Father’s Day is a day of celebration of our Fathers – or, if we did not have a great experience with our own father figures or male mentors, then it is a celebration of the concept of the Divine Male which we hold within each of us- expressed or unexpressed. Among the qualities of the Divine Male are Courage, Compassion, Strength, Honor, Integrity, Wisdom and Indomitable Spirit. When we come together on any specific day or any specific time to focus on and energize a concept, then we actually energize that quality within all human consciousness. In 2012 Father’s Day falls during the Balsamic Moon or Wishing Moon, the best time to Put Wishes On The Air (June 15th – 18th). It is also known as the Witch’s Moon, the best time  to Bring to Mind Those That Need Healing. Let’s ALL celebrate Father’s Day and may we all seek to express that which it embodies within our daily lives!!!

Imagination is the most powerful thing that we possess. It is the thought fueled by the intention (or emotional energy) behind it. That is why, if we have conflicting intentions/imagined things, the most powerful one will win out and be created… unless they are of equal value and then they may just cancel each other out and nothing happens.

Meditation studies have been done where, for instance, a group of thousands of people gathered in Washington, DC imagined/pictured/intended/meditated on peace; and the crime rate in DC went down significantly during the 10 days of gathering. That is the power of group intention. That is the importance of each of us SHIFT-ing out of old negative, reactive constructs or patterns in our lives.

It IS important to become aware of those “shadow aspects” (areas of darkness) in our selves and then to bring Light to that to transform it (rather than stuffing it down and burying it). That is why my co-author and I felt it was our purpose to write our first book “SHIFT: 12 Keys to Shift Your Life“. We noticed how so many people were not understanding the true power of creation that we all have as a God-given right of being human. It is important to become aware of the obstacles (by dancing in our ‘shadows’) we have each wittingly or unwittingly placed in our own path to creating heaven on earth rather than a personal hell of experiences.

We are, in fact, assisting with the continuation of creation from the time of “The Beginning”/Genesis/Original Creation. There is a piece of God creating through each of us in our life and on this earth. Unlike the archangels and angels, however, we are not directly impulsed by the will of God. We have been granted our own Divine Free Well… we have the gift (or some might say the curse… grin) of CHOICE. We are very powerful in our choices. We choose and are responsible for our own thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

If we do not like what we created yesterday, then we have the chance to choose differently (or to imagine differently) today. How wonderful!! We learn from our choices… no matter what we choose.. we learn either who we truly are (our True Essence) or who we are not (the creation of our Trickster/Shadow energy). We are so loved no matter what we create. For how could God/Source/Universe/Spirit experience every aspect of creation if it were not for each of us creating a little bit differently from one another? It is all good ultimately… as strange as that may sound… as we all learn from one another. We are reflections of one another. If I am truthful, then is there not a shadow aspect inside of me that might not be unlike a Hitler or a shooter in a bell tower somewhere? When have we been a terrorist in our own life to our self, to others in our relationships or in the world? There is something for us to reflect on in everything that is out there in the world… yet if we send our energy to something and focus on it regularly, then we will further energize and fuel it. (Something to think about when we attend certain movies or watch certain tv shows, etc.)

The importance of reflection/meditation/prayer is to make certain that we remain connected to the awareness of who we are and where we come from… and to allow an impulse or connection to our purpose to flow into our life. And, yes, I believe that we each have both a personal and grander purpose in this wonderful universe that we live in… Smile. And we are so loved whether we just work on some personal issues here of if we also work on stepping into our grander purpose. If we do not SHIFT our own personal “stuff” (faulty thoughts or “sins” that do not resonate with the vibration of love and compassion that we each truly are as a piece of the Original creator), then we are often too wrapped up in drama, chaos and suffering that prevents us from being aware and stepping into what is on the wondrous grander scheme of things.

Become aware of the beautiful universes within you… and then become aware of the beautiful universes surrounding you! What a joy this journey is!!

The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.)

*Check out The Shift Doctors’ books at the Amazon link by clicking here and the Meditation CDs at the digstation link by clicking here

**The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about them at www.shiftyourlife.com .

The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) have been following and supporting the wonderful research that our friends at The Institute of Heart Math heartmath.org. have been doing for more than 20 years. We feel moved to share their work on our website.

Their studies have shown overwhelmingly that people’s lives can measurably improve when they sincerely engage their heart qualities. It is what HeartMath calls being heart-focused or practicing heart-based living. Among the most powerful transformative qualities of the heart are: Love, Care, Compassion and Appreciation.

Change at the Speed of Point O
There has been a lot written and talked about in recent years of a great shift in global consciousness, which many say has actually been under way for decades. They believe its pace has begun accelerating, especially since the start of the new millennium. The evidence, they say, lies in the countless millions of people who’ve become actively involved in the caring small groups, large organizations and global projects that have emerged during this period. The shared purpose of these is to usher in a new era of harmony and peace and improve all people’s lives as well as the planetary environment.

The Institute of HeartMath and the Global Coherence Initiative (GCI), which the institute established in 2008, are part of this shift. They’ve reached people in more than 50 nations, guiding them in accessing their heart qualities and adding greater ease and flow during these rapidly changing times.

The Point O™ Technique – Following are the steps of this HeartMath tool, which is effective for increasing access to the qualities of the heart and more ease and flow:
Practice inner ease by going deep inside your heart and stilling your mental and emotional energy. Feel love radiating from your heart as you breathe quietly in the stillness. Don’t look for experience; just be. This helps create inner coherence and quiets mind chatter so your heart’s intuitive intelligence can flow more easily.
Radiate love to any judgments about yourself, others or situations so you can neutralize this negative energy and clear out roadblocks that hinder your spirit.
Stay focused on the inner stillness while you consciously breathe love and peace into the environment. Gently excuse any thoughts that come up, positive or negative.
Imagine Point O as a pristine circle of peace in which you are sitting. If thoughts come, don’t push against them. Just casually focus on breathing love and peace into the stillness.

* Adapted from The Shift is Accelerating: Patience to Point O, a webinar presented by HeartMath Executive Vice President Howard Martin.

Below is a new video from HeartMath  which gives an overview of the important role of the heart in personal and global coherence and how our personal energetics shapes our social relationships and ultimately affects global consciousness.

Hope these tips and tools are helpful –

Loads of Light to all!

Tracy Latz, M.D.and Marion Ross PhD.  (a.k.a. “The Shift Doctors”)

**The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on Energy Medicine personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about their books, DVD’s, CD’s and tools for personal transformation at www.shiftyourlife.com.

Memorial Day was originally called ‘Decoration Day’ and was established as a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Memorial Day was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. It is a date of remembrance, honor and reconciliation. For many who have recently lost loved ones who served and gave their all for what they believed in, it can be a day of grieving over the fresh pangs of loss of their father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, friend, comrade or loved one.

Memorial Day is now celebrated in almost every state on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 – 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays). For many this is most of what this holiday represents to them: a 3-day break from work or school to plan a vacation around.

