plastic and popping bubbles. At least it drowned out the neighbor's rudeness.
Venturing out to the grocery store was entertaining. I narrowly avoided toppling an entire display of pumpkin-spiced nutmeg. Fellow shoppers gave me a wide berth; explaining seemed to make it worse, so I went for the avant-garde performance artist vibe.
That didn’t work either.
As the day wore on, I began to question my life choices.
Could I be overthinking? Possibly. Was the bubble wrap intensifying my hot flashes? Definitely.
But could I, in good conscience, risk unleashing crystal-induced chaos upon the world?
I think you know, Dear Reader, the stakes were high. By evening, I figured the crystal chaos was waning. I peeled off the bubble wrap—shedding a second skin—and sat down with my crystals.
Dizzy from a lack of hydration, I remembered that there is more than one way to charge a crystal.
So, I cleansed my crystals (again), this time under the calming light of a lavender-scented candle. I took a deep breath and accepted that while
I can't control the cosmos, I can control how I respond to it.
Plus, I was running low on bubble wrap.
Did the chaotic full moon wreak havoc on my life? Maybe a little, or perhaps it was my reaction to it.
Isn’t that always the case? Everyone deals with the occasional chaos. Moon or otherwise. But our response is what dictates our life.
It is a worthy double lesson. 1. Learning to go with the flow, and 2. Appreciation for packing materials.
The next time you find yourself charging crystals under a dubious moon, remember: you can wrap yourself in bubble wrap or embrace the turmoil with a laugh. Either way, stock up on bubble wrap—it's surprisingly versatile.
This reminds me of what I wanted to tell you. Lavender!
As our days get shorter and cooler in the Northern Hemisphere. I highly recommend learning or relearning about the magnificent lavender plant. It has saved my day more than once.
I was shocked to learn that lavender is part of the mint family. Lavender is all about calming. It is used in herbal medicine and culinary applications.
I get the essential oil for relaxation with just a dab on my wrists when I know it will be: A day.
Also, I always get lavender oil linen spray for better sleep, especially when traveling. I now associate lavender linen spray with a luxury getaway. It can also treat burns since it has antibacterial properties.
I like to drop a few drops of lavender oil in my shampoo for extra wonderfulness. If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed, a lavender-scented bath or even a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow will help you relax and unwind. You can plant lavender seeds in most areas or buy them at a garden center.
I make tons and tons of lavender tea; I like mixing it with mint and lemon balm—more on those later.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless.
I hope you will look for it at the grocery store— sans bubble wrap, obviously.
p.s. Wondering where you can get instant and accurate information about using herbs for fun and food? I would like to plug an oldie but goodie. The complete book of herbs: A practical guide to growing and using herbs, by Lesley Bremness. I
learned pretty much everything I know from that book. It is beautiful and never leaves my desk. Citation follows for any interested parties.
*Absolutely Pointless Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor; this isn't medical advice—it's stand-up comedy (minus the stage). Consult literally anyone else in this magazine for actual advice. I'm here just for laughs. So, if you're not amused, you're doing it wrong!
Reference - Bremness, L. (1994). The complete book of herbs: A practical guide to growing and using herbs. Penguin Books.
~SPICE OF LIFE~ Loralyn Elizabeth
Loralyn, an author with a unique perspective on life, has established herself as a voice of creative introspection and exploration.
Her blog, "DYA," is a testament to her commitment to living life distinctively, inspired by the quote from Neale Donald Walsch: "Today the earth is populated with billions of people desperately hoping to 'get somewhere,' but having no idea of where they're going." This ethos is embedded in her writing, where she delves into personal growth, self-discovery, and “Punching Today in the Face.”
CHECK OUT THESE GREAT READS
“Our brains are wired to shift immediately in response to Sound.”
VIBRATIONAL SOUND MAGIC IN THE WINTER SOLSTICE
PEGGY PATTY shares how to enhance the magic of this transformative season by incorporating VibrationalSound.
THE
WINTER
SOLSTICE
IS A MOMENT OF DEEP REFLECTION, STILLNESS AND RENEWAL.
In times of worldwide stress, many of us are searching for an effortless means to reduce any anxiety or unease we feel in our lives. Fortunately, listening to relaxing music and other vibrations is a stressreduction activity that is easy, plus requires no learning curve!
