Good afternoon! What a lovely few days we have had, weather-wise and social-wise. My garden beckons, the beach beckons, and as always, the secrets of the universe beckon.

Before I get on with the Reading for the week ahead, I'd just like everyone to know I have made updates to the website which make it MUCH easier to navigate and to see the services we offer here. If you hover over the "Shamanic Sanctum" tab in the menu, you will now see clear options come up that can give you better laid out information. I have also created a page just for Bach Flower Remedy consultations as those are very popular as a standalone therapy outside of the shamanic healing work (as are Tarot Readings). Lastly, you will find a hovering "Support Us" button on every page. This is connected to the Ko-fi website and offers a convenient way to donate to Circles you attend, as well as any products bought, or any consultations outstanding. There is also a Kia Ora Lounge Circles Membership Tier, which is a fabulous way to contribute to all the Circles as well as giving yourself 10% off almost all services and products. 

Those are the updates. Now, on with the Reading, and today, I'm using one of my favourite decks of cards...

Spirit is asking us, over the next week, to be aware of things we cannot see (as in, understand there are things you do not know about your situation). If we, for example, have a "hidden illness" or are expressing strange symptoms, we are being asked to look for the root cause and to know it might not be easy to find without digging - rather just accept a surface answer to what is perhaps an out-of-norm problem. There is a need with the first two cards - The Moon and Four of Swords - to retreat and go within. You won't find answers to important questions and events "outside" next week, but by asking yourself the difficult questions and going deep inside, or to hidden places.

There is also an awareness needed that any fears you harbour may not be as serious or big as you think. The Moon as a tendency to enhance shadows and the landscape in the dark always looks different (and more scary) than in the brightness of day. Know this, and do not get swept away in scares that are unfounded. Illusions and deceptions can be strong when The Moon card appears, and while this can mean deception from an outside source, the answer is found in your emotional balance and knowing yourself well. Once you know yourself well, no fear of the dark need exist.

If you are, indeed, unwell, you are being asked to stop, and to take proper rest until recovered. There is a need to "go with the flow" and stop struggling against the tide, only because issues cannot be seen in their entirety and it could be that "time" (tides) is the only thing that will bring you what you seek. Going with the flow very much means to go with your instinct and integrity  and to make sure you do not struggle with yourself.

At its absolute best, the Four of Swords can suggest an end to a period of stress and strife, so do hold the higher vision of this being a reality, because it is certainly possible with The Empress to its right.

The Empress is a beautiful card to end on. It shows us that "new birth" (new beginnings) and the chance to begin anew in some way is around the corner. Not just new, but with the maternal quality emphasised (seen in both The Moon and The Empress). "Mother and children" issues may well be important and in focus next week; this is given emphasis by the fact that a woman and child is depicted in the stained glass window above the Knight in the Four of Swords. (Has he - you - been fighting for a "mother and child" cause? For the future generation?) Perhaps you need to save your strength for this maternal drive (about to come to light under the Empress card) and/or forging that new beginning.

The Moon and The Empress are quite contrasting Major Arcana cards (and form an interesting, stark polarity) that frame a period of needed rest before emergence, and it could be that some important revelation is brought to you by the end of next week that you just couldn't grasp or foresee. So ... tread carefully and go slow at the beginning of the week, and allow for answers to surface in their own time, because they will. Do not rush to make important life decisions next week, especially ones that will have an impact on your health, energy, and future resources.

Lastly, it should be noted that the Four of Swords is about protecting the mind, body, and spirit, and making sure you are in a safe place from harm, whether literally, or within yourself. It marks retreating from the battlefield and pulling yourself out of the line of fire. This card is depicted by the effigy of a knight on a tomb, finally back from war to find sanctuary in a temple or church, his hands in a position of prayer. Protect yourself and rest or retreat this coming week. Hidden things will come to light. If you take your rest now, you will have the strength to step back into the world when the time is right.

Carry Moqui Marbles with you (Shaman Stones), and keep yourself very, very balanced.