Red Poppies began to be used as a symbol to wear in of honor those who had died in war or in service after Moina Michael wrote in 1919 the verse:

“We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.”

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps”, a musical piece sounded by the U.S. military nightly to indicate that it is “lights out“.

Whether or not you ‘believe’ in war, military action, or the idea of choosing to serve your country, it is appropriate to give solemn remembrance and honor to the brave men and women who have chosen to preserve and protect us, our families and our nation. It is not a day for division; it is a day for unity.

Grief: Be aware that there will be some who are grieving their loved one on this day. Last Memorial Day fell exactly a week after my brother, TSgt John Bradford Thompson, had died after serving 30+ years in the U.S. Air Force. The day was filled with many tears as well as many stories and thoughts of my brother’s antics in childhood and when on leave from the military as well as his tales of some of his experiences while serving.

Remembrance vs. Honor: To remember someone is to recall them, their life, their stories and what they loved and believed in. To honor someone is to do more than remember; it is to pay respect to the greatest highest good that was reflected by that person in their life. When we honor someone, we acknowledge how they most brightly shone their inner Light in the world during their life. By honoring that Light within them, we continue to keep that Light flowing in the world today. It keeps them alive in our hearts and in the world. It brings inspiration to all of us to reach for our own highest potential in shining our own Light of our True Essence into the the world.

This post is dedicated to my brother, Brad, who will live on in my heart, will be remembered in the tales I tell to my children (and there are many… grin), and whom I honor on this Memorial Day. He stood up for what he truly believed in and gave his all to his family and his friends… and his country. When the fireflies begin to dance in the air this summer, I will recall chasing them with him in childhood and know that he is dancing in the light of the stars now as well as in the Light of his True Essence.

Let’s all take a moment this Memorial Day to be in meditation and get into our hearts to send out Love to all who are grieving, remembering or honoring their loved ones. Let us also surround those loved ones who are no longer walking the earth with compassion, peace, Love and Light as well.

Bright Blessings to all on this Memorial Day!

Tracy Thompson Latz, M.D. (with Marion Ross, Ph.D.) – The Shift Doctors

*****The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about them at www.shiftyourlife.com

*Check out The Shift Doctors’ books, videos & CDs at the Shift Your Life Site http://www.shiftyourlife.com/shift-store/

The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) receive questions regularly from students and readers asking why they fall asleep during meditation. After responding “well what were you doing last night” and “are you sleep deprived” our next question is “are you resisting going within”? But beyond all the answers which have to be tailored to each individual, we have 2 solutions to keep you awake during meditation~ The Six Minute Warm Up and The 5 Minute Routine.

The 6 Minute Warm Up for the body is not only a series of wise moves to lubricate your joints before you start your day after a night of rest or prior to qigong, tai chi or any strenuous physical activity, but is also an excellent tool to become present for meditation. Doing the The 5 Minute Energy Routine gets your energies crossed over and humming. Either one of these tools will give you great benefits for the body and mind. Now you can stay awake while “going within”. Combining these 2 tools just may Shift Your Life®!

The Six Minute Warm Up

Who says that meditating can’t be a complete daily energetic practice?

The Five Minute Energy Routine

We wish you well in your inner and outer journey!

Tracy & Marion (“The Shift Doctors” a.k.a. Tracy Latz, M.D.,M.S., & Marion Ross, Ph.D.)

**The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about them at www.shiftyourlife.com and more about their multidimensional tools at www.multidimensionalhealingcenter.com

Whether you want to transform your Business or Shift Your Life, Health, Relationships, “The Shift Doctors” can assist with Giving You the Keys to Shift Your Life®!

1. Our latest book for Entrepreneurs is Entrepreneurial Alignment: How to Overcome Self-Sabotage in Business. If you opt into our website on our home page, you can get the introduction “Shift Beyond the Guru” and first chapter “1st Business Shift: How We Define Our Self and Our Core Values”. This book is a psychological primer for entrepreneurs who have either studied entrepreneurship, spent thousands of dollars on courses from business gurus, or read many business books and yet still struggle to achieve success or feel stuck. Doctors Ross and Latz give you insightful information to help you understand why you have failed and how you may have inadvertently created your own worst business nightmare. The authors openly discuss the art of psychological self-sabotage and then give readers specific tools, techniques, and mindful exercises to assist with removing the roadblocks on your path to success. This book is available in paperback and in Kindle edition. Have a Look Inside the Book by clicking here.

2. Our best-selling books SHIFT: 12 Keys to Shift Your Life  and Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation are available in hardcover (12 keys book only), paperback and kindle. The original Shift book gives powerful insight into the 10 core issues that create distress and a sense of lack and futility in our lives, our bodies and our relationships. The 12 Keys are given to assist with transforming feelings of unworthiness, guilt, shame, anger, fear of the unknown, powerlessness, heartbreak, loss and lack of self-love via rapid, easy-to-use tools that include qigong, EFT (with specific tapping protocols), and powerfully transforming meditations. The original book also contains metaphysical meditations and tools based on the ancient wisdom of use of vibration, color and sound specific to each issue addressed in the book  to rebalance energy centers and chakras in the body. The woman’s guide book is a no-nonsense book that puts important points in bold print and does NOT include any of the chakra meditations and does not include the metaphysical use of color, sound, toning for healing purpose. You can have a look inside the 12 Keys book by clicking here.

3. We have our Shift Your Life® Guided Meditations from our books on CDs and in downloads on Amazon as well as on iTunes. You can hear samples of these by clicking here.

4. We also have Instructional DVDs for the more serious seeker that address more intensive use of vibrational medicine healing modalities, metaphysical discussions, how-to videos and other tools. You can browse through the selections by clicking here.

5. Lastly, if you learn better in Live Classes and Seminars, you can find out where we are teaching next by clicking here; or you can contact us at info@ShiftYourLife.com to arrange a class or seminar near you at your facility or for your group, business or conference.

It would be our great joy to assist with your transformation.

We wish you well in your inner and outer journey!

Tracy & Marion (“The Shift Doctors” a.k.a. Tracy Latz, M.D.,M.S., & Marion Ross, Ph.D.,Mh.D.)

**The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about them at www.shiftyourlife.com and more about their multidimensional tools at www.multidimensionalhealingcenter.com

Meet The Shift Doctors: Marion Ross, Ph.D. holds doctorates in Holistic Healing, Metaphysics, and Transpersonal Psychology as well as certification in Mind Body Medicine. Tracy Latz, M.D., M.S. is an Integrative Psychiatrist, Medical Intuitive and has served on Associate Clinical Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She holds a Masters degree in Immunobiology, doctorates in Metaphysics & Holistic Healing, certifications in Mind-Body Medicine and is currently in private practice in a suburb of Charlotte, NC with over 20 years of clinical experience in shifting lives.

