January 2025

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

1

2

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

3

CONTENTS The Revival Issue

Spiritual Entrepreneur: Midwinter 05 The Recharge Tips to Revive, Refresh & Reboot Take time to reflect, refresh, and revitalize both yourself and your business

Enlightenment 10 Spiritual Embark on a journey of self-discovery to

15

connect with the Divine What You Should Know Before Taking a Leap into the Unknown Learn how to empower yourself in a toxic work situation while keeping an eye on the future

P 28

of Darkness: Waking to An 19 Out Illumined Life DECKS 26 CARD Stimulating Second Sight Excerpt 28 The Happiness Workout

Cover Image: Ian Dyball

P 19

2

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

P 10 P 05

P 15

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

3

4

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

The Spiritual Entrepreneur:

Midwinter Recharge Tips to Revive, Refresh & Reboot T

he post-holiday slump is real— we all feel it. Winter’s energy can feel heavy, the chill can cut deep, and it’s easy to feel like your creativity and motivation are buried under the frost. Midwinter often brings a natural lull when creativity stalls, energy wanes, and even your go-to crystal feels less than magical.

For spiritual entrepreneurs, this time of year can drain your energy faster than a leaky faucet. But here’s the good news: you don’t need a total life overhaul to turn things around.

In fact, small, consistent acts of care and creativity can breathe fresh life into your business while reigniting the spark in your soul.

These five simple yet powerful actions are designed to help you Revive, Refresh, and Reboot this midwinter.

Who knows? You might even inspire your customers to join you in the process.

Winter Reflection: Turn the Slump into Your Superpower Winter’s quiet vibe isn’t here to drag you down. It’s an opportunity to slow down and look inward. It’s nature’s way of pausing, and as a spiritual entrepreneur, you’re not immune to the call of stillness. Embrace this introspection because it’s where the magic begins.

About the Author: Jacki Smith is the founder and owner of Coventry Creations, a pioneer in the world of spiritual candles for over 30 years. Her parallel journey in the spiritual and business world allowed Jacki to hone her craft of honoring the Business Soul. From books to podcasts, Jacki shares her experiences with the world. Her coaching clients rave about how she helps them find the soul of their business so they can create their ideal life. You can find Jacki on social media at https://www.facebook.com/jacki.smith.official, https://www.instagram.com/ jacki.smith.official/, https://www.threads.net/@jacki.smith.official

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

5

Think of it as a check-in for your soul. Instead of fi xating on what’s not working, flip the script: what have you crushed over the past year?

What’s calling you to level up next?

Grab a journal (or even one of those leftover store notepads) and spend 20 minutes listing your wins and challenges from the past year. Patterns will emerge in the reflection, guiding your next steps.

Start by asking yourself these three questions: What’s been going great (and how can I double down on that)?

What’s feeling stale (and how can I bring it back to life)?

What’s been whispering for my attention (but I’ve been too busy to hear)?

Turn this into a ritual, not a chore.

Light a candle (Blessed Herbal Stability is a perfect choice) or sip your

favorite tea while reflecting. You could even pull a tarot card to add some cosmic guidance. Don’t overthink it. This process is about gaining clarity, not creating a rigid to-do list.

Here’s a fresh perspective. Treat this activity as a conversation with your business. Imagine your business as a trusted friend. What advice would it offer about balance, focus, and next steps? Consider meditating with a candle from your store to strengthen this connection. This reflective exercise not only taps into your intuition but also creates clarity that feels truly magical.

Pro-Tips: No time for a full journaling session? Record a voice memo instead. Hearing your own excitement (or frustration) can be incredibly illuminating.

Use sticky notes to capture single words or phrases from your reflection. Stick them on your mirror or desk as daily reminders of your focus.

Pair your ritual with a comforting cup of tea or spiced cider to amplify the nurturing vibes while you dream.

Refresh Your Space: Clear the Funk, Create the Flow If your workspace feels more “blah” than “brilliant,” let’s fi x that. Stale energy breeds stale ideas, so it’s time to shake things up without spending a fortune or exhausting yourself.

Your workspace is an extension of your energy. If the vibe is stagnant, so is your motivation.

NEW LEAF DISTRIBUTING COMPANY Serving the metaphysical, spiritual, and alternative health market since 1975! www.LotusLight.com • Ph: 770.948.7845 A COURSE IN MIRACLES (Paperback)

Foundation for Inner Peace

ISBN: 9781883360245

A COURSE IN MIRACLES A Course In Miracles (ACIM, or "the Course") is a unique, self-study spiritual thought system. Its goal is to awaken us to the truth of our oneness with God and Love.

A COURSE IN MIRACLES (Hardcover) ISBN: 9781883360252

It teaches that the way to universal love and peace, and the remembrance of God, is by undoing the illusion of sin and guilt through a process of forgiveness. The Course focuses in particular on the healing of relationships, transforming them from vehicles for specialness to “holy relationships.”

Also Available A COURSE IN MIRACLES (Mass Market)(Complete)............................................................ISBN: 9781883360269 UN CURSO DE MILAGROS) (Hardcover, Spanish) ...............................................................ISBN: 9781883360818 A COURSE IN MIRACLES (English Audiobook, USB DRIVE) ..............................................ISBN: 9781883360795 JOURNEY WITHOUT DISTANCE (Paperback) .......................................................................ISBN: 9781883360023 SUPPLEMENTS TO A COURSE IN MIRACLES (Softcover)..................................................ISBN: 9781883360955

6

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

Declutter Like a Boss: Toss out the old, the unused, and the “what even is this?” items cluttering your desk or store. (Seriously, does anyone need 17 empty pens?) Turn this process into the beginning of a cleansing ritual, those half-used notebooks and random receipts are weighing you down more than you realize.