If I had a pound for every time, over the past 18 months, my cards or channelled messages said, "go forth into a bright future with optimism and trust", I'd be rich(er). Yet, we have a similar message again in this week's Reading. I've been out and about a lot the past few weeks - shops, parks, seaside, fairground rides, etc, etc. Life is bustling where I am, and people are trying to thrive and stay happy despite aspects of the immediate future being unknown. Hardest of all is when these aspects directly affect you. It's easy to find this optimism when you're an outside observer to many problems, but when they're immediately affecting your own life and you have to make pivotal decisions based on them, it's much harder to muster this force of joy and faith.

Yet, here is this week's Reading....

The Queen of Cups - depicted here by the constellation, Andromeda - asks us to be still, receptive, empathic, and look beyond what we can see. We must be our own counsellor and our own spiritual guide - and such to others, too, if they would like our guidance. There is a time of suppression and repression at hand, yet this spread is asking us to find and focus on freedom and expression despite any evidence to the contrary, and see this moment in our lives as a new doorway to something that is yet unknown.

This is where the element of trust comes in, depicted by The Fool card which represents "the big bang" in this deck (the middle card). Something new is emerging and will emerge, and while it can manifest itself as a chaotic and dominant force to be reckoned with, there is also a delicacy needed in this emergence of the new. The butterfly must be very gentle when breaking its way out of the chrysalis it built to protect its old and new bodies - one wrong move and it won't survive. So, be gentle with yourself and the world, even if it seems harsh and unforgiving. These are projections of perception - the reality is a birth that brings a miracle in spite of its messy, loud, and bloody appearance.

The Eight of Wands is the last card and represents a Supernova - the moment a large star explodes at the end of its life. Its very core bursts and it flings its matter and light out in all directions, not caring where the pieces go as long as the need of the rupture (rapture?) is met. The message of this card is to focus all that energy and force into a direction. Channel it. Know what you want and make it so as you ride on this explosive wave that's coming, because you can't stop it - you can make the best of it, though.

The coming week is likely to have a very explosive nature and the emittance of the force described above. There is both birth and death in this spread. Things might happen fast and if you are sensitive (which is a true strength, not a weakness), you may find elements of "reality" difficult. Be the empathic, intuitive voice within the chaos and govern the week with trust and faith. Try and see the world and events in your life through the eyes of a child - an adventure - and be open to new ideas and opportunities. Do not be afraid of harsh realities, but mould them into the reality you want and know exists. Or perhaps it is more accurate to say be the reality you know exists, because in truth, you don't need to mould anything - you only need to accept existence and ride its ecstasy into the future you want. Trust your instincts and gut feelings this coming week - not what you see around you.

Moldavite is good for helping you trust in the unknown and navigate better those harsh realities; Nzuri Moyo is a relatively new stone I mentioned last week, which can help you find the inner-strength needed for the above.

Here is what has occupied my mind the past few weeks (and this is my personal understanding and belief): a shaman's job is to keep balance - of his/her tribe or community, of the wider world, of the world in the universe, and of himself. Balance (and I am speaking predominantly of energetic balance which can also be manifested as diseases, emotions, mental states, etc) ensures the earth does not "tip" and fall into the underworld or the upper world, for either would mean an "end" to nature and the middle world (the third dimensional world) as we know it. The shaman takes his cue from nature itself which shows him that duality (the circle of life) is present and necessary for this world to function, and that the loss of duality would mean the loss of balance, physical lives, and ultimately, everything. Keeping this balance is his job until he is told otherwise by Great Spirit. (This "role of the shaman" may very well have differed - and widely so - from tribe to tribe and country and country. What I have described above is simply what I align to.)

Condensed into more practical, every day usage, I consider this on par with helping everyone find their own healing and balance and clear their karma on their journey in this world (among a few other things). The only way for me to do that is to remain completely impartial to their journey as everyone's reality and life journey is their own - everyone has a unique soul contract. Anything the shaman expresses into the wider world should only be done so if it is in alignment with the mission of "keeping the world in balance".

This is, of course, if I am to take on the mantle of "shaman". Which I have been denying. I've never called myself a "shaman" as such, but within my consciousness I have been fully aware (through both a calling, childhood experiences and initiations, and past life memories) that I have been one and am supposed to bring that knowledge and practice through somehow, into the present day. No small task in a world where little mind is paid to such a way of being - especially in 2021.