It would appear that our President as well as  many politicians in Congress and the Senate need some coaching to learn how to drop their egos and acquire some skills to help them reach consensus. To that end, most people -whether in corporate America, private companies, organizations or small groups- could also benefit from learning tools to get ‘unstuck’ or Shift out of deadlock. The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D., M.S. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) have addressed such issues for more than a decade in their talks, seminars, radio interviews, books, videos and CDs. <For more information on Dr. Latz and Dr. Ross, their articles, books and other media see shiftyourlife.com .>

From Deadlock to Solutions: Consensus Agreement

How do you get legislators or other people in the same room to get out of their egos (and give up getting their name on the proposition), open their minds, listen to (and consider) other points of view, and work for the common good of the country, group or organization? In a consensus process, the opinion of each member should be considered, discussed, compared and discussed again until everyone begins to sees all aspects of the issue at hand and arrives at a common understanding of the problem.

When following such a process, members begin to learn about others’ perceptions and a decision or approach emerges as differences are understood and narrowed. This outcome goes beyond something people can “go along with”. Instead, it is a decision team members believe in as the truly best way to go, given the circumstances. Because the issue has been examined, re-examined, tested through
discussion, critiqued and analyzed, all members of the team can “see” the problem and the solutions from many different points of view.

A decision reached by consensus is one which brings team members who start off with differing points of view to shared perceptions and a common understanding of all the issues. It ends up being a learning process for all involved.  Through discussion of how each individual envisions the problem,
everyone begins to share perceptions and then the focus can be shifted from differences to what shared goals are found in common. A key element in a consensus agreement is for everyone to drop their dogma and pre-conceived ideas while listening with an open heart and mind.

Tools to Overcome Deadlock and Reach a Consensus-  Tips to narrow differences in points of view among team members and work towards commitment toward a positive solution:

1. Ask everyone around the table or room to express their thoughts in 5 minutes or less. If they don’t choose to speak out an opinion or add to the discussion, they lose the right to vote on the issue. This will keep team members from dominating the meeting (thus stampeding or railroading others) and/or polling everyone else prior to forming their own opinion.

2. Request facts, definitions or explanations in an attempt to uncover what different thoughts or words really mean to team members.

* Focus on vague words or comments, such as, “What’s a significant delay?”

* Ask for clarification when faced with vague or questionable statements?

3. Clarify differences of opinion with available facts.

* Reiterate facts and ask other members to compare opinions of team members with the facts.

* Summarize any competing points of view and request members to support with known facts.

* If there are no available facts, ask members to gather data before continuing to discuss the issue further.

4. Be open-minded. Ask yourself, “What dogma might I be standing in that could be limiting my own viewpoint?” Modify your own views when faced with compelling facts and opinions.

* Mindfully listen to the facts underlying differing points of view. To truly listen is to risk being changed forever.

* Test the facts being presented against your own viewpoint.

* Weigh the impact on you and the team (the company, the country, etc) of continuing to resist ideas in the face of convincing facts that do not support your viewpoint or reasoning.

* “Try on” another point of view and see how it feels. Is it really that different from or alien to yours? Are the consequences of another viewpoint acceptable? If not, then why? Is it due to emotions, dogma or fact? Is it conflicting with your own personal, economic gain or re-election prospects? Is it conflicting with your ego or sense or power base? Are you making decisions for the greater good or for your own benefit? Have you truly held the idea of ‘the greater good’(which transcends individual consciousness and ego drives/ desires) in your consciousness?

5. Identify similarities and differences among the points of view in the team or members.

* Make a list or flow-chart of similarities and differences on a PowerPoint, flipchart or chalkboard.

* Poll different members as to what is similar about their ideas

* Crystallize the disagreements among various members in a short, simple statement, such as, “It seems some people see cutting the budget as a threat, others see it as an opportunity.”

6. Reinforce mindful open-mindedness—the willingness to mindfully listen to other views—as well as the need for cooperation.

* Remind members about (and review if necessary) the group’s rules concerning open discussion. Give people measured time to talk without filibusters. Ensure they have said what is to the point and on their minds.

* Review the group’s mission or production goals if necessary and stress the need to work together to reach those goals.You might ask the members to contemplate on the questions you should have already contemplated above: “Is another’s viewpoint really that different from or alien to yours? Are the consequences of another viewpoint acceptable? If not, then why? Is it due to emotions, dogma or fact? Is it conflicting with your own personal, economic gain or re-election prospects? Is it conflicting with your ego or sense or power base? Are you making decisions for the greater good or for your own benefit? Have you truly held the idea of ‘the greater good’(which transcends individual consciousness and ego drives/ desires) in your consciousness?”

7. Remain non-defensive and unemotional when challenged; and avoid resentful or angry encounters. When you are angry, your heart (and often your mind) is closed.

* Stay silent, calm and mindfully listen when being criticized. Mindful listening means carefully focusing on the concerns of the other person and letting them finish what they are saying.  It does not mean that you assume you know what they are going to say then you just focusing on how you are going to jump in to say what you want to. Listening is not waiting to talk.

*Take notes if needed so that you may address the issues being raised. Wait until the other team member has finished before commenting in a calm, reflective manner that addresses any concerns.

* Summarize the other person’s concern or opinion in your own words. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

* If the meeting is getting emotional, request a short break; try to relax and reduce tension. We have many tools and tips to decrease anxiety, anger, resentment or to boost your energy to prepare to re-focus at ShiftYourLife.com .

* Try to be empathic with other people’s views. As William James said, “Whenever two people meet there are really six people present. There is each man as he sees himself, each man as the other sees him, and each man as he really is.” When you understand this you can truly say, “I can understand why you would say that.”

8. List both the positive and negative aspects or consequences of each point of view.

*Assume the group or team has adopted a particular approach. Have members of the group discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the various viewpoints toward the alleged common goal of the group.

*Explore the perceived risks associated with each viewpoint. Test how realistic different people’s assessment of the risks are. “Will we really be causing serious confusion among ourselves by moving our call center to the midwest instead of California so we split the timezone difference across the country?”

9. Ensure again that each team member has an opportunity to participate and be heard.

* Make it a point to get each member at the meeting to say what they think.

* Remind members they have a responsibility to speak their minds if they plan on having a vote.

10. Try to define the element of risk associated with each decision and create an approach that minimizes that risk for everyone as much as possible.

* Ask people what specifically concerns them about a specific course of action: “What do you think will happen if implement this?”

* If concerns are based on a misperception or misunderstanding, review and, if necessary, explain the true facts.

* Balance the advantages and risks of each approach.

* Ask the members of the team what level of risk it is willing to accept for the common good of the company, group, or country.

Final Comments on Consensus for the Common Good:

* Consensus is one of the most powerful team skills. Members who understand how to reach consensus find that decisions are fully supported and implemented. What’s more, members believe in the group’s decision because the team has examined each facet of the problem and, through discussion, has finally seen the best way to proceed, given the circumstances.

* Remember, compromise implies half-heated agreement. There is doubt, lingering disagreement and the potential for second-guessing the decision, especially if the results are less than expected.

* The consensus process works when team members take the time to share perceptions about a decision and what it means to them. Everyone must be given a chance to describe how they see the issues. Only after these initial viewpoints are clear can the team proceed to identify areas of agreement and disagreement.