Smudge and Recharge: Grab your sage, palo santo, Van Can candle, or incense and clear the air, literally. Focus on corners where stagnant energy tends to linger. Set the intention to sweep out negativity, invite in prosperity, and make space for fresh ideas and good vibes. Bonus points for playing your favorite playlist while you do it.

Rearrange to Recharge: Move your desk or shift your store displays. You’ll be amazed how a little rearranging can create a whole new energy. This isn’t just woo-woo fluff.

Research shows a clean and inviting environment positively affects productivity and mood. A store refresh can trigger your brain to refocus, which is precisely what midwinter needs.

Sprinkle in Some Life: Add a plant, flowers, or even a quirky knick-knack that makes you smile.

Winter doesn’t have to be all gray and dreary—your space should feel like a breath of fresh air.

For retail store owners, a refreshed space also catches the attention of customers. Try creating a seasonal display with new product arrangements or signage that highlights the energy of renewal.

Pro-Tips: Place a small bowl of salt in a corner of your workspace to absorb negative energy. Replace it weekly for a fresh start!

Hide a tiny crystal (like citrine or quartz) in your workspace to amplify good vibes. Think of it as your secret weapon for creativity.

Ritual as Your Recharge: Tiny Acts, Big Magic Let’s talk rituals—not the timeconsuming kind that makes you feel guilty for skipping them, but the quick, no-pressure ones that actually fit into your busy life. Think of these as micro-moments of magic to keep you aligned and energized.

You are your most important asset. Let me say it louder for the folks in the back: Your business can only thrive if you do.

Midwinter is the perfect time to weave simple self-care rituals into your daily grind.

Here are a few easy ones to try: Morning Magic: Before you dive into emails, light a candle with intention. Speak your daily goals aloud as if they’ve already happened: “Today, I attract customers who love my products and leave feeling healed.” or “Today, I invite abundance and joy into every moment.” Boom. You’re now unstoppable.

Midday Mood Lift: When the 3 p.m. slump hits, step outside for five minutes. Deep breaths, some sunshine (or even snow light), and you’re back in the game. If outside is not your option, create a mini altar in your workspace with a stone for grounding, a symbol of abundance, and an inspiring affirmation card. Take five minutes to breathe and reconnect.

Evening Wind-Down: End your day by writing down three wins—big or small. Even “answered all my emails” counts! Before you leave for the day, blow out your candles, thanking them for the day’s work, and set intentions for the next.

These simple acts turn ordinary moments into something sacred.

The point? Rituals anchor your day and remind you why you started your business: to bring light, healing, and joy into the world. Rituals don’t have to be elaborate to work and don’t forget, you’re part of that equation. Keep it simple, keep it fun, and keep it yours. Reality is, a burnt-out entrepreneur isn’t doing their best work, or living their best life. These small rituals of self care and renew your zing.

Pro-Tips: Keep a “magic grab bag” at your desk with quick-access tools: a mini candle, a crystal, or your favorite essential oil. Instant reset, no excuses.

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

7

Dedicate your favorite affirming Oracle deck to your personal inspiration. Grab a cup of your favorite hot beverage and pull one card when you are feeling out of sorts. Your spirits will deliver a pick-me up that eases your woe.

Reignite Passion Through Play: Fun Isn’t Optional

Winter isn’t just for rest—it’s also a time to rediscover your joy and bring it back to life inside your business.

Dream Big on a “What If” Day: Dedicate a few hours to dreaming with zero limits. What would you do if there were no budget, no rules, and no fear? You’ll be surprised how this playful exercise unlocks real-world ideas. (Hey - host a vision board event in your store and tap into an even bigger what-if energy.)

Try Something Wild:

Here’s the deal: winter is not the time to be all work and no play. If you’re not having fun, your creative spark will fizzle, and fizzle fast. Play isn’t frivolous; it’s a catalyst for creativity. When you allow yourself to have fun in your work, you unlock new ideas and enthusiasm. When was the last time you played in your business? Winter is the perfect excuse to experiment, take risks, and try something just for the fun of it.

Launch a quirky limited-edition product, host a winter-themed workshop, or team up with another entrepreneur for a fun event. Even if it’s not a huge moneymaker, it’ll remind you why you love what you do. Isolation is the entrepreneur’s kryptonite. Reach out and reconnect with your tribe—be it fellow shop owners, spiritual practitioners, or your favorite customers.

The secret to reigniting your passion is embracing the fun. Forget perfection for a moment and enjoy the process of dreaming and creating.

Take a day off to do something completely unrelated to work. A movie marathon, a DIY craft project, or even sledding—whatever lights you up.

8

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

Play Hooky (Kind Of):

Pro-Tips: Incorporate a joy break into your week—dance to your favorite song, doodle, or spend 10 minutes working on a fun, unrelated project.

It’s like a reset button for your creative energy! Keep a jar of “just for fun” ideas and pull one out whenever you need a pick-me-up. This is also a fun way to engage your clients when they are feeling blah as well.

Sustain the Spark: Momentum Made Simple A reboot isn’t a one-time event—it’s a shift in how you approach your work and life. You’ve done the reflecting, the refreshing, the ritualizing, and

the playing. Now what? It’s all about keeping that spark alive with small, consistent steps that don’t overwhelm you. The secret to reigniting your passion is embracing the fun.

Forget perfection for a moment and enjoy the process of dreaming and creating Set Weekly Themes: Choose one focus area per week— like marketing, customer connection, or self-care—and give it a little extra love.

Celebrate Every Win: Got through a tough day? Sold your first product of the week? Danced in your stockroom? Celebrate it! Wins, big or small, deserve recognition.

