I spent this afternoon out with my yoga teacher friend Sue, driving around West Oxfordshire whilst we were busy marketing ourselves and our services. Would you ever think that marketing and advertising could be such fun? But it was, great fun!

We went direct to Chipping Norton, a small Cotswold market town where we have successfully advertised before, and we know exactly where to go! First, we found a small cafe that we hadn't seen before and went in for a coffee - especially a we'd seen posters in their side window. Low and behold, inside as we ordered our refreshments, we noticed a cork board where others had pinned small flyers and an assortment of business cards. As we waited for our coffees to be made, we chatted to the young women behind the counter who readily agreed that we could add our information there free of charge. How kind!

We sat down and when our drinks were brought over, we engaged them in conversation and jollity, for both of us were in a joyful mood. They were very interested in my readings, we spoke to them about the importance of social media in contemporary advertising and encouraged them to set up a Face Book page and Twitter account for their business. We even explained how to set it up and how to use it! We thoroughly enjoyed the coffees, honestly the best decaff I have ever tasted and they even served it with soya milk for me! So, if you enjoy your coffee with a dairy free milk option, head for Grind & Dine where you will be catered for and looked after really well.

We left and crossed the road to pin some of Sue's flyers on a notice board, and on turning round, there was the cafe owner taking photo's of her cafe - hopefully ready for her Face Book business page! We'd not only had a lovely chat with them, enjoyed some fun, but had also inspired them; and to me that is what life is all about. Inspiring others, empowering others and showing them the way, by sharing our experiences.

Then we went via a nice old fashioned newsagents, to Oats the health food store where we also left business cards and flyers. it may be only a small shop, but it is chock full of a marvelous range of health foods. I avoid wheat as much as I can, and bought 4 packs of non wheat crispbreads - spelt, multi grain, oat cakes and some made from chestnut flour. These will keep me going for ages. I was really surprised that no other readers were advertising there, so my new business cards are nice and prominent.

We carried on, calling into small shops and putting up our adverts where we could, and called into the most wonderful little deli we had found on a previous visit to the town. I just had to go in and buy some cheese - they have the most wonderful range of unusual, regional cheeses that you can't buy in the supermarkets, including some lovely locally made ones.  Did I buy a local cheese? Nope, I am a fan of blue and soft cheese, so I bought a rather nice traditional gorgonzola (after tasting it first!) along with 3 others. Oh boy, the aroma when I open the fridge is powerful! but i don't mind, it's delicious and along with having lots of laughs and fun today as we worked, we also supported small, independent local specialist shops and everyone was so obliging.

Yesterday, I was working at Cricklade Psychic Fayre, a fayre I've not worked at before. It was a nice day, the fayre was smaller than I am used to working at but it was a very nice experience.

I had barely finished setting up my table when the first client sat down and asked for a reading. She was swiftly followed by another lady. It was a good start to the day.

I mentioned in an earlier blog, that clients are drawn to me, and they very often are going through experiences similar to those I have already been through; so that I can connect with them more easily and say with conviction, 'I do know what you are going through.... and this is how I survived it....'

It was so very true yesterday, several women who are at a crossroads in all areas of their life at once, all desperately trying to hold on and not go with the changes. And the inner changes are just as important (if not more so) than the outer changes that they are facing.

Some of them (despite being very spiritual women, well connected with Angels and spirit) felt that they were very alone, abandoned and couldn't feel a connection at all. Couldn't feel the loving and supportive presence of the Angel and spirit. Yet round them, I could clearly see a number of Angels very close, comforting hands on their shoulders. I could hear the encouraging words of the angelic presences which of course, I passed on. I was able to reassure them, that despite not feeling the presences, the Angels and spirit guides were still there, trying to help but getting a little frustrated as the women were not in a space where they could hear the messages and guidance for themselves. But it will return, for all of them.

 I could also see with clarity what they needed to do to be able to help themselves at this stage of their collective journeys. It mainly included 'letting go', going with the flow, trusting, having faith and patience that all would be resolved in Divine Timing. And I have been there.......

I could see for each of the women, that if they followed the guidance and learned the lessons they were facing as channeled through me, they would come through okay; that it would all work out for them. I also explained that I too had been through this process only two years ago, and that letting go, surrendering to the process and going with the flow had been the best decision I had made. That as a result, everything did work out fine and life has taken an interesting yet satisfying direction since.

I took a very interesting call for a reading several days ago, from a lovely sounding woman who was having trouble with her love life. She kept finding herself attracted to men who were 'just not available' in one way or another, if you know what I mean. She found herself attracted to two men in particular, with a possible third she was interested in; and really hadn't had too much luck with love since her divorce.