* Finally, the real key to consensus is for team members to remain flexible about their point of view. The exchanging of ideas is an opportunity for team members to learn from each other. An effective team member tries hard to remain open-minded, non-defensive and flexible, rather than determined to have his or her way.

Here’s to Consensus!

The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.)

**The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about them at www.shiftyourlife.com .

Between dealing with jobs, congestion and the hassles that come with our lives, people sometimes want to get away and move somewhere else. For those who have experienced an existential crisis, relationship loss or a tragedy, however, this desire can become overwhelming. In recent years, psychologists have begun researching the psychological and neurological effects of relocating, and the findings show that it can be a viable form of therapy for some people in certain situations. Here are a few facts about relocation therapy and why it can be so effective.

Is relocation therapy different than moving?

In terms of actions, there is no effective physical difference between relocation therapy and moving to a new area. However, the purpose of relocation therapy is to reset the mind and move on from a loss in the family, a midlife crisis, relationship transformation or another life event that is difficult to process without significantly changing physical and/or energetic surroundings. Some researchers believe that people who move often do so less for practical reasons and more for the experience of starting afresh from a painful experience. Though the pain that you once felt will never be completely eliminated, this therapy will allow for you to not be constantly reminded of the sorrows of your past. Conversely, many people may move as part of a mind-full intention to create them self anew when they have reached a transition point in their life where relationships or jobs are transforming and there is an inner restlessness or calling to create something very different in their lives.

Why can relocation therapy be so effective?

There are two main theories as to why relocation therapy works so well for some people. First, some believe that relocating is a way of avoiding patterns that may have caused stress and anxiety in the past. According to this theory, moving is simply a way to develop new habits and avoid falling into old patterns of thought. This can work well for people who are ready to look within and become aware of their own internal chatter or belief patterns of thought that assisted them with creating their old life circumstances. Once you become aware of how you self-sabotaged by past choices fueled by old thought patterns, you can mindfully transform your thoughts and emotions so that you can begin to create new beliefs to create a new environment, new life patterns, new living circumstances and new relationships.

You can either unwittingly create powerfully in your life in negative ways (self-sabotage) or you can mindfully create powerfully in wondrously abundant ways by your thought patterns (beliefs), emotions and choices. This has been discussed before in books and teachings by Dr.’s Latz and Ross as ‘The Bow and Arrow Theory of Creation’ which goes as follows:  The bow represents your emotional intention (i.e., anger, resentment, fear, love, compassion). The strength of the emotional intention determines how powerfully you draw back your bow to send your thoughts out into the world to manifest. For instance, if there is not much power behind the emotion, then the arrow will scarcely fly.  If, on the other hand, there is great power behind the emotion (such as rage or fear), then the arrow will fly quickly and can create rapidly and profoundly in your life.  The arrow represents your thought, which directs the intention.  The thought will direct how the intention (or great emotion) will actually manifest in your life.  It is important to note that you cannot create for anyone else.  You can only draw back your own bow to create in your own life.  If you draw your bow back with the intention of harming others, you will only draw similar negative energy into your own life. When you understand the full magnitude of the power of your own creation and take responsibility for challenging old thought patterns, you can truly begin to create new environments and living situations that are more peaceful and joy-filled and that resonate more with your life’s passion and purpose. If you do not understand the powerful ways in which you create situations and attract people into your life that allow drama and chaos, then you are likely to just recreate similar scenarios over time again.

Others believe that relocation therapy is effective due to neurological reasons; humans evolved as nomads, and our ancestors would constantly move to new areas and this may somehow be encoded into us and into our neural pathways in our brain. According to this theory, relocation therapy taps into this latent generational pattern or desire to pack up and move. For this reason, a new scene provides us with a new outlook on our lives altogether. It allows us to start afresh and rediscover who we are altogether.

Should I consider relocation therapy?

The question of whether relocation therapy is right for a particular person cannot be answered easily. One might ask: “Am I wanting to relocate to distract from painful situations or chaos I have created or allowed in my life?” “Am I wanting to relocate to leave behind memories of loved ones I have lost?” “Am I wanting to relocate so that I can combine two households (in the case of a new marriage that blends two families) into a new shared household with its own new energetic space?” Those who have suffered a significant loss and who cannot seem to get past their grief may benefit from getting away from constant reminders of their lost loved one. For them, relocation therapy might be the best way to move forward. Those who are suffering from other mental or emotional difficulties may want to consider if moving to a new area could provide additional benefits of being nearer or further from either helpful or chaotic family/friends; or if such a move would not be helpful because the issue of discord is within one’s own internal chatter and would be moving to the new location as well unless it is properly dealt with. The combined effect of moving to a better area in terms of allowing better educational, social or occupational opportunities, and reaping the benefits of relocation therapy may make it the right choice for them.

For instance, moving into an area such as NY real estate, would allow you to focus on a new environment and society. The “city that never sleeps” would provide you with both constant distraction and never-ending social and cultural activities to create energetic opportunities that are different from whatever situation you were in before.

Wishing you Bright Beginnings as you create anew in your life!

Ken Torrino with “The Shift Doctors” (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.)

***For more information on Ken Torrino, web relations for Elliman, brokers for New York City real estate.

**The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars on personal transformation, relocation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about them at www.shiftyourlife.com

-Our guest blogger- Jay Conrad Levinson is the author of the best-selling marketing series in history, “Guerrilla Marketing,” plus 30 other books. His books have sold 14 million copies worldwide. His guerrilla concepts have influenced marketing so much that today his books appear in 41 languages and are required reading in many MBA programs worldwide. He was a teacher and sounding board for The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. and Marion Ross, Ph.D.) who have written:Entrepreneurial Alignment: How To Overcome Self Sabotage in Business ,  a book designed to assist people who struggle with implementing tools learned in business or entrepreneurial coaching programs due to self-sabotage. For more on Jay Conrad Levinson visit www.gmarketing.com

How Long Till Marketing Works?

Whatever you do, don’t hold your breath while waiting for marketing to take affect. Instead, hold your horses because it’s not gonna happen instantly.

How long does it take for a prospect to become a customer? Well, let’s first look into the chemistry of prospects. Prospects are like you except that they’re probably doing business with one of your competitors. Fortunately for you, that competitor most likely doesn’t know the full meaning of follow-up, with the result that most customers feel ignored after the sale.

These are among your hottest prospects. They already do business with a company such as yours and may be disenchanted because they’ve been left alone after making their purchase. That’s why guerrillas identify their best prospects and then begin the courtship process. It is a courtship and it is a process. Armed with that insight, you can transform them into customers.

Most business owners contact prospects once or twice, and if they don’t

show an interest, the business owners move on to greener territories, on to the non-existent Land of Instant Gratification. Guerrillas continue romancing those they are courting. Eventually, those prospects feel so cared for, so important, so attended to, that they switch over and begin to patronize the guerrilla who never stops courting.