Check In with Yourself: Every few weeks, revisit your winter reflection. Are you staying aligned with your goals, or is it time for another mini-reboot?

Sustaining your spark requires balance. By weaving moments of care, creativity, and connection into your routine, you can maintain the energy you’ve cultivated during your midwinter reboot. This practice bridges the gap between dreaming and doing, keeping your intentions alive while inspiring actionable steps.

Pro-Tips: Add to your jar collection and create one for success. Jot down small wins or positive moments on slips of paper. Read them whenever you need a boost!

Create a ta-da! list instead of a to-do list. Write down all the awesome things you’ve accomplished and what they manifested. Trust me, it’s way more satisfying!

Your Winter Magic Starts Now Midwinter doesn’t have to be a creative dead zone. Instead, it can be your secret weapon for renewal and inspiration. With a little reflection, fun rituals, and playfulness, you can turn the seasonal slump into a time of magic and momentum.

This time of year is about more than just enduring. It’s about emerging stronger and brighter. A midwinter reset gives you the clarity and energy to reconnect with your purpose and move forward with intention.

The midwinter reboot doesn’t require grand gestures. Instead, focus on consistent, meaningful acts that align with where you are and where you want to go. Think of it as a cocoon – a space to pause, recharge, and emerge ready for spring. When you take time to reflect and refresh, you revitalize both yourself and your business. Light that candle, take a deep breath, and let your reboot begin. You’ve got this!

We may not have it all...but we have a lot!

Enjoy a virtual tour of our spectacular trove of treasures!

Email: jeff@raiderocks.com 4651 NW 6th Street Suite C Gainesville, FL. 32609 800-527-4367

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

9

SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT W

e hear the term enlightenment bandied around a lot these days. “My friend had an experience of enlightenment” or “We all need to wake up” meaning become enlightened. But what does the term really mean?

I wrote about enlightenment in my spiritual memoir Three Awakenings. I studied Vedic philosophy in my twenties and for me, the best place to start explaining spiritual enlightenment is the ancient Vedic tradition in India. This body of knowledge contains the clearest definition. In this tradition, a person has reached enlightenment when their individual consciousness has merged with universal consciousness and this remains a permanent state. They never lose this universal awareness again. This is the key.

Enlightenment is not a temporary flash, but a permanent union with the Divine.

In Unity, the individual mind is wedded with the One Consciousness behind all creation and that person perceives that everything and everyone is One Consciousness. This is not just an idea, but a concrete experience.

This is the Vedic teaching, and you’ll find the same idea in other traditions as well. The Abrahamic religions also speak of enlightenment, but most people raised in these traditions will tell you we are separate from God and it is therefore blasphemy to suggest we could merge with the Divine. But Gnostic Christians, a tradition that was suppressed after the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E, taught that humans contain a piece of the divine within their own being.

In fact, that everything does. Sound familiar? This idea was considered heresy for hundreds of years in Christianity. There is still a lively argument about it.

Once you’ve studied eastern philosophy and gotten some personal experience of these higher states of awareness, even just a little taste, the teachings about enlightenment jump out at you when you return to your childhood tradition if that religion was Christian, Jewish or Islam.

About the Author: Theresa Crater teaches meditation and writes the award-winning Power Places series as well as fantasy, paranormal women’s fiction, and a thriller series. Her spiritual memoir, Three Awakenings, tells her own spiritual journey – the story behind the novels.

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

11

Here are a few examples from the New Testament: “Neither shall they say, ‘Lo here! or, lo there!’ for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Christ tells us, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The Sufis are the metaphysical sect of Islam now, although some Egyptian Egyptologists (if you’ll pardon the repetition) claim the Sufis are older than this newest Abrahamic religion, dating back into ancient Khemit (Egypt). Read any Rumi or Hafiz poem and you are being taught about enlightenment. Take this excerpt this Rumi poem:

Lo, I am with you always means that when you look for God, God is in the look of your eyes, in the thought of looking, nearer to you than your self, or things that have happened to you There’s no need to go outside. Be melting snow.

Wash yourself of yourself.

Hafiz writes, A billion times God has turned a human back into Herself.

Western metaphysics claims there is no end to this unfolding, that what we perceive as the One Consciousness is an entity who has manifested this universe, but is learning from the process and after finishing this, will ‘graduate’ to another level of awareness. So relax, there will always be more to come.

What is spiritual enlightenment like?

How do we get there? Do we become God? The answer to this last question is no. We float on the ocean of Cosmic Awareness. We don’t become 12

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

God, that vast Being who is aware of it all, at least not in this stage of our development. Maybe we’ll merge with that infinite consciousness in a few eons.

The universe is a manifestation of the One Consciousness. The story goes that Being wanted to experience itself, its own qualities, so it sent out waves of energy that became more concrete and individualized until – Voila– here we are. We each express different aspects of this manifestation but have a spark of that original One in us. Permanent union with that spark is enlightenment.

I’ve had some temporary flashes myself and I’ll bet many of you readers have as well. Three Awakenings discusses these in detail along with a lot of other experiences and teachings from wisdom traditions around the world. I’ll just share a bit of what it was like for me. It sometimes starts with the feeling of falling back into a larger consciousness or energy swelling up from my heart and pushing me into my full self. It’s like being released from all my fears and petty thoughts. All my worries. I feel a huge relief. I’m home. And home is an ocean of universal consciousness that is unconditional love. There are no more problems.

One of the most interesting parts of this experience is when we realize this underlying universal consciousness has always been there. It’s like you’ve been born in a house and heard stories of a great mansion where a person could have anything they want, things they could never even conceive of. And they’ve grown desperate to find this place, running from room to room asking everyone if they knew how to find this mansion. Finally, they knock on the last door and find the last person in the house, and say “Tell me, where is this great mansion. Tell me or I’ll die.” And that person says, “This is it.