A client messaged me yesterday and said "Your blog made me realize that on our journeys over the last few years none of us have been really alone. In the connected world of spirit we have been helping each other even those we personally don't know. As I create an energy change however small the others on this path are also helped forward."

Such lovely words from such a lovely lady that has been through much in recent years. And yes, we are never alone, even if we feel very alone, we never are. There have been times in my life, despite my strong connection with spirit and the Angels, despite my strong spirituality, that even I have felt alone. Totally alone, unable to feel them round me, unable to hear their words of encouragement.

It is then that I recall that lovely poem called 'Footprints in the sand', which I will reproduce here: 

Footprints in the sand
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed 
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:

"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

written by Carolyn Joyce Carty

And we are carried during those times, whether or not we feel it or see it. When I reflect back on those times, there was always someone there for me, reminding me that spirit and the Angels were with me, and I do believe my friends were acting on behalf of the angels to support me through and keep me going. We all go through tough times, and that's just when we don't need to hear  'what doesn't break you makes you stronger'. Yeah? Well it doesn't feel like that at the time, I can assure you! 

I have been told by spirit that I chose this life partly so I could teach others how to survive similar experiences by my example. It feels like a huge responsibility, but it's one I take on because at least it means that someone else doesn't need to suffer quite as much as I did; it helps me to make sense of what I've been through and be accepting of calling of my spiritual path. And no, I'm not angry or bitter, I am still here, I still keep learning the lessons my soul needs and help others along the way.

And of course, offering Angel card readings is another way that I can help and guide people. It is not a career path I would have consciously chosen; indeed I never imagined this is what I would be doing. But spirit and the Angels clearly have a plan for me, and I have been gently pushed in this direction; so I take it willingly and with love.

I have been blessed to help many people with my readings, it amazes me sometimes just what I see and it never ceases to amaze me how the clients that are drawn to me are going through similar experiences to ones I have gone through not long before. I am able to say with complete honesty and conviction "I do know how you feel"; and my wonderful spirit guide shows me what that client needs to do for their highest and greatest good, to enable them to move the situation forward. My guide shows them how to heal.
Blessed be.

I took a year off work and concentrated on my back. I went on a three week rehabilitation course (boy that was tough!), started pilates, hydrotherapy, Dru Yoga, went swimming and to the gym - every week! That was 5 exercise sessions each week, all designed to strengthen my core muscles, keep my spine flexible and build my stamina. Boy it was tiring. Slowly though, it began to help. I could stand up straighter, and didn't limp as much; it took ariiund 19 months of hard work.

Then I started to wonder what I could do now to earn some money, as the savings were running low. A friend of mine went through a dreadful life changing time - all in the space of a fortnight, and rang me several times to read the cards for her. Each time, I foresaw that she'd be okay, it would all work out at the 11th hour and 59th minute - which it did. She suggested that I started working for  a psychic telephone line, I didn't believe I was good enough. She recommended me to the MD who called me to organise a test reading. Must have done okay because I began working for them five days later.

I have to confess, using my psychic abilities was tiring, which I mentioned to the woman who ran the development circle that I was sitting in - she suggested that I begin to bring in my mediumship more, as then I'd be channelling and it would tire me less. So I tried it, and it worked; but even better than that, I started to 'pick' up even more than I had before. She then started pushing me to take private clients..... so I did...... and the rest, as they say, is history.

I still work on the telephone lines, it's a great way to work without having to leave the flat and I can choose when I work. Quite often, my lovely spirit guide will let me know when I need to log on - I will feel his strong hands on the top of my head and I know I need to work. I'll prepare myself, connect with him and log on - and very quickly I'll get a call from someone who needs to sort of reading that we (my guide and myself) offer.

Life is interesting, I never saw myself as becoming a 'reader', but spirit has pushed my to work in the way that they want me to - and for the highest and greatest good of all clients.

I couldn't believe it! Remember, every day I had pulled Angel cards for guidance and the same card 'Divine Timing' kept coming up - in other words, things will only happen when the time is right. On the morning of the move, the removal firm arrived at 8am, my friend Sue was there bright and early too, and I was in the kitchen, checking my horoscopes on my Blackberry. I don't now recall the exact planetary alignments for that day, but the message was clear - it was the perfect time for endings and new beginnings, one cycle was completed before the next one could begin. A deep shiver went through me as I realised that the move couldn't be happening on a more perfect day; although the waiting had been a test of my ability to trust and have faith that everything would work out, Divine Timing had been at work for a reason.

