This week in my Clairvoyance One training class (through International School of Clairvoyance) we did less practice and had a little more time for meditation and lecture which was great for me because I really enjoy that part!

We are now meeting once a week (in addition to class) for practice sessions.  So there is really a lot of information being given and a lot of opportunities to work with it.  We are also given homework assignments each week in addition to our regularly daily meditation. I'm pleased with the level of intensity of the course because I know that's what I need.

I did two readings on my own prior to class and they did go better than last week.  On Thursday (the 6th), I read for someone I didn't know well and while the information I received was not all relevant but I did learn from it.  On Sunday, I did a relationship reading even though it was not part of our assigned homework or something we had covered in class.  I did this reading for myself and the reason I did was because I thought I needed to.  I'd had a pretty serious conversation with my partner of ten years earlier that day on issues we'd been having.  (I've also had three dreams on the same problem with each dream becaoming progressively more emotional so I'm realizing that it's time to sort things out).

So I did a reading on Sunday and in this reading I clearly saw a pink and purple heart.  The top third of the heart was made from highly polished amethyst while the lower, and larger, part was made of rose quartz.  Adding the colors and stones to my symbol journal I got the clear impression that the message of my reading was that love (rose quartz) is the foundation for spiritual evolution (amethyst) and that I should keep in mind how fundamental my relationship is to my own spiritual and emotional well-being.  This may not sound particularly deep but for me it was the perfect information at the perfect time.  And the more I thought about the colors and gemstones involved the more insight I received.

Calling into class on Tuesday, I was surprised to find that we were learning about and practicing relationship readings that day.    I also found it interesting that a few of us, had experienced relationship issues earlier in the week - on the same day (Sunday).  And I think that this in itself says a lot about this class and how closely connected it is to spirit.

So this week's homework is on  relationship readings and I am doing them with a lot of emphasis on healing which is something Debra always stresses and one of the things I absolutely love about the course.  I am, first and foremost, a writer / spiritual seeker and I don't know if I will ever work as professional clairvoyant.  What makes this class worth it for me, however, is how much I'm learning about visualization and energy healing and meditation and, of course, clairvoyance! 

This week in my online clairvoyance training class  we continued our group practice sessions using the method the founder of the school (The International School of Clairvoyance) Debra Katz teaches both in her books and through her courses.

I was able to provide an interpretation of sorts for our readee, identifying the flowers as chrysanthemums and suggesting that many different things were blooming in her life all at once. This  may or may not have been accurate but I found it interesting that another student reading the same individual identified the flowers she saw as peonies.  Never much of a flower gardener I asked myself, aren't peonies a little like chrysanthemums?

After class a quick image search told me that they were and something else as well.  My flowers were much more like peonies than they were mums.  I thought about the symbol journal we are supposed to keep for Spirit Circle and the many times I have been told to study images and symbols as aid to psychic work.  Finally it clicked.

Symbols are our code in psychic work and knowing those symbols is of value.  Knowing a peony from a chrysanthemum is important because every flower is a symbol and each symbol has a meaning.  I never really wanted to keep a list of symbols but why not a sketch book?  I can draw a bit and when I don't have time to draw I can paste in images.  It won't be hard to add a bit of text and I suspect that it will be much more memorable than the dictionary approach.  Using existent symbology for things like flowers, birds, animals and colors will be fun!

This is how I intend to build my vocabulary of spirit and I believe that I will start with flowers.  Pictures of my symbol book to follow.   Now off to Barnes and Noble for the perfect symbol sketch book!

From A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle:  

"Since time immemorial, flowers, crystals, precious stones, and birds have held special significance for the human spirit.  Like all life-forms, they are, of course, temporary manifestations of the underlying one Life, one Consciousness.  Their special significance and the reason why humans feel such fascination for and affinity with them can be attributed to their ethereal quality..."                

Ethereal indeed :)

Check out my other posts on my Clairvoyant One training here:

• Clairvoyance Training: Psychic Sight & Calling Back Energy (Week 4) 
• Clairvoyance Training: The Healing Power of Psychic Sight (Class 3)
• Crafting My Own Course of Spiritual Study: Clairvoyance (Class 2)
• You Are Psychic by Debra Lynn Katz: Clairvoyance Training for Everyone!  (Book Review)

I have just finished week four of Debra Lynn Katz's  live 12 week telecourse through the International School of Clairvoyance. The school, focuses on clairvoyance (or psychic sight) and it is the only online psychic development program I am aware of that does so.  It is perfect for me and I am learning so much! 

