As I was getting a client booked last week (yes, I am seeing clients again! Please see “My Schedule is Open!” further down in this newsletter!), she requested that we skip the check in, stating, “I am thinking starting out verbal puts the mind first..” I was struck by how much I resonated with this suggestion! On one hand, language and communication are my currency. As a writer, words and how to use them are my jam. Other forms of communicating feel somewhat inferior to me.
On the other hand, I LOVED her reasoning: “what I want from energy work is [to] shift on all energetic planes of the body.” In essence, she was trusting her own 1)intuitive sense of how she wanted to receive, and 2) trusting that as we evolve, other forms of seeing each other, knowing each other–beyond words and language–are emerging; and 3)trusting me to step into that space. WOW!
In preparation for her visit, I had to come up with some creative ways to engage since I forfeited asking my preliminary check in questions. I learn a lot about where my clients are with those little chats before a session. I know my guides are weaving golden threads around them, aligning our energies, and even dropping me a hint or two about what to ask next.
Going with something totally new–and something suggested by a client–was glorious and challenging at the same time! I did what any faithful light worker would do: I asked Spirit to guide me. Spirit showed me an experience I had just had in my medicine wheel the day before, and some wonderful images and messages had come through.
So: I was to tell my client this story, and ask her to “just listen.” It was a wonderful session, and was infused with trust and stillness that I definitely want to experience more.
This whole conversation with my client led me to think about a nugget of wisdom I received in a meditation a long time ago:
SELF ANALYSIS LEADS TO JUDGEMENT
SELF REFLECTION LEADS TO INSIGHT
Just as my client determined: Verbal puts the mind first. Our world is packed with words, and our world often over-uses words, misuses words, or even makes up untruths with words. I feel that over-analyzing is connected to this over-dependency on word salads and the like. So many of us know how to evaluate and assess but do we really know how to express how we feel, what we might be sensing? Words lock things down, as do labels. What if we were able to more fluidly exist in stillness, and ask for an absence of information, instead of more?
You might be one of those people–like me–who has a tendency to be self-critical. Could our bad habit of self-criticism fade a bit if we stop analyzing so much? We analyze our actions–past, present and future. We definitely analyze others’ actions. “What did she mean by…?” or “Do you think he really wants to…?” Fill in the blank of What-Ifs! And friends, WE ALL DO IT.
What would it take to lean into more of the self-reflection, knowing that the kinder we are to ourselves, we may discover some insight about life, about the nature of being human? And that must lead to compassion.
If you find yourself mulling over something, or perseverating as my husband calls it, ask yourself if there’s a chance you might move over to the self-reflection column. I do feel that too much self-analysis does lead to judgement, and it’s just too limiting.
How freeing would it be to simply ask for less, instead of more? This truly is nothing short of a paradigm shift! But I love the ability my client possessed to ask for what she sensed was the best thing for HER session.
FEATURED PRACTITIONER: SHANNON MURPHY
Shannon Murphy is the owner and founder of Wise River Rolfing located in Portland, Maine. Rolfing Structural Integration is a holistic, full-body approach for finding better structural alignment and functional ease by addressing the fascial system of the body. She helps clients depattern fascial restrictions through manual fascial work and guided movement. Shannon helps her clients open to change movement patterns and behavior in order to create more vitality overall and better functional movement.
Through a 10 series protocol of Rolfing Structural Integration the work is customized to your specific needs. The reasons for starting a Rolfing journey are as varied as the clients who walk through the door. She would love to support you with your health and wellness goals through the modality of Rolfing.
Learn more or book your appointment today at her lovely website, Wise River Rolfing, or email her at info@wiseriverrolfing.com
POP UP JOURNAL PROMPT #1
“You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.” ~Brené Brown
What does the brilliant Brené mean by this? We hear a lot today about ‘what story are you carrying’ and the stories that may be old, outdated and flat but still we cling to them.