You’ve always lived in this mansion.”

We never knew this was the place we searched for because we’ve never even been away from it. We can’t find what we haven’t lost.

In Unity, the individual mind is united with the One Consciousness behind all creation and that person perceives that everything and everyone is that One Consciousness. This is not just an idea, but a concrete experience. Suffering falls away. We easily move in harmony with the universal plan, fulfilling our part in it.

We are healthier, happier, have more empathy. We are wrapped in unconditional love and extend it to all. This doesn’t mean we allow harm to come to ourselves or others if it is in our power to stop it. But there is compassion for the culprit as well.

How do we reach enlightenment?

Well, we can’t do it through effort.

Unfortunately. Meditation is the best approach for me. We allow the mind to settle down. In that quietness, the source of thought or the One Consciousness becomes clearer and clearer the more we meditate. At some point, we realize what the Vedic say means. We see that “I am That,” meaning I am the One Consciousness, not this smaller self I think of as Harry or Polly. This grows until we realize not only, “I am That,” but “Thou art That. All This is That.”

Everyone and everything in creation is this universal consciousness.

When this is a permanent state, we’ve reached enlightenment. Enjoy the journey and the final state.

FOLLOW US!

@rockpoolpublishing

Distributed in Nth America by Simon & Schuster US RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

13

14

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE TAKING A LEAP INTO THE UNKNOWN 7 Ways to Empower Yourself in a Toxic Work Situation While Keeping an Eye on The Future

M

any of us don’t have the luxury to absolutely love our jobs all the time. As a journalist for many years, I thrive on the freedom of flexibility, creativity, and being able to work anywhere in the world. But as we age and evolve, sometimes our priorities change, and life demands other things from us.

In 2023, when my father suddenly passed away, I was thrown into a whirlwind of estate responsibilities, navigating a new world of legalese

and sometimes Kafkaesque circumstances, while coping with the realities of death. This loss became a marker in time, a fundamental shift that forced me to confront many things about my own life, and one of them lingered in the forefront of my mind like a nagging timebomb: I had to get serious about my financial security for the future.

Writers aren’t known for making the big bucks and many of us lack

About the Author: Amber C. Snider is an NYC-based journalist, editor, and university educator specializing in culture, travel, design, and spirituality. Her bylines can be found in The New York Times, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Atmos, Lonely Planet, Fodor’s Travel, Refinery29, Zagat Stories, Architectural Digest, and more. She received a Master of Arts degree in liberal studies from the City University of New York Graduate Center, where her research focused on ancient and modern mythologies, esoteric symbolism, goddess worship, and the divine feminine. She’s also editor-in-chief and creator of Enchantments, a digital publication from NYC’s oldest witchcraft store. Her new book, Wonderment (February 2025 with Llewellyn) helps readers uncover the elusive spark that permeates all things, awaken their psychic senses, and tap into their creativity with the help of nature, magic, and the spirit world. You can read more of her work at AmberCSnider.com.

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

15

the financial safe havens of 401ks, IRAs, and traditional pension plans.

Although I have always supported myself financially through writing and editing, even in an exorbitantly expensive and competitive city like New York, if I wanted to plan for my “future self,” I needed to consider the corporate path. You know, the desk job with so-called real benefits and a long commute, where I’d inevitably become a cog in the wheel of power. I dreaded this for my life, but I needed to save up for future me, even if it meant sacrificing the things that I loved most. So I took the bait, switched gears, and reported for duty in an all-glass, corporate tower in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.

Despite my new cush paycheck, I couldn’t stand it. I loved my immediate co-workers, but each day felt like slow suffocation. I felt as though my spirit, my purpose in life, was being crushed out of me. Whether it

was the toxicity of the daily subway hustle, office politics, or sheer boredom, I found myself becoming deeply unhappy, yearning for the simplicity of my writing chair back in Brooklyn. “Take one day at a time,” I told myself. But each day became more unbearable then the next, until I finally decided it was officially time to go. If I didn’t get out, something in me would perhaps change forever, harden and warp, and there was no money in the world worth that.

And so, after careful consideration, and saving up a small stack of cash, I left. It wasn’t an easy decision, but for me, it was the right one. There is, of course, major privilege in being able to walk away from a job that’s making you unhappy. Not everyone can do that. But I had no dependents or children to support, and decided my personal values were worth more.

The ability to travel to see family, explore the natural world, learn

new things, write on my own terms, meet new people, and create my own schedule, these were the things that sparked joy and awe in my life. And I had to get back to it.

Maybe one day I’ll regret it, but today, I don’t. So if you find yourself planning a new leap into the unknown, whether that’s starting your own business, going freelance, or switching jobs or your career entirely, here are a few things I’ve learned in my journey — and a few magical tools — to help keep you grounded, empowered, and open to the infinite possibilities of the future.

#1 Find Your Passion Project One thing that kept me creatively nourished and spiritually fulfilled was working on my book,

The Poison Path Grimoire

Dark Herbalism, Poison Magic, and Baneful Allies Coby Michael

The Herbal Dog

Examining the magic of the Poison Path in depth, occult herbalist Coby Michael celebrates the deadly, unwanted, and wild plants of dark herbalism.

Holistic Canine Herbalism Applications and Practice

$19.99 • Paperback • 240 pages ISBN 978-1644119952

Rita Hogan, C.H. Foreword by Isla Fishburn, Ph.D.