Debra's method is highly structured and understandable and my clairvoyant ability is slowly  but steadily improving.  We have been working with flowers and this week I was able to see not just one rose but several - all in a clear, deep rose red!  

This was exciting for me because, while I do glimpse images from time to time, doing so deliberately has been a challenge.  So, while my visualizations remains unstable and images appear only fleetingly I am finally beginning to connect with my ability to generate images.  A big step!

In the Clairvoyant One weekly class (conducted live online by Debra) we do some wonderful  meditation and energy work.  We have also started practice readings which are really fun (and much less threatening in a group). I was surprised to find that not only was I able to get a few images, in much the same way as I do in Spirit Circle, but that I'm beginning to get a sense of how to revisit these images in order to get additional info.  Something I have not been able to do before!

I am benefiting from the energy work in class so much!  This week we are working with calling back energy.  By visualizing ourselves calling back our energy, in the form a big bright magnetized sun, we are able to pull this energy back from our projects, relationships and devices and reintegrate it into our own soul energy.  We performed this exercise in class and I was very surprised at the result.

Not only did I feel energized.  I felt present.  So present that even though I was in a meditative state I felt instantly alert and aware of everything around me.  Part of our homework this week is to call back our energy daily.  This has been great for me.  My manuscript is going well, which is wonderful, but I am also putting in long hours and feeling very invested in the work.  This exercise has been a tremendous method of restoring that energy and, while I am working hard, I have not felt drained at all.

I have great news as well - Debra will be appearing live on "Spirit Talk with Barbara Graver" next Wednesday at 8PM ET /  9PM PT.  This is a great chance to learn more about Debra, her methods, and The International School of Clairvoyance so please do join us on Spirit Talk (sadly no longer available)

To read some of my previous posts about Debra's methods, classes and books please see:

I am currently working with "You Are Psychic" by Debra Lynn Katz, in conjuncture with her second book "Extraordinary Psychic."  And even though I started with this method relatively recently, I am already seeing results!

As the title of "You Are Psychic" suggests, Katz believes that everyone can develop clairvoyance and that this psychic ability (as well as others) is a soul skill possessed by us all - not a rare gift given to a select few.

Developing clairvoyance however, as Katz teaches it, is a process and something that requires a commitment.  It is accessible but not instantaneous (like many other very important things we will do in life).

One of the things I like best about this approach is that it acknowledges that learning is process and then goes on to explain this process in a  structured way that is not only accessible  to everyone, but very easy to apply.

"You are Psychic" is not just a book on psychic development.  It also contains Katz's own story which is an interesting one, offers practical advice about creating your own psychic practice, and provides a wealth of insightful spiritual information on such topics as energy work, manifestation, psychic healing, entities, attachments and the nature of future - to name a few.

My Clairvoyant Corner!

But most importantly, to me, "You Are Psychic," introduces a workable method for developing clairvoyant ability through practical application of some very user friendly 'psychic tools.'

When I began working with "You Are Psychic" my clairvoyance images were rare and fleeting and highly unpredictable.  I am now able to clearly, though briefly, see psychic images when I try - at times.

Seeing an image at this point in my development takes time, effort and concentration.  But I am doing it when I intend to do it - as Katz promises that anyone can if they apply themselves - and I am finding this truth incredibly empowering.

I have a long way to go and I know that I'm not as focused on the work as I could be.  This is a problem I'm addressing in a couple of different ways.  One way, is by making a special corner for my clairvoyant work (pictured)  and working on establishing a daily routine for practice.

The second (and most exciting) way is that I have enrolled in Katz's International School of Clairvoyance 12 week 'Clairvoyance I' telecourse (which begins this February)!  I feel as good about the course as I do the material.  This method is working for me and I want to learn all I can about it!

Moveable Mini Visualization Altar

For more on Debra Katz and The International School of Clairvoyance please check out the following link:  DebraKatz.com.

To learn more about my progress with this material please check back!

