Issue 1 - Fierce Truths Magazine

fierceTRUTHS Real. Raw. Awake.

MAGAZINE

The Silent Pain of Domestic Violence Three brave women share their harrowing personal journeys, and how they were able to survive and create vibrant new lives.

MEET

7

WAYS TO EXPRESS YOURSELF

GIFTED GODDESS LISA WILLIAMS

We’re thrilled to spend some quality time with this fierce International Spiritual Teacher, psychic medium, speaker and mentor as she shares her fierce truths.

OUR INAUGURAL ISSUE

MEET OUR TEAM

Who are the fierce souls who bring this magazine to life?

“To live your truth fiercely is the greatest gift you can give yourself�

Welcome! from our fierce founder

Well, occasionally an idea will pop into your head and you’ll feel so inspired and know that it is so right. That you have no choice other than to overcome whatever current adversaries are playing out in your life. The pull to say YES will be so strong…

It might come from a moment of inspired thought, higher guidance or perhaps a random conversation that you didn’t expect to have with a good friend.

Well, it was a little of all the above for me and then literally overnight, in a burst of creativity, the concept for this first issue began to emerge. Then kept me awake for many nights after until Fierce Truths Magazine was born. The beginning of something that is slowly becoming so much bigger than me, or my incredible team.

Now, here we are, digging into our first issue and seriously… I hope you are as excited I am! So, on that note, let me share a little of what to expect from us moving forward.

B

efore you begin diving into our first issue, I wanted to take a moment to welcome you into our family. One of the values we have here at Fierce Truths Magazine is togetherness and so a big part of our message most of all is that ‘you are not alone’ – regardless of what life has thrown your way in the past.

But I am sure you are a little curious on how we came to be? Especially at a time where the world was in lockdown and dealing with the experience of covid-19 and the chaos it has bought into many people’s lives.

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When you look in the mirror, it’s easy to believe that what you see is the totality of who you are which you may or may not like. Nothing could be furthest from the truth because you are so much more.

We here at Fierce Truths Magazine are dedicated to awakening your fullest potential through a mixture of interviews, inspiring articles, and guidance from our amazing team.

Because at the very fabric of who you are, exists your fierce truth. Which it the key to unlocking and giving birth to who you are here to be.

With fierce love,

Kim Bleeze

Founder and CEO

@fiercetruthsmagazine @fiercetruthsmagazine

www.fiercetruthsmagazine.com

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Contents 3 Fierce Truths Magazine

2 Letter from Founder

38 Cacao Recipe

3 Contents

39 Our Fierce Experts

4 Editing Team

41 Jo’s Fitness

5 Express Yourself

43 Intimacy Alchemy

9 Music of the Month

45 Earth Whisper

10 Book of the Month

47 With Love from the Afterlife

11 Our Gifted Goddess

51 Numerlogy

17 Finding Love with Rose Quartz

55 Horoscopes and Stars

21 The Silent Pain of Domestic Violence

61 Classifieds

29 RizeUp

64 You are Invited

35 The Healing Power of Sacred Cacao

65 What’s Your Fierce Truth

Meet our founder Kim Bleeze Check out what’s in our issue!

Meet our editing team Tips to get you started Kattimoni: Rise Up and Radiate Change Makers 3rd Edition Meet Lisa Williams

Our crystal of the month

3 brave women share their stories A word from CEO of RizeUp Cacao, medicine for the heart

Dive into a cup of cacao Who are our fierce experts?

Health and fitness Sexs, love and relationships Words of wisdom from the Earth Messages from the spirit world

Read your numbers for this month What do your stars say Products and services Are we looking for you?

Share your fierce truth to win

The Editing Team Creative Director and Writer

Director of Operations

Kim Bleeze

Nikki Bowler

Communications Manager and Editor

Writer

Scott Grasso

Elizabeth Vigar

Graphic Designer

Thank You! To our Editing Team and our Fierce Experts for all their hard work!

Andrew Karabatos

Fierce Truths Magazine

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Express Yourself Tips To Get You Started

by Narelle Clyde

What would life be like if you were living as the “most expressed” version of yourself? That means your true self. Your authentic self. The one who you came here to be. ALL of her in her power, her beauty, her greatness, her wisdom - her downright magic and all the miracles she beholds! Who would you be? How would you hold yourself? What would you share with the world?

Living a life fully expressed is not something that is reserved for a select few - we ALL get to live in our fullest expression. Every single one of us. We all have a light to shine, something of value to give and an inner beauty that exudes with every move we make. When you look in the mirror, there is a miracle, a goddess, a piece of pure magic staring back at you. I invite you to start to see her now and begin living your life as the most expressed version of you.

That life is available for everyone. It is your birthright to live a life according to your own values, to what lights you up. It is also your birthright to radiate that beautiful light inside of you that we oh-so-know is in there, even if you haven’t quite been able to own it yet -- never mind knowing what the bloody hell to do with it!

Ask yourself this: do you ever wear a mask? No, not the kind of surgical mask we are being asked to wear now. You know, do you put a filter over who you really are, depending on who you’re around? You might have one mask that you wear with your partner. Another with your friends. A different mask for a different set of friends (god forbid they should all meet together and then you’d need to decide which mask to wear?!) Then there’s the mask you wear with your parents, siblings, co-workers, the hairdresser, the next door neighbour.... And the list goes on and on. It’s exhausting. No wonder you’re going to bed each night feeling drained of energy and wondering why. It’s the masks. When you take them off for good, and just be YOU - you can be in any situation, any environment, with any other person in the whole wide world and just be yourself. That is absolute freedom, dear one! And it’s available for you, right here, right now.

Here’s the truth: You get to be ALL of you.

ALL of the time.

That doesn’t mean you need to be dancing and prancing and singing from every rooftop - unless you want to of course, then by all means YES, go do that! Being fully expressed is not about being extroverted, or ‘out there’. It’s about being comfortable in your own skin. It’s about knowing who you are and being completely unapologetic about it. It’s about loving and honouring your light as well as your dark. It’s about being able to communicate and articulate your needs, most importantly with yourself. It’s about having boundaries and a level of love for yourself that deserves an award. It’s about sharing your gifts with the world. It’s about saying yes to you and all of your desires. It’s about knowing you are worthy and deserving of it all. It’s about letting go of judgement, first and foremost on yourself. It’s about choosing you first. It’s about knowing that the more YOU you are - the more life responds to you, bringing you abundance in health, wealth and happiness.

You truly do get to do, be and have it all - whatever that looks like for you.

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My Top 7 Tips For Expressing Yourself 1. Meditation This daily practice is a tool that has absolutely changed my life. From once wearing many masks, flat out exhausted, battling major anxiety and depression - meditation enabled me to re - connect to myself and in the process, re - discover who I really am. When you know who you are, you are able to express yourself from that space. Pure, grounded, authentic.

Meditation helps you to liberate energy by letting go of limiting behaviours, patterns and stories that keep you stuck.

If you are new to this practice, I recommend starting with 5 minutes each morning. Have your phone on flight mode, set a timer, sit upright and simply focus on your breath. In through the nose and out through the nose.

Yes, your mind will wander! It ’s not about getting to an ‘empty mind’ - it ’s about giving

3. Identity Statement

yourself that time, that space to connect with

Also known as ‘Scripting ’, you can do this by

the higher aspect of you. You can increase the

reading, writing or speaking aloud. This daily

length over time. Aim to get to 20 minutes by 30

practice builds neural pathways in your brain

days continuous practice. Have fun!

caused by repeating the same information over and over. When we practice ‘being ’ the person we want to be (in our fullest expression) our brains

2. Exercise

don’t know the difference between fantasy and

Not only does exercise release Endorphins,

reality. So over time, we automatically start

which means we feel really good -

it also

to look for (and attract) people, environments

improves our overall health and wellbeing. This

and experiences that help us to create that

means we feel energised and have an increased

ultimate reality.

zest for life! When we exercise regularly, we look and feel better - which increases confidence.

This is one of the foundational tools I teach

When we are confident, we are able to express

my private coaching clients as I believe it ’s

ourselves more freely and naturally - becoming

fundamental to consciously creating the life

a magnet for more people and experiences that

you desire. Start by taking yourself, journal

feel really good!

in tow, to your favourite place where you can really tune into what you want. For me, that ’d

As an ex-Personal Trainer, I recommend moving

be the closest beach, but for you it could be

your body daily, in a way that feels fun and

a park, forest, your garden, bedroom or even

motivating. Between 20 - 40 minutes is great. For

favourite coffee shop. Think about your ideal

me, this is a mixture of yoga, walking, running,

life; what does that look and feel like? Who is

strength training and freestyle dancing to

the person who is living that life? List out all

my favourite music. (Side note: dance like no -

of their characteristics - that ’s your identity

one’s watching - because they are not!) For

statement!

you it might be a team sport or group training

statement every day, ensuring that you’re

exercise. There are so many options available

really feeling how it feels to be that person. I

to us, experiment with what feels good for you,

invite you to learn more about Scripting and

knowing that it doesn’t have to mean hours

consciously creating your dream life by diving

slogging it out in the gym.

into my FREE Script Your Way To Success Workshop.

Read,

write

or

say

aloud

this

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4. Take Up Space This is another great exercise I encourage my private clients to do. When we are not living as our fully expressed selves, we tend to shrink down.

Not only physically, but energetically too. People might say something like; “oh I didn’t even see you there” - that ’s because you’re not seeing yourself and so you’re most certainly not comfortable taking up space. When we allow ourselves to take up space, we are embodied in who we are, we are confident, we stand tall and let our lights shine for all the world to see.

Practice this by imagining that you have a beautiful, big pair of wings and you are spreading them out far and wide. The colour, texture, dimension - that ’s all up to you, go wild! But before you go any where, whether it ’s a social occasion or work environment, or even just heading to a dental appointment or the supermarket - practice taking up space.

Physically this means standing tall and spreading your shoulders wide (which is scientifically proven to increase confidence) imagining your wings in place - but the most important thing is the energ y of this. When you’re holding the energ y of having these big beautiful wings, see how differently you hold yourself, how other people respond to you and how much more self expressed you feel.

5. Use Your Voice Nowadays, we are so used to emails, text messages and communicating our emotions by use of emoji, that we’ve lost track of actually verbalising how we are feeling. While voice and language is just one aspect of self expression, this one thing greatly limits how we express ourselves with others.

Here’s your challenge: Take the time to pick up the phone instead of sending an SMS to a friend. Look for opportunities to use your voice for any purpose: singing to yourself in the shower, singing a happy birthday message to a loved one (no matter what it sounds like - at the ver y least you’ll make someone laugh, but guaranteed they ’ll also feel loved. How long has it been since anyone sang a personalised IMAGE © Casther / Adobe Stock

happy birthday to you? My guess is probably not

7 Fierce Truths Magazine

since you were in single digits!) You may also have been avoiding a confronting conversation with someone. Have the talk. Instead of saying “I don’t mind when someone asks where you want to meet for coffee” - use your voice to articulate what you really want. There are countless opportunities for you to express yourself using your voice and with each one you will feel more empowered, more confident and more YOU.

6. Get Creative!

Whether or not you think you are creative by nature, there is so much joy to be had by spending some time playing and being curious like when we were kids. There are unlimited ways

to

be

creative:

Painting,

Drawing,

Singing, Dancing, Playing Music, Cooking/ Baking, Getting out into nature and making daisy chains or doing cartwheels - think about what YOU loved to do as a child and explore that. Don’t think about whether it ’s good/ bad or right /wrong - it ’s all perfect and you can’t get it wrong. It ’s your individual, unique expression - whatever that looks like for you.

When we allow ourselves to creatively express ourselves, it sparks creativity - expression - in all other areas of life. As Albert Einstein once said: “creativity is contagious - pass it on” I love that. What is something that you can create today?

7. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable We know that the magic happens outside of our comfort zone, right? So it ’s time to get comfortable being uncomfortable and experience all the magic that this brings!

Eleanor Roosevelt once famously quoted: “Do one thing ever y day that scares you”. I live by this. I used to avoid discomfort and anything scar y at all costs. Guess what? I didn’t get ver y far. Once I chose to lean into courage and “ feel the fear and do it any way ”, life got a whole lot more expansive and fun! Most importantly, I found that I was able to express myself in ways that I hadn’t previously, because I was doing things I hadn’t done before.

Think about a butterfly. Yes the metamorphosis process is hard, challenging, uncomfortable but is it worth it to come out the other side, fully expressed as a beautiful butterfly?

Absolutely! So go, be the butterfly and do something scar y and uncomfortable today that you know will help you become more self expressed - it might even be doing one of the above tips!

Meet Narelle

Narelle Clyde is a Spiritual Life Coach and Multidimensional Healer based on the Gold Coast, Australia. Narelle works with women who are feeling blocked in one or more areas in their life. She helps them to shift into the most elevated version of themselves, which results in more energy, ease and flow in their lives and businesses.

Her passion is helping others to live their best possible life by aligning them with their soul’s blueprint. Guiding them to be who they really are and all that they were born to be!

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11 Fierce Truths Magazine

IMAGES Š Lisa William’s personal collection and used with permission

Meet

Lisa Williams Our gifted goddess

by Kim Bleeze

We all have an inner light to shine. One that has the potential to create a positive impact on our little version of the world. Yet, we often may find ourselves shying away from that truthful part of ourselves.