WHAT WINTERTIME MUSICAL MEMORIES OR OTHER SOUNDS MAKE YOU SMILE WHEN YOU REMEMBER THEM?
Research studies reveal the healing potential of music and frequency in our challenging times. Music has the power to move energy and alter our brain waves.
OUR BRAINS SHIFT IMMEDIATELY IN RESPONSE TO SOUND.
So, it’s no surprise that vibrations have been used for millennia as a tool for healing and spiritual practices. It draws on ancient healing wisdom Soundhealingisa
traditions that promote balance and wellbeing.
Sound healing is a system of using various instruments, including the human voice, to heal the Body, Mind, and Spirit. It helps release emotional and energetic blockages, aligning us with the Solstice’s energy of renewal and reflection.
Since ancient times humans have celebrated Winter Solstice using songs, drums, bells, and other instruments.
YOU ARE INVITED TO BE A PART OF THIS ANCIENT TRADITION.
What better way to express a connection with yourself and others?
Consider gathering in a quiet place in your home or outside to focus on the gratitude of the season with friends and family. Invite everyone to sit or lie down comfortably in a circle. No electronicdevicesexceptfor anyplaylist.
Take time to nurture your soul, reflect on the past, and embrace the promise of a brighter future as you journey through the heart of winter.
Find or create a playlist of soothing and harmonious sounds, such as singing bowls, chimes, or gentle drumming.
This ceremony offers an opportunity to find deep connection and restorative rest during this festive season.
Reflect on all you have accomplished during the year.
Allow the vibrations to wash over everyone. The music helps align our energetic field with our intentions, smoothing our path to manifestation.
THE MUSIC ALSO HELPS ALIGN OUR ENERGETIC FIELD
with our intentions, smoothing our path to manifestation. They tap into our innate healing potential. Individuals are encouraged to focus on releasing any emotional or energetic blockages that may hinder their chosen manifestation. You may offer percussion, drums, or other instruments around the circle. When we play gentle rhythms, we can focus on how the instrument makes us feel. In addition, the deep resonant vibrations of crystal bowls, gongs, and chimes invite us into a meditative space to
embrace the quiet stillness of winter.
Serenity, connection, and grounding can all be found using Healing Sound.
If you celebrate this Winter season alone, you may choose to sit comfortably in Nature whenever you feel drawn to it. Leave your cell phone behind.
Bring your favorite meditative instrument if you like or allow the Power of Silence to fill you free from artificial noises. Release what you no longer need.
Listen to Nature – wind, birds, rustling leaves. What do you hear? What does it mean to you?
You do not need to use any specific instrument. Nature’s sights and sounds resonate deeply, for we are part of Nature. Allow a gentle hum to be released as you entrain with the rhythms of life all around you.
End your self-healing session by focusing on your intentions for the next year. Visualize the future you want to experience, believing it is already yours.
Play with these suggestions to invite more relaxing Sounds into your everyday life.
May we all shine brightly in the upcoming 2025 while also taking much-needed time to rest and reset within the darkness of the Winter Solstice.
Join me as we sing along with the following lovely seasonal Chants. So many uplifting songs are available online, so find songs you enjoy and sing along!
& Round with Libana
Round
Solstice Carol with Wyrd Sisters
THE ART DOULA:
Meditate & Create
Ways to use this practice: You can simply read, meditate or contemplate what arises, or pull out your art supplies and explore through creativity or mandala making. Make a coffee or lunch date with a friend or loved one and have a conversation around the information offered and received from each other’s sharing. Set an intention, light a candle or use some essential oils and make this time a ceremony. Enjoy a deep breathing practice and allow the information to float through your consciousness with no expectation. Draft your own story or create your own way.
The Sappy Game of Life
I recently found a perfect maple leaf by my step. The fall colors moved from yellow to orange with specks and splotches of brown to match the stem. The golden veins of light were bursting into rivers and branching out into intricate little creeks and cracks.
It seemed out of place laying there on the concrete landing as it sat solo. Sitting there in stillness among the flying crispy brown blowing remnants of fall that swirled in the parking area. without joining the crowd of crumbled leaves gathered in the corner of the stairwell. Gloriously unique and alone, it rested in the in-between, as there are no maple trees in my immediate area.