Explore what your CURRENT story is. Is it a celebration of your hard-won lessons? Is it itchy and out-of-date like an outfit from yester-year? If you could write a new story for yourself, how would it go?
Speaking of stories…
DO THE SCARY STUFF
On Saturday, November 8th, I will be attending the In Her Words WeHeroines Conference in Yarmouth. As the founder of WeHeroines Susanna Liller asserts, we will be listening to stories that are “Not stories from books or movies, but the living, breathing stories of real women.” In the conference, we will be learning how to tell OUR STORY, and how to build the confidence needed to be inspiring. I am feeling very nervous to be in the room with these Sheroes! However, I feel like it is important to push ourselves from time to time to do, as Eleanor Roosevelt insists, “one thing every day that scares you.”
SHOUT OUT: KATHLEEN LUKE
A profound experience happened to me this fall. One of my most treasured mentors (my therapist) asked me to read and edit her memoir, The Way of Soul. It’s a book about the way she does therapy, how her study of energy work and Jungian methodology co-mingled with her own experiences with an exercise Jung called Active Imagination. Part science, part intuitive brilliance, I was emotionally, intellectually and soulfully blown away by its power and insight. Initially, I was so nervous! Here was a woman who knew me inside and out, had seen sides of me I probably have not shown anyone, and been the game-changing mouth of wisdom for…17 years! Yes! I have seen this phenomenal woman for 17 years. Therapy with Kathleen is not for the weak. Of all the truth-talkers I have known in my day, she tops the lists. Now, I’m supposed to read and edit her precious words?! Well, you can imagine that was a moment that ole Eleanor Roosevelt and her ‘do something that scares you’ advice would have been very proud of. Because of course I said yes! How could I say no to someone who has had such a powerful effect on me?
Then I started reading it. WOW! All I’m going to say is: You will want to purchase this book when it hits. I will keep you updated with publication status.
And from the synchronicity department: on Friday of this week, Kathleen and I both will find ourselves in a “discovery call” with MAP. My own manuscript–the Nine Pillars of the Divine Feminine–is so very close to being finalized! I am so, so honored to nearly have this book birthed in the world; to have helped Kathleen along the way with hers has truly been one of the privileges of my life.
DO YOU HAVE A WRITING PROJECT that you would like to work on in a more focused way? Do you, too, have dreams of publishing something one day? I’d love to help! My rates for reading, editing and re-visioning written work is $50/hour, and the ‘2nd pair of eyes’ rate [basically proof reading] is $35/hour.
POP UP JOURNAL PROMPT #2
“I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” ~Albert Einstein
Have you considered the conditions in which you absorb, observe, learn, grow? Do you even agree with Albert here? Why, or why not? As someone who teaches both in academia and in my shamanic circles, I know that teaching is most effective when students feel empowered. But how does that happen? We teachers do not wave a magic wand and whisper ‘Now be empowered!’
Explore ways that you learn and teach others.
WISE WOMEN TALKING
Honoring the Ancestors
Sunday, Nov.16th, 12:45 PM–3:30ish
Avalon Acres
*POTLUCK*
[click here to go to our Wise Women Talking page]
MY SCHEDULE IS OPEN! And things are a little different…
There will be a few alterations to my healing sessions:
- 90 minutes, which breaks down as follows: 20 min check in, 50 min session, 20 min integration/exploration of net steps.
- In order for me to stay honest with the 90-min appointment, I may email you a few days before to begin the check in process. Some folks need a lot of time to update me! And, admittedly, I ask a lot of questions. Long check-ins make the session more like 2 hours, and if I want to truly keep good boundaries, I need to shoot for 90 minutes.
- Sliding scale: The sliding scale model is intended for anyone who may be facing financial challenges to still receive the healing they need. It breaks down as follows:
__NEW CLIENTS (never before seen) REMAINS AT $150 for a 2-hr session
__ESTABLISHED CLIENTS: $85–$125
__ESTABLISHED CLIENTS: who cannot pay the low end ($85) can trade 2 hours of work on the farm, gardens, or any other variety of projects here at Avalon; timeline of trade MUST happen within 6 months of appointment.