Choosing instead, to remain hidden and only dreaming about our dreams rather than daring to make them come true.

Then there are those fierce women in the world who understanding their worth, their drive, their passion and see it as a non-negotiable. Taking a leap of faith with both feet first and going after what calls to their heart, instead of allowing their fear to be in the driver’s seat.

It will be those women whose inner light shines naturally brighter and for no more a reason than choosing to know courage and own their fierce truth. They dare to follow their dreams and in doing so, become a beacon of hope and inspiration for others whom they touch along the way.

These are our Gifted Goddesses.

Women just like you and me who dared to follow their calling and leap with both feet, intuitively following their souls’ path and saying yes to where their intuition guides them. These women not only live with passion and purpose, they use it to create a massive impact too.

I trust you will be as inspired by their stories as we are and for this month’s issue, let us introduce you to Lisa Williams.

Lisa is a renown International Spiritual Teacher and psychic medium, speaker, and mentor to thousands of students all over the world and it was an honor to spend some time interviewing her.

Here is what she had to say.

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Kim: Lisa, can we start by asking, who is Lisa Williams in your own words?

Lisa: That’s a loaded question! I’m really just a simple girl from a small town in the UK who made a big life in the USA as a Psychic Medium.

It was never expected, and it was something I never thought would happen, but here I am. I’ve had this gift since I was a kid and always something weird and wonderful would be happening. Such as things moving around my bedroom, me having imaginary friends, and saying things that just happened to come true. I guess back in the late 70’s early 80’s it was weird, but now it’s my normal. I thought everyone spoke to ‘dead’ people, but I guess I was wrong.

I grew my gift to what it is today, through hard work and a lot of fumbling in the dark and trying to work it out on my own. To me, my gift is who I am. I flow with Spirit throughout my life and I am the representation of the Spirit, but I also have a very normal life. I’m a wife, mother, daughter, friend, and teacher, and I wouldn’t change it for anything!

Kim: What was life like for you as you started to develop your gifts?

Lisa: It was very fortunate that I had a supportive husband, but prior to that I didn’t know what I was doing. I was just fumbling in the dark. There were no development circles, no online presence. There was a spiritual church which, although I fit in it, it was very cornering into things.

So, I did a few readings here and there and I honestly had no idea what I was doing, I was fumbling around in the dark. I started getting a few customers which let me down a path to finally embrace what I was doing. My then boyfriend (also first husband) was really supportive. He said that I have a gift and I need to embrace it, whereas for me it was kind of “Filling in the gaps”. Which being a single mum and struggling through life as we all do, it was just extra money for me. Then I realized that more people were visiting me for my “woo woo” side than anything else, so I thought “I think I’m onto something here. I was a physic junkie myself as I didn’t know where life was taking me, it was just very bizarre.

So finally, I embraced it. I got myself an office and everything else. And my Dad was asking me when am I going to find a proper job. It’s probably only in the last 15 years that I have fully, fully embraced it.

And I know 15 years is a long time, but when you have been doing for 26 years like I have, it really isn’t a long time because it was never supposed to be permanent because in my head it was “you don’t do anything permanent, you don’t do anything tangible in other people’s eyes”.

It wasn’t until I started to travel, moved to America, and was doing TV shows, and went to Australia and other places, then started teaching that I felt home. I felt home while teaching.

Prior to that, it was a struggle, and I believe that you have to go through your own struggles. For example, I’ve had cancer, I’ve had terrible relationships, I’ve had friends betray me… I’ve had it all and I got to the point where I didn’t think I could get up in the morning

13 Fierce Truths Magazine

and then I realized that I pulled on those experiences to keep me going to help other people with my gifts. To help other people see another day, that there is a life after struggling and that you can do it. You don’t have to succumb to being a withering mess on the floor.

I knew that I didn’t have to be a withering mess on the floor because spirit had my back. Having that consent dialog from spirit changed my life.

Kim: Do you find that your work is inspired by those dark days you had yourself? Knowing that someone else maybe feeling the same?

IMAGES © Lisa William’s personal collection and used with permission

Lisa: Absolutely, but I think now (even though I still have those days) what inspires me are my clients and my followers. They are my inspiration.

There have been so many times over the past 3 months where I haven’t wanted to get out of bed or face the world and I have really wanted to hide and cry. But, it was because of those people, in a way relying on me that I went “No, I can’t, I have to show up” because there is an expectation for Lisa Williams to show up, to show her face, to be the healer to be motivating.

For those days that I just wanted to hide, it was my students, my staff, my teaching, may fans and follows that kept me going. But I feel like I pull strength from that because you know, if I can show up today, then you can too because I have realized that we all go through stuff, but moving through it is the mindset of it. Whether we move through it with heaviness or we go, “I got to face this”.

There was a point about 7-8 weeks ago when I walked out of the bathroom into the bedroom and I know that I had a choice about how I faced that day. I could go in like I did the day before in all Doom and Gloom, or do I show up with a smile on my face. So, I put music on, I walked the dogs and went in with a smile on my face. And I didn’t want to, but you know what that smile changed everything. And I took moments of joy in that day that I held onto. Whether it was listening to music, my son telling me he loved me, my daughter giving me a hug, or a sweet text from my husband. I held onto those moments, so I didn’t get sucked back into the cycle.

Kim: Do you think spirit helped as well?

Lisa: Absolutely, (grabs pad of paper) these are all messages from spirit. This is all I have been doing for the past 3

months, all 85 messages from spirit. It is what has kept me going, COVID here in America has been really bad so it made me go into myself. I’ve seen a lot of things I didn’t want to see or look at. I had to change my approach, I lost friends, I lost teachers, I lost everything but at the end of the day, these messages are what kept me going. My husband told me that he had to stop listening to these messages. He said even though they are from spirit, they are from the deepest darkest places of the earth.

Kim: It sounds to me that it was your drive and spirit that kept you going?

Lisa: Yeah it became my purpose.

Today I am on message 85 (Spirit gave me a day off) but, to me the stuff that they give me is incredible.

I am meeting different spirits, and it not only resonates with me, but it resonates with everybody listening and even though it’s very powerful for me in a way it’s also very powerful for the listener. It’s pure philosophy, you know when you hit that higher realm and you are listening to the elders and the ascended masters, they don’t care about your car, or your boyfriend so it’s pure philosophy and it’s amazing.

I was having a moment. I was in my office and I sat there crying and I just wrote and then I went into my bedroom and I was still crying and spirit said “read your message of the day” so I went back to my message and I started crying again because it was so powerful, so prominent, so raw and that’s all I could do.

Kim: Would you like to share one of these messages Lisa?

Lisa: Okay…

Open your heart to what the beauty of what tomorrow brings, without fear, can change your life today. Step through beyond any doubt in your mind and rise above the shadows that cast a darkness on your light that is guiding you. Your soul is stronger than your mind, your will is wiser than your thoughts, your belief is stronger than that fleeting moment of doubt.

You are the strength that will rise above all doubt that will come your way. The mind is a beautiful place to create your dreams, hopes and desires yet standing in the space of vast memories of time and endless concerns is not something that is helpful. Shine and rise above, looking ahead at all the hopes you have let go of what has held back change in the past and rise higher than before with nothing holding you back in your limitless dreams of glory and seeing the journey as a sparkling pathway of opportunity and change. You are the hope that others look

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14

for, you are the one that will help lift others your story is a facet of your life but with each facet you build an picture of who you are, the glorious image of life itself. It is effortless and you are worthy of all that enriches you.

Letting go can be fearful of all that is in your life, but realize that you are letting go of what holds you back and open the door of wisdom and growth knowing that the future can be molded how you want it to be, how you desire it to look. Imagine the future as bright as the sun, as clear as the water that flows throughout, as colorful as a rainbow that lights the sky after the rain passes. You can be that rainbow; you can be that light. You can be it all for another but be it for you. You are worthy of love; you are worthy of trust you are worthy of your dream honor this moment to shine. Love thy friends and open your heart to forgiveness.

Release the shadow and the waves of doubt and cast them aside for brightened dawns are upon you.

Bless you my friends.

Kim: That’s incredible Lisa, thank you so much for honoring us with that – Your journey has shifted, and changed and is such a true testament that our journey can change. I think when we start to find our purpose, we get stuck in the idea that it must look a certain way. Can you please walk us through how that has shifted for you and how you know when it’s time to change?

Lisa: So, for me it’s interesting because a massive shift happens in my life or something gets taken away in my life and that’s when I realize that Its time for me to really reevaluate. I know that things are changing and for me it’s always a massive shift. My son just left home so that’s a massive shift. It’s just an innate feeling. And we can carry on with the same mundane feeling going day to day but there is going to be something that will shake your world up that is so unexpected that is from so left field that you can either fall into and fall on the floor saying “I can’t do it” or say, “Thank you for opening my eyes”. That is a choice of you embrace it, a choice of how you see it and I have always gone “Thank you for opening my eyes”. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard. My journey has changed so much, I mean I was doing readings from home when I started, and it changed because I turned it into a yes journey. Just be a YES girl. If someone offers

15 Fierce Truths Magazine

you something to try “Sure I’ll experience that” and making that journey into an experience changes everything. Sometimes you just go with the journey, just jump in with both feet and so long as you’re not being abused or hurt. But I get my heart broken, so what it will fix. I lose money, so what, I will always be able to make money. And that is always the risk I have taken, and I didn’t know if my school was going to carry on, I didn’t know if I was going to live in America but you know what I made it happen. You know what I do, I say “Spirit, put me where you need me”.

Kim: Your school has not only just stayed alive, but it’s flourished!

Lisa: Absolutely, and I asked for help from others as well, but I was holding onto control like it was going to run away but then when I surrender into it, people came alive. Now I have Director of the School, I have designers, I have editors I have all these people at my fingertips and really, it’s them I need to thank. Because I just show up and teach and they are the people that are suggesting we do different things. Of course, I’m driving it. But before I was controlling it but now, I just let go of the reigns and let it go. For example, I did my first circle and had 600 people. So, you know how you do it, well we managed it. We broke it up into different circles.

It was amazing people learnt so much.

Kim: Helping people, do you feel that is just a really strong sense of purpose for you, of being here?

Lisa: I do, I do think it is my purpose and I call it the ripple effect. that’s why I have given as much knowledge as I have to my master Teachers, to my students and I always see it as stepping out of your comfort zone, and I ride a motorcycle and that is great but the thing is, you never get complacent and you shouldn’t because that’s when accidents happen so I never get complacent with my teaching because otherwise I make mistakes and I have someone’s life in the palm of my hands and I cannot afford to screw up so , I always put myself out of my comfort zone and always learning from my own experiences because the more I learn then the more I can give to my students too.

Kim: Sometimes we don’t have the confidence in ourselves to step up, so stepping up for spirit, was personal development part of your journey as well?

Lisa: Absolutely, I cannot tell you how many thousands of dollars I have spent in therapy. I did all of these inner works for me because I knew if I didn’t do it… and now it is a continuous journey. It’s funny because some of these messages spirit have given me, I am continually looking at these going “How can I learn from these?” and I think it’s important that we all do this. In my course the first thing I get you to do, is self-care so you can understand that you are carrying someone’s life in the palm in your hands and you cannot say the wrong thing because you are messing with their mental state and you will have them thinking about it continually and we have a responsibility. So, when we look at self-care, we are looking at our own healing, our own journey so that we can help someone to the best of our ability.

Kim: What would your advice be to people that know that they are here for a bigger purpose?

Lisa: Just do it. Seriously just do it.

1 – Find yourself someone that you like 2 – Find someone that you can trust 3 – Someone that is going to push you and don’t go it alone as a group development class can develop so much more especially in learning that you are normal. Everything you are going through, everything that you are experiencing is normal. You are going to learn from your peers much faster than 1-1 mentoring.

I like to say, come join me in my weird circle where I am normal because outwardly, it is a bit weird because it’s not something you can touch but we can change lives in just a few words, we can heal, we can give peace and who doesn’t want peace in their heart and realize that their loved ones are okay and feel that they will get through their hard times because who doesn’t want to know that?

LW

LISA WILLIAMS SCHOOL

UPCOMING EVENTS & COURSES

ONLINE

FOR MORE VISIT: WWW.LISAWILLIAMSSCHOOL.COM

Finding

Love

with Rose Quartz

Written by Elizabeth Vigar For many of us, burdened with emotional wounds, we are struggling to heal our hearts from trauma.

Unaware of our need for healing, we sometimes harden ourselves to avoid being hurt again and our energy feels tired and depleted. The Rose Quartz is a healing crystal of heart and love.

It has the power to activate our heart chakra, making it possible for us to release negative energies and resonate at a higher frequency. With new strength, we are able to open our heart once again, making room for forgiveness, trust and the power of love.

The Rose Quartz, used for thousands of years in ritual and ceremony, is a beautiful milky-pink crystal that has strong symbolic associations with universal love. Love is a strong energetic force that takes many forms: romantic love, maternal love, platonic love and self-love. The Native Americans believed it could rid us of all our negative emotions. The Rose Quartz helps us to open our hearts and purify them of any pain and suffering, guiding us back towards a place of unconditional love, kindness, and compassion.

Every woman should own her own precious Rose Quartz crystal because of its’ strong symbolic association with love and its’ protective qualities.

