Writing Creatively With Spirit

A journey of psychic discovery


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AWESOME 2015

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Practicing the masked dance for my play

2015 was an AWESOME year, despite being a year of challenges. In November 2014 I attended a numerology course and was told that I needed to go back to the period of my life between 18 and 27 years to clear up emotional issues if I didn’t want to carry them into my next 9 year cycle.

I began that work in earnest in January and was totally unprepared for the upheaval it would cause in my life. One issue was so intense that I experienced a panic attack for the first time in my life.

When I came out of it I marveled at how we can bury things so deeply that we forget that they are there… or we convince ourselves that such things no longer affect us. However, with the promise of a smoother path ahead I was prepared to dig deep, stir up the murky waters, open the doors on the demons and let them out. I was prepared to look them in the face and declare that I was no longer afraid of them.

I shed a lot of tears, and without the support and encouragement of my friends and ancestral spirit guides I would probably have given up.

In May, just when I thought I’d turned the corner I suddenly and medically inexplicitly lost most of the sight in my right. Again I leaned heavily on earthly and heavenly support and was carried on the love of both.

I knew that there had to be a reason, and as the medical profession had drawn a blank I looked to the spiritual realm. My diminished physical sight resulted in enhanced third eye vision and a deepening of my connection to spirit.

From the world of spirit solutions came effortlessly to issues I’d been battling with for years, and they were so elegantly presented that it took my breath away… and many of the people around me who had known of my struggles.

Despite the reduced sight I still managed to complete my play and perform extracts from it, (though it is yet to be performed in its entirety).

I took a fairy tale holiday to Barbados which included a 7 day cruise for my birthday around some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean.  I built a log cabin at the bottom of my garden which is now the most amazing rehearsal, meditation, yoga, just-sit -and -be-quiet space.

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I’ve re-connected with my Reiki and have been reminded of the power of universal healing energy. I finally experienced and understood the difference between the real world and this illusory one, and found an inner peace that carried me through some of my most difficult moments.

I’ve spent time with friends and family, offered and received support, laughed a lot, loved and have been loved.

It was an AWESOME year. Looking forward to 2016. Hope to see more of you then.


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Ordination

Catherine lighting her candle

Catherine lighting her candle

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the ordination of two of my friends, Catherine Hughes and Monica Douglas-Clarke as OneSpirit Interfaith Ministers..The event was held at the Second Church of Christ Scientist, Notting Hill, in London.

In what I can only describe as a moving, and at times spectacular, ceremony 28 new ministers were given their licence to practice.

The 28 bnew ministers and their mentors and supporters

The 28 new ministers and their mentors and supporters

It was an honour to share the journey with Catherine as her supervisor for the two years of the course.

Reverend Catherine Hughes (and me)

Reverend Catherine Hughes (and me)

There was a part of me that felt like a proud parent because I know just how many personal challenges she had to overcome to arrive at this place.

Monica and Catherine during the ceremony

Monica and Catherine during the ceremony

The event ended with a blistering performance of Taiko Drums lead by Liz Walters

Taiko drummers lead by Liz Walters

Taiko drummers lead by Liz Walters


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Back with my writing family

Writers Without Borders sign

Writers Without Borders sign

It was lovely to be back with Writers Without Borders today having missed 2 meetings. Surprised and pleased that the Hippodrome has given us our very own sign so guests no longer have to guess where we are.

I shared a piece I wrote in 2010 ‘Caribbean Cowboy’, but have never read in public. I was extremely pleased with the way it was received. It is such an affirming group! Loved hearing everyone else’s pieces too. Felt like I was back with family.


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Family Constellation

Brockhampton Parish Hall was host to the Family Constellation

Brockhampton Parish Hall was host to the Family Constellation

I spent yesterday at a Family Constellation event in Brockhampton, Herefordshire, trying to find an underlying spiritual cause for my loss of sight as the medical professional cannot come up with a satisfactory one. What, I hear you ask, is Family Constellation?

Family Constellations is a gentle and profound way of looking at and bringing healing to situations that hold us back and create unhappiness in our lives.

Fields of poppies in the sun at Brockhampton at 9 a.m.

Fields of poppies in the sun at Brockhampton at 9 a.m.

They can uncover hidden dynamics and loyalties which entangle us with others, helping us to discover ways of healing and resolution, whether it be related to family, friendships, professional life or community. When the inner order of the family is re-established with love, the way is free for our own potential and task. The process can be deeply moving and often shows surprising solutions.

Charaka Satyam Danaher

Brockhampton Parish Church with a beautiful thatch roof.