DRUM, SING, DANCE YOUR HEART OPEN:
FULL MOON FIRE CEREMONY DEC 4TH
I will be honest here: because of the drought conditions this summer and fall, I have not had enough sacred fires (or other kinds of fire-) here at Avalon. And frankly, I feel a calling to connect to fire (the Great Transformer) in hopes to connect with the Flame Within. When we are LIT UP from the inside out, we always have a light to see our path…
This will be the LAST FULL MOON of 2025. How did your 2025 go? Ready to send that ole boss down the river?! Let’s do it in ceremony, together!
This is also a chance to share one of Athena’s Pillars! Pillar #5 states:
“Fire ceremony. ‘Fire ceremony’ is redundant…every ceremony must have fire. Fire is the ultimate life bearer. The flame of spirit is what truly sustains us. Being a torch bearer means having an intimate relationship with all elements but fire is what truly transforms. Fire is the ceremony–transformation is the point. Gather in a ceremonial way as it will sanctify the community. Circle the wagons. If you can’t build a fire, light a white candle every morning and call in the Great Goddess.”
After our fire ceremony, we will gather in the house (by the stove fire) and enjoy some home-made soup and tea.
WHAT TO BRING:
__Drums, rattles and other ways to express (bring your singing voice!)
__Travel mug for tea
__Layers: We will be outside, exploring this transcendental time of winter-dreaming!
__A Folly Dolly, if you are called to make one. We’ll burn these in the Yule-to-be fire!
Not sure what a Folly Dolly is? Click here to get the idea!
ENERGETIC EXCHANGE: FREE or LOVE DONATION OF $10
(The donations will go to Through These Doors, the domestic violence service in Portland and surrounding areas)
AVALON NEWS
Druid gathering!
HOLIDAY (or not) GIFT IDEAS THAT SPIRIT APPROVES OF!
From AMANDA PAINTER, ASTROLOGER:
Not sure what November’s Mercury retrograde from Sagittarius back into Scorpio might mean for you? Mercury’s retrogrades can be valuable phases for review, revising, reconsidering, reclaiming…you get the idea. But it can be hard to access that perspective if hiccups and glitches start piling up — especially against the overall mental backdrop of a world in crisis, and the many ways it can impact us on a personal level.
I am offering a flash sale on a very limited number of micro readings between now and Nov. 20, when retrograde Mercury aligns with the Scorpio New Moon:
– 10 minutes for $20
– new clients only
– remote sessions only
– please note that results will be most accurate if you know your exact birth time
These are designed as just a taste! If you want to go deeper, the micro session will include a 10% discount on a full length session at a later date. (You’re welcome to read more about what I do at amanda-painter.com.)
Only 6 spots are available for these micro sessions! Please contact me if you are interested in using Mercury’s backwards dance for insight rather than just irritation.
With Love,
Amanda
From LUCILLE MELTZ, INTUITIVE GUIDE AND HAND READING PRACTITIONER:
As the holidays approach, are you perhaps seeking an unusual and meaningful gift for a loved one or for yourself!?
I am now offering, through Jan 10th 2026, a 20 % holiday discount on all my hand readings.
Attached is the current price list for all the types of hand readings that I do, so simply take off 20 % and let me know if you would like to proceed.
Remember, all my readings are done by phone and it does not matter where anyone lives in the USA.
I am always reachable to answer any questions either by phone,( 207-650-4376) or email. (please, please no texts!)
Thank you… and may the inherent promised peace of the holiday season bring you and yours a renewal of spirit.
Light,Lucille
Another great holiday gift is the GIFT OF EXPERIENCE. Why not purchase a gift certificate or class-pass for some Vedic Chanting with my soul sister, Sri Devi? Here is her most recent newsletter with her MANY offerings!
Thank you for reading! Hope to see you soon!
Embodying the Divine Feminine 