It has a soft energy that guides us back into our feminine strength. As the Mothers of the Earth, we are each the embodiment of unconditional and selfless love. The Rose Quartz can help protect us when we open our hearts, enabling us to stay strong

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IMAGE © Serena Williamson / Adobe Stock

and nurtured during difficult times and when we have the tendency to give all of ourselves to others.

Because of its’ unique properties, the Rose Quartz is a powerful healing crystal and popular with many healers all over the world.

It holds a gentle energy that will nurture you and guide you to a place of calm and reassurance.

The Rose Quartz stone can take you deeply within yourself, healing the pain and traumas you have experienced. It offers the unique gift of connecting us with our innermost desire to experience love in our lives.

Symbolically connected with womanhood, it has the potential to hasten recovery and increase fertility. It can be a helpful stone throughout pregnancy to enhance love and protection for both mother and child.

It can strengthen the heart and circulatory system and potentially reduce high blood

pressure. It assists with chest and lung complaints and can help to heal the kidneys and adrenals. It is an excellent crystal to help release impurities from body fluids and contribute to overall wellness.

The best way to invoke the power of the Rose Quartz is by making a gem essence. This is done by infusing its’ energy in water. Firstly, set your intentions and desires onto your stone and then place it in a bowl of clean water. You can even say a mantra to further direct your intentions. To activate its’ energy, situate the bowl where the crystal can be charged by moonlight. Adding rose petals and a few drops of essential oil to the water will increase its’ therapeutic qualities and health benefits.

Lavender, Jasmine and YlangYlang are perfect, and they will smell amazing. After 8 hours then the tonic will be ready.

Transfer the water to a spray bottle and you can use it on your face and neck to give you an energetic spritz.

Another simple way to tap into the healing benefits of Rose Quartz is to add some cleansed crystals to your drinking water.

Always keep a few Rose Quartz gems in your drink bottle so the water you drink is constantly being energised by the crystals.

By partaking in these valuable personal rituals, we are consciously creating habits to help our hearts to heal and open.

This makes room for positive and nurturing emotions: selfforgiveness, self-trust, and selflove.

Wear a Rose Quartz close to your heart to channel your divine feminine power and encourage an abundance of love into your life.

4 Ways to use your Rose Quartz Crystal Spray it!

Make a Gem Essence by infusing the crystals energy in water, set your intentions, add some rose petals, and leave to sit for 8 hours. Transfer to a water spray bottle and use on your face and neck as an energetic spritz!

Wear it!

Wear a Rose Quartz close to your heart on your favourite pendant.

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Meditate with it!

Meditate with your Rose Quartz and set the intent to welcome an abundance of love into your life.

Infuse it!

Add a rose quartz crystal to your drink bottle and allow it to enhance your water with the vibration of love.

There has never been a better time to ignite your purpose

Passion, Purpose & Pathway ONLINE COURSE CLICK HERE

The Silent Pain of

Domestic Violence Written by Elizabeth Vigar

We interviewed three women who were each brave enough to share their very personal and harrowing experience with domestic violence. Through their pain, they found the strength to start their lives anew, and find the love and respect they deserved.

Home is meant to be a safe haven. A place from which we can seek refuge from the perils of the world. But what if the one location meant to represent safety and security is the most dangerous and terrifying place? Hidden behind doors and walls, thousands of women suffer silently at the hands of domestic violence.

For many of them, they struggle to find support, help, or the courage and means to leave. Sometimes they suffer for years, alone, leading to life-long physical and emotional scars.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has, devastatingly, prompted a combination of conditions that have created an alarming rise

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in domestic violence. The stress, fear, isolation and inability to leave their homes during worldwide lockdowns has left many women far more vulnerable than ever before. This is not a new issue, but the current global atmosphere has made it more important than ever that we all take a stand against domestic violence, so that women everywhere can feel safe at home.

We interviewed three women who were each brave enough to share their very personal and harrowing experience with domestic violence. Through their pain, they found the strength to start their lives anew, and find the love and respect they deserved. By loving themselves enough, each

woman was able to find the strength to say no to abuse. These women are not just survivors of domestic violence. They each display a beautiful and inspiring courage. They show that, even in the face of true adversity, every woman is capable of rising up, taking charge of her life, and being a stronger and happier version of herself.

Let these women inspire you.

They are the warrior women who hold their heads high and lead the path for other women. They offer their support and encouragement through their words to teach us that we are not alone. Let them guide us all towards a place of awareness, purpose and self-love.

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IMAGE © Serena Williamson / Adobe Stock

If you were to meet Simone O’Brien, you would recognise that the face she lives with now is not the one she was born with. She has no sensation or control over the right side of her face. Her right eye stares but does not see. Her beautiful smile is cracked. This is not because of an accident. This is the heartbreaking result of domestic violence.

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IMAGES © Simone O’Brien’s personal collection and used with permission

COVID-19 and the Isolation of Domestic Abuse – Simone O’Brien knows how important it is to support each other

In late 2012 Simone was left for dead by a man who claimed to love her. He inflicted injuries to her head and face that were so brutal, it left Simone’s physical appearance disfigured and the emotional scars so deep, they will stay with her for the rest of her life. Simone is now blind in her right eye and the right side of her skull is entirely titaniumplated. She has an implant in her cheekbone, and her jaw was shattered. She was only able to open her mouth a fraction, and even now she will never be able to enjoy eating all the foods she used to love. After 52 reconstructive operations, every day is still a battle in her fight for recovery.

“I feel like I am a prisoner in my own body”.

Despite this, Simone has made it her life’s mission to be a voice for others, to gain support, and to help people who are struggling with domestic violence. Now more than ever we need to come together, she says.

Simone could have been any one of my friends, or yours.

She was a single woman with three small children living in a typical suburban home in Brisbane. She was working two jobs just to make ends meet, and life was sometimes pretty tough. In spite of this, Simone longed to find love. So one fateful day in September 2012, she decided to give online dating a go. She found a man, did her research and decided she had made a good choice.

“I saw he was in real estate and the light bulb lit up and I thought, “Great! He’s had a police check. He must be safe”.

After getting to know each other, they began dating and then started a relationship.

Simone was excited and happy.

However, during the following 9 months, an array of red flags started to show: possessive behaviour, money disappearing,

and deleting contacts from her phone.

Deep down Simone knew that something was wrong and, eventually, she worked up the courage to end the relationship.

She was relieved, and so were her kids, but this wasn’t the end of the story. Shortly after they broke up, he appeared unexpectedly on her door. He wanted to talk and he convinced Simone to talk privately in her bedroom.

During the next agonising 10 minutes, Simone received 45-50 blows to the head with a baseball bat, and her arm was broken.

Unable to move, she called out desperately to her daughters.

“I honestly thought I was going to die.

I didn’t know how to get up”.

After the assault, her skull was so badly damaged that those who administered first aid said it was like mush. She was rushed to the hospital but nobody thought she would survive. Miraculously, against all medical predictions, Simone did not die. Her skull was so badly fractured that it allowed her brain enough room to swell, and is the only reason she survived. Nobody could have guessed it was the sheer volume of trauma Simone received to her head, which ultimately saved her from brain damage or death.

Her recovery has been the most difficult and challenging journey of her life, but this hasn’t stopped Simone from becoming an advocate for the movement to stop domestic violence.

“We need to look out for each other and speak about domestic violence because it hasn’t been an easy journey for me to be here with you today”.

Despite her appearance, she speaks to audiences of thousands of people on the devastating consequences of domestic violence. Never one for public speaking, Simone feels she now has a reason to show even more courage. Her message is that you don’t have to hide, feel scared or be ashamed. That you can speak out freely because there is so much support available.

“Look out for the red flags and speak to someone. The support and services you get. You are not alone”.

Simone also speaks to children at schools about domestic violence. We can teach children about abuse and help them to recognise some of the warning signs, and this will equip them with an invaluable perspective that they will take into their adult lives. Teaching children open communication within a safe environment is what’s important.

Simone’s journey has been a harrowing one, but it is the desire and need for change that keeps her going. She is now remarried to her children’s father and is looking towards a positive and happy future.

Follow Simone’s journey on social media. @simonemobrien Fierce Truths Magazine

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As Angel Baney speaks, she holds herself with such grace and strength that it’s hard to imagine this happily married wife and mother has not always had such a picture-perfect life. As a young woman, coming from a loving family in Pittsburgh, Angel was fiercely determined, and she believed that she could accomplish anything she put her mind to.

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IMAGES © Angel Baney’s personal collection and used with permission

Angel Baney had to Fall in Love with Herself, to Find Peace

With a heart as big as her smile, Angel easily fell in love with a man whom she thought was charming, creative and knowledgeable. Her disposition meant she would constantly look for the good in everyone, even if it meant overlooking a multitude of red flags. Always hoping for the best in her relationship, Angel, unwittingly, allowed the worst to happen.

During their marriage her husband would drink. And when he was drunk he became highly abusive. Angel recounts their first argument, where he crushed her hand so tightly that he managed to break her finger. She vowed she would leave if he ever hurt her again, but she was soon to discover that choices are not always that simple. Angel’s husband was a narcissist, and over the course of their relationship, he slowly manipulated her to make her feel like everything was her fault.

It crushed her self-esteem and made it almost impossible for her to leave him.

prompted more violence and, one time, he became so enraged with Angel that he punched her square in her face.

“I fell down and blacked out, because he had hit me so hard”.

Angel was left alone and unconscious on the bathroom floor. When she woke up in terrible pain, she knew she had to escape from him, but how?

By now she was so financially dependent on him that she didn’t see an easy way out. He had made sure that she no longer had her own bank account.

Her car, their business and the house was all in his name. She was financially trapped by him.

Thankfully, Angel’s jaw had not been broken that night, but something even more precious was breaking: her spirit.

“I have never been hit by a man. My father never hit a woman. I didn’t want to look like a failure”.

“He never stopped using emotional words. It was a way to grind me down”.

He criticised Angel more and more. He would tell her that she had gained weight or that she wasn’t as smart as he had once thought. He gaslighted her and made her question how she saw herself. Her confidence and sense of selfworth was disintegrating, and the physical abuse just made it worse. Another night of drinking

For a time, things seemed to get better. The drinking stopped, and they finally got married. Not long after that, Angel even fell pregnant with two babies.

She fantasised that their lives would be happy from hereon. But, inevitably, he started drinking again, prompting the most horrific night that Angel had ever experienced. He was so drunk and angry that he kicked Angel in her pregnant stomach. The impact was so strong that she collapsed onto the floor, immediately feeling the blood flowing from between her legs. There was no one around to help her. She knew, intuitively, that she had lost her unborn babies. She was right.

Angel’s healing journey took a long time. The first step was finding the courage to leave her husband, and the next step was realising that she needed to love herself first. So she joined a womens group,

and began journaling and writing down her feelings. She practised meditation and used affirmations. This eventually led to her attracting more emotionally healthy people into her life.

“I did a whole lot of work on myself. I didn’t date. I didn’t even want to look at men until I started recognising what was in me that had been attracting this abuse into my life”.

Angel has now been happily married for 17 years and she has a 7 year old daughter. Finally having a relationship with a man who is loving and supportive is proof that she did the hard work and learnt how to love herself.

But the road to get there was incredibly difficult and she still struggles with feelings of selfdoubt to this day.

Angel turned her life around and is following her passion to help women find the strength to leave their abusive relationships.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, she worries that there are too many women suffering at the hands of abuse. She wants to share her story to help others to find their empowerment. The change you need comes from within, and sometimes it can take a whole village to facilitate that change. Surround yourself with as many friends, family and support groups as you can. Learn to respect and love yourself, and people will follow suit.

To follow Angel’s journey, visit her website. www.hearmyvoicenow.com Fierce Truths Magazine

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Nikki experienced her first abusive relationship when she was only 15. Struggling with her body image and confidence, Nikki’s self-esteem was fragile and her boyfriend’s abuse sent her spiraling down into a deep depression. The experience left her shattered, and it set a precedent for a second abusive relationship. Nikki recounts her painful experiences and her long, but liberating journey back to a place of love, confidence, and respect.

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IMAGES © Nikki Bowler’s personal collection and used with permission

The Invisible Scars of Mental Abuse and How Love Saved Nikki Bowler

Nikki’s boyfriend gradually wreaked havoc on Nikki’s sense of self-worth. He criticised her constantly and nothing she ever did seemed good enough. She started skipping meals because she was convinced that losing weight would make her more beautiful. So she trained harder and harder with her sports, but eventually, her body couldn’t take it anymore. Nikki would regularly collapse from the sheer strain she was putting herself through.

She had become obsessed with obtaining something she never could: her boyfriend’s love and respect.

Their relationship ended when Nikki caught him cheating on her.

She had done everything within her power to win his love, and yet he treated her so badly. The way she felt about herself was altered, and she questioned what was wrong with her. Why did it constantly feel like she wasn’t good enough? After a period of unsuccessful dating and when Nikki’s spirit was at an all-time low, another man entered into her life. Nikki had not healed from her first boyfriend, and she was filled with self-loathing and still very vulnerable, which made her the perfect target for another abuser.