Brockhampton Parish Church with a beautiful thatch roof.


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Loss of sight

I write this inform, not to alarm.

Bees gathering nectar. A reminder that there is still sweetness in my life.

Bees gathering nectar. A reminder that there is still sweetness in my life.

On Friday 1st May (May Day) I lost the sight in my right eye. It was sudden. I was at the gym and at first thought my vision was blurred by sweat. Later when I left the gym I realised I couldn’t see out of my right eye.

I actually put this down to being tired and determined that a good breakfast and a bit of rest would put this right. Only after a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on toast, washed down with my favourite green tea, did I think to look up the condition on the internet.

Advice was to get to a specialist without delay, so I walked the ten minutes to the opticians who said ‘get to the eye hospital straight away.’ I took their advice, ordered a taxi and was there 15 minutes later – two hours after the initial loss.

Despite being assessed as urgent I waited 4 hours before being seen by a doctor who, after seeking two lots of opinions told me that sadly I would never regain sight in my eye. There were several things they could have done to try to help me regain my sight but they all had to be carried out within a 6 hour window and sadly I was just 15 minutes outside that window.

‘Oh,’ I said not really sure how to take it all in. ‘Has anyone ever recovered from this blockage to the artery?’ I wanted to know.

‘Not to my knowledge,’ he said, and I could see it pained him to have to be the bearer of such bad news.

I heard my voice, as though from afar say to him ‘nothing is lacking that is needed, and nothing is included that is contradictory or irrelevant. If this is in my life there must be a reason. It’s important that I find the reason for this.’

He looked at me as though the shock had been too much for me and had tipped me over an invisible edge. He went on to explain that they were baffled as to why I had experienced this blockage as I was a) too young and b) too physically fit and healthy in other ways to fit the profile for this condition. They therefore wanted to hand me over to a medical team for a full medical assessment.

Without boring you with the interim details I was referred to the HASU (Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit) at Heartlands hospital for further tests. Again, not wishing to bore you with the details all the tests came back negative, but it was deemed prudent for me to stay overnight for observations. I was offered a high dose of aspirin to begin the blood thinning process, a precaution against further blockages in the body. As I’m a little averse to medication I declined.

It’s not easy to sleep on an intensive care ward. There are hourly monitoring, other very distresses patients, and constant bleeping of mentoring machines. I used the time to meditate and to journey inward. I consulted with my higher self and my intuitive guides to find the answers to the cause of the condition and what I needed to do to put it right. I refused to accept that my sight was gone forever.

The following morning I saw the consultant who amended the earlier diagnosis. He said a few people with this condition never regain their sight, a few regained all of their sight, and all the others sat somewhere between the two extremes. So, thought I, the diagnosis has caught up with my belief.

I have been prescribed a blood thinning drug and satins – both of which carry the potential of side effects, adding complications to an otherwise healthy body.

Last night I was advised (via a message at the spiritualist church) that onions naturally perform both functions of the drugs I’ve been prescribed.

I’d be happy to hear from anyone who has experienced this condition.

Unfortunately as a result of this incident I was unable to partake in many of the activities I had planned for the weekend. I did not do my dance choreography on Friday. Did not attend my writer’s meeting on Saturday or give my presentation at the Bible study group. I did not perform belly dance and poetry at my friend’s birthday party on Sunday for which I truly, truly sorry.

I have however experienced overwhelmed love sent by so many of you. I’ve been touched by the offers of help and assistance, and the gifts of food and vitamins. Your positive energy has lifted me, kept my spirits high. It is what I crave. As I said, this is not to alarm.

I continue to look for the cause and the cure on a spiritual as well as physical level. Your continued love and positive wishes are greatly appreciated.


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On the Face of It

Ita Gooden reads from her collection of poems 'On the Face of It'

Ita Gooden reads from her collection of poems ‘On the Face of It’

Ita Godden aka Miss Culture Jam aka C J Lewis had a triumphant launch of her first collection of poetry On the Face of It at the Nuvo Cocktail Bar in Brindley Place Birmingham last night – April 24.

Hosted by Sue Brown and chaired by Roy McFarlene (Birmingham 2010-11 Poet Laureate) we were treated to delicious mix from Ita’s ‘book of life’.

 

 

Roy McFarlene chairing the  night

Roy McFarlene chairing the night

She read love poems, poems about the absurdities of life, touching poems about her parents and a few raunchy near the knuckle poems. Some accompanied by musicians, others standing on the strength and fluidity of Ita’s voice.