How long does it take until this happen? Try seven years on for size. That’s the outside. It could happen in a month, even a week or less if the prospects are in the market right now and neglected by their former supplier. But it probably won’t happen soon and it most assuredly won’t happen if you ignore them after contacting them once or twice.

Remember that prospects have minds that are more open than you think. Allegiances that are lost every day, allegiances gained every day. The guerrilla marketers don’t lose them because they recognize the slow motion process of gaining them. When they speak to prospects, whether in person or through one of the venues of marketing, they do not talk about their businesses or their industries. They talk about the prospects themselves — which is the topic most on the mind of prospects and one that ceaselessly interests them. When guerrillas can talk about the problems facing prospects, they gain even more attention.

And when they talk about solutions to these problems, they still see things from the prospects’ points of view and talk from that mindset. As weeds are flowers whose beauty has not yet been discovered, prospects are customers who have not yet realized all that you can offer them.

Give them time. Give them information. Give them attention. While you’re waiting, walk a mile in their shoes so you can be better prepared to talk to them about how their feet feel.

People patronize the businesses they do for an enormously wide variety of reasons. Often, it’s location, though the Internet is changing that in a hurry. Frequently, it is mere habit. Guerrillas know in their bones that the prime reason is the buyers have confidence in the sellers. That is closely followed by the quality of the offering. And next comes service — which guerrillas know should be defined as “anything the customer wants it to be.” After service comes selection — and again the internet rears up as a contender for business because of the staggering breadth of its selection. And fifth comes price. To some people, fewer than 20 percent, price is the number one criterion. But those attracted by price make the most disloyal customers because they’re easily wooed away by somebody offering a still lower price. Guerrillas build their businesses on loyal customers. Possessed with that insight, they do all in their power to maintain loyalty.

They may do it with frequent-buyer programs. They may do it with special events centered around customers. They may do it with fervent follow-up, with their newsletter, with little freebies for their customers. But most of them do it by recognizing the customer and using his or her name, by talking about personal things before getting down to business, by listening very carefully and sincerely to what their customer are saying. Listening is considered one of the most crucial parts of follow-up. It’s no surprise that people patronize businesses that listen to them.

Many marketers create their marketing under the ridiculous assumption that prospects are asking “Who are you? What is your product or service? When are you open? Where are you located?” The only real question in the prospect’s mind is “Why should I care?”

Here’s what they’re thinking: It’s not “tell me a story about you.” Instead, it’s “tell me a story about me. Tell me how you can save my time, increase my income, reduce my stress, bring more love into my life, cause people to think highly of me.” If you can’t talk to them about those things, leave those prospects alone because you’re wasting their time and your money.

Another insight possessed by guerrillas is that people patronize business that can offer things to change their lives for the good. Sometimes these are huge things, such as cars and computers. But usually they’re not. After all, how much can a new shirt or a new paper stock for stationery change a life? Not much, but you’ve still got to be thinking in those terms.

Keep in mind that people are attracted to businesses that have established credibility. You get it with superb marketing and commitment to a plan.

Marketing continues to be a blend of art, science, business and patience.

It works. But it rarely works instantly. That’s why the most crucial ingredient in the blend called marketing is your own patience.

Hope this assist you!

Jay Conrad Levinson with The Shift Doctors (Marion Ross, Ph.D. & Tracy Latz, M.D.)

More on this topic in our book: Entrepreneurial Alignment: How To Overcome Self Sabotage in Business .

**The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on Energy Medicine personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about their books, DVD’s, CD’s and tools for personal transformation at www.shiftyourlife.com.

- For more on Jay Conrad Levinson visit www.gmarketing.com

If malice or envy were tangible and had a shape, it would be the shape of a boomerang. -Charley Reese

He that is not jealous is not in love. -St. Augustine

The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves. -William Penn

What is jealousy? Is it the tie that binds or the wedge that drives us apart? What purpose does it serve in our lives and relationships? What drives us to become jealous? Is jealousy envy? Can jealousy be like a cloud with a silver lining?

Jealousy is a reactive state that conveys the negative internal chatter and emotions of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, such as a relationship, friendship, or love. Jealousy often consists of a combination of fear-based emotions such as anger, resentment, abandonment, rejection, grief, and disgust… just to name a few. Envy, on the other hand, is a reactive state of discontent and resentment fueled by and linked with a desire for obtaining the possessions or qualities of another… sort of like an attempted energetic larceny. Larceny is defined in the dictionary as illegal taking and carrying away of personal property belonging to another with the purpose of depriving the owner of its possession. Does this sound familiar? Ever feel this way before? Truly, who has not… on the playground, at the high school dance, in family and social relationships, in friendships, on the sports team, or at your place of employment.

The roots of jealousy run deep in our evolutionary history, serving as a potential deterrent to infidelity. Jealousy rears its ugly green-eyed head when a perceived threat is lurking in the perimeter of an intimate relationship. A significant other talks to another person at a party and smiles… a rival is born. A spouse goes on business trip with a co-worker or boss of the opposite sex. We view the rival of our desired person’s attentions as if they ooze an aura of special attributes or qualities that we think we could never have or perhaps that we have yet to develop. Jealousy can be our intuition telling us to go within to realize something deeper about our own self or telling us to establish a deeper level of communication with our friend, partner, spouse or colleague… or it can lead us deeper into our shadows.

The shadow aspect of jealousy is that it can be so self-destructive or self-sabotaging when it creates behaviors that can drive away the relationship or object we most desire. When we dance in the emotions of anger, resentment, or rage over a perceived real or imagined abandonment, we can unwittingly push the person away or, by our accusations of possible infidelity, cause the person to contemplate: “Why not go ahead and commit the crime for which I am accused, tried and jailed already”.

When we are preoccupied with how unfaithful others are to us, we become distracted from our own emotional pain. The “gift” of jealousy is that it is almost always a signal to Look Within to listen to the Inner Still Small Voice. Only through contemplation can we gain clarity about the situation at hand and our true intentions fueling our reactive emotional state.

Are you feeling jealous? Red flags signaling jealousy include feeling out of control in a relationship, fear of losing your friend or lover, lack of trust, anger at real or imagined attention that another person is giving to something other than you (humans, animals, jobs, sports or hobbies).

What leads to jealousy? Jealousy is typically a sign of an insecure person and/or someone in an insecure relationship. Jealously often stems from a sense of inadequacy or powerlessness, fear of the unknown, or anxiety about being unlovable. People often convert fear to anger, which they regulate by trying to control a partner, friend, co-worker or child by violating their trust and rummaging through their personal belongings, phone, computer, Facebook/Twitter account, while perhaps making accusations and using other tactics that unwittingly may drive them away emotionally and/or physically; thus creating a self-fulfilling prophecy that reflects their own worst fears.