I lifted up this nature messenger’s kiss of color. Like an artist palette filled with delightful promise of creation, it brought me fully present into my day. I felt blessed to be brightened by its openness to share its display of transformation as it was undergoing its death journey. I tenderly picked it up to carry with me on my morning errands. It sat in the seat beside me, and I would catch glimpses of vibrancy and fading all right there together.
picnic and contemplated what struck me in that first moment of witnessing. What stopped me in my tracks and woke me up to something keenly stirring to be explored? Who are you little maple leaf and how can I honor you today? When have I missed the opportunity to be catapulted into presence by asimplegift of nature? Where did you come from and how far did you travel? Why does this seem so poignantthatIcanfeelmybody anticipating the wisdom unfolding?HowcanIbathe
myself in the awe of this beauty and changes of season painted in the very fibers of Maple’s sentience?
“Maple” is what I named my companion forthe day.
I tenderly toted her around and took her picture so I could honor her in a painting somewhere along the way. I studied her veins and lines of her face like a wise elder. The snakeskin-like pattern of veins, revealing her cycles from shedding from the tree towards composting to feed the earth for rebirth.
“I became lost in her fractals like a road trip without a map and followed the journey of inquiry as I curiously contemplated.”
I INVITE YOU to step outside and find something in nature that beckons you to explore thewisdomsharedwithin your interconnectedness. Take a picture or your sketchbook. If it is something you can carry with you, ask ifitwouldliketocomewithyoufortheday.
Inquire, what deeper understanding or wisdomcouldcomefromthisnaturespirit?
Perhaps, ask what message or energy it has to sharewithyouorteachyou.
Where might you already be knowing or demonstrating this quality in your life that thismessengerisreflecting?
How may you be called to honor this wisdom?
If this messenger had a sound, a frequency, a word, an energy, ask your higher self, your guides, or your team to flow that to you and notice what you experience in sensation,guidanceorrevelation.
For me and Maple, this was an experience of understanding the intercom-nectedness of life, between nature and shining light on those moments that bring this alive in me. I am learning to pause in the moment when I am feeling out-of-place with where I am currently. The invitation to truly experience somethingor someonefullythat catchesmyeyeandenjoyallthe ways I may be experiencing it, notjustvisually.
What am I looking at that I do not really see? Where am I listening to so much that I do not really hear? When am I feeling so much that I do not pause to allow the transition from one stage to the next? What season of life am I ready to no longer hang onto so that I may feed my earthly body and nourish new parts of my being readytocomeforth?
The wisdom of where I have been etched into the skin I am shedding.Imaynotyet
understandwhatiscomingnext.
Even the unknown may have an energy with which I can align. Can I trust myself to call it forth? Will I allow myself to fully feel, sense, and sprout this deep essence arising from dark, unseen and not yet experienced consciousness? I invite you to contemplate these or your own questions relating to your nature spirit treasure or play with one of my favorite ways to meditate and create. You might draw, sketch, trace or even print the picture you took in black and white and trace withcolored marker or red pen for instance, as you ask yourquestions.
This is not about making perfect art or for it to be exactly like the item. As a matter of fact, could you risk getting out of your comfort zone and use your nondominant hand to draw or create? Giveyourself
permission to let it be abstract and not about the product but but about the process of exploration in a different way thanyoumaynormally.
How would this experience of creating and inquiring about your relationship with this nature spirit be if you asked your inner critic to perceive the intricacies you may not have first noticed or enjoyed? Give anycriticismor doubt a purpose to serve and shine light in lieu of any habit of limiting, complaining,orcriticizing.
Maple and I had a playdate woven through my day. The freedom and joy of this magical messenger brightened my day. Like some random act of colorful kindness, going out on a limb to release itself in the winds of change and show up onmypath.
Quietly, there in ordinary life, offering to show me a way to shiftthesometimes-habitual
doings of life can be extraordinarily breath giving. I began to notice the shape of other leaves more in my neighborhood. I have always found great joy and peace in taking tree showers along my street where they canopy the drive or visiting somewhere new and being welcomed by standing ones I have not yet experienced.
I have often paused to feel the energy as I approach, expressing gratitude for the tree shower orhug.I havelearnedto appreciate their bare skeletons guarding the stark of winter as much as their full blooming shadeinthesummer.
Thanks to Maple, I recognize how I have been looking at the changing colors of the seasons. I have a better understanding of how to also see what leaves or dies give nourishment or space forthenextcreation.