Sue Brown hosting the night

Sue Brown hosting the night

Ita looked beautiful in blue and her energy gave everyone else permission to let go and enjoy themselves. Her friends and family came out to support her. Guests included Birmingham’s Young Poet Laureate Serena Arthur.

Serena Arthur Birmingham Young Poet Laureate 2014-15

Serena Arthur Birmingham Young Poet Laureate 2014-15

Despite the ample size of the room there was standing room only for latecomers.

It was a lovely, lovely night. A triumph!


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Minister’s day

Reverend Stephen Bentley and some the congregation at Journey MCC

Reverend Stephen Bentley and some the congregation at Journey MCC

I met with two ministers on Sunday. One was conducting his first service as a permanent pastor after some time in a temporary position. We were a mixed bunch from all walks of life. It’s also a place where lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) feel welcomed.

Reverend Stephen Bentley

Reverend Stephen Bentley

As I looked around at the small congregation I couldn’t help feeling proud of my friend who, like Jesus, has chosen to minister to those people who are considered outcasts and abominations. I asked myself, How could God have created anyone less than perfect? Who are we to question his creation and worse to deem his creation ‘wrong’ in some way? It was a lovely service and I felt privileged to have been a part of it,

Me and the Reverend Stephen Bentley

Me and the Reverend Stephen Bentley

I met the other pastor in a university library some hours later. An accomplished dramatist, he helped me to get beyond my writer’s block. He reminded me that in writing a play the emphasis needs to be on PLAY. Apparently I’ve been taking it all a little too seriously.

By the time I left him I was much lighter because he help me to create a new structure and a new vision.


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Transforming Numerology

Numerology transforms. I knew it was a way of signposting what could happen in the future by understanding the energy in our names and date of birth. I was unprepared for the spiritual transformation that happened on the 6 day intensive foundation course at the Connaissance School of Numerology in Royston, Hertfordshire. It definitely wasn’t just about the numbers.

Brilliant teacher Sonia Ducie guided us through some rocky inner journeys to bring us out safely at the other end. Lots more processing to do.

The 15th century venue sits on top of Royston Cave, a Templar’s cave previously used for  initiation. Also the St Michael and St Mary ley lines meet under the building. How could it not have been transformational?

Looking forward to starting the Diploma in February.


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Black History Month Specials

Afrovibes party night

Afrovibes party night

Black History Month is special for me this year. It’s the first time I’ve managed to catch some of the shows in the Afrovibes Festival. A troupe of South African artists who come to Britain bi-annually to share there considerable talents with us.

I saw Rainbow Scars at the MAC and was stunned by the quality of the writing and performance. I took part in the Q&A session afterwards in the Township Cafe – the Arena Bar South African style. I went along to hear what other people had to ask and ended up asking most of the questions myself.

Met the delightful Sandra Hall of Friction Arts and discovered new possibilities for performance spaces.

I was gutted that I wasn’t able to make it to see award winning band The Soil and all female group Mamela but I need not have worried. They were performing as part of the end of Afrovibes party at the Drum on Saturday night. And they were amazing.

The Soil

The Soil

Mamela

Mamela

Rhetorical

Rhetorical

It made sense to take in Rhetorical, a play based on Thabo Mbeki’s speeches while he was president of South Africa. Not a moving as Rainbow Scars but touching in places.

It was a feast of a night as I’d also arrived in time to see a ballet performance of Flat Out (a community dance programme).

By the time I staggered home in the wee hours of the morning I was happy that the clocks going back would give me an extra hour in bed.

I’m planning to see Solomon and Marion at the Rep next week.


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Becoming a numerologist

Connaissance School of Numerology course brochure

Connaissance School of Numerology course brochure

It felt like I was pulled to the Tree of Life Festival at the weekend – despite my reluctance to make it a priority. Having applied twice for a free ticket and not been successful I’d put it out of my mind. Very late on Friday night I realised I had, indeed, been granted a free ticket.

Exhausted from the night before I didn’t make it till after midday – but it didn’t matter because the people I’d been drawn there to see were not speaking till the Sunday.

Listening to Nicolas David Ngan talk about using numbers to decode your soul contract using your birth name (i.e. on on your birth certificate) was fascinating.

But it was Sonia Ducie and her use of numerology to analyse dreams that drew me to the training courses offered by the Connaissance School of Numerology.

Their certificate and diploma courses offer just about everything I’ve been looking to learn about numerology using an esoteric approach.

When I explained to Sonia Ducie that the numerology section of this blog gets the greatest hits, and that the information there is taken from Numerology Gems she said ‘I wrote that book.’

Did I need any more reason to sign up?

The certificate starts on the 17th November. I’ll keep you posted on how I get on.