All human emotions exist to help us explore who and where we really are in the world of our own creation through the mirror of our own perceptions. Jealousy is a way to distract our self from our own negative thoughts or emotions (fear, guilt, shame, anger, resentment, feelings of abandonment) about our life. Jealousy doesn’t necessarily have to do with love. You don’t have to like someone to feel jealous. It also comes from selfishness. Jealousy can be used as a mask in that some people who have been unfaithful them self will suspect or accuse others of doing what they have done. People can use jealousy to control a partner, controlling who they talk to, where and when they go, access to finances, etc. In short, jealousy can be used to make people feel more powerful when they have low self-esteem and a sense of their own inadequacy or powerlessness. However, the real bite is that the more they try to soothe their emotions by being controlling, the more powerless they feel, because then they create a dependency on their partner’s response to feel good… a vicious circle.

At its worst, pathological jealousy can lead to obsessive and delusional thinking. Essentially, the more you incessantly chew on the same endless mind-chatter over and over, the less reality testing you are able to do. How could this not lead to huge errors in judgment, inferences and suspicions?

On the flip side, we often use jealousy as a test… starting with our earliest peer relationships. What is sibling rivalry about anyway? We often provoke it in our family or our partner to test the strength of our bond. Jealousy appears to measure our level of caring in a relationship.

For instance, if you have been out on a few dates with a new love interest, a small dose of testing for jealousy can be a means of measuring the strength of interest by the other person. This might be done by stating that you can’t go out on Saturday night because you have a previous engagement or another date. If the other person responds in a mildly jealous manner, you may perceive this as an expression of caring or a measure of commitment. This could be used as a test as to whether it’s worthwhile and safe to invest more time and emotion in this relationship. For some, the threat of losing an object of affection is a test of how much you desire it.

Tips to Combat Jealousy:

-Allow yourself to feel your underlying fear/anger that is causing the reactive jealousy. Understand the feeling you are having. Sense where you feel it in your body. Is it in your stomach, chest, shoulders, throat? Once you have put a ‘face’ on the underpinnings of your jealousy and understood where it affects you in your body, it is time to begin to transform the fear, anger or other emotions behind the situation. We have a variety of guided and mindfulness meditations as well as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) tapping protocols for transforming the beliefs and emotions that keep us stuck in unhealthy patterns such as intense jealousy.

-After you have understood your emotion and where it is coming from, you may or may not wish to discuss your feelings with your partner, before you let your assumptions go too far. If you opt to discuss the issue with your loved one, be sure that you are expressing from your heart. Get into your heart first (check out our Loving Benefactor meditation at digstation.com or in our books) and set your goals for a constructive conversation. Don’t participate in the ‘blame game’ by saying “You do/did this or that”; instead, take responsibility for your emotions by saying “I feel this way when I think this”. Recall that we are not a victim of any one or any thing except for our self; no one makes us jealous, we choose to be jealous.

- What are you learning about yourself from your jealousy? Consider that we are reflections mirroring the world we create; and others will reflect back to us our own thoughts or beliefs in our relationships. Ask your self: “What is going on internally and why am I attracting this situation to me?” You may also ask: “What is the gift for me in this situation?” We have a wonderful guided meditation to assist with connecting to Universal Wisdom to answer such questions and to see the clarity of any situation.

- Are you jealous of business colleagues? We have tools to assist entrepreneurs and others in business with shifting jealousy and other energy-draining emotions. Check out our new book “Entrepreneurial Alignment: How to Overcome Self-Sabotage in Business” available in both Kindle version for only $3.99 as well as in hard copy.

-Reconnect with your True Essence to feel your value, inner strengths and abilities. Download our True Essence guided meditation from the link on our website to digstation.com. (We also have a “Who Am I?” meditation that you can do with your partner in our books.) Once you have glimpsed your True Essence, you will find that you have no reason to ever be jealous of anyone else. You are incredibly skilled, beautiful and talented just as you are. Besides, no one’s attentions can truly be ‘lured away’ by another person unless the person has a desire to go to begin with.

-Decide to have a nurturing relationship with yourself. The Obstacle of Lack of Self-Love can be an impediment in any relationship as you can only love someone else as much as you love your self. We address this fully in our books and seminars and give easy to use exercises, tools and techniques for removing this roadblock. If we do not love, respect or have compassion for our own self, why would anyone else have compassion for us either as we are showing by our own actions that we are unworthy of respect or compassion…. something to think about.

Mild jealousy can reestablish the base of our commitment in relationships. Intense or pathological jealousy in a relationship can be a sign that it is time to do some very serious introspection to create a more healthy relationship that is filled with less drama and more joy and inner peace.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Shift Doctors (Marion Ross PhD. & Tracy Latz M.D.)

**The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about them at www.shiftyourlife.com .

Steve Nelson, “Mythic Astrologer” and good friend of “The Shift Doctors” (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.),  returns to share his wisdom. Steve is an astrologer who follows a Jungian mythological tradition. He was raised by a part Cherokee shaman Aunt Maude who learned much of her lore from Molly Runningwolf, the mother of Amanita Sequoyah, the last Cherokee medicine man officially recognized by the Eastern Tribe. Steve’s Indian name is Steven Red Wolf, his lineage is of the wolf clan, one of the 7 tribal groups of the Cherokee. Steve follows many of the Cherokee traditions especially as these relate to celebrations, the use of ritual fire and star lore. For more information about Steve Nelson see www.GaiaAstrology.com

The New Year seeded at Winter Solstice comes to consciousness during Candlemas (Feb 1-4), the Winter Cross-Quarter. The New Year time spirit quickens to awareness through Candlemas fire, Lunar New Year (Feb 10-25) and Carnival (until Feb 3-13) celebrations. We begin to turn outward again as the spirit of Winter Carnival rises within. It’s time to dance and become as a child again, each of us is a child of the New Year awakening.

Carnival is the season to awaken the dragon that will be tamed during Lent. The bigger the dragon awakened and trained to purpose the more creative energy is available for the New Year. Traditionally lovers are chosen on Valentine’s Day because it’s easier to awaken and tame dragons in twos. While this may or may not be true, the techniques for awakening and taming dragons are pretty much the same for individuals as for twos.

Many celebrate Carnival and avoid Lent, others observe Lent but ignore Carnival. In general, those who ignore Carnival are more likely to be repressed emotionally while those who celebrate Carnival but avoid Lent are more apt to be dominated by their own passions. When both Carnival and Lent are given their due the vital force (symbolized by serpent or dragon) is stirred to life and integrated to power our new creation.

Carnival and Lent are important pagan fertility rites partially adapted by the Catholics. Placing ashes on the forehead was originally an Anglo-Saxon shamanic practice performed in the weeks before Spring Equinox. The purpose of ash (think carbon rings charged with solar energy) is to stimulate the brow chakra and draw up the spine the primal energy awakened in winter carnival.

Every year is a new creation, a new Genesis. The New Year time spirit takes form in the womb of Winter and the world is born anew in Spring. This is a dyad creation, the double helix is the source of all life. God moves through equal partnerships, two lasers create a hologram. As yin and yang agree it will be, this is how the new world is born.