To be impartial in the wider world - in today's age of inter-connectedness, shared opinions, and current events - requires a degree of skill I truly do not know if I am capable of. Please note, to be impartial does not mean "no action" or to deny suitable life decisions for myself - it means that I see all sides including yours, and I accept your side as your reality and perception of your truth, and expression of your wholeness. And I understand - or have faith in - how all sides connect to the bigger picture of the Great Mystery.

To be this "shaman" demands decorum and willpower, and absolutely no fear in the outcome of events.

I have recently come to the conclusion that the only way I can know if I am capable of such a feat is to do it. Throw myself in. That is the initiation. I do know that denying the role that is my calling has left me somewhat angry and agitated. It has led to a frustration and rashness that is not comfortable or correct for me and my path. To accept the calling, I suspect (and hope) will ease the imbalance and open new doors. I am apprehensive. Can I do it? Will I live up to expectations? Will I let people down by not doing things the way others expect? (That last question is the same question a lot of people are struggling with in their personal lives right now.)

I share the above for you - as a story, thought, or philosophy - to consider and resonate with (or not) in terms of this week's Reading below, which is for all:

There has been a period of mourning and sadness recently as seen in the Five of Cups; of disappointment in yourself or in the way something turned out; maybe bad decisions were made...

Do not dwell in regret. In the Ace of Wands, you are now given a chance to change it all and move in the correct direction. You are being given a chance to rebalance energies and move onto a path more suitable for you and what you want for your future. It will require a creative force like no other and some courage because missteps are possible, but it is all within your grasp now. A gift may be offered. An opportunity may come your way. A leap might be required - it might even be akin to a leap of faith - but you can do it.

The Rebirth card shows literally a rebirth. A chance to emerge renewed. A shedding of a cocoon to become the moth or the butterfly - the new creature that no one expects. A more evolved version of yourself. It is important to remember that no one can judge this "new you" except you. No one can judge your choices except you. But just as the butterfly must emerge (or it will die), so must you emerge. That is the calling and it is depicted in the Rebirth card (which is the Judgement card in traditional decks). It is the calling. You can't not follow it into emergence. So have trust - in yourself and in the world that offers you its gifts. And take that leap of faith.

The above is a message for all who reads it. If you have a calling to action something or birth something, right now - this coming week - is the time to do it.

Work with Quantum Quattro for the transformational process; Smoky Quartz for releasing the old cocoon; and Morganite or ​Nzuri Moyo for total trust in all of it.

August seems to have happened upon me before I could blink. I didn't even notice it was August and it's hard to believe school (for my daughter) starts again in about 4 weeks because it feels to me like the holidays aren't going to be long enough.

Last week, I floated along life and did not manage to post the weekly reading. Instead, I offered this on my page to make up for it.

So here is this week's reading... And the message (from the above patterns) is don't get caught up in things without awareness. Don't just float along, but forge your path - be the director and creator, and know where you are being pushed and pulled.

There are two distinct interpretations that came to mind as soon as I turned these cards - maybe one of them will mean something to those who read this (or even both).

1. A work situation might rear its head as a challenge, and it might even leave you feeling victimised in some way. The solution might be to "go your own way", or even find another job - perhaps one in which you have more independence. In any case, consider your values and how you want to proceed and consider carefully what is right for you. It's incredibly important you look after your mental health and keep yourself emotionally strong - this should take priority. Find a way to attain this.
2. In order to be able to work amicably and usefully with a certain group of people, everyone in that group needs to feel equal and like they are contributing something of worth (this does not have to be in a work/job situation, but could be in a relationship, social circle, etc). Find a way to make this happen. If it cannot happen, then it could be that you have to find a more independent route, or find a way to make your idea heard as equally as others. You might be called to change things around so this can happen. It is also imperative that you are not in a situation where you feel worried, or anxious, or bullied in any way, and if you do feel any of these things, trust in your skills, strength, and independence to make the necessary changes to so you can find peace and harmony.

There you go - quite succinct for this week.

Work with Tiger's Eye to help protect yourself telepathically and empathically from others' strong opinions (especially if they feel you are "less than" in some way); Aquamarine to help with communication; Citrine for personal power and strength; and Morganite for tapping onto unconditional love (for self and the lessons to be learnt in this situation).