Spiritual Aging

In this comprehensive exploration of holistic care for dogs, clinical canine herbalist Rita Hogan explains how to look at a dog’s unique personality, physiology, and needs to select effective and personalized herbal remedies to support their constitutions and provide relief from many different ailments. $24.99 • Paperback • 464 pages ISBN 978-1644119594

Weekly Reflections for Embracing Life Carol Orsborn, Ph.D. Foreword by Harry R. Moody, Ph.D. Designed to be read weekly in two-year cycles, this book provides inspiring support and guidance to help you navigate the path of aging consciously. $19.99 • Paperback • 384 pages ISBN 978-1644116678

To View More Titles Visit InnerTraditions.com • (800) 246-8648 • AVAILABLE FROM SIMON & SCHUSTER AND WHOLESALERS NATIONWIDE

16

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

Wonderment. It had been years in the making, and combined nearly 17 years of research with magical practices, travel stories, experiential learning, and practical integrations for helping others find their divine spark and spiritual calling. Despite my demanding job, I worked on it every chance I could: in the subway, on park benches at lunch, into the late hours of the night. It kept me rooted in my purpose as a writer and spiritual teacher, even if it meant working upwards of 60+ hours a week. Find what gives your life real meaning and seek out new ways to use your innate gifts, whether that’s a creative project, learning new skills or crafts, or simply experimenting with art each day.

#2 Navigating (and Dispelling) Toxic Energy at Work One of the techniques I teach in my book is how to cleanse and protect your psychic aura through light meditations. A pared down version of this technique is to simply envision a bright, white ball of light radiating down on you, moving through you, cleansing your aura and body.

Visualize this light whenever you’re in a difficult meeting or confronting negative co-workers, as well before going into work and again once you leave. You’ll immediately feel more grounded and empowered, and the best part is, you can do this exercise anywhere, anytime. You can also visualize a spinning vortex coming out from your solar plexus to dispel any negativity that comes your way.

#3 Take Regular Sea Salt Baths At least a few times a week, fill your bath with hot water, a cup of sea salt and a few drops of essential

oil (lavender, for instance, is both purifying and soothing). You can also add fresh or dried herbs to an empty tea bag and place it in the water (for easier clean-up), as well as a touch of coconut milk, if you have it. As you sit in the bath, focus on letting any impurities flow into the water, as the salt, herbs, and oils cleanse you.

Do a light meditation while you’re in the bath and visualize a pink light emanating around you, representing self-love, compassion, and empowerment. Once you’re done, wait until the water completely drains from the tub, taking with it anything that no longer serves your higher purpose.

#4 Breathing Exercises If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try breathing in for two counts, hold for three, and exhale for four. I prefer this shorter breathing exercise, as it feels more natural in the body, and I’ve found it helps to reduce anxiety.

#5 Keep an Auric/ Energy Cleansing Spray at Your Desk Create your own sacred auric cleansing blend to keep at your workspace.

Fill a small clear glass or ambercolored spray bottle with a few drops (about 10-20 in total per half ounce) of the following essential oils: frankincense, cedarwood, lavender, and ylang-ylang and/or geranium. Then fill the bottle halfway with witch hazel and smell your creation. Add in more essential oil as needed and top off with the rest of the bottle with spring water. You can also add in a few tiny clear quartz or rose quartz crystals. Spray around your desk, near your office doorway, or on your person whenever you need it. Keep

in mind that others may be sensitive to scents, so be kind and ask your co-workers nearby if it’s alright. If they’re against it, use the spray in the bathroom when you need a psychic boost.

#6 Find Your Plant Ally If you’re stuck behind a desk all day, especially in a windowless office, be sure to keep a few plants at your work space. Even a few small succulents can raise the vibrations of your immediate space and it’s entirely fine to talk to them throughout the day (really, do it. Who cares if others overhear? You’re a wondrous, creative being with magic in your bones). I’ve found that plants tend to thrive when you speak words of gratitude and love towards them, and they’ll give it right back to you in the form of radiant, positive energy.

#7 Figure Out Your Exit Plan We’re here on this earth for only a short while, so if you find yourself in a serious rut, feeling powerless, or deeply unhappy, figure out your exit plan to change your circumstances.

Easier said than done, I know, but start small: Make a list of the pros and cons within your current situation, and then write down your personal values and what you want to make out of your unique life. Each day, take one small action towards fulfilling your goal(s), whether that’s making it work right where you are, saving money, empowering yourself with new skill sets, or making a big leap into the unknown. Remember, we’re divinely protected and loved, and while magic is very real, we also have to take actionable steps to realize our higher purpose.

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

17

18

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

OUT OF DARKNESS: Waking to An Illumined Life

D

ecades ago, my spiritual journey began with a near death experience. At the time, there wasn’t even a name for it, and I had nowhere to turn to comprehend what had happened to me. Today, NDE is a mainstream term, and millions of people speak easily about angels, past lives, and Tarot cards. My life was forever changed by the experience, and I embarked on a quest, following the footsteps of those who have gone before and left a path.

Like my own experience, spiritual awakening may come in the form of “rites of passage,” such as a lifethreatening illness, a near-death experience, sudden loss, trauma, or death of a loved one. These lifealtering experiences can change us at depth, forever reorienting our lives.

While we deal with grief and loss, we often remain unaware of the slow process of transformation, until in hindsight we realize how our hearts have become more open.

About the Author: Julie Loar is the author of Messengers, co-author of The Hidden Power Of Everyday Things, and the award-winning, Tarot & Dream Interpretation and Goddesses For Every Day: Exploring The Wisdom & Power Of The Divine Feminine Around The World, Her latest book, Symbol & Synchronicity: Learning the Soul’s Language in Dreams and Waking Life, has won six international literary awards, including a Nautilus Book Award. Her award-winning astrology column appeared in Atlantis Rising magazine for two decades.

