Raising Spirits

Raising Spirits in Transition
Paula Vaughan

It has been 2 years since I have written for Odyssey. These years have been spent in learning about Transitions. It has been painful, joyful and enlightening. Perhaps some of you have been experiencing some of these same transitions.

Mine started in August 2 years ago when I moved into my new home. Many of you have been through the angst of remodeling and setting up a house to make it a home. This was a time of experiencing feng shui. For me feng shui means a room feeling happy and the energy flowing through it comfortably. Sometimes you can walk into a house or a restaurant and feel the good vibes. Just the same you can experience negative feelings by walking into a place where the energy doesn't flow and feels confined or restricted. Sometimes this is so subtle it is hard to know why the place doesn't feel right. Sometimes it is old energy or a spirit that is present. Your house reflects your life, love and passion. Make sure it is really you that is showing.

Many times I have had clients tell me their house doesn't feel right to them. Sometimes there is a feeling of a spirit present. Usually it is very easy to make contact with the spirit and ask them to leave. These spirits are departed souls that do not know they have died. They do not mean to cause harm, and are easily led to the light by familiar relatives and friends. The family feels the energy change and become more comfortable in their home. My home needed to be cleansed of the energy of the previous owner. I did this using sage and candles. The main thing is to have the intention of clearing the home of any negative energy or spirits.

During the remodel I used my spiritual knowledge to help the work along. I had a bowl of water in which I had candles. Each candle represented one of the remodel people; one for the plumber, one for the electrician, one for the contractor and so on. I prayed for them daily. I affirmed that everyone loved me and wanted to do a good job. This I said daily as I ascended the steps from my basement. I prayed for people to come. Then I told them I had lit a candle for them and prayed for them to show. I constantly thanked them for doing a good job for me.

I remember the astonished look on the electrician's face as I greeted him with a hug. He had never met me and was a replacement for the original electrician who had to bow out as he had too much work. He sent me Mike. He was overwhelmed and got right into the spirit of things in my house. He did an excellent job and showed up on time. Being on time and showing up is a rare quality in the home repair market.

My contractor and his men got used to seeing me do readings in my living room. They constantly came in & out the door and just went on with their work as I went on with mine. I work with my eyes closed and hold a crystal. During this time I warned all my clients before they came that I was under remodel and we would work with men around. Everyone understood and we kept on going. We also worked on the front porch weather permitting and my neighbors got used to seeing me on my swing with a client in a rocking chair. I was amazed at how quickly we all adapted. My readings improved as I had to hold my focus and concentrate with all the distractions and noise.

Many of the workmen started telling me their stories. How they had experiences with Spirit. I loved their sharing of experiences that had deepened their belief. I was glad they considered me a safe person to confide in. It put us at a heart connection. Interesting how Spirit works to find us our teachers.

My window washer has continued my spiritual training. He pointed out to me how I need to see clearly the world outside and how not having clear windows obstructs my views. I seek to be clear inside and out. He continued my lessons telling me how he can tell the energy in the house. He told me for instance of going to a client's home where little notes of "I love you" were left on the counter from the husband to the wife. In another the owner was angry and argumentative. Another home had wine bottles left out on the counter and the house felt uncared for. We never know when outsiders may get a glimpse of our home. It made me get serious about how each room was arranged. I spent much time moving things around until it felt right. Asking if each collection of things I put out reflected what I wanted the world to know about me.

Many times in readings I get the feeling the client's home is cluttered. It usually reflects what is going on in their life. It is usually suggested to change the energy by simply cleaning out a closet or drawers. When the job may seem overwhelming-like the whole house needs a cleaning out, I encourage the client to start with 1 room each week. The bathroom is usually the easiest and the effects can be seen quickly. Recently I was in my father's house after my mother died. I felt so hopeless and sad that I started cleaning out his bathroom. It was fun to throw old medicines away and clean off shelves. I felt much better. Usually by the time clients finish unpacking boxes and arranging each room the way if feels good to them, the problem in the outside world has shrunk and is easily solved. Remember inner peace comes from order. Look at the way monks and nuns live very simply. That is why we get such a feeling of peace when we visit their monastaries.

This is also a good way to move energy. Many times I have started cleaning off my desk and organizing my work space when I am waiting for something to happen. Cleaning out closets is a good way to get romantic movement going. The bedroom needs to be open and inviting. Check out your space to see if it has clutter that may be blocking energy.

I met someone who rented an apartment in their home. They always walked perspective tenants to their car. If the car was clean inside, they got the apartment if not then she waited for another tenant to appear. She felt the car's interior was a good indication of how they would keep the apartment. How does your car look? Louise Hay says a car reflects how we lead our life.