Please note:  Both "You Are Psychic" and "Extraordinary Psychic" are great books but I do recommend reading "You Are Psychic"  first as it focuses on the groundwork of this very effective approach in a bit more detail.   For me it was the perfect introduction!

To learn more about Debra Katz and clairvoyance please check out my live "Spirit Talk" interview with  Debra Wednesday On Spirit Talk (I'm sorry but this interview is no longer available).  

Whenever I hear the call of crow it strikes a cord in me.  Part memory perhaps but  more than that - a resonance I cannot explain.

It has always seemed to me that crows take notice of us in a way other birds don't. When I hear their call, I look up and see them watching.  They seem wise and curious and wild.  And I am always glad to see them.

 

My friend feels differently. He is more focused than I on what they eat and sensitive to color. When a crow crosses his path, he thinks of death and bad luck.

Which is not to say that he dislikes crows, only that they make him uneasy. He does in fact love all animals and was understandably upset to kill a crow quite by accident several weeks ago while driving.  Sadly, the bird flew into the side mirror of his car and died apparently on impact.

It was an unusual accident. Doubly remarkable because the short of string of events it set in motion caused a delay and that kept my friend just far enough behind a freeway pile up to avoid it being part of it. For this, he is grateful.

In Native culture, per Jamie Sams, the crow or raven is said to bring the bringer of magic. The color black, in this context is not evil instead it can mean the search for answers or a call to walk "another path at the edge of time."

My friend is not spiritual inclined but I can tell this event gave him pause.

It may be arrogant to think of the death of an as warning to humans, but this death did serve in that capacity. It makes me wonder if this particular crow was carrying a message. Did a miscalculation mid-flight result in the sad circumstance of its delivery? Or was that miscalculation the message itself?

I don't know, but I can say that the crow's untimely death has made me wonder about other things too.

There are many carrion eating birds and animals, so why has western culture come to associate crows with bad luck and death? Is this symbolism its own type of miscalculation?  And what does all of this say about signs and superstition and the relatively subtle difference between omen and warning?

____________________

The quote above is from the book Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams

The "Five Ways to Break a Dream Drought" provided by Robert Moss in his wonderful book "Active Dreaming: Journeying Beyond Self-Limitation to a Life of Wild Freedom" have worked for me and this is saying a lot. 

 

While I am an active dreamer having had some wonderful dreams, these dreams (or rather the remembering of them) is rare.  And I do try very hard to remember them!

Working with the first method Moss gives, I was able to recall two very important dreams earlier this week and am very eager to apply the other principles offered throughout the book. 

The "Five Ways" follow  and they are very effective. I will add however that using another of Moss's suggestions (I believe it was a suggestion given in his audio book  "Dream Gates" which I currently listening to) helped as well. 

The suggestion is simple and it does work.  It is - allow yourself to wake up naturally.  Not always easy but something most of us can do, at least some of the time.

The "Five Ways to Break a Dream Drought" follow, paraphrased and in summary:

I'm currently taking Denise Linn's Soul Coaching® Oracle Card Reader Certification Course and love it! Each week we listen to the lesson on air or via MP3 to learn about sacred space, energy, oracles and oracle reading and more.  We also are given a weekly homework assignment and, in class two, this posed a problem.

Part of our homework assignment was to create an altar just for our oracle cards.  Our class workbook provided a treasure trove of ideas on altar creation.  I wanted to create my own altar but was a bit at a loss. The place my altar will go is currently under construction!

We are in the process of completely remodeling the room which is to become my reading room / office and making an altar before we're done painting, wallpapering, doing the trim and cleaning just didn't make sense.

Luckily enrollment in the course allows all students to participate in  Denise's closed Soul Coaching® Oracle Card Reader FaceBook group.  It is a great community where some really wonderful ideas are shared.  Case in point, a portable altar-on-a-tray by one of my classmates idea shared by one of my classmates.  This, I thought, is perfect for me!

I set up my altar on a tray I had picked up at a flea market.  It has a border of butterflies which are symbolic of transformation including blue butterflies (see image below) as well as especially meaningful to me.  I included all of seven main chakra colors as well as some of my favorite stones and reading decks.  