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

19

Perennial Journey

Monarchs and Peasants

Waking life is like a lucid dream, and we are the dreamer, sleeping until we awaken and remember our purpose.

The Soul’s journey is the spiritual path, and it’s been said that when you are awake you know there is a path.

The perceived truth of our Soul’s perennial journey has resonated through time and across cultures.

The idea appears in diverse cultures from Hinduism to the indigenous tradition of Hawaiian Huna, and alchemy. The spiritual path can be understood as stages of development of increasing wisdom and grace.

Like any journey, there are milestones. Early in our journey we move through lifetimes, making choices and getting consequences, learning our lessons and making progress.

On its way to enlightenment, our eternal Soul is on a journey through space-time and through diverse incarnations. These experiences range from queens to servants, warriors to healers, each offering lessons, gifts, and tests. We go from monarch to peasant, depending on what must be learned or resolved. The Soul integrates many lifetimes through a great variety of incarnational experiences in different personalities, genders, and social circumstances based on the karma generated and the lessons desired.

As we choose, and receive the consequences of our choices, slowly we learn. At some critical point in our long journey, a spark of divine fire from our Soul ignites a flame of aspiration. This flame grows into a radiance as we walk the path of the sacred and do the work required. Our heart’s rhythm begins to beat with compassion, connecting us to others and the Universe.

This story was told in the 1993 movie Groundhog Day where actor Bill Murray’s character Phil Connors becomes trapped in a time loop that forced him to repeat Groundhog Day, the second day of February. Each morning, he woke to an exact repeat of the day before, spending nearly a decade until he began to see how his behavior and choices were keeping him stuck. Like Murray’s character Phil, at some point we too begin to recognize our patterns, eventually becoming aware as we strive to make different choices and try to take the journey more consciously.

20

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

The reincarnating aspect of our Psyche is like an actor in a play or movie who plays a different character in every production but is always the same person behind the role. In a similar way, the Soul projects its essence into an incarnation, which is like a temporary acting role. When we live with the knowledge that there is a Path, our lives take on a greater sense of purpose and meaning. At this stage we begin to connect with our Soul, our Higher Self, who lives in eternity, and the light of the Soul slowly breaks through to the level of our personality.

In another analogy, we might think of incarnations like trips we take. A vacation temporarily takes us out of our normal experience, perhaps to an exotic location, and when we return, we integrate the trip into our life experience. One trip to a foreign country doesn’t define a lifetime, but what we learned can enlarge our perspective and inform future decisions.

In a way that is still a profound mystery, our Soul holds all the life memories that the reincarnating aspect experiences as we slowly grow in light and love. As our Soul also evolves and grows from those

experiences as this collective wisdom begins to inform our earthly lives, and gradually the Soul’s wisdom expresses through the personality.

Although the realm of the Soul is light and love, on our journey through space-time, we can through ignorance choose darkness and fear as we stumble, sometimes failing to learn our lessons. Our awakening may come suddenly through a profound life experience, or we may slowly emerge from the dark cave of ignorance into the steadily increasing light of becoming.

The pattern of seven appears in diverse spiritual systems, including alchemy, the seven chakras, the notes of the scale, days of the week, and the lunar cycle, which is four phases of seven days. The symbolism of Tarot includes what has been called seven stages of spiritual unfoldment that are depicted as increasing light, or spiritual activations, that are illustrated in the last seven cards of the Major Arcana from 15-21--the Devil to the World. Gradually, we awaken from the darkness symbolized by the Devil through increasing stages of illumination to Cosmic Consciousness and illumination represented in the World.

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

21

STAGES OF ILLUMINATION IN TAROT

Darkness - 15 - Devil / Lightning – 16 Tower Star light - 17 Star / Moon light - 18 Moon Sun light - 19 Sun / Astral light - 20 Judgment Cosmic consciousness - 21 World

The darkness represented by the Devil is the first stage of our spiritual development when, like the character of Phil Connors, we become consciously aware that we are in a state of bondage, stuck in a state of pure survival. We realize that we have been chained by our own choices. This awareness is followed by an awakening like a life crisis or a lightning bolt flash of insight in the Tower. This trigger brings about the third stage, the Star, which is an ardent search for truth and a desire for a deeper meaning in life as truth is revealed.

As knowledge is gained in the fourth stage, the Moon, the path is revealed and we face our character flaws, purging and clearing karma in an intense manner. As the process unfolds our heart opens, and at the fifth stage of the Sun we become transformed and begin to radiate love and goodwill. Our presence becomes a blessing to others. At the sixth stage of Judgment, the sense of separateness dissolves and there is an increasing sense of unity. At the final seventh stage, the World, the veil between the worlds disappears and we are ready for conscious service as we gain a glimpse of cosmic consciousness.

Meditating on these Tarot cards, and reflecting on where we are in the stages, can bring deep insights as we ponder these milestones on our journey of awakening. We can gather our courage as we know we are on our way.

22

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

23

24

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE. adsales@retailinginsight.com

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

25

CaRdDeckS

STIMULATING SECOND SIGHT

Revive Intuitive Skills with the Support of Ancient Knowledge T he New Year signals seekers to become more focused on personal growth, perception and self love. This is a great time to inspire them in re-awaking their intuition by tapping into ancient knowledge of wise woman throughout history, indigenous cultures, star beings and our long-term spiritual bonds with horses. Encourage your customers in their self actualization by featuring these fresh decks.

SHAMANIC STAR WISDOM ORACLE

By Lisa Biritz Illustrated by Petra Kuhne

Published by Earthdancer Books ISBN: 9788888501214 44 cards, 112-page book $19.99

Brightly painted artwork by Kuhne welcomes you to the intergalactic starbeings of 14 star families, symbols, animals and landscapes of this deck. Each painting beams with light and warmth.