There were red flags right from the start. Their relationship progressed dangerously quickly, with Nikki moving in with him and joining bank accounts after only a few months of dating. His abuse and his projections started early and became gradually worse. Whenever Nikki would socialize with her friends, her new boyfriend would become angry and insecure, hurling ludicrous accusations at her.

Dealing with his sudden mood swings was exhausting for Nikki and she lost most of her friends because of it. It became normal for him to harass her when she was socialising: obsessive calling, abusive texts and, if she ignored him, the abuse would become much worse. He had not been physically abusive with Nikki but one night his paranoia tipped him over the edge, and he

accused her of sleeping with another man.

“He grabbed me by the hair and dragged me out of the shower with me pleading him to stop. He pulled me up to meet his face, blazing with anger. I burst into tears. He let me go and left me on the bathroom floor, crying. That was the first time I was truly afraid of him”.

It took years for Nikki to find the courage to leave him because she was so afraid of his controlling nature. She had been trapped by him, not only financially but emotionally too. He had convinced her that all their problems were her fault, alone.

She was ashamed that her behaviour could cause such negative reactions and she was worried that people would judge her.

“With abuse like this, it’s not just physical. Josh wasn’t overly physical with his abuse but, it was the fear he installed in me.

The fear of making a mistake that would anger him, or the fear of disrespecting him when I was just laughing with friends.

Josh would be so sweet at times and he had everyone fooled”.

After secretly saving money, and planning her escape with a work colleague, Nikki finally managed to get away from Josh for good. But Nikki soon found herself caught up in yet another bad relationship, and she started having repetitive thoughts, questioning everything about her life.

“The type of relationship where I lose myself trying to mould into the person these men wanted me to be”.

“Why was I always drawn to the same ‘type’ of relationship?”

When Nikki met the man who is now her husband, she says she was still very broken. She was on various medications, and she was still underweight. Although she wanted to heal, she still had so much to work through within herself. Her husband became her biggest advocate and an integral part of her journey to become the woman she is today.

“I wanted to be respected, he showed me what respect looks like. He taught me that my feelings and opinions were important. I wanted to find my own identity again and he encouraged me to blossom. I wanted to love myself and he showed me the love I finally deserved”.

With a lot of perseverance, Nikki turned her life around. She realised that her beliefs had been shaping her reality, and so she finally started to believe she deserved the love she had always longed for, from herself and from others. This is the power of manifestation. Once she believed, the Universe delivered.

“Love to me is empowerment.

It’s raw honesty, it’s complete trust and it’s unconditional. If I couldn’t provide myself with those thing then, how could I expect someone else to”? I finally found my husband and the love he gives me because I allowed myself to love me, first”.

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The Fierce Truth about Covid-19 and the hidden crisis by Nicolle Edwards, CEO RizeUp Australia July 2020

Our world is changing daily, and for most of us, social isolation to help combat the coronavirus crisis means staying safe at home with the people we care about.

While the health of everyone is important during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are very concerned about the threat to women and children who are being isolated in the home, potentially with a violent partner or family member.

For one in four women, social isolation means being lockedup in a dangerous place with an abusive partner, with no way to escape – with children possibly in the mix.

These next few months living under Covid-19 restrictions will see a heightened risk due to financial insecurity, alcohol consumption and health concerns.

Not only is a victim living with the threat of the pandemic, but also the potentially lethal threat of violence.

Being forced to share space with violent husbands or family members for extended periods of time can only exacerbate already stressful living conditions.

Figures show one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner, and research shows that violence against women increases during times of anxiety.

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In the wake of reports of domestic abuse as much as tripling in China during recent periods of isolation, RizeUp

Australia is already seeing evidence of that disturbing trend here in Australia.

We believe the impact of the coronavirus on women trapped in abusive relationships is a crisis, within a crisis - as financial and emotional pressures take their toll.

Sadly, the pandemic has already resulted in a spike in the number of women – and their families - looking to escape violence in their homes.

So much so, our charity, which offers a range of programs helping high-risk women and their children, is struggling to keep up with demand.

In fact, it was difficult keeping up with demand before Covid-19, but in recent weeks we’ve already seen our calls for help from services increase by 20%.

And with more people losing their jobs, being made redundant or working from home, and schools shutting down, the fear is these calls – and the violence against women – will further escalate.

RizeUp Australia’s primary focus is to reduce the incidence of domestic and family violence in

Australia. At a practical level, we support families impacted by violence by helping them on their journey from violence to safety.

To do this we have created an innovative solution that brings communities together, increases volunteering and makes real, far reaching and practical contributions to these vulnerable families.

As a family leaves refuge, we furnish their new accommodation with everything they need to make it a home, so they can make a fresh start.

We also support affected children by providing everything they need

to happily settle into a new school.

RizeUp Australia is a vital part of the service system across Australia and has established strong partnerships with specialist domestic violence services, which enable us to provide fast, flexible solutions to women and children in desperate situations.

We have developed processes and policies to underpin a safe, practical response, which enables us to work effectively with more than 360 volunteers and provide an add-value to service that existing specialist domestic violence organisations now depend on.

Frontline services rely on RizeUp Australia to safely transition victim/

survivors of domestic violence from a life of fear and violence to one of safety and community.

Since launching in 2015, we have supported more than 1030 families – all already linked to crisis services across Australia press the “restart button on a life free from violence”.

It is during times of stress that those at risk of family violence are likely to be most in danger, so it is vital women and children have the support they need to enable them to get to a safe place.

Our RizeUp Homes Program is supporting up to eight new families every week, who are at the

greatest risk of homelessness and homicide.

But unfortunately, it’s still not enough as services are inundated with women fleeing violent relationships.

While the below factors aren’t the cause of violence, they are contributing factors that may cause violence to escalate: • Financial instability / Job Loss • Drugs and Alcohol consumption • Physical / Mental Health concerns • Imbalance of power and control within the intimate relationship Violence against women is driven largely by gender inequality, the hyper masculine need for power and control and societal pressure

reinforcing rigid gender roles within the family unit. When there is disruption to these existing stereotypes there is an increase of violence against women.

Using isolating behaviours and fear of the coronavirus pandemic as a guise of over-caring to further isolate the victims from their family, is a tactic used by violent men to control their victims.

Threatening to throw the victim and/or their children out of the home to get sick is as equally terrifying as being trapped inside.

Some violence offenders will also withhold money or medications from the victim or children.

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In cases of separation, there might be more withholding of the children by using social isolation as a controlling mechanism to stop access to the mother.

For many women, they rely on their external friends and family to stay connected and this provides them with some sense of safety.

Some women will recognise the different stages from within the cycle of violence and leave the house ‘until things cool down’ which for many is an effective safety tool that they would usually employ however now, with the Covid-19 pandemic women are trapped inside which will have a devastating impact on their health and safety and the health and safety of their children.

As I’ve already highlighted, there has already been a spike in calls to support services across the nation, and in Brisbane we have the highest number of women in motels than ever before.

People are calling support hotlines because they are frightened and worried that they won’t be able to get to safety in time and away from the person using violence.

It is hard enough for some victims to be able to get out and ask for support but even more so now when they are being monitored in a confined space and not able to safely reach out for assistance.

What is really important to remember right now though is that services are still available – how they are operating might look a bit different these days but they are still there and are still attended by the most experienced frontline staff who know best how to support the most vulnerable and at-risk people in our community.

Many women who are engaged with domestic violence services are telling their advocates that they are feeling unsafe about

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what lies ahead but what is crucial right now, is to know that services and help are still available.

1800RESPECT (1800737732) is the National Domestic and Family Violence Helpline and identifies a number of issues and risks present for women and children during a disaster. These include: • Being blocked from accessing survival essentials including transport, food, water, heat and finances. • Being put at risk by the challenges of enforcing protection orders in a disaster affected environment. • Being faced by the return of men who have been violent in the past, as they take advantage of vulnerabilities resulting from the disaster, or their returning to take advantage of grant money.

• The limitations and pressures created by being made suddenly homeless by the disaster.

Some advice for those who might be concerned about being confined to a space with their perpetrator: • Try and stay as connected as you can to the family and friends who are in your life by using FaceTime or video chat • Connect with online groups to break down social-isolation • Take breaks outside while maintaining social distancing. • Have a mental safety plan in place: Make note of the places inside the home that are easy to get in and out of during a conflict. • Create a safe word to share with your support network to let them know you need immediate help and for them to call the police. • Consider creating a safe word that can be recognised by the children so when mum activates the safe word the children know to go to the designated safe space within the house. • Keep the phones charged at all times • Ensure the children in the home all know how to use the phone to call 000 should Mum activate the safe word or if Mum is unable to do that herself. • If it is safe to do so, speak to your neighbours and give them permission to call

the police should they suspect a violent incident is occurring.

People need to know they are not interfering and it’s important to know that as the neighbour this is your business. Keeping women and children safe is all of our business. Now more than ever. • Most importantly – Be gentle on yourself!

When considering giving safety plan advice, it is important to add in a bit of a preface to allow for the woman to always be the one making the decisions that are best for her.

There will be an increase in the amount of coercive control that is occurring within abusive relationships in this current climate so we (the broader friends, family and community) must never replicate perpetrators controlling behaviours by not listening to her needs and rather let the woman decide what is the best way to keep herself and her children safe.

The safety ideas listed above may not work for every woman.

Women’s safety plans are unique to each case. Always listen to what she is saying as she will tell you what will work for her current situation.

As victims of domestic violence, women are faced with the burden of its complexity. But even more so now as we stare down the current health and economic crisis women might feel that their experience of violence at home is of low priority compared to the disaster preparation that is happening around them and then this might make them apprehensive to reach out.

As a society, it is imperative we continue to keep the increased vulnerability of women and children at the forefront of our minds.

How we respond when our friends and family reach out to us

and disclose what is happening for them, largely determines what happens next. When our friends or family reach out to us, there are a few things we need to be mindful of. The first being that this current situation makes leaving a violent home more complex than ever before and we need to be particularly mindful around not jumping to the age old: “Why doesn’t she just leave?”.

Reasons that she might not leave may include: • The fear of the unknown • Even greater fear of loss of financial security • Fear of being sent to a location unknown, isolated or unclean • Difficulties of getting to a whole new location and potentially exposing herself and her children to the virus. • If she gets sick how would she manage the children on her own. • Fear of not being able to look after her children. • Fear of homicide if she stays or death if she leaves and gets sick.

It is incredibly important that we communicate in a way that reassures the person disclosing that you believe them, you

understand how terrifying this must be for them and to reinforce that there are services available to help them when they are ready to ask. It is important to remember that this might be the first time they have experienced violence at the hands of their intimate partner.

They might experience feelings of disloyalty or self-blame especially if they are no longer able to contribute financially to the family income due to a job loss. They might feel that the additional stress now placed on the person using violence is the cause and may justify this as a reason for the mismanagement of anger. There might be cultural factors that prevent her from leaving her husband as this would bring shame to the family.

During disasters there can be significant pressure from family and friends to deny or forgive men’s violence. During the Black Saturday Bushfires in Victoria women in some cases spoke of how they were effectively stopped from seeking support by the person they confided in.

(WHGNE2011)

With so many unknowns ahead during the coronavirus crisis, one thing is certain – RizeUp Australia will continue to be there for atrisk families.

While some of our wonderful volunteers have been forced into lockdown due to COVID-19, with the support of the Department of Youth, Women and Domestic Violence, we have adapted our service delivery and will continue to provide life changing support for the most vulnerable families in our community and continue our support for the front-line services.

Even though our fundraising events for the year have been cancelled because of the pandemic, stopping our work is not an option.

No women or child should ever be in danger in their own home, so in these terrifying situations, it’s important for them to know that help is available to them; there are people who care about them, believe them and will acknowledge their courage in leaving a violent life behind.

If you would like to learn more about RizeUp Australia or how you can volunteer or donate please head over to www.rizeup.com.au. With your help we can continue our life changing work to walk alongside vulnerable families fleeing violence.

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You can’t go back & change the beginning, but you can start where you are & change the ending.

C.S. Lewis

WE NEED YOU volunteer@rizeup.com.au

IMAGE © magann / Adobe Stock

LET YOUR INTUITION GUIDE YOU

The Healing Power of Sacred Cacao

Written by Elizabeth Vigar

IMAGE © kuvona / Adobe Stock

Renee McCready speaks of the Ancient Power of Sacred Cacao and how it can bring us back into our Heart-Space

For many of us, our hearts have been closed by trauma and pain. When this happens, our minds begin to rule over our hearts because we have lost trust and faith in our intuition. We become unsure of ourselves and we feel unhappy, and we long to find a way back to our empowerment. We yearn to feel connected to ourselves as beautiful, strong, creative, and feminine creatures. But we have no idea how to harness this innate and integral power. Renee McCready is a medicine woman, earth doula and facilitator of the ceremony of Sacred Cacao. She shares with us her intimate thoughts about the ancient medicinal powers of cacao. Renee has experienced how the cacao ceremony can open up a door for all of us to reconnect to our powerful insight and make the journey towards heart expansion and healing.

Despite our busy lives, many of us are feeling a deep longing to reconnect with our true selves and harness an ancestral power buried within us. We sense that this power can guide us to a place of expanded consciousness, that promotes personal understanding and growth. Most of us have no idea how to discover this side

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of ourselves so that we can begin to find the truth of our heart’s greatest longings. Sacred Cacao is a nurturer, a gift and a teacher. Renee believes that, through ritual, we have the ability to align with the true blueprint of ourselves so that we can rediscover our connection to nature, the land, and ourselves.