Thanks to Maple, I appreciate that I have heard the voice of the winds of change throughout my life. I am learning to listen to the wisdom it can offer as well, as I invite it to guide me outofmycomfortzoneandinto the unknown. I practice reminding myself to pause and listen to the leaves whispering their sentient song and feel the resonanceinmysoul.
Thanks to Maple, I am reminded of one of the top five teachings of my metaphysical training. Everything is neutral until we apply meaning. I also appreciate that Maple leaves me withtheantidotetokeepasense of humor when I might be conflicted by change or caught upintheseriousnessoflife. Upon further exploration, I discovered Maple was AI, artificial interior decorative foliage.
Stay tuned for more metaphysical wisdom and creative exploration with The Art Doula, Teri Freesmeyer.
~THE ART DOULA~ Teri Freesmeyer
Teri’s specialty is Intuitive Integrative Bodywork. This trauma-informed holistic and body-based energy psychology offers ground-up practices for whole-being integration. She is also an artist, speaker, writer, and retreat facilitator online and in person. “I tune into my Divine Guidance for information from your higher self to customize and guide each coaching, bodywork, or energy reading session.”
Contact info: terifreesmeyer@gmail.com Website: TeriFreesmeyer.com Workshop Info: Contact me to join my mailing list.
about the authors
RUTH SOUTHER - Tarot Wisdom
Ruth Souther is a metaphysical and natural arts practitioner in Springfield, IL. She is a Master Shamanic Breathwork Facilitator, Master Reiki Practitioner, Hypnotherapist, Ritualist, Priestess, and Minister. She holds a Master’s in Shamanic Intuitional Practices and a Doctorate of Shamanic Psychospiritual Studies and is an Initiated Priestess.
She facilitates Vega’s Path Elemental Priestess, Universal Priestess, and Elemental Mystery School, a new addition as of 2024, which takes her Priestess Path program to Nashville and Teotihuacan, Mexico.
She authored The Heart of Tarot (an intuitive guide to the cards), Vega's Path: The Elemental Priestess, and three novels: Death of Innocence, Surrender of Ego, Rise of Rebellion, and many more stories are percolating her mind.
She is a facilitating member of The Edge of Perception (NFP spiritual organization) and, along with other members, creates a safe space to offer rituals and ceremonies.
In the summer months, you'll find her in Michigan at a family-owned cottage on Lake Gilead, surrounded by kids, grand and great-grandkids, and many cousins. It's her happy place where creativity flows just as the water ripples. At home, another lake beckons her to boat, kayak, and enjoy all the wildlife that wanders, flies, or creeps into the yard and waterways.Acold beer on a hot day, floating on the pontoon with family and friends aboard the boat, is the most delicious way to spend a day.
Reach Ruth at ruthsouther52@gmail.com www.vegaspath.com or www.Facebook/vegaspath Edge of Perception | Springfield IL | Facebook
Ruth Souther | Facebook
Ruth is a contributing author and board member/Chief Editor of Crystal Heart Imprints—an independent cooperative press supporting and guiding authors and artists in their creative projects.
MICHELLE ANGONE- Magickal Musings
An author, editor, ritualist, and card reader who offers classes, workshops, and spiritual counseling. She is a lifelong student of the mysteries. Above all else, she is a Wife, a Mother, and a Nana. michelleangone@yahoo.com edgeofperception.org
CORNETT –The Pondering Priestess
Amanda Cornett is an ordained shamanic minister, licensed massage therapist, and the voice behind The Pondering Priestess. With a deep commitment to healing and spiritual growth, Amanda blends her work as a teacher with her passion for guiding others toward transformation and self-discovery.
As a dedicated practitioner with Vega's Path, Amanda teaches the Priestess Process, helping individuals connect with their inner power and heal on all levels. Her writing reflects her compassionate, Scorpio nature, offering insights into spirituality, personal growth, and emotional wellness.
Based in Tennessee, Amanda integrates energy healing with her massage therapy practice to support holistic well-being. Through her column and healing work, she strives to meet others with understanding and compassion, guiding them on their own journeys of empowerment and peace.
Learn more at amandacornett.com.
AMANDA
TERI FREESMEYER– The Art Doula
Teri’s specialty is Intuitive Integrative Bodywork. This trauma-informed holistic and body-based energy psychology offers ground-up practices for whole-being integration. Teri has followed her divine guidance to explore her innate skills in the metaphysical and shamanic realms.