Letting go certainly wasn't easy, but knowing that spiritually this was had to happen, enabled me to let go and completely go with the flow. Trying to fight it, or hang on would have just made everything so much harder as it would have been working against and blocking the natural flow of energy. It took an enormous amount of trust and faith to get me through that period, but trust and faith were the huge lessons that I had to get to grips with. I put the house on the market and it was sold subject to contract within days..... it hadn't even been advertised properly! When you make the right choices, everything flows and goes the way it is meant to. Being spiritual and having my spirituality as the central core of my life and values does help during the tough times, and I called on the Angels so much! My mother even commented that I call on them so much that they must be worn out! Not at all, there are so many 'redundant' angels out there because people don't call on them enough; they are always glad to help. They want to help, they hate to see us struggling, but they won't help unless we ask, for we have free will and they cannot interfere with that.

Thursday April 11th 2013

Reflecting back over the last 5 years, it's amazing how much life has changed. If you'd told me then just what my life would be like now, I would never have believed you! Five year ago, I was a local government officer and practised the Angel healing in my spare time. Spare time? Was there any? Well not really! My youngest son and daughter were still living at home with me, my daughter had a baby - who also lived with me, we had a dog and I was commuting in and out of Oxford five days a week. Life was hectic, stressful and if I'm honest, a bit of a grind, but made bearable by the presence of Angels in my life.

I hated the job - I'd been redeployed into it after the previous job had gone due to funding cuts. The whole redeployment process had been a nightmare, we had been promised all this support and help, but it didn't materialise. Basically, we felt as though we'd been hung out to dry. We all gradually got sorted, but I was the last one - which was very hard emotionally. I was so fearful, afraid I'd never get another job, lose the house etc etc.

Fast Forward - I did get redeployed, the job might have been a match on paper, but the reality was far different. And my line manager -OMG! What can I say? She (bless her) was a nightmare and I ended up plunging into depression. But then the journey to that place had been difficult and stressful, and there's only so much anyone can take.

It was whilst in the job that I trained in Reiki and then Integrated Energy Therapy (IET) which is the Angelic healing I mentioned. The latter proved pretty life changing for me. I began working the Witney Psychic fayres as a healer, starting taking private clients at the weekends and I loved it! IET is such a powerful healing modality and it was wonderful to see people healing, growing and moving forward with their lives. I had an article about IET published in Kindred Spirit magazine which brought me many clients, including 7 who came regularly from London by public transport! Word spread and I had articles published in several more magazines, including Soul & Spirit; in the end there were several published by Soul including 2 in their one-off special Angel magazine.

Life went on, I was only in that last job for just over two years as the funding was cut and once again redundancy loomed. This time, I was less fearful, much more relaxed about the whole process, but then I'd been having regular IET myself, which paid dividends. This time, I did not want to be redeployed so put out a call to the Angels to bring me redundancy and allow me to practice IET full time. I also decided to train as an IET Master Instructor so that I could train others. I was already a qualified adult teacher and professional trainer so knew on the human level I could do it. 

The job ended, I was paid off with the equivalent of 6 months salary and launched myself. Two weeks after leaving, I went on the only Master Instructor training that has ever taken place in mainland Britain (how that was achieved is another story!); a totally wonderful 2 days filled with powerful Angelic presences and signs. It was July and we'd take our coffee breaks outside on the terrace, and each time I would come back in with several Angel feathers stuck to the back of my skirt!

I then began offering to train others in IET, which I thoroughly enjoyed and have trained people from all over the country - if someone really knows it is for them and they connect well with you; then they will travel.

Fast forward again - life, IET continued but then I started to develop back problems. It was September 2010, I found that when I got out of bed in the mornings, paid would shoot across my lower back, and very often I'd fall back on the bed because it was so intense. It took several hours for my back to loosen up so that I could stand up straight.

Eventually I went to the GP who ordered an MRI scan, which revealed severe osteoarthritis in my lumbar spine and 3 prolapsed discs. I don't think either of us had expected this, and I was pretty shocked. Intense physio sessions were sorted, but I got worse rather than better. By the summer of 2011, I gave in and realised I really couldn't carry on working as a healer. Being on my feet was increasing the pain so much, so I gave in and got myself signed off. I'd had to cancel so many clients and workshops that I was in financial difficulty and couldn't pay the mortgage. We'd moved into that house 9 years before, I'd had a Feng Shui consultant check it all out (I knew i had to be there but didn't know why), only to be told that the house was on part of the St Mary ley line and the house had been waiting for a strong woman to work with the energies. I went for a tarot reading, as although I instinctively felt the only option was to sell up, I needed to be sure I was doing the right thing and also wanted reassurance that everything would work out.Well, the reading showed me that yes it was the right thing, that I needed to let go of everything, including the furniture. I had to leave the past behind and move into a new life. And..... my work with the energies of the ley line were complete, it was time to go.