Biritz’s guidebook provides the meaning of each card with their affirmations and exercises for ascension. She also delves into shamanic and indigenous cultures belief in alien ancestors. Highlight this appealing deck to unexplained mysteries buffs and all other seekers!

About the Author: Melinda Carver is a Spiritual Business Expert and an award-winning Author, Psychic Medium and Speaker. She has appeared on TV, radio, podcasts, corporate events, expos and stores. Carver is the President of the Church of Radiant Lights located in Cleveland, OH. To know more, visit www.MelindaCarver.com

26

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

THE COUNCIL OF HORSES ORACLE Sandra Wallin, Author and Kim McElroy Published by Bear & Co. ISBN: 9781591434931 40 cards, 178-page book $19.99

Lushly and elegantly painted horses gallop, cantor, walk and rest on each card (printed vertically and horizontally). Awarding-winning artist McElroy’s stunning horses serve as portals of transformation, tapping into their millennia-old relationship with humans.

Wallin’s detailed guidebook offers horses’ earthly and spiritual messages for humans, including stories and contemplations for each card. Race to the finish line to showcase this to horse enthusiasts and animal lovers!

WISE WOMAN ORACLE

By Cheyenne Zarate Published by Rockpool Publishing ISBN: 9781922786050 36 cards, 128-page book $24.95

Zarate’s exquisitely drawn black pen and ink art printed on sage green cardstock - features inspiring women from pop culture, history, folklore and myth.

The deck reconnects you with the ancestral feminine wisdom of She Who Knows – your inner priestess and healer. Her guidebook describes the symbols and stories of each card to assist the seeker with self-awareness, knowledge and spiritual growth. Promote this deck to Sisterhood Circles, Pagans and healers!

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

27

28

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

EXCERPT

THE HAPPINESS WORKOUT The Physical Skills of Happiness ‘The body has its own wisdom and ways of knowing, separate and distinct from that of the mind.’ – JOHN KEHOE

T

here are particular physical skills that correspond with, and that can stimulate, the different chemicals of happiness. Grounding activities partner well with serotonin.

Strength is a partner of testosterone.

Fluidity, flexibility and agility are partners to dopamine. Warmheartedness is a partner to oxytocin. These skills can also help us with endurance or perseverance, which are partners

to endorphins. These partnerships are introduced in this chapter. Then an entire section is dedicated to each of the skills that can develop our relationship with the specific chemicals, according to what would be most helpful at any given time.

This chapter also includes one more self-assessment – this time in relation to these physical skills. This is an

opportunity to clarify your areas of strength and personal growth from a physical perspective. Then you are invited to make your way to the section of the book that provides information on the area you feel you could benefit most from developing at this time.

This is also a book for you to return to many times over and for many years to come, as your needs and situations

About the Author: Noa Belling holds a masters in Somatic (or body-mind) Psychology from Naropa University, the birthplace of the modern mindfulness movement. Her background includes over a decade of teaching applied somatic psychology skills and running a private psychotherapy practice.

She is the best-selling author of The Yoga Handbook, Yoga: A union of mind and body (Struik). Her books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide and are translated into many languages.

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

29

change and your happy balance tips one way or another.

THE PHYSICAL ABILITIES THAT MAKE UP YOUR HAPPY BALANCE Grounding Serotonin’s feelings of inner peace and perhaps a connection with something greater than ourselves is supported in our bodies by feeling physically balanced and grounded.

Our relationship with gravity plays a role here. Gravity is the force that keeps us on the earth, preventing us from floating off into space. When we surrender our body weight into gravity, we feel more substantial and stable, literally and metaphorically. This can boost our sense of self-worth, offer an antidote for anxiety and help minimise depression, too. Ironically, when we feel more grounded and substantial, we can feel lighter or more spacious inside, such as the kind of experience that sitting in meditation can give us. This lightness can be encouraged any time we are upright, through good postural alignment. When we focus on our skeleton rather than our muscles to hold us upright, stacking and aligning our bones from the ground up, we possess a greater sense of balance. Then we experience a natural two-way pull as gravity grounds us downwards towards the centre of the earth, an experience we feel through our hips, legs and feet, while our sense of balance and levity flows upwards through our spine.

The better our alignment, the better our sense of balance and postural ease and the more relaxed we can feel as we move through the world.

30

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

Alignment is also conducive to using our energy well. If we are tense, our muscles have to work to maintain our uprightness and the more effort and energy it takes to move through life.

This creates more wear and tear or burden on our bodies than necessary and can deplete our energy. Along with good postural alignment, tools for de-stressing are important, too, for maintaining the sense of being grounded, as well as getting sufficient rest, sleep and recuperation.

Brief Experience of Grounding Physical points of grounding: Place both feet on the ground evenly and balance your weight over your hips.

Feel the soles of your feet in contact with the ground (through your shoes if need be). You might like to imagine or feel an energy exchange between your feet and the ground as if the earth is energising you via your feet.

•

•

If you are standing, shift your weight slightly back over your heels and relax your knees so that you can feel more grounded from hips down through heels (and ultimately towards the centre of the earth, which is the direction of gravity’s pull).

If you are sitting, along with grounding through your feet, also feel the weight of your upper legs and hips resting into your seat, which is in contact with the ground. If your hands are on your lap, also feel their weight as another point of contact with the pull of gravity.

Right your posture from the ground up: From this point, notice how you can right your posture from the ground up. If you are standing,

you might press down into your feet and allow your body to unfold to comfortable uprightness. If you are sitting, you could press down into your hips and feel how the downward pressure into gravity helps your spine to find an upright position.