She is an artist, speaker, writer, and retreat facilitator online and in person. “I tune into my Divine Guidance for information from your higher self to customize and guide each coaching, bodywork, or energy reading session.”
Teri is the creatrix of The ART of Receiving and Transforming Energy Academy, an online course supporting others to learn and develop their innate skills and gifts. Teri offers her coaching skills as The Art Doula to guide you into birthing new levels of your essence into form.
Contact info: terifreesmeyer@gmail.com
Website: TeriFreesmeyer.com
Workshop info: Contact me to join my mailing list.
The Art Academy Saturday Retreats will be back on Zoom, in February 2025.
ELLIOTT CHALLANDES –Sacred Ceremonies Of Transformation
Elliott Challandes is the owner of A Healing Place Springfield providing integrative, complementary and alternative medicine. He is a Certified Practitioner by the American Organization of Body Therapies of Asia and specializes in Zen Shiatsu, which combines the benefits of acupuncture, massage and chiropractic care all in the same session (see more about Shiatsu), as well as a Licensed Massage Therapist.
Additionally, he is Certified in the John F. Barnes' method of Myofascial Release, a Usui Reiki and Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher and a Certified Consulting Hypnotist. Elliott provides sessions offering complementary and alternative medicine which promotes holistic health, pain relief, injury recovery, deep relaxation and the integration of mind, body and spirit.
As a Zen Shiatsu Practitioner, Elliott’s treatments assist in releasing stagnation, increasing blood and fluid flow, all while allowing your body to open and expand. Shiatsu treats a variety of issues and conditions, including musculoskeletal concerns, diverse organ dysfunctions (digestion, autoimmune, sleep, energy levels, etc.) and of course, it promotes general well-being and relaxation.
As a Certified Consulting Hypnotist by the National Guild of Hypnotists, Elliott has received specialized training certificates in PTSD, Relaxation, Phobias, Grief, and Smoking Cessation. Elliott's approach is client-centered, putting you and your level of comfort at the forefront. You will always be aware and in control of your session. He will take the time to discuss with you what the reality of hypnosis is, how it works and what to expect.
As a Reiki Master / Teacher, Elliott has been trained in both Usui Reiki and Karuna Reiki® (Registration #85477) and is an Affiliate Member of the International Center for Reiki Training. Often he will combine the warm gentle energy of Reiki with a simple meditation to achieve a deeper state of relaxation which allows your body to heal, revitalize and rejuvenate.
Elliott holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois College, a Master of Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati, a Zen Shiatsu Practitioner Certificate from Zen Shiatsu Chicago and a Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Sanctuary of Formative Spirituality . He has practiced for over 25 years in the areas of guided meditation, relaxation / stress reduction, goal manifestation, personal development and complementary medicine. He often facilitates exercises, workshops and events that promote self-health and the integration of mind, body and spirit in the community.
LORALYN DULEY– Spice Of Life
Loralyn Duley, an author with a unique perspective on life, has established herself as a voice of creative introspection and exploration. Her blog, "DYA," is a testament to her commitment to living life distinctively, inspired by the quote from Neale Donald Walsch: "Today the earth is populated with billions of people desperately hoping to 'get somewhere,' but having
having no idea of where they’re going” This ethos is embedded in her writing, where she delves into personal growth, self-discovery, and “Punching Today
Loralyn's literary work is exhibited by her books "(Amazing): Mostly True Stories From a Fake Guru," and "More (Amazing) Adventures of Mimi Bayczyk," because once you have a great book title, you don’t mess with it. These encapsulate her knack for blending humor with insightful musings, presenting readers with a rejuvenating take on navigating the weirdness of life. The book has raked in rave reviews for its engaging narrative and thought-provoking content, mainly because Loralyn bribed all her friends with promises of pizza and eternal friendship to write them.
Additionally, Loralyn has contributed to the educational field with her coauthorship of "Microsoft Office 2010: Productivity Strategies for Today and Tomorrow."
Professionally, she is a marvelous instructional designer with a background in curriculum development, instructor training, and adult learning.
PEGGY PATTY –Everyday Healing Vibes
Peggy was born on an Indiana farm where she delighted in playing with the abundance of kittens in the woods and collecting shiny stones from the meandering creek.
She’s been a Reiki Master for over 25 years. For many years she organized reiki volunteers to offer free sessions to patients and caretakers at the Simmons Cancer Institute in Springfield, Illinois.