“Everything was put into the land. The land holds all the code. It holds all the medicine knowledge that has been placed in there previously by all the people who came before us. I want to help people remember that part of themselves”.

“One of cacaos main jobs is to bring us into our heart-space, ground us and help us to reconnect with the earth again.

It’s about creating connection.

Connection to yourself and connection to the earth”.

Everyone knows that the warm, deep richness of chocolate makes us feel good. There is nothing quite like a hot and steamy mug of thick, sweet cacao. When we indulge in a piece of chocolate, it gives us an

endorphin rush that is mixed with feelings of euphoria. This sensation can invigorate our soul.

Chocolate is a symbol of love and all the sentiments of the heart, but few of us have any idea that these feelings are dancing around the true magic of Sacred Cacao. Cacao has been used for thousands of years. It became a vital part of ritual and identity for the Mayan people. But today, the invaluable knowledge of its’ healing qualities has almost been lost.

Raw cacao contains calcium, copper, zinc, selenium and it is full of antioxidants. It is also one of the highest natural sources of magnesium. Cacao increases circulation and oxygenates the body by approximately 40%, which facilitates more oxygen to the brain. Few people realise that cacao has a psychoactive component to it. So, it requires us to understand that it is a

powerful and sacred medicine.

Under optimised conditions and using Shamanic practises, cacao has the power to propel you into a trance-like state that can promote transcendence and transformation.

Renee uses ancient Shamanic practises to guide, both women and men, through the ceremony, focusing on rituals to shift energies. The art of ceremony is unique because it allows the members of the circle to hold space for each other. This practice allows the participants to be truly present in the moment. The Sacred Cacao can transport everyone into their heart-space and takes them on a profound spiritual, healing journey. Through prayer, selfawareness, and mindfulness, many of us are able to open ourselves, allowing the medicine to help us recognise and acknowledge our true feelings.

IMAGE © RENe McCready’s personal collection and used with permission

The Mayan people of Guatemala have been using cacao for centuries as a warming and grounding medicine. It restores our connection with the Mother Earth. In its’ pure raw state, Sacred Cacao can connect us with our spiritual self and gently guide us to a place, long lost, that all women are aching to rediscover: the true desires of our heart.

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Cacao Recipe Recipe by Renee McCready.

Sacred cacao recipe Before you begin, it’s important to create a sacred space in which you can give thanks to the cacao spirit and take time in ritual setting an intent for yourself.

To make a 1 cup of ceremonial cacao 3 tablespoons of your chosen sacred cacao, mindfully chopping it into small pieces then placing in your blender.

Add sweetener of your choice, honey is a good option.

1 pinch of cayenne.

1 pinch of cinnamon.

Add 1 cup of water .

Blend until mixture seems smooth.

Add 1 teaspoon of raw coconut oil and a pinch of sea salt.

Blend well, and then pour the mixture into a pot and heat on the stove.

Stirring with a whisk until its warmed through.

IMAGE Š ricka_kinamoto / Adobe Stock

Pour into your cup.

Before drinking, hold the cup to your heart and with deep gratitude give thanks to this medicine and the lands it came from. Give (pour) the first sip to Mother Earth before you drink your cup of this deep grounding heart activating medicine.

Enjoy!

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OUR

Fierce Experts Check in monthly to see what advice our experts have for you

39 Fierce Truths Magazine

Jo’s Fitness

Intimacy Alchemy

Earth Whisper

Jo Lastro

Brooke Frances

Renée McCready

A 1st-Degree Muay Thai Kickboxer and sole owner of Jo’s Fitness Studio.

Muay Thai has made Jo stronger, more comfortable in her own skin, and taught her to have faith and trust in herself. She now hopes to inspire, and help others overcome their own obstacles by sharing her expertise in fitness.

An intimacy guide, embodiment teacher and sacred bodywork practitioner. She radically stands for evolutionary relating and living a life of sensual aliveness. Her deepest love is supporting people to remember the truth of who they are and guiding them to create a life of more fulfilling intimacy.

A plant wisdom keeper, ceremonialist, shamanic healer and therapist. Also a kitchen witch, plant based chef, yoga teacher, earth doula, bio-regionalist, and a practising animist. She runs workshops, sacred cacao ceremonies, mentoring programmes and will bring through earth wisdom.

With Love from the Afterlife

Numerology with Steph

Horoscope and Stars

Kim Bleeze

Stephanie McKinnon

Lana F. Jackson

A free-spirited gypsy traveller and creative at heart who has worked as a medium, psychic, mentor, teacher, speaker, and healer for over 10 years. She has passion for inspiring people to be real, raw, and awakened to their soul’s path, and will be sharing stories and bringing messages through from spirit.

An expert Numerologist, psychic medium and teacher of her crafts.

She has a passion for sharing the benefits of Numerology as a key to understanding everyday life and awakening the soul’s journey.

Stephanie will reveal current cycles and identify areas that may need to be enhanced or nurtured.

An Internationally recognised Intuitive Astrologer, medium, psychic and entrepreneur who has been working professionally in her craft for over 25 years. Lana will be sharing her invaluable expertise as our in-house Astrologist each month and is renown for her accuracy and detail.

More of

Our Fierce Experts

Visit our website for our fierce experts social media links.

coming soon...

Fierce Truths Magazine

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Jo’s Fitness

By Jo Lastro

You are worthy

The battle with food, the way we look, our weight, and how much we exercise affects us all. I believe women constantly face this struggle, no matter what age we are. Before I became a mum, I struggled with all of it. I cried many times, had endless self-doubts, and felt I had hit a solid wall with no way around it. Did becoming a mum make it easier? No way! However, it made me see just how important our relationship with health and wellness is, not only physically but also mentally. I knew I had to change something in my life, and not only for myself. I didn’t want my kids to think I was a failure.

Searching

Over the years, I took up numerous fitness activities. I was basically soul-searching for what was right for me. I experimented with food (good and bad foods) and healed my insecurities through a whole lot of self-work.

During my self-improvement journey, I also took up Muay Thai Kickboxing. I became a 1st Degree Muay Thai Kickboxer – and to this day, the lessons I learnt during this time have changed my life.

If you are on a similar path to mine, or whether your health has taken a back seat during isolation, you can implement simple and practical ways to achieve your goals. I understand it can often be difficult to know where to get started. We are all on different paths in life. But any journey ultimately involves taking self-responsibility, understanding what’s currently stopping you, and getting honest with yourself about what is practical for you and your lifestyle to stay motivated.

As a full-time mum in the corporate world, and also running my own solo fitness business on the side, I have come across many women who just want to be heard and who want easy, simple and effective ways to improve their health. I hear you, as this is all I wanted too a long time ago.

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To every one of you I say, ‘what you put in and ultimately get out is entirely up to you.’ And boy have I seen women I’ve worked with, change their habits. Not just eating or exercise, but their thoughts about what health means too.

T ime for Yourself

Setting time for yourself to work out, prepare meals and indulge in self-care can be a task on its own. Especially if you work full time or multiple jobs, have kids or whatever million things are on your plate. We spend a lot of time doing everything except addressing our health. The last thing you should feel guilty about is taking time out to look after yourself too.

Exercising

Starting and maintaining some sort of exercise is not easy, but the best way to start is slowly.

Just get up and walk – whether that’s around the block, taking the dogs out, or getting off at an earlier train stop to walk to work. All you need is a good pair of runners and comfortable clothing. It gets you outside and in the fresh air, and does wonders for your heart and energy levels. As I live near the beach, I find this environment especially calming. Not only is walking a great cardio workout for your legs, but you will also

feel refreshed, energised and ready to tackle the rest of your day. If you are not able to get outside, you can put your tins of tomatoes, bags of rice or bottled water to great use.

They make great dumbbell substitutes. I used to think “If someone sees me, they will think I’m mad!” Once you have gained confidence, you may like to join a small group class or train 1-1 specifically tailored to your needs. It is also important to continually increase your intensity in order to keep challenging yourself.

BANNER IMAGE © doozydo / Adobe Stock

Put the wrong fuel in your car, and it will not run smoothly. The same with your body – load it with the wrong foods and you are going to put your body under stress and make it impossible to work to the best of its ability. For years I had been struggling with my gut and again, it all came back to the food I was eating.

I had to change my thoughts and my habits. I began eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods, for example fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken, wholegrains like wheat, oats, brown rice, lentils and eggs. These types of food are a valuable source of fibre, and they will make you feel full for longer.

I limited my intake of pasta and removed bread (yes comfort food some would say), but I knew

they were causing me issues.

And here is something that is so important: ensure you drink enough water as your body loses a lot of water through breathing, sweating and digestion. Try switching coffee and alcohol for herbal teas. You don’t have to give up coffee and/or alcohol completely, but be careful how much you consume.

kitchen. They will want to test out what you are making.

Skincare

In addition, looking after your skin is something that I believe is just as important as everything else I have mentioned. This is a big part of my wellness routine.

In case you didn’t know, it is the largest organ in your body. Whilst we may have less exposure to the sun and use less makeup these days (especially if we are working from home or staying at home), we are constantly exposed to heaters and/or air-conditioners which can also do damage..

Establish a simple day and night routine. Trust me, your skin will thank you for it. PS: Do not forget the hand cream.

The hardest part is limiting the intake of nutrient-poor foods: sweets, sugary drinks, fruit juices, cakes and biscuits. Do not get me wrong: we all like a sugar fix, but there are healthy ways to satisfy your sweet tooth. I love dark chocolate, homemade protein balls, homemade peanut butter with carrots or even a smoothie. Trust me, your gut will thank you later. And your kids will too, when they see you in the

Good Night’s Sleep

Finally, get a good night’s sleep.

It will help to keep the body’s immune system healthy and fight off colds.

Health and wellbeing is not about the size that you wear, it is not an 8-week challenge. It is a lifestyle and one that is needed every day. I challenge you to push yourselves, to accept your body (whilst working on it) and to be grateful for the skin you are in.

IMAGE © M.studio / Adobe Stock

Food and its Effects

Lastly: be kind to yourself.

Love Jo Fierce Truths Magazine

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Intimacy

Alchemy

Sex, Love and Relationships

By Brooke Frances I vividly recall the day my life changed forever. It’d been a long time coming but a fire moved through me that day in a way I’d never experienced before. It felt like I’d had a metal rod somehow inserted into my back, and like my head was somehow being pulled up by the stars. The pit of my belly had the most intense bonfire burning and my heart pulsated with new life. Fierce clarity moved through my whole entire being.

It was almost three years to the day since my marriage had ended. It was also three years of journeying the rollercoaster of a new relationship with a sociopath. I’d just had yet another miscarriage and was doing my absolute best to parent my three young sons, amongst some pretty awful circumstances. I’d spent around a year feeling like I was almost living outside of myself, just witnessing. Watching myself making choices I wasn’t aligned with but that I wasn’t quite ready to give up. I knew the time was coming though.

Then the knowing coursed through my blood and touched every cell in my body in such a way that ignoring it was no longer an option.

I took the drive to his place, having no idea what was going to happen when I got there. I could just feel a fierceness I’d never felt before and every cell in my being knew I needed to do it. I parked the car in front of his place, calmly walked over to his front door and knocked a few times. When he answered I heard myself say all of the things I’d been holding in for fear of how he might react. I spoke with so much clarity and conviction that it shocked even me, it just poured out. Then I turned around and walked to my car, knowing I’d never see him again. I don’t really know what I said that day, but I do know that, as I spoke those words, I was speaking a new reality into existence.

The clarity never left. I’d been back and forth with him for three years but, in that moment, I knew my life would never be the same again.

I’d been down on my hands and knees not long before, begging for mercy. One of those excruciating moments where there is nothing left to do but surrender to the Universe. I’d faced that moment of potential death head on, was that what I wanted? I’m not sure I would have ever actually done it, but I’d definitely been tempted.

My thoughts turned to my three beautiful boys though and I decided that, if I was going to choose to live that that wasn’t going to be enough. Thriving was the only real option.

I did all I could to keep that promise to myself. Therapy. A coach. A 12-step program.

Relentless viewing of YouTube videos educating myself on sociopathy during my weakest moments. Whatever it took. Daily practices

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to nourish myself…feminine yoga, dancing, intuitive movement, self-massage, meditation.

Intentionally calling on friends. Reading anything I could get my hands on to help myself feel supported. Letting go of any connections that weren’t best for me, including my family of origin. Lots of time in nourishing nature. The process was painful, but I was committed to sitting in that relentless void until I was out the other side.

It was about 6 months later that I had a surprise realization. I was home alone and vacuuming my floor when it suddenly dawned on me that something was missing from my experience.

There was a stillness inside that was new to me.

My everyday hypervigilance had dissipated, and I noticed I was freely breathing for the first time in years. Ever maybe. Almost like the anxiety never even existed, there were no longer any eggshells to have to walk on. This is something I’d been doing my whole entire life and I was overjoyed by the absence of this feeling!

Something had deeply shifted.

I’d known when I made the choice to leave six months earlier that I needed to be entirely alone.

