Rise & Shine Energetic Healing

09/16/2024

Gratitude is the foundation of healing. It serves as a gateway to other high-vibrational states such as joy, compassion, and love. Gratitude has the remarkable power to shift the energy of the situations we encounter—even retroactively—opening us to new possibilities and perspectives. This shift...

09/01/2024

The word "shaman" carries an ancient weight, steeped in spiritual wisdom and authority, but its true meaning is even more mysterious. In today’s world shamanism exists as a genre and a concept that invites us to explore the complex layers of the human experience. In understanding what it m

08/25/2024

This is a handful of pictures from my time in Chile, where I spent a moon cycle sleeping in a canvas tent nestled amongst the lemon trees. For twelve hours each day I studied philosophy, practiced energy work and delved into the psychology of what it is to be human. It was one of the most intense experiences of my life and when I returned home, I spent several more months processing and integrating what I’d learned.

I took very few photographs during my time in Chile. I hope you enjoy them. ☀️

08/18/2024

In essence, energy work nurtures the spirit and revitalizes the mind, creating a harmonious state that mirrors the benefits of traditional bodywork, but in this case, it nurtures the energy that fuels our overall existence. Embracing energy work can lead to profound shifts in health and vitality, ma

08/11/2024

True light doesn’t come from overshadowing others but from shining authentically in our own way. When we embrace who we are, we naturally radiate confidence and positivity. This light is not diminished by the success or brightness of others; instead, it works to inspire and uplift those around us.

08/04/2024

Energetic space clearing is a powerful way to refresh and rejuvenate your environment. By incorporating these practices into your routine, you can create a space that supports positive energy flow and enhances your well-being. Whether you start with physical cleaning or dive straight into smudging a

07/27/2024

This is a despacho. It’s a little piece of art crafted lovingly with items foraged from nature, my spice cabinet / kitchen pantry and from my intentions. It serves as an offering to the universe.

A despacho is a lovely ritual historically practiced by the Q’ero people of Peru, with whom I studied earlier this year. There are hundreds of types of despachos, used to mark special events in people’s lives, keep universal energies in balance and/or send negativity off to the ethers and out of our lives forever.

I created this particular despacho in the company of close friends. It’s a representation of the nasty, thorny, prickly parts of life that we are more than ready to let go of. After foraging leaves and prickly things from nature, I intentionally layered them to create this arrangement. Other mediums include spicy, sour and bitter ingredients like clove, cayenne, cinnamon, pepper, ginger, coffee, cacao and castor oil. I used a primary palette of red, brown, black and dark colors for this type of despacho. I chose to top it off with a white flower from a spiky succulent that grows in our garden called Adam’s needle as a representation of the good spirits rising above it all. Finally, each of us mediated with cacaos seeds close to our hearts and breathed our intentions into them. These became the final part of the despacho.

After lovingly, wrapping it with paper and ribbon, I burnt the despacho along with our personal offerings (in my case greeting cards with heartfelt messages written to people who are no longer in my life).

This all happened on the new moon. The fire was meant to take place the previous night, but it was rained out. Those of you in Pittsburgh will remember the rainstorm that came out of nowhere on the evening of July 4th? Funny how the universe works. The next morning I realized that day was the new moon and everything was just as it was meant to be. 💫

07/21/2024

"Ceremonies provide a framework for celebrating achievements, grieving losses and acknowledging transition points. Incorporating ceremony into our modern lives can bring a sense of balance, connection and joy that we may not even realize we are missing. The full moon is a time of heightened energy and reflection, making it ideal for letting go of negativity and making space for new beginnings. This is a perfect opportunity for a fire ceremony to release what no longer serves us. This doesn’t have to be a fancy gathering or an elaborate bonfire. Here’s how to create a simple and effective full moon ceremony:

Find a Quiet Space: Choose a place where you can see the moon or feel its energy. Light a candle or some incense to create a calming atmosphere.

Reflect: Take a few moments to reflect on what you want to release. This could be negative thoughts, habits, or anything that no longer serves your highest good.

Write It Down: Write down what you want to release on a piece of paper. Be specific and honest with yourself.

Burn the Paper: Burn the paper safely, allowing the smoke to carry away your intentions. As you do this, visualize yourself letting go of these burdens and feeling lighter.

Express Gratitude: Finish the ceremony by expressing gratitude for what you have and for the new space you’ve created in your life.

Simple practices like this remind us that life is about more than just doing – it’s about being, feeling and connecting. So, let’s slow down, embrace the ceremony and bring a little more joy and meaning into our everyday lives. Today’s Full Buck Moon in Capricorn offers a powerful blend of mystical and practical energies, encouraging growth, resilience, and making space for all the new and wonderful things to come. Embrace this time to reflect, set intentions, and connect with your inner power and the natural world around you."

Ceremonies provide a framework for celebrating achievements, grieving losses and acknowledging transition points. Incorporating ceremony into our modern lives can bring a sense of balance, connection and joy that we may not even realize we are missing. The full moon is a time of heightened energy an

07/15/2024

The wounded healer archetype is a powerful force in our world, symbolizing the transformative journey of turning pain into purpose. Personally, I tend to shy away from labels, striving to live authentically and against the grain. So, when I encountered the concept of the wounded healer, I was hesitant to embrace it. However, I’ve since learned to accept that I’ve been led down this path by a string of strange coincidences. I have found that sharing my vulnerability in itself can be healing—not just for me but also for others. We’re all navigating our own challenges, often hidden behind façades of strength. When we openly share our struggles, we create a space for release and connection. Here’s my story.

When my doctors abruptly agreed it was time for me to stop weekly chemotherapy after five months, it was my first opportunity since being diagnosed with debilitating metastatic breast cancer to do something outside the box. I had researched all the alternative cancer treatment programs, mostly consisting of diet, exercise and reducing stress. Ultimately, I chose an energy medicine training program that incorporated all these elements, along with sunshine and fresh air. The program, which runs only twice a year, conveniently started two weeks after my chemotherapy ended and I was informed there was one spot left. How could I not seize this opportunity?

The program’s subject material was fascinating to me: exploring the four directions of the Andean Medicine Wheel. It picked up as a seamless continuation of everything I had learned during my three years living in Peru as a Peace Corps Volunteer, also calling on the mystical experience of my ayahuasca retreat to the Amazon in 2019, all combined with the yogic philosophy with which I immerse myself in every chance I get. It was as if a trail of breadcrumbs was leading me toward the unknown and I was happy to take the invitation.

By studying the Andean Medicine Wheel, I learned comprehensive techniques for exploring and processing emotion, releasing trauma, and clearing stagnant energy within the body. As I engaged with this practice, I simultaneously confronted real-life demons, reflecting repressed emotions I had long avoided. I faced anger, fear, ugliness and grief, ultimately finding the fortitude to release the emotional pain that had kept me stuck.

On the path of the wounded healer, I’ve learned to transform my wounds and traumas into sources of power; to shed my past so it no longer defines me, opening the door to a bright new future. This journey has shown me that our collective healing is enriched by the courage to be vulnerable, transforming pain into purpose and inspiring others to embark on their own healing journeys.

On the path of the wounded healer, I’ve learned to transform my wounds and traumas into sources of power; to shed my past so it no longer defines me, opening the door to a bright new future. This journey has shown me that our collective healing is enriched by the courage to be vulnerable, transfor...