Peggy’s passionate about sharing the rejuvenating power of music and vibrational sound throughout the Midwest for 25 years. She facilitates monthly SoundBaths, Crystal Bowls Meditations, and drum circles in central Illinois. She presents Healing Vibrational Sound workshops at state and national women’s conferences, including the National Women’s Music Festival and the Illinois Women in Leadership Symposium.
Peggy Patty also offers Individual and Couple Sound Vibrational Sessions.
She’s been offering instruction to medical students in the Southern Illinois School of Medicine’s Integrative Medical course on the Power of Sound Vibrations for several years.
Even though Peggy holds many Healing Vibration training certificates, her reverence is the highest for her many Sound mentors who encourage her to, “Let the Sound teach you.”
She obtained a B.S in Social Work and Masters in Human Services in 1975. Working in the women’s movement inspired her to obtain a Law Degree. The next thirty years she spent advocating for victims of violence against women in not-for-profit organizations in Illinois, plus was a sought-after Illinois trainer.
As an Assistant State’s Attorney in Illinois, she prosecuted felony domestic violence cases, including attempted murder. As Director of the Legal Institute at the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, she provided legal assistance to victim shelters across Illinois.
Peggy appreciates people clarifying any illusion of where they stand in the world. New awareness is always possible.
Connect Peggy on Facebook at EarthBeat Healing Vibrations or by email at earthbeat3@gmail.com
DWIGHT HARRIMAN–The Shaman’s Lens
Dwight has been a mystic all of his life. He has been formally practicing as a shaman for over 25 years, deepening his relationship with Nature and Spirit through a melding of various paths.
Called by visions as a child, his early mystical leanings ripened through long-time recovery work, his studies of religion, the study of anthropology, and through his shamanic practice. He sharpened his intuition with Tarot cards and is a Reiki master.
Dwight earned his degree in anthropology with honors from Georgia State University. He studied for years with different shamans, including an apprenticeship with elder, shamanic healer, and visionary Peter Calhoun.
Dwight has worked with thousands of people in private sessions, in workshops, and in his Shamanism 101 classes, which he designed to make shamanic practices accessible to everyone. Each one has a journey or meditation able to deepen a person’s relationship to Spirit and to themselves. Class titles include Past Life Spelunking, Meet Your Dragon, Shed Your Skin (to give up limiting beliefs), Council Fire (to meet your Spirit guides) and Meet Your Higher Self.
As the Atlanta Shaman, Dwight’s greatest joy is helping people shed limiting beliefs and step into their own personal power. He believes everyone has gifts they can share with the world. He delights in helping people find and develop these gifts.
He loves nature and works outdoors as much as possible. He mines crystals and creates wonderful and powerful shamanic tools with them. The same insightful eye that makes him such a good shaman has recently led him to create amazing nature photography.
Contact Dwight through www.atlantashaman.com or dwight@atlantashaman.com. View his photography at www.dwightharrimanphotography.com.
AMANDA WANLESS–Finding The Magic In The Mundane
Amanda Wanless, also known as The Wandless Witch, is an intuitive reader and writer exploring the intersection of everyday life and spiritual discovery.
Amanda Wanless is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki Master/Teacher, and ordained minister through The Sanctuary of Formative Spirituality. Her professional journey spans over 15 years, beginning with massage therapy in 2008. However, her connection to spiritual practices started much earlier, in 1998, when she first embraced her witchy path and began exploring holistic healing and self-awareness. Over the years, Amanda has cultivated a rich practice focused on awareness, healing, empowerment, and wellness.
Amanda offers services by appointment, including massage therapy, Reiki, and sound therapy for physical and energetic healing. She also provides intuitive tarot readings, mediumship, and customized ceremonies or rituals tailored to her clients’needs.
As The Wandless Witch, Amanda leads transformative workshops and classes throughout the year. These include Reiki training (Levels 1 through Master), Candle Magick, Intuitive Art Activation, Vega’s Path Elemental Priestess Process, and other metaphysical practices that empower participants on their spiritual journeys.
Amanda’s approach is rooted in the belief that true healing begins from within. She works closely with clients to address their unique needs, guiding them toward achieving their goals and manifesting meaningful change.
To learn more or schedule a session with Amanda, please email thewandlesswitch@gmail.com or visit her website at www.thewandlesswitch.com.