Another transition came when I had to do rearranging when my boyfriend left. I took the room he had been using as an office and turned it into a meditation room. It completely changed the energy in the room. I lit candles and sat writing daily. I filled out all the Oprah pages I had been saving. I read in there. I moved my altar to this room. There are pictures of all my family and it easy to remember them in my prayers. This lifted my spirits - sitting in room in candlelight and grieving. I kept writing about the spiritual partner I wanted in my life. In three weeks he was back and we got married in September. So I encountered another transition.

Green plants are known to transform energy. I have them surrounding me in my office and in my living room where I work. I have found plants talk to me. Once when I was first separated from my ex-husband, I found some purple shamrocks growing in the park beside my house. I used to ask questions every morning. These were yes & no questions. The shamrocks would move for yes and stand still for no. Isn't it interesting how the Universe answers all our questions many times in such creative ways? It is our job to remember the question. The angels tell me they send the answer to us at least a 100 times hoping we will get it. Try this on a favorite plant that has leaves.

Trees make nice connections with us if we open to their energy. In every place I live, I usually find a tree to connect with. When I was in a condo I had a magnificent old tree to talk to. Being on the third floor it was my delight to watch squirrels and birds move gracefully and easily through the tree. I would ask a question in meditation. Then open my eyes and get the answer acted out for me. Watching these animals move through the trees jumping from limb to limb with trust and confidence inspired me to believe I could also move through my life trusting the Universe would give me what I needed to survive. Birds and squirrels didn't look down or give into fear. They kept focused on where they wanted to go. This was especially helpful when I was going through a difficult time financially. I heard the words "I have taken care of you all your life, why do you doubt now?" Miracles began to happen. Two people called me and ask to repay me a debt 2 years earlier than we had arranged.

People gave me angels. I used a tree in my foyer to display them. More angels went on my bookcase and ended up all around the house in fun places-like over doors. Having my children's pictures around inspires me. I feel like they are with me. Many times I have had angels and spirits tell a client to meditate with a loved one's picture close by or hold something they owned to help make a connection.

When Bob and I got married, we did not want to give up the meditation room. So I moved my office to my reading room to accommodate his office. Now I use my living room for readings. The green plants in the foyer greet clients with wonderful calm and peaceful energy. Clients constantly remark how good it feels to step into my house. Do you have green plants nearby? Doreen Virtue suggests we sleep with them by our bed.

Color is important. Each color has a different vibration. Purple is a color of transformation. You see it used in many churches. I found a shade I love and have used it as an accent color in four houses. People usually comment on it favorably-even men. When a policeman arrived at my door to deliver my divorce, he kept saying "Wow, my wife would really love this color." It took the edge off his visit to say the least. What colors are you using to empower you? My office is also purple, as I need all the help I can get while working on the computer. My mother gave me the angel over my computer. It helps. Try wearing colors that lift your energy. I wear green or blue when I teach. Green is a heart color and blue is about communication. Experiment with colors to lift your spirits.

My latest transition is the death of my mother. I had done anticipatory grief since last spring when she was in the hospital. When she died Dec. 22 I encountered a very deep depression and sadness. Thanks to Hospice and some good antidepressants I am back in the world again laughing and enjoying my life. Hospice has wonderful classes for the newly bereaved. They really helped me. My doctor could see I needed help and prescribed antidepressants that have enabled me to sleep and focus on life again. It is a temporary solution but it helps get through the hard times. Healing is much more difficult without sleep. I am reminded we keep a bandaid on cuts until they are healed enough to be in the open. I am just glad God made medicine that can be so helpful. Many times the angels have suggested antidepressants or St. John's Wort for clients who are going through a depression. My mother has visited me in dreams and came 2 days before she died. These visits leave me with a good feeling. We are both learning how to connect during my meditations. Even though I talk to spirits after death and they have told me of a wonderful afterlife, I still miss my mother. She died at 89. This is really helping me learn about grief and be more compassionate with friends and clients who loose a dear one. Mother keeps on teaching me as she did in life.

My newest challenge in transitions is the changing role of mother. My children are grown and making their own life. I am learning to let go and let God. It is not easy moving to the friend place and keeping quiet with advice until I am asked. Recently I have been attending AL-Anon meetings. They have been a source of wisdom. My favorite slogan is the 3C's. You didn't cause it, you can't control it and you can't cure it. These really work for most of life's problems. The serenity prayer is so useful. I keep saying, "Give me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, and the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. "

The Universe continues to send me new teachers and lessons. Answers come from songs playing in my head or even on the radio. Usually only a phrase repeats itself-but it is an answer. Our quest is to remember what we asked. The Universe is an excellent school and uses many different kinds of spiritual teachers to transform our thinking or challenge us-even builders, electricians and window washers. So look at your life and see what lessons are coming to you now. Maybe you need to clean out a few areas in your home to create the peace and harmony you desire in your life.

Paula Vaughan like Dee Patterson is on the panel of professional psychics at Edgar Cayce's Association of Research and Enlightenment. She is a spiritual counselor, business consultant and a medium. She lives in Boulder, CO. She can be reached at 303-447-0250.