No distractions. Whilst it was far from easy, sitting in that darkness until I naturally came out the other side was the only way through to a new reality. I had to sit in that birth canal until I emerged into newness. I could have avoided myself by filling the space with any number of things but the last time I did that I nearly lost my life. Sitting right in the middle of the pain with deep love and compassion for myself was the only way.

Looking at my life today, it’s hard to even imagine that that’s who I was. There have definitely been many moments of challenge since, but I’ve experienced exquisite beauty and profound growth too. At the core of this has been that flame that was ignited and burst through my being that day. It may be just three and half short years ago but, in my reality, it’s been an entire lifetime and I am beyond grateful for the journey.

I feel like we don’t speak about the magic of that void space enough. It can be terrifyingly scary to be in it, I entirely acknowledge that.

The pain is excruciating and the temptation to avoid it is real. But if we can find the courage to just sit there, knowing we don’t have to do a thing but feel and breathe, we do come out the other side and our whole perspective of life is truly changed forever. It’s clichéd but being a caterpillar who drags herself inside that chrysalis can take every ounce of energy you have. Sitting in that still darkness though, allowing the slow transformation to occur in its own sweet time, is the only way you can ever truly emerge into a new form. And in my experience, the wings I was given are above and beyond what I could ever have imagined. I’m still learning to fly but the view from up here is pretty magical.

I’m looking forward to sharing more about various aspects of my journey since that time, a culmination of my whole life journey really.

We’ll touch on radical self-love and acceptance.

The magic of showing up authentically.

IMAGE © Photographee.eu / Adobe Stock

The power of connecting deeply with your body. Conscious dating and evolutionary relating. Powerful communication and how this can change your world. Understanding men on deeper levels. How to have open conversations with children. Creating profound intimacy through sacred sexuality.

Speaking and living your deepest truth, and so much more. Conversations that truly light me up! I hope my sharing feels supportive and inspires new possibilities for you too.

Ask Brooke Anything Elizabeth: How do you know when it’s time to leave someone/something. In the context of relationships but also more broadly, a job, a home, a friendship, a situation etc?

Brooke: This is such an excellent question. It’s also incredibly multi-layered. It’s a whole lot easier sitting on

the outside of a relationship looking in and wondering why someone might still be there. As a woman who has journeyed some pretty challenging relationships, I know it’s not that easy. It feels important to me to state that, if you’re aware that you’re in an abusive relationship, it’s time for you to seek support and start taking actions to leave now. I genuinely know it’s not easy, but leaving is the only way you can reclaim the life you’re here to live. If you’re looking for a sign to tell you that it’s time, consider this to be it!

I’m going to answer this from where I am at this point of my journey though. I’ve done a hell of a lot of work to be clear on who I am and what’s important to me, I know what I bring to a relationship. This is also true in relation to a job, home, friendship, etc. If I feel like I’m consistently giving more than I’m receiving, then it’s time to consider whether a situation is truly best for me. Sure, sometimes the balance will slightly sway.

I’ll give more sometimes; they’ll give more other times. There needs to be some kind of balance though. If I’m giving, giving, giving, and getting very little in return, then my boundaries are weak and I’m allowing my energy to be drained.

Ask yourself what your needs are and if they’re being met. It may be the first time you’ve ever done this. I believe there is a part of you, no matter how quiet the voice currently is, who knows your truth. Be really honest with yourself when you listen for the answer. This can go against a whole lot of social conditioning that we face, isn’t it selfish to think like that? The answer is NO. We all have needs and we aren’t here purely to serve others. It’s also your birthright to feel pleasure and joy. If it’s missing from your life, then some changes might be needed.

It you’re in a situation that isn’t feeling particularly nourishing, it’s really great to take stock and consider WHY you might be choosing this. Are you getting something out of it? Is it making you feel needed? Are you repeating a pattern? Does it feel good to think that it might be YOU who will help them reach their potential?

Is it what was modelled to you as a child? Is it unconsciously reminding you of a situation from your childhood and presenting itself as a way of allowing healing, or space to make a new choice? Is it shining a light on a part of you that could benefit from a little love? We’ve all been there.

It’s also great to reflect on what doesn’t feel good for you about the situation and if there is something you could do to cause change? Could you get clearer on your boundaries? Could you learn to express them in a healthy way? Could you bring your attention back to you and give yourself what you need? How would this change the situation…or not?

There really is no hard and fast rule with knowing when to leave. It entirely depends on what’s happening, who you are, what you need and how you’re communicating this. At the end of the day though, if you’re consistently giving more than you’re getting back then, at the very least, it’s time to start asking some questions. It’s not up to us to change anyone else but we can make choices that feel more nourishing for ourselves.

If you’re in that space of knowing that it really is time but you’re a little stuck in fear of the unknown…take the leap!! If you stay where you are you know exactly how it’s going to be. It can take a lot to jump but, with a little support and self-love, there IS magic on the other side!

Have a question to ask Brooke? Send it to ask@fiercetruthsmagazine.com Fierce Truths Magazine

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EARTH

By Renée McCready Earth Wisdom Keeper

Cultivating “right relationships” with the land we live on Nature is a living being, and we are a reflection of who she is. Cultivating and tending to “right relationships” with our surroundings and our current environment or bioregion helps us to create a deeper understanding of how nature nourishes us, and how we can also nourish nature.

If we take a moment to just be present with nature, whether that is just sitting in our backyard or in any greenspace available to us, we come to understand that nature is designed in such an eloquent and co-creative way. All parts work synchronistically and symbiotically with each other, giving and receiving in perpetual motion, all the time.

Through expression of ritual and creating a relationship with the land we live on; we are establishing a personal “love language”. That love language and communication can be felt deeply by the natural world. By doing this, we are opening a portal of learning between nature and ourselves. This in turn helps us to understand more of who we are and grounds us into a greater embodiment of our own personal self-expression.

The natural world and plants reflect back to us a part of who we are.

When we take the time to slow down and sit with the land and all her botanical and elemental creations, we can observe what the tree/fungi/plant/flower/herbs holds. It then becomes easier for us to create some sovereignty around things like growing our own food and respecting nature as a living being, tending to the land in a loving way, deepening our relationship with nature and nourishing and feeding the spirit of that relationship. To be

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WHISPER able to do this requires us to connect often with our natural surroundings. We can do this by practicing gratitude, by making an offering and creating a ritual through love and prayer.

This ritual can be a simple act, such as going outside and simply touching the earth with your hand and giving thanks to the land for nourishing us and holding us. You can also offer up the first sip of your morning brew. Or it can be making an offering of rose petals or tobacco to the land.

IMAGE © RENe McCready’s personal collection and used with permission

Living in an apartment block may seem more difficult if you do not have access to the ground readily, but you can still create the right relationship with your house plants, too. Simply choose a specific plant that you enjoy and create a relationship with that plant.

Connect with the plant each day, sing it a little song, talk to it, give thanks for the exchange of breath you share with it.

When we begin to step back into that space of nature, nurture and see her in that totality, it helps place us back into a form of expression of who we are.

Living in this busy and hectic world, with all its’ programming, is causing us to be disconnected from this concept of seeing ourselves in that connection and totality.

Nature is a weaver of synchronistic patterns and reciprocity. We as humans also have this ability to have a deep intimate relationship with the land, with nature and with one another. The natural world has a lot to teach us about our own Intimate human relationships. How she impacts and empowers us to become more of who we are just by her very being, as a very old and wise ancestor.

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Love

With from the

Afterlife with Kim Bleeze

It can be painful when we lose someone to death, and the ripple effects of this loss can be far-reaching and touch places in our life we never thought possible.

We’ll be going about our life, and then just like that, death can swoop in and create havoc and a change we weren’t ready for. One that can take a tremendous amount of time and energy to adjust to and heal from.

We miss their touch, their smile, their laugh and long to hear their voice… just one more time. And believe me, there is no date stamp on that, so don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.

When we lose someone, it can feel like we have lost them forever, and we certainly have from this physical world. We may feel it the most in those times we glance over at their empty spot at the dinner table and perhaps somewhere else they are so obviously missing in our life.

Well, let me tell you a story and it is about a friend of mine that I lost some years ago. It bought me some peace, and perhaps it will bring you some peace too.

His name was, well still is, Mick. We were good friends when he was living and I still lived in Queensland, and since his passing, we now have a closer connection.

I remember the night I found out about his death so clearly. I had just moved back to Melbourne some months before and I was out, just having a quiet night at a friend’s house. I was having a great time laughing and being in the moment, when I realised, I had a missed call from my daughter, who was still living in Queensland at the time. The message she left was simple, “Mum, ring me back, it’s urgent.”

Mick’s death was an accident, and a shock in the way that it happened, a drug overdose in the loungeroom of his friend’s house. To say the least, I was shattered and felt guilty for so many things. Leaving Queensland when he wanted me to stay, not being there for him or realising he needed help…all the things.

If you have lost someone you care about, I am sure you relate to what I am saying somewhat right?

I remember it clearly too because I had just started my journey with spirit and had been developing myself as a medium. I was new to this unseen world and to my connection with spirit too. I was confused, and I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to feel. On one hand, I had the understanding that death wasn’t as final as I had always thought. So I knew he would be okay and

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Did You Know?

The spirit world is always with us, and always trying to get our attention. So, the best way to start communicating with them openly, it to simply start paying attention.

Here are some tips to help: Practice mindfulness The clearer your mind, the more you will notice spirit communicating with you.

Pay attention to the signs Spirit are leaving signs for you everyone! Start looking for the coincidences.

IMAGES Š Cristina Conti / Adobe Stock

Talk to them Its simple really, just starting a dialog with spirit. Whether this be with a loved one, or your spirit team and then be open to how they will answer you.

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would be at peace where he was, living on in just in another form. Then on the other hand, I found myself in deep grief for my friend, from the pain he must have been in to go down that path again. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had let Mick down in some way.

Only new to my mediumship, I was struggling to find that balance between thinking like I believed a medium should think about death and grieving as a friend.

In the weeks and months that followed, something beautiful began to happen. More and more I would hear Mick’s voice in my head or sense his energy in the room with me. At first, even though I believed in life after death and spirit, I could barely dare to believe this was really him. Instead, I would say to myself things like, “Was I making this up?”, “Could it really be him?”

Slowly though, I began to trust myself, to trust that my friend was still with me and that he really was communicating from the other side of life, the afterlife.

In the years after his passing, our friendship deepened beyond what I had experienced while he was still living. I would sense his presence as a constant protector in my life. Often hearing his laughter at me if I did something silly, or if one of my children were cheeky to me. Mick would find it hilarious and would not be shy about letting me know.

Even though he was dead, Mick became a valuable addition to my daily life, even to the point of him helping in my workshops when I first began teaching mediumship. Always the cheeky spirit drop-in, helping my students to gain trust in their own abilities by letting them connect to him in group exercises.

Then if I’ve found myself in a position to receive in a mediumship reading throughout the years, he would always be the first of my loved ones to show up.

Nowadays, Mick is off doing his own thing, although he does still pop in from time to time to laugh at me or share his humour or opinion at what I am doing. And although he still shows up in the occasional reading I might receive, he tends to take a step back and allow other spirits that I have lost since to come through and say hello. Like my grandmother, other friends (one very recently) and my children’s father, who passed few years ago.

Each time, it has been my unwavering trust in spirit and belief in the afterlife that has helped me navigate the rocky ground of grief and bring peace to dampen the pain. Knowing with conviction that even after we die, will still live on. Just in another way.

It is not only that that gives me peace, and it’s also the knowledge that they will be there to greet us with open arms when it is our time to return home.

Because we are born of spirit and so when we die, we return to the spirit world too.

But that’s a story for another issue. I look forward to sharing both stories and messages from the spirit world.

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Ask Kim...

Q

: How long are spirit around us? Like are great grandparents and farther back still with us? Or just more recent departures so to speak. - Alexis Hi Alexis, there is no time stamp on how long our departed loved ones will continue to stay with us, and often they will do so until they know we will be okay without them. Either way, they are still only a ‘thought’ away and will always be watching over us.

As for who those spirits may be? It is not uncommon for long lost relatives that we haven’t met, or who may have died when we were very small, to show an interest in us still.

This can mean grandparents, great-grandparents, aunties, uncles, friends of the family and any spirit that really feels they have a message for you.

IMAGES © Cristina Conti / Adobe Stock

Q:

When someone passes. E.g. my nanna, does she continue to come around me to guide and comfort. What happens if she reincarnates, does that stop or is that soul still here? - Karen Hi Karen, I always love this question because the answer will always be yes. Even when someone we love dies; they will continue to support and guide us from the afterlife. Especially in those times we need it the most. As for your nanna, I feel her beautiful nurturing energy always close to you watching from afar. There is also a sense she was quite an organised lady, always busy, and always taking care of others. Which she continues to do now, just in a different way.

As for your other question, that has quite a complex answer and so I will keep it short and simple.

Regardless of whether a soul chooses to reincarnate, their spirit essence we knew in this life can still come through.

Q:

Hi Kim, always wondered whether Spirit hear what we’re thinking, or do we need to talk aloud to them? – Lance Hi Lance, good question! Spirit can absolutely hear what we are thinking, so most of the time we can communicate telepathically to them in this way.

Occasionally though, you might encounter a spirit that doesn’t know they have died. And so, if they don’t answer your thoughts, I find the best way to communicate with them would be to speak out loud.