Loosen into the top of your neck: One final check is the very top of your neck, where your neck meets your skull. This area contains small bones that allow you to nod ‘yes’ or shake ‘no’. When we get stuck in our thoughts or are focusing on a task for long periods, this part of our neck can lock or become tense. When this happens, it can feel as if you are holding your whole body up by your head.

Or this upper neck tension can hold you back from fully experiencing the downward, nourishing and stabilising pull of gravity. To loosen up into your upper neck, take a few moments to nod and shake your head, and draw circles or other shapes in the air with the tip of your nose. Then feel how your head can almost float in its position at the top of your spine while you remain in touch with your grounding through your contact points with your seat and the ground.

Take 3–5 deep breaths, focusing on exhaling releasing into gravity: Maintaining this grounded, upright position, take 3–5 deep breaths through your nose, extending your exhalation for as long as you can.

Further grounding is encouraged if you imagine letting go into gravity with each outbreath.

Quick grounding anytime reminder: Any time of the day you can remind yourself of your points of contact with the ground (feet, and underside of upper legs and hips if you are sitting, and perhaps hands if they rest in your lap or on your desk).

Strength Testosterone’s qualities of feeling strong in ourselves and empowered

in life to achieve our goals is supported in our bodies by physical, muscular strength. When we feel strong physically it helps us to stand taller, value ourselves more highly, feel more in control and able to cope with life, as well as better able to take a stand when we need to and fight the good fight in line with what we believe in.

Brief Experience of Strength Sit or stand tall with your chest open and your head held high (as if with pride). Flex (tighten) and relax a few muscles in your body to get a sense of how your muscles support your uprightness and help you to feel stronger and more alert. Take a few deep breaths. You might notice that when you stand tall and proud and breathe more deeply, you can naturally feel more confident and strong.

Fluidity, Agility and Flexibility Dopamine’s qualities of rewardseeking and risk-taking with a love of adventure, fun, novelty and creativity are supported in our bodies by our ability to reach out into the world, express ourselves freely and move towards exciting goals. Our physical mobility facilitates this through physical skills that include flexibility, fluidity and agility. With these skills we can feel more open, capable and energised for exploration and selfexpression, with a greater sense of freedom that can come along with it.

These skills can also help us bounce back from setbacks with positivity.

Brief Experience of Fluidity, Agility and Flexibility Reach your arms up high and then alternate reaching up even higher with one hand and then the other as if reaching towards something you really want or just for a good stretch.

Now continue this reaching motion with arms reaching out to your sides and with fingers extending as if to touch your surroundings. You can also play with free movement as you snake your arms, fingers, spine and shoulders for a few exploratory moments. Being more fluid and flexible can open your body’s senses so that you might feel more in touch with life and more aware of your environment.

It can also encourage you to open your eyes to new possibilities, which is how it stimulates creative thinking. If you are standing, you can add a small bouncing or jumping action, or bop to a beat, to enhance your sense of agility and add a spring to your step. You might notice how this can bring a smile to your face and have a motivating and uplifting effect.

Warmheartedness Oxytocin’s qualities of feeling connected with each other and of both loving and being loved are supported in our bodies by warmth that comes from the heart. This is both a metaphor for an attitude of loving-kindness and a literal sensation. When we feel warmer in our bodies, it is easier to relax and connect in a caring manner with each other, and when we extend loving-kindness it also literally raises our body temperature. The warmth of connection helps us lean into each other for support and comfort when we need it, enjoy our interactions and cultivate feelings such astrust, intimacy, compassion and belonging. We can also draw on the self-supportive touch of our own or another person’s hands for a warming, soothing and

comforting effect. As with grounding, warmheartedness can also be an antidote for anxiety and provide the sense of physical safety and nurturing that can lead us away from depression, too.

Brief Experience of Warmheartedness Call to mind a dear friend or loved one. Imagine they are with you now and feel into the energy that flows between your hearts and eyes. Notice how this connection can warm your heart, relax and warm your body from the inside out and help you breathe more easily. You might notice when you feel this way that you are more able to open to your vulnerability, too, as your heart might open more to your feelings.

Endurance and Perseverance Our endurance and perseverance, which are physical expressions of the endorphin experience, can be promoted through these physical skills and so are not focused on separately in this book. For example, strength together with fluidity, agility and flexibility can help by strengthening our resolve, keeping up our energy levels and determination and giving us exciting, motivating aspirations to move towards. Grounding can be supportive by helping us manage our energy levels well. Warmheartedness can help, too, by soothing our emotional wounds and reminding us to follow our hearts.

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

31

EDITORIAL JAN UARY-F E B RUARY 202 5

Editorial Roberta Gazzarolle Art Gisely Fernandes Digital Media & Sales adsales@retailinginsight.com Contributing Writers Noa Belling Melinda Carver Julie Loar Karen Stuth Amber C. Snider Retailing Insight Magazine is a bimonthly trade magazine specializing in the conscious living retail market. The magazine is published exclusively for qualified retailers and small independent businesses in the United States. Our mission is to share one on business advice, product reviews, advertisement from top sellers and makers in the industry, and exclusive topics to help business continue to thrive.

©2025 New Way Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. ISSN 2372-7977.

Volume 39/ Issue 1/ January-February 2025. The magazine is published bimonthly/ six times a year (January, March, May, July, September, November) by New Way Publishing, LLC.

WWW.RETAILINGINSIGHT.COM Retailing Insight Magazine is published by New Way Publishing, LLC. Charlotte, NC 28220 circ@retailinginsight.com

32

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025

|

33

34

|

RETAILING INSIGHT January-February 2025