2013 is the Year of the Lovers Tarot Key VI. This card illustrates the new creation with its archetypal New Woman and New Man. Here Eve/Venus stands before her mythic apple tree which bears abundant fruit as the primal serpent is trained upward. The way of training primal energy to soul purpose is being remembered now and will be restored in this Year of Snake 2013. Paradise is regained as we learn what to do with the snake in the garden.

The Chinese New Year, beginning on Feb 10 also signals an awakening of vital forces, it is celebrated by dragons dancing in the street. The dragon appears to be chasing (or is led by) a bouncing ball suggestive of dragon training or focusing on a goal.

When does a year really begin? Different cultures celebrate New Year at different times because the year begins on several levels. The Lunar New Year celebrated in China adds the vital emotional dimension. Each lunar year is symbolized by an animal, element and color. 2013 is a yin, water, or Silver Snake Year. The Chinese New Year celebration culminates with the Lantern Festival on the Feb 25 Full Moon.

The Lunar Year of the Snake happens once every 12 years and this is a special year when many millions of people gather in India for the great Khumba Mela. Now it is believed a giant serpent churns the ocean to bring up a giant pot filled with the nectar of immortality, the essence of all that was and is to be. But first, before the healing elixir can be received, the accumulated poison of the era has to be transmuted. The great god Shiva swallows the toxic liquid which turns his throat blue. What this means is a puzzle but it’s curious the throat is ruled by Taurus which is ruled by Venus whose color is blue. However this may be, it is true in the natural scheme of things that whenever a great transformation is happening whatever needs transforming is churned up before. Now the shadow of the passing Age  is transformed and what follows is a mystery. Perhaps these next few weeks will bring the real activation, ascension or avataric awakening forecast for 2012. (Zodiacal year 2012 began 20 Mar 2012, it ends on 20 Mar 2013).

Morning Star Venus rises now blessing this new world. Rising before the Sun awakens us to the magic of this time. Venus rising in Aquarius bridges the way to a new more artful age. A planet long shrouded in mystery, Venus reveals many of her secrets this year. Insights channel through the arts in signs and symbols by way of Venus, the ruler of the Libra part of Aquarius we enter  now in the great cycle of the age. New symbols are energized to bridge our way to the new high culture for which the world is so ready. What better emissary to lead us there than the goddess of Love…

Imbolc / White Rabbit Day, Feb 1 – Beginning Anew

Say White Rabbit first thing today for luck throughout the month. Number 1 days are like the Magician Tarot Key I. It’s time for a new magic rabbit to come out of the hat. The Celtic celebration Imbolc (Gaelic for “in the belly”) marks the first stirrings of Spring in the womb of Mother Earth. The vital forces of Nature are quickening now for a new cycle of creation to be.

Ground Hog Day, Feb 2 – Forecasting

This Imbolc holiday tradition grows out of an old Celtic custom of scrying the future through animal signs. Birds and burrowing animals are the special messengers in this time. What was conceived in the unconscious at Winter Solstice becomes illuminated as we, like the groundhog, come out of our winter homes to stand in the light of a new creation. All the world comes round right as the shadows of winter night give way to this new light.

Candlemas, Feb 2-4 – Illumination

By the light of candles three

Golden flames reveal to me

A path, a sign, an omen fair,

To guide me to my destiny.

The New Year quickens to life in the fires of Candlemas, the cross-quarter day that honors Celtic fire goddess Brigid. The Irish summon her to chase away winter. In Christian tradition Candlemas marks the purification of Mary. Candlemas also honors Demeter the goddess who carries a torch into the underworld in search of her daughter Persephone. The exact Candlemas cross-quarter (midpoint of Winter) is 11:15 am est Feb 3.

The lights of Candlemas symbolize Ceres torch lit search for her daughter Persephone. The rediscovery of Persephone is the first glimmer of conscious light in the dark of winter. Now the nature of the new cycle can be gleaned, visions of the future can be seen.

The Mysteries of Persephone are celebrated now in the Greek mystery tradition. Persephone returns from the underworld  with her torch bearing mother Demeter (America’s Liberty). Demeter and Persephone reunited bring blessings to the world. Cairleach, the Celtic crone of winter now gives way to Bride/Persephone, the rejuvenated/rejuvenating goddess of the new cycle. Persephone presides over the death, rebirth and healing of the king – and the coming forth of the true king – in this cycle. The feeling need for a true king, avatar or champion is a collective invocation in this time. In her quiet and solitude woman invokes the divine return.

The Candlemas Purification of Mary is the clearing of Earthly consciousness for reception of Divine light. Candles are blessed to protect from lightning and other natural disasters. Mary mediates the forces of Nature including lightning. In her Magdalene form, she is Mary of the Tower. Psychic lightning bolts are invoked to clear psychic shadows from the astral world.

In ancient Greece the Mysteries of Persephone celebrated at this cross-quarter were preparatory for the autumn Mysteries of Eleusis. Persephone is accompanied by serpents and their appearance in nature (or in dream) portends her emergence. Long before the groundhog came to represent this time the Celtic people looked for serpent signs.

The snake emerging in the natural world parallels a force rising within which, when trained and focused to purpose, can work miracles. The serpent is the kundalini which raised rejuvenates life. The stirring of new life is the rising of primal energy for a new creation. Training this energy is the purpose of the season’s ritual celebrations.

Candlemas Ritual for Scrying the Future, Forecasting the Year

The future doesn’t just happen, we create the future given the energetic resources and understanding we have available. What will become is partly set by destiny defined by laws and cycles of nature and is partly determined by free will. The better we know and live in concert with natural cycles the more free we are to express our self and shape the future. In the words of pioneering scientist Francis Bacon, “Nature is commanded by obeying her.”

Every cycle has 8 pivotal times or turning points when what is to unfold can more readily be determined. During these times free will is augmented. Particularly effective for initiating change are the midpoints of the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. These fixed sign midpoints focus elemental energies and shape what will be in the following season.

This Candlemas/Imbolc ritual can effectively be done any time between Feb 2 and Feb 18 when the Candlemas Hora ends. It might be repeated in this time until the future forecast is clear and what is to be is envisioned satisfactorily. Forecasting is both passive predicting of influences and active envisioning and shaping what is to be. This is our time to scry and shape the future of our dreams.

The set up for the Candlemas ritual is simple: First place a small (ideally silver) bowl filled with water in the middle of your celebration space. Put in the bowl 3 round stones perhaps from a creek or beach or gem shop, round is key. Then arrange 3 candles to form an equilateral triangle around the bowl. Optionally, small vines or other greenery may be placed about the bowl. Use vervain if available, this is the traditional  herb for the celebration. It’s purpose is purify and protect against astral influences. Dance and merry making will do this too.

The celebration: Light the 3 candles moving clockwise (Sunwise) and then just walk or dance clockwise around the center. Chanting or singing simple songs can quicken the energy and help synchronize breath with movement. Dancing 3 times around sets and clears the circle. Circling clockwise 7 times will dispel illusions and break all shadow spells. You might invoke the presence of spiritual forces and then put intentions on the air. Some may spontaneously speak in rhyme after setting the circle.