I tend to use both methods myself. I can be quite vocal when I talk to spirit, especially my spirit team. And although they can hear my thoughts and communicate with me telepathically, I often find myself talking out loud anyway. Much to the amusement of my family!

Have a question to ask Kim? Send it to ask@fiercetruthsmagazine.com Fierce Truths Magazine

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Numerology With Stephanie McKinnon

Welcome! My goal is to assist you to define or understand your life patterns, themes, events or situations that you might find occurring within or around you each month.

Numerology considers your life path number, personal year number, universal year number and the current month of each column. It can give you a general overview of how or what your current cycle is sharing with you.

July 22-07-2020 to August 23-08-2020 2020 =4 – Universal overall theme and traits that you may deal with.

Securit y and stabilit y of work, finances, relationships, home, family, friendships, even our emotions .

A year of illusions being shattered and truths revealed.

Each of us have to be responsible, take personal responsibilit y and be accountable.

A year of fair play and justice.

Each of us is getting a tune up in some way.

A year where honest y and truth will be required.

Shadow patterns will show up as: Insecurity, instability, rigid, stubborn or doctoraloverbearing energies.

These are areas we often are unaware of, or we refuse to acknowledge within ourselves.

A year where universal law will rise to bring balance within our current world.

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July-2020 A time to reflect on where you would like to create more sustainable long term securit y, or what you might need to release in order to create new opportunities.

Trust intuition.

Reconnect with your own soul.

A time to look to new study and learning.

Feel your way for ward to attain your goals.

A month to be open and honest with self. Be raw and real.

August-2020 Experience balance in life, especially financial.

Be focused and organised .

Details within any legal matters may arise or need sorting.

Work with a business mind.

A month to be realistic and bring some order to your life.

Use your leadership skills.

are resisting to recognise within ourselves. So you may witness within yourself at times, moments of Judgement, or the Critic, or even just being Stubborn. You might go into moments of over indulging, or being resentful of others or at life itself. This could raise insecurit y within OverSpending.

Overall Life Balance: inner and outer work.

Finances, Family, Relationships, emotions, your spirit within.

Practicalit y. Be Realistic Confidence rise and fall.

Trust and faith.

Intuition.

Emotionally: get honest with yourself.

Political or Legal matters might rise.

Overall Month Theme & Pattern for 22- 07-2020 to 23 - 08-2020.

It ’s a time for some selfreflection. Have an open awareness of your overall life balance. Definitely trust your instincts and back yourself. But also know your boundaries. It ’s a great month for manifesting with all that aligns to your heart. This month be organised and have focus. For some it might feel like all work and no play. Get those financial matters in order. Some might see opportunities to rise in leadership skills and amp up the aspect of responsibilit y.

Be aware of the Shadow = the unknown patterns that we are unaware of, or we

You might wonder about how you can know your life path number or what the life number means. Your life path brings out a strong piece to your puzzle of life and this brings with it a theme and path for you to grow through. So here we learn how to interact throughout life and achieve within our lives.

This all is discovered and unfolded through your date of birth. Below is an example based on Elvis Presley.

Life path number: Elvis Presley: 08/01/1935 8+1+1+9+3+5= 27/9 2+7= 9. So 9 is Elvis’ life path number.

Personal year Your personal year is calculated from your last birthday till your next birthday and this works closely alongside your Life path while the calendar months will allow you to know

the theme then for each month within your year.

Personal Year -This is calculated by adding your date, month & last year of birthday together or the current year, then breaking down to a single digit -E.g. say birth date is 08/01/1935 -You would take 08/01/2020 and break down 8+1+2+0+2+0 =13=1+3= 4.

So personal year is a 4.

So if Elvis was still living, he would be in a personal year of 4, whilst his life path is also a 4. So he would be given little chance to diversif y from that number this year. This number 4 shows up to be more intense within it ’s theme. For when any number repeats itself it intensifies the theme and patterns.

Note- There are a few exceptions to when we reduce numbers down to a single digit. These exceptions are the numbers 11-22-33 - 44.

These are never broken down, as these numbers bring with them a heightened potential to reach in the role of being of ser vice. I find they swing between the two numbers e.g.

11/2-22/4-33/6 whilst moving throughout their lives.

Now work out your life path number and personal year number. On the next page are suggestions on how to attain the best out of your month, with the current energies around you and the themed patterns they share with us.

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Numerology With Stephanie McKinnon

Your Numbers

1’s

This will be a month for you to step up with your leadership. It ’s a time for you to be focused on your goals, along with being self-accountable and responsible.

So follow through on any actions that need to be taken or are required.

2’s

You will need to be a team player or even a mediator. Your peace keeping might even be called upon, a month where you play out in a supportive role. Your relationships may be highlighted with those you work closely with and also your personal loved ones. It ’s a month to be aware of all your and others’ sensitive and emotional needs. Listen to your own intuition, yet your logical mind will also be called upon.

3’s

It ’s a month to be expressive and get your creative juices flowing.

You’ll find ways of bringing more fun into areas that require structure and order. Use that sense of humour to lighten moments in what can often feel like a serious month.

A good idea to be networking and building links in your work area. A time to encourage self and others in achieving their goals.

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4’s

A time to get organised and bring some structure within your everyday life. Look at all the fine details in everything that you are doing. It ’s a great month to do all those things you have been meaning to do yet haven’t done. Be motivated and follow through with things.

Really analyse what is practical and no longer practical. A great month to realise that what you sow can reap rewards. Start building foundations in your projects, and get new long term financial planning done.

Have a bit of give and receive to achieve.

5’s

A month to be adaptable, look at all your opportunities available, and follow what your heart desires most. Draw your focus back in and don’t overextend yourself as temptations could test you. Be flexible. It ’s a good time to network. Re-assess and make changes where required. Be the critique and not the critic of yourself or others around you and trust your instincts this month. Steer clear of gossiping. You could be entertaining in a social role with work. Some will see changes within their career and work.

6’s

Give yourself some pampering and nurturing, without going overboard. Get more organised within areas of work and home to create more balance in life. For some there are possible cosmetic changes within their home or property areas. This is a great time for progressive changes within work. A month where the eye for detail will step up, and a great time to implement better nurturing and selfcare to aid in your overall balance.

For all of you with Life paths of 11/2, 22/4, or 33/6: please refer to both numbers as you may alternate between both, and could need to use both to accomplish your desires.

7’s

Take time and reflect and re-assess how you want to move forward.

A time to expand on your knowledge so a chance to undertake study, listen to your intuition, so feel your way forward instead of overthinking. It ’s time to be compassionate, kind and forgiving with self and others to walk forward with more inner peace. Look at how you can incorporate those life lessons into your everyday life. Have an analytical eye on all finance and legal matters.

11’s

Leadership and teamwork are now required. A good time to also place your focus on the areas you wish to grow in. Be guided by your intuitive feelings.

Also be willing to lead others and be a team player as well. Listen to all your options and choices, then make decisions that make you feel good. It ’s a great month to learn and grow in business or work. Your sensitivity levels may heighten. Be aware not to overdo it, yet be willing to serve others or even do a pay it forward within your community.

8’s

22’s

9’s

33’s

Further balance is required in life, within self, with family and work.

It ’s a month to focus on all financial and business matters, so be realistic and know your boundaries. Look at what is sustainable for the long term. Draw upon leadership and management skills. Step up and don’t just settle for just being content. This is a great time to manifest that dream job.

Some transitions take place, so it ’s a time to let go of what is no longer long-term maintainable. Research what you need in your life right now. Others may seek you out for your knowledge and wisdom.

Your humanity and compassion may be heightened with those you work with. It ’s a month to oversee any final details or issues within areas of family, work and finances.

See you all next month.

Stephanie

Your management skills will be required and you might find yourself heightened in all areas of sensitivity levels. A great time to look at your long term goals and the intent you bring with it. Look at how your goals can also be beneficial to others within your area, not just self. This gives you greater opportunity. Time to focus on your ambition.

Peacekeeping might be essential at times, Remember that your way is not the only way.

Be compassionate with self, and in all areas of your life.

Tap back into what you desire and love with work and family. A time where possibly some sacrifices may be required in the short-term for the long term benefits. Reassess your values and how your boundaries need to adjust or realign to offer you more balance within your life. Set aside/make time this month for some self-care, as you could be required to support others as well.

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The energy of Leo brings with it some strong themes between the 22nd July to the 23rd August 2020.

Creativity and bringing things into form will be enhanced by the positive and challenging dramas of life as it transforms into its own version of life imitating art.

The month ahead will bring many lessons on both ends of the scale for us all to learn as individuals, in order to work on and strengthen our self worth to highlight how we can become more of who we were always meant to be. Leo is a fiery, fixed and masculine energy and as the planets interact, identity, determination, strength and courage, fears and insecurities will be brought to the surface and tested. This is the time of the individual, self worth, passion, humour, generosity, lessons of the ego, organisation, creativity and expansions of the heart. On the flip side, this energy can also be projected through arrogance, ignorance, self centred, stubbornness and inflexibility.

The energy of Leo, will create many opportunities for self exploration and examination as the planets contribute their energetic support to facilitate the way in which we will learn as individuals during this time. As we begin our journey through the energy of Leo on the 22nd July 2020, the Moon will also be in Leo and the masculine fiery energy begins to rise on a personal and emotional level and highlighting the areas of intuition, soul connections, emotions, nurturing and subconscious conditioning on a deeper level.

In the lead up to the Full Moon, the energy of Scorpio on the 27th July will heighten the intuition and intensify emotions as she becomes square in the depth and intensity in a potentially challenging way, encouraging us all to look beneath the surface and like the phoenix rising from the ashes. It will amplify issues

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Horoscopes

Stars

and

By Lana F. Jackson

IMAGE Š MicroOne / Adobe Stock

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THE PLANETS

around death of the past and rebirth of the future. Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, Retrograde in Capricorn will also play an important part in the recognition of karmic lessons and the old wounds that need to heal.

On the 29th July, the Moon moves into the complimentary position of Sagittarius. This is a fiery energy that fans the flames of Leo, as well as compliments with Mars in Aries encourages us all to open up, be creatively bold, enthusiastic and inspired to connect with our inner personal freedom, truth, wisdom, culture and philosophy. This Moon energy can bring in the emphasis of emotions around the Self, the Individual and the Philosopher.

The Full Moon in Aquarius on the 4th August at 1:58am, opposes the Sun in Leo and brings in the balance of the individual and humanity, the connection

between attachment and detachment, along with creativity and innovation. The Full Moon brings forward the emotional baggage that we need to release in order to connect on a deeper level and manifest the emotional lessons of the heart and the head.

Mercury continues to reside in Cancer opposing Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn and prompting, perceptions, thoughts and ideas of initiative around leadership, intuition, home, family until the 5th August when it moves into Leo. Mercury in Leo amplifies perceptions, thoughts, ideas and communication to an individual focus and working with the heart chakra, connecting with the life force that pushes us to creatively bring those ideas into form. During this time, strength and courage will be tested to overcome fears and insecurities,

On the 7th August, the Moon will team up with Mars in Aries, complimenting the Sun and Mercury in Leo, to focus on and explore the best actions to bring creative ideas into form. Filled with the revelations between the individual and the self, this energy is focused on identifying and focusing on personal goals and desires to determine what actions will contribute to achieving success and those that will be challenging in this path. In doing so, we will be prompted to honour ourselves in our chosen direction Venus in Gemini will continue to compliment the energy of Leo by amplifying communication in relationships across all levels, on from an intimate level in partnerships, along with family members, siblings, friendships, work colleagues and associates.

Communication in relationships will be centred around flexibility and adaptability to reassess the manner in which we connect to deliver and receive messages accordingly. Venus will move into Cancer on the 8th August and deepen the connections with our loved ones and those we consider family.

The energy around the home will also become emphasised and we will be prompted to consider or enhance the place we call home with renovations, redecorating and purchases that enhance its’ safety and security.

On the 10th August at 11:28am, emotions will be challenged as the Moon moves into Taurus and the focus is centred on the individual, personal power, finances, the ability to create abundance and bring ideas into form until the 12th August. Creativity may also be challenged, prompting the need to step outside the square and identify new ways of working with personal power to attract individual abundance.

The energy is lifted into a more positive and proactive pace as the Moon moves into Gemini on the 12th August and brings with it new energy for thoughts, ideas and communication on all levels.

As the energy lightens up, so do the conversations around bringing ideas into form and communicating the individual messages to land on the right ears.

As the time of Leo draws to a close for 2020, the New Moon in Leo on the 19th August at 12:42pm leaves us with the opportunity to work with a final checklist of everything we have explored as an individual over the past month. The New Moon cycle begins from the platform of bringing individual desires into form and is conjunct with Mercury in Leo. This is a very potent energy and for some, rather challenging, as it’s like a Universal Mirror in our faces of what we desire in our hearts and the actions we take to make it all happen.

As the final lunar influence of Leo is shared with us, Mercury will move into Virgo on the 20th August at 11:30am and with it the energy will shift into analysing all that we have learned. Mercury is the ruler of Virgo and as a result, perceptions, thoughts and ideas will shift into the earthly, practical structure of putting those ideas into action. Paying attention to the details, perfection, hierarchy, service to others will now be the focus as we complete the final days of Leo and prepare to move into the time of Virgo at 1:45am on the 23rd August 2020.