There is amethyst for psychic abilities, celestite for divine energy, kyanite for attunement and a tumbled piece of prehnite (underneath the reading cloth in this picture), given to me by my dear friend Tara, for psychic knowing and unconditional love . 

The light blue votive holder is for communication and the orange, red and yellow in the second candle holder represent optimism, courage and being true to myself. In addition to Denise's Soul Coaching® Oracle Cards, I included two of my other favorite decks, a small purple incense holder, frankincense incense (which was also a gift) and my favorite card reading cloth. 

I do want to add something for the element of water (I think I have air, earth and fire covered) so I will have to be on the look out for a small shell or dolphin charm.  I have no doubt that it will come.

I love that no matter where I decide to read (which is often on the floor) I can put down this little altar and create sacred space.  And I believe that I will give this 'moveable feast' a permanent place on the fixed altar I have yet to create!

It is a little hard to see but I love that this spread shows Adventure, Miracles and Joy, as well as that I'm leaving behind Conflict & Despair, reaching for the stars and becoming the Counselor - a card I never received before.  It is so appropriate too because this week we are talking about our spirit and oracle guides and there she is with her hands on my shoulders!

Tonight was a very special night - class two of Denise Linn's Soul Coaching® Oracle Card Reader Certification Course.  And I'm happy to say that I was there, via my computer!  

I'm participating in this lovely course until December 2nd.  And while tonight does  complete the second class, all previous sessions are made available for immediate MP3 download throughout the course - so it is not too late to join us!

I loved both classes one and two.  And I found that while each covers several different but related topics,  they also share a common theme - and that is one of clearing.

In class one (Creating Sacred Space) Denise gives some great information about clearing your deck, yourself, your client and your reading space. As Denise has written extensively on Feng Shui, and creating sacred space (as well as other spiritual topics), she is a fantastic resource for this material.

Space clearing is  a timely topic for me personally and I'll be applying all the information given in setting up my own reading area and office.  I'm also planning on ordering Denise's book, "Sacred Space: Clearing and Enhancing the Energy of Your Home" to help me with my pre-holiday cleaning and organizing!

Class two (Clearing the Channel) talks about clearing deep blockages with an emphasis on past life regression.  Denise is knowledgeable about, and has written on, this topic as well and I found the guided past life meditations experienced in class two to be especially effective.

In addition to the weekly class, an in depth pdf workbook provides detailed information corresponding to each session.  For classes one and two the work book supplies specific clearing techniques and rituals, a past life questionnaire, past life regression script, altar creation ideas, the history of the oracle, and more.  I found the workbook is well thought out, comprehensive and attractive.

Card I'm attuning to today!

I am also quite pleased with the flow of the course thus far.  Denise starts out by telling us that she believes in the power of beginnings. And her emphasis on the crucial preliminary steps of oracle card reading - creating sacred space, defining terms and context, attuning to the cards, and clearing our own psychic channel - certainly proves this out.

The oracle cards utilized in the course are Denise's own Soul Coaching Oracle Cards® which I have just recently purchased.  Each includes a softly colored image, positive key word and an affirmation.

There is a nice energy to this deck and I will have more to say about it as I get to know it better.  Our ongoing homework is to work with each card individually and record our impressions in our course journal (provided via pdf).

I am having fun with this assignment and enjoy learning about how others are doing through the closed FaceBook group reserved for students of the course.

Also, of particular importance to me - the Soul Coaching® Oracle Card Reading Certification Course  is filled with beautiful and effective guided meditations.  There is something magical about the way Denise transports us to ancient Greece to recall our possible previous incarnations in the role of ancient oracles.   And I'm pleased that I'll be able to revisit this, and other, beautiful  meditations in MP3 format anytime I choose!

Please note that classes 1 through 6 are pre-recorded (with live intro and Q & A sessions with Denise Linn offered at the beginning and end of the course).  I intend to make it a point to listen to the broadcast however whenever possible.  For me, there is an energy to working simultaneously with others that's uplifting.  That said, the downloadable MP3s are quite convenient!

For more about the course, please check out my previous blog post:  Denise Linn's Soul Coaching® Oracle Card Reader Certification Course & Me!

For more about my progress with this wonderful course and the pictorial transformation of my work space, please check back <3