When the dance movement feels complete sit and gaze into the water pool between the candles to gain insight regarding the future year and the role you may play. Remember that the water element connects us with our unconscious and the collective unconscious of the astral world. It is here we find the shape of what’s to be. In focusing on the glimmering water, remember the Genesis quote “and the spirit of God moved on the face of the water.” Here at the edge of water and air the future is seen.

This scrying ritual is best done at night preferably in the hour beginning at sunset or at midevening (halfway between sunset and true midnight). The hour half way between true m and sunrise is also good if you’re an early riser or just happen to wake up then. This hour resonates with the Candlemas hora (15 day period Feb 2-18) in the year.

Another tradition is to wet the right forefinger in the bowl of water then hold it up high and draw a circle in the air above. This is to open a window into the future. You might also put water on the brow center to help open the inner eye. Candlemas is all about clearing and seeing the way forward. This is magic time, a time to create anew.

“Held to mark the ‘quickening of the year,’ the theme of lighting fires to call back the Sun from its winter retreat has been consistent in all incarnations of this festival. Imbolc falls in the Druid tree month Rowan, or ‘quickbeam.’ … On Candlemas, candles are lighted and bonfires burn outside, echoing the great ritual fires lit by Druids on this night. In wooing back the Sun we are also starting fresh both outwardly and inwardly. As fire illuminates the darkness and the Sun brings back warmth and richness of the Earth, we lighten the load of external burdens and inner attachments, looking deep into our own darkness to discover the new light.”  ~ Victoria Williams, Ritual Fire and Feasting

3rd Quarter Moon, Feb 3-5 (exact 11 pm Jan 4 est) – Realizing Dreams

This Moon cuts away all that distracts from putting our dreams into action. 3rd Quarter Moon integrates ideas into creative expression; it’s time to follow our bliss and do what feels good in concert with the whole.

Balsamic Moon, Feb 6-8 – Make a Wish!

This is the Wishing Moon, the best time to put wishes on the air. It is also called the Witches Moon, a time to bring to mind those who need healing. Feeling invokes healing, the deeper we feel, the deeper we heal. The deeper we feel, the more Moon magic comes through the new lunar cycle. Shadows before New Moon can be cleared through deep breathing with attention to the light of the crown. See the wee crescent rising before the Sun with bright Venus, the goddess of Love.

Gate of Inspiration, Feb 8-9 (9:40 am 2/8 – 9:40 am 2/9) – Open to Receive

A Muse Gate opens every 40 days, 9 each year. Whatever blocks our energy flow comes before the Gate to be let go. This is a time to release tensions that hold outmoded ways of thinking and feeling. Breathe deeply and move freely (yoga, tai chi, Pilates, dance) to shed the old and open to the new light with new possibilities, new inspiration, and new creative energies. The Muse Urania brings new knowledge of the celestial bodies and cycles of heaven. (To find out more about the Nine Gates of Inspiration see our post http://www.shiftyourlife.com/2010/the-nine-gates-of-inspiration-access-to-interdimensional-portals/ )

Dark of the Moon/New Moon, Feb 9-11 – Following the Light Within

The day before New Moon until Sunset a day after is ideal for inner work to seed the new cycle; outer activity is favored after the new crescent appears. Old Year/ Old Moon shadows give way as we connect with the light within, and breathe. The New Moon (2:20 am est 2/10) is a cosmic spring that flows freely as we slow down. Nostradamus calls New Moon “the day of Diana, a time for silent rest.” It is like a psychic black hole, Alice’s rabbit hole. Many great wonders await our following the Moon Hare within. Here we can know what is and how to shape what’s to be. This Lunar New Year Moon (2/10-3/11) brings our dreams to life.

Chinese New Year, Feb 10-25 – Awakening, New Life Energy (Chi/Qi)

A year has several beginning times on different levels of being. The Year conceived at Winter Solstice / New Year comes to life on the emotional level at this Lunar New Year and becomes physically manifest in Spring. 2013 is a Year of the Snake. In Chinese astrology, the snake is associated with wisdom, esoteric knowledge and spiritual discovery. Snakes are sacred in many ancient cultures and are often seen as a sign of healing. “Mine is the wisdom of the ages. I hold the key to the mysteries of life. Casting my seeds on fertile ground, I nurture them with constancy and purpose. My sights are fixed, my gaze unchanging. Unyielding, inexorable and deep I advance with steady, unslackened gait, the solid earth beneath me. I am the snake.” -Theodora Lau

Crescent New Moon, Feb 11-16 – A Time to Sow

It’s time to bring forward what we wish to be realized. Farmers plant seeds when the crescent appears, seeds become fertile on every level, all new beginnings are favored now. Meditation opens doorways, wishes take wing, prayers bring blessings for this Moon and the New Year to be. Moon with Mercury and Mars brings bold new discoveries to light.

Valentine’s Day, Feb 14 – Celebrate Love

Birds choose their mates on this day and so do we. Valentine’s Day began as a pagan festival when lovers were chosen in games of chance. On Lupercalia Eve (the evening of Feb 13) the names of girls were written on pieces of paper and put in a jar from which each young man would draw a name. This would be his “girl-friend” for the year. This is the origin of Valentines. Number 14 reduces to 5, the number of Venus, goddess of Love.

1st Quarter Moon, Feb 17-19 (exact 3:31 pm 2/17) – Time to Choose

This Moon is like a scythe cutting across the sky, it’s time to cut free from the trappings of the past and affirm our purpose moving forward. Sacred to the Druids, this Moon is pivotal in the cycle of creation. Choices made are likely the right ones. Breathing deeply through the light of the crown frees energy flow up and down the spine to clear shadows and power our dreams.

Full Moon Lantern Festival, Feb 23-27 (3:26 pm 2/25) – Celebrate!

Strange things can happen at the Full Moon when the lunar orb passes through the Earth’s magnetotail. Then, for 5 days, solar plasma flows strongly through the Earth-Moon connection and the Moon becomes so charged electrically that Moon dust floats over the lunar surface. Solar prana and consciousness is drawn most strongly through the Earth – and through our bodies – when the Moon is Full.

At this Full Moon, Chinese New Year festivities culminate with the lighting of lanterns for health and good fortune. Each Full Moon is an opportunity for revelation and for healing – body, mind and soul. This Aquarius lunar cycle Full Moon is a pitcher that pours out healing elixir. Meditation, music making and dancing help open to receive; physical movement is key. Cosmic energies flow for 3 days following the Full Moon. Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters and flashes of inspiration. Stay tuned.

Bright Blessings to you all as you tame your dragons!

Steve Nelson (Mythic Astrologer) along with The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.)

***Steve Nelson is a professional astrologer who uses Tarot, name analysis, and traditional astrology to help clients understand personal myths and realize natural abilities. Find out more about him at www.GaiaAstrology.com

**The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on Energy Medicine personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about their books, DVD’s, CD’s and tools for personal transformation at www.shiftyourlife.com.