IMAGE © doozydo / Adobe Stock

to embody the individual we are meant to be and acknowledge our self worth. This energy will feel like it is stretching and testing to see how far we will go to honour ourselves and become all that we are capable of being.

Mars, the planet of goals and desire, will remain in its dignity in Aries. It will compliment the Leo ‘s energy by encouraging us all to be more specific, definite and become more aligned with our goals and desires around what we truly feel in our hearts. Mars helps with our actions to bring our ideas into form and leave our personal stamp on everything we do.

Jupiter, the planet of benevolence, education and philosophy remains Retrograde in Capricorn. Jupiter is working with us on both a personal and societal level to highlight how we can grow as individuals, by understanding the impact of the ripple effect that bigger societal and global issues have on our lives and those we are connected with.

Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn and the planet of career, status, authority, responsibility, business, finance and karmic lessons remains Retrograde. It is pushing us to step back and define what our careers really mean to us, and to identify and determine what is most important in our lives. Saturn invites us to become our own authority through taking self responsibility for our actions and making choices that contribute to our career, as we learn from and teach each other life lessons.

Uranus, the planet of innovation and change will continue to reside in Taurus. It highlights the potential trials and tribulations of stepping into and embracing our own personal power to create secure foundations that either contribute to or destroy our comfort zones and traditions to introduce change and innovation into our lives.

Neptune, the planet of spirituality and influence over the masses continues to remain Retrograde in Pisces. This challenges and encourages us all to identify the illusions of our spirituality, and to see how we participate and influence the masses through our own ripple effect.

Pluto is the planet of underlying emotions, and amplifies the subconscious and all that lies beneath the surface. It remains Retrograde in Capricorn and is connecting with the shadow side of the individual on a deeper level. Pluto reveals the depths of self worth and encourages us all to recognise how worthy we are of becoming our own authority, and taking our own initiative to create the lives we desire to live.

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22nd July 2020 to 23rd August 2020

IMAGE © Aloksa / Adobe Stock

LEO

Happy Birthday Leo! Happy Personal New Year Leo. This is your time to dive in deep, stand in your personal power and shine. There is still work to do though and you can decide if you work smarter or harder. Whilst your ego may feel challenged, this will lighten up as you stand in your truth. The Full Moon in Aquarius on the 4th August, your opposition, will either bring in the balance or have you feeling like you are totally out of sorts. Ride the wave Leo and hold on to that roar. If you’re feeling a bit more sensitive than usual, don’t over think it or hold on to feelings that no longer serve you.

Any fears or insecurities that you may be holding onto can be overcome when Mercury moves into your sign.

Mercury sets the scene for you to work with your strength and courage and acknowledge your self worth. Take advantage of Mercury’s intention and focus on manifesting your heart’s desire. The Lions Gate will open on the 8th August, giving you a much needed boost as you connect your mind, body and soul. Pay attention to the different people you connect with and trust your intuition as home and family become the focus. Your personal power and comfort zone will also be tested. Don’t come out fighting Leo, this will not work to your advantage.

Instead, it’s wiser to focus on how you can overcome these challenges by connecting with the right people to move beyond them.

In the final days of Leo, the Sun, Moon and Mercury line up in Leo to give you that final boost of Leo spark. This can help you to see your way forward and really identify what ideas to bring into form, enhance your self worth, and dive deeper into the matters that are close to your heart. This will be supported with a plan of action and sets you up to move in the right direction to manifest your heart’s desires.

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VIRGO

23rd August to 22nd September 2020

LIBRA

22nd September to 23rd October 2020

SCORPIO

23rd October to 22nd November 2020

SAGITTARIUS

22nd November to 21st December 2020

The time of Leo is for you to really sit and contemplate on the thoughts and ideas you have had in the past, and to acknowledge that you can bring them into form.

Allow your intuition to speak with you on the resources that will compliment your plans. Try not to overthink the process and allow yourself to be shown the big picture when the Full Moon peaks on the 4th August, giving you the opportunity to release everything that no longer serves you. Your creativity will be stirred as Mercury moves into Leo, giving you the open door to walk through and take action in a practical way.

Venus moving into Cancer will help you to focus on relationships close to home and strengthen the connection with loved ones. Finances will also be the focus around the 10th. Collaboration and communication with work colleagues will reveal new ideas and shine the light on how you can bring your ideas into form, once you gain an understanding of what is being presented to you with the Sun, Moon and Mercury Leo conjunction in preparation for your Personal New Year when it begins at 1:45am on the 23rd August 2020.

It’s time to honour yourself and make decisions around what you truly desire Libra.

Whilst you may be feeling a bit restricted in moving forward with Mars sitting in your opposition of Aries, as well as Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto Retrograde also challenging you in Capricorn, this Leo energy will give you a window of opportunity to see how to create balance in your life by honouring yourself and making decisions that involve ‘you’ in the equation. The Full Moon in Aquarius will bring things to the surface for you to see the big picture and highlight the right social and work connections to guide you in your chosen direction. Mercury moving into Leo will inspire your thoughts, ideas around communication and collaboration across the board, before Venus moves into Cancer and challenges your ideals on relationships with loved ones in the home.

Finances will also be enhanced, giving you inspiration and new ideas to enhance your creativity and increase your self worth as the Sun, Moon and Mercury line up in Leo. This will be followed by Mercury moving into Virgo, in preparation for how you can be of service to others in a way that is more in alignment with your intentions.

As we move into the time of Leo, you can either go with the flow or totally resist. Leo energy will challenge you to go deep and connect with what is right for you and your ability to manifest anything you desire. Make the most of the energy leading up to the Full Moon in Aquarius on the 4th August to give you the intuitive insight to clear any stagnant energy. This is a great opportunity to detach and identify the people, places and things that no longer serve you, and for you to cleanse and release it all before Mercury moves into Leo and challenges what you really want. Venus moving into Cancer will bring with it an intuitive boost to connect within and honour your relationship with yourself and the people who really matter to you. Staying focused on what’s important to you will either bring in the balance or keep you in your comfort zone until late October. As the New Moon, Sun and Mercury line up in Leo, you will be shown new opportunities to reconnect and honour yourself before we move into the complimentary energy of Virgo in the early hours of the 23rd August 2020.

Whilst the energy of Leo will stoke your flames of creativity to bring your ideas into form, it’s a good idea to slow down and contemplate which one to act on first. You are being called to work though the flames as much as you want to embody them.

Keep your ego in check Sagittarius, this energy can have you acting before you think.

You have the opportunity to expand on your truth and philosophy. So stay positive and focus on clearing space for new connections during the Full Moon in Aquarius.

Focusing on the big picture and the pixels will show you how to connect with the ideas you have been contemplating as Mercury moves into Leo. Embody the Universal push to follow your dreams and make strong connections with family and friends when Venus moves into Cancer. Although you may experience a few hiccups around the 12th August, stay motivated as the New Moon, Sun and Mercury line up in Leo to show you the way forward to honour yourself and spread your wings. It’s also a good idea to have a plan of action when we move into the potentially challenging energy of Virgo on the 23rd August 2020.

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CAPRICORN

22nd December 2019 to 21st January 2020 If there was a time for you to contemplate what you want and take action, this is definitely the time to do it. Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto Retrograde in your sign are calling for you to concentrate on the big picture. You are the entrepreneur of the Zodiac and whilst you are focused on moving forward, or standing still, you will be given options to create your chosen path. The Full Moon in Aquarius opens doors for you to identify which options work best for you and how you can walk through them.

Mercury moving into Leo definitely prompts you to identify any fears or insecurities you may be holding on to, and helps you to overcome them through your strength and courage. When Venus moves into your opposition of Cancer, you will be able to see who will be coming with you in your new direction. You will have more clarity around finances and investments in mid August and this will enhance your self worth.

It will also help you to identify new plans or restructure old ones when the New Moon, Sun and Mercury align in Leo. Start preparing for the time of Virgo. It’s going to be very productive indeed.

AQUARIUS

21st January to 19th February 2020 The time of Leo is your opposite sign and it may feel a bit challenging at times.

Leo energy, which represents the individual, is the opposite to Aquarius energy, representing humanity. You are now being called to explore all sides of yourself to create balance. Whilst it can be easy to remain attached to your comfort zone, it’s also important to detach from the outcome. You will feel a bit more sensitive at times, so don’t get too caught up on the details. The Full Moon in Aquarius will amplify everything, so make the most of this opportunity to detach and see the bigger picture and release before Mercury moves into Leo amplifying the positive or negative drama. It’s all about perspective on which way is the best direction, as well as who to travel with before Venus moves into Cancer. When the New Moon, Sun and Mercury line up you are presented with the choice to find the balance or live in chaos. Mercury moving into Virgo will bring some relief and give you the opportunity to identify the best plans for you to be of service to humanity before we move into the time of Virgo.

PISCES

19th February to 20th March 2020 The creative flame of Leo is perfect to light up your imagination Pisces. This is a time to reconnect with your naturally spiritual side and work with the teachings enhanced

by Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn. You are being shown the way, and it’s important for you to trust and believe in yourself to manifest your visions.

Whilst you may feel stretched, hang in there and make the most of this time to identify everything you need to release when the Full Moon peaks. Mercury moving into Leo supports you to connect with your body, mind and soul to find the right direction for you. Venus moving into Cancer enhances your natural intuition, empathy and compassion to take the lead for yourself, your family and home. Ground yourself and define the right foundations to build your creative ideas on. It’s best to avoid overdoing it or taking on too much for others, as this can be rather draining. The opportunity to review everything will bring new perspectives when the New Moon, Sun and Mercury in Leo align. Mercury moving into Virgo will help you prepare to find the balance before we move into your opposition of Virgo next month.

ARIES

20th March to 20th April 2020 Hold on to your hat Aries, this Leo energy is ripe for you to fire up and take the lead.

Although Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn will test your patience, the fiery energy of Leo will have you feeling unstoppable. And in many ways you are. The Universe is helping you to manifest your goals and desires, so pay attention. Detach and release any stagnant energy during the Full Moon. Be creative with your ideas.

Mercury moving into Leo will strengthen your inner connection and help you with bringing those ideas into form. Don’t let your ego get the better of you though. As when Venus moves into Cancer you will be shown the Universal mirror, potentially creating challenges with family members and close friends. Finances also need to be reviewed to secure foundations. The New Moon, Sun and Mercury in Leo give you the green light, but you will still need to explain where you are going and communicate your ideas for others to follow your lead. Tread carefully though. When Mercury moves into Virgo, you may have to reevaluate and start putting plans in place to move forward as we move into the time of Virgo next month.

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TAURUS

20th April to 20th May 2020 At this point in time, you are in preparation for bigger things to come. Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Retrograde are handing you the opportunity to get all your ducks in a row. This is an opportunity to find balance and expand to a higher level through being flexible and adaptable. What you resist, persist Taurus. You are being shown that innovation is the way forward, so make the most of this opportunity to identify what is keeping you stuck in your comfort zone. The Full Moon may have you feeling on edge, presenting you with opportunities to think outside your square and release.

Whilst fixed energy can feel very unyielding and you may feel like you’re backed into a corner, finding the right direction for you is easier than you think. Keep an open mind to overcome any fears or insecurities that you are holding onto. The New Moon, Sun and Mercury aligning in Leo, will push you and make sure you have received the Universal message. Paying attention to the details will be advantageous when Mercury moves into Virgo and paves the way for you to work with new plans when we move into the time of Virgo.

GEMINI

20th May to 21st June 2020 This is ‘GO’ time for you to embody your thoughts and ideas, and to communicate creatively. Whilst Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto Retrograde may feel a bit heavy from learning lessons over again, acknowledging that you have choices around how you move forward will help greatly. The Full Moon will show you the big picture, so avoid getting too caught up in negative mind chatter. Mercury in Leo enhances your ability to share your messages with those who are willing to receive them. You will feel the push to take the road less travelled and head in your own direction, regardless of what other people think. Venus moving into Cancer will bring the focus on family and home, helping you to see your true connections on a number of different levels.

When the New Moon teams up with the Sun and Mercury in Leo, take advantage of this energy boost to fire you up to get moving again. That boost of confidence will help you to trust your instincts and bring your creative ideas into form. Get ready Gemini, Mercury in Virgo will show you when, where and with whom your ideas can be of service to others as we move into the next month Virgo.

CANCER

21st June to 22nd July 2020 This is the perfect time for you to be creative and honour yourself when manifesting your heart’s desires. With Mars in Aries and Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto Retrograde in your opposition of Capricorn, the imbalance of initiative, nurturing and authority can have you feeling like you’re in a Universal washing machine. The best advice here Cancer is to go with the flow. Your intuition will be heightened and your gut instinct on alert as the Full Moon reaches her peak. This is the perfect time to detach, let go and release anything that no longer serves you. Mercury moving into Leo will assist with creative thoughts and ideas. However, you may still feel like you’re making little progress. Have patience, Venus moves into Cancer, so take time to nurture yourself and your family. The New Moon, Sun and Mercury lining up in Leo will reveal how you can overcome any fears or insecurities you have about honouring the path you have chosen. Mercury moving into Virgo encourages you to pay attention to the details when creating new structures for you to be more productive and proactive, preparing to move forward leaps and bounds as we move into the time of Virgo next month.

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