Seance on A Saturday Night 2018

Séance in June 2018

For (nearly) a year, I've wanted to attend a Séance conducted by my (long-time) friend Dikki-Jo Mullen. I saw on her Facebook Page (I think last October) that she was conducting "Victorian-style Séances" in her home in Orlando, Florida.

We were unable to attend, then. But recently gathered a group for the so-journ into Downtown Orlando for a Séance on a Saturday night.

One of our quartet had attended a Séance in Chesterfield (Spiritualist Camp, Indiana). The rest of us were uninitiated.

Well, I say un-initiated. I have conducted "transe-sessions" where I go into a transe=state and spirit guides speak through me. Walt has attended those sessions.

So we aren't completely without some spirit experience. However, I had never attended one as a "sitter" or participant. So I was very excited.

I was also very excited to see my long-time friend, Dikki-Jo, whom I hadn't seen in person, for decades.

Sparing you most of the biennale details, it was a sweet time with spirit, and Dikki-jo a congenial host and medium with an exquisite gift.

Dikki-Jo's home is the perfect environment (save one small issue) for conducting old-style Séances. The home was built in the 1940's. The walls repeat with artworks and Astrology and mystic curiosities. Throw pillows with images from Tarot cards adorn the vintage couch. A portrait of "Gypsy Dikki-Jo" adorns a wall, directly across from a portrait of her grandmother, also a spirit medium.

The Séance Room, likewise appointed, with an oval oak table (which seats 10 people), and 3/4's of the walls fitted with little shelves. On the shelves, something I haven't seen in years. Dikki-jo called it her "inheritence". There must be nearly 1000 "salt and pepper" shakers, mostly ceramic and china. You know the kind, with two "love birds together" or other such vignettes.

At each place for the sitters, there was an artisan piece of jewelry, beautiful quaint pieces, that were gifts for each person. Along with that a votive candle (blessed with lavender oil) to bring home and use in one's own "spirit communication ritual".

After all were gathered and snacks proffered, we were escorted into the Séance room, where Dikki-jo engaged in educating us about the traditions of Séance and spiritualism. Although I have known her for a very long time (since the early  '80's) I did not know that she comes from a long line of spiritualist. Her family engaged in Séances (at least) once a week with neighbors and friends.

Then, beginning the work at hand, Dikki-jo donned her grandmother's apron and we began the ritual to call the spirits to us.

 An antique bell, a Séance trumpet  and a small dish of talc powder to monitor the presence of the spirits, and I was in a salon in Old spiritualist home with long passed friends. Messages given, with descriptions for the spirits giving them, were lavish and effusive.  Friends in our group were receiving messages from family members and friends, as were for the family of sitters and new companions on our spirit experience.

Mentioning a few surprises, or maybe, some things I did not expect, and really, for which I had not prepared. Artworks that I have seen of Victorian sitting rooms with sitters awaiting messages of spirit, all have the ladies with beautiful, lace-like hand-fans. I really could have used one of those. The 1940's house in which she lives is not a model of air-cooling efficiency. It wasn't until later, that Dikki-jo said "I usually have these séances in the fall and through the winter" and that is will the tradition to have them at that time up north, that I realized my own error. I thought it might have been because of the sun setting earlier so the dark is friendly. But I think the summer heat is a consideration that I overlooked in making plans to go to this event.

So, like the wicked witch of the west, we were melting...well, all of us except Dikki-jo, who was fresh as a daisy through out the proceedings. I must ask about the secret to that.

My husband got a message from a loud-boisterous man who sang Christmas Carols all through the year. He knew who that was immediately and confessed to me privately (with tears piquing in his eyes) that it really touched his heart to hear from this long-departed relative.

I heard from Grandmother and Aunt (sisters) who "really didn't quite approve" of what I do. But it was , with out a doubt,  them: complete with reference to my Grandma's favorite soap opera's. But I also heard from my mother and my father (God bless them) That was sweet and sad for me.

I didn't expect breaks in the séance (even though I read in her description that there would be). Breaks for refreshment and air. Tea and scones and lemon ice cookies, made for a lovely and comforting repast, along with lime-water. Every so often we would catch a glimpse of Templeton, the white kitty and intrepid traveler and Chizzy the black (and by accounts) naughty, escape artist.

During the spirit visitations I was hearing music and voices coming through the séance trumpet which was positioned behind me. I was seeing spirits moving and spirit faces behind the sitters around the table.  So the messages directed to me were not the only mystical experiences I was having.

There were several messages that , I think could have been for me, or Walt or other members, that, frankly, were claimed too quickly by an eager sitter. Our group (afterwards) said that we were all waiting for Dikki-Jo to complete the description before speaking out. But I don't guess any of us regret not speaking out sooner.

Dikki-jo is a gentle soul who expects the best to come to her. The best spirit messages, the best spirits, the best house guests. She explained at the beginning of the meeting that we don't need to be afraid of the spirits that it is a comforting and uplifting experience and we don't need to be afraid of the spirits that come.

I love that perspective. Too many Hollywood representations of the evil spirits have tainted the space for our beloved departed, I think.

 To close-out the circle, Dikki-Jo did something I've never seen anyone do. You all know what a "Tarotfile" I am...ALL about the Tarot cards. Dikki-jo brought her (well-loved) Rider/Waite Tarot and pulled cards for each sitter, giving messages from one last spirit from whom we might not have heard. I was SO excited to see her cards, and watch her working with them, and I fear, that is something that I am going to have to try.

If you are looking to connect with someone dearly departed, I think this is the (ultimate) way to do it, Tea, scones, an old oak séance table and Dikki-jo as your guide.

But do it during the fall or winter--if you're a wimp like me.

Until next time,

Eat something wonderful

and live a life worth loving.

-Kim

A Mystical Weekend

You might have seen a recent blog that I posted about a Séance experience I had with Dikki-Jo Mullen . That weekend with rifle with myself, quirky and blessing experiences that were too numerous too count. I probably couldn't keep silent about them, if I wanted to, which I don't....so I won't.

First--an  apport story

Apport-definition:

In parapsychology and spiritualism, an apport is the alleged paranormal transference of an article from one place to another, or an appearance of an article from an unknown source that is often associated with poltergeist activity or séances.

Backstory

  I recently came across (and re-fell in love with) the first Tarot deck I owned and with which I read. While conducting a reading for someone, I discovered there was a bent (slightly mutilated) card (the four of wands). In the midst of this, I'm getting enthusastic  about a movement among Tarotists called modified Tarot decks (in which Tarot decks are cropped of their borders and edged and perhaps backed with contact paper). So, I was troubled by the bent card, attempting to source replacement and launching a bit of a campaign for "the faithful remant" of Tarot cards---no card left behind. Reading for a client, we were talking about experiences at a séance. She mentioned receiving an apport. I replied (a bit too sharply, I think) "I don't believe in apports".

The morning I'm to leave for Orlando, I see a deck of the Sacred Rose Tarot (the original deck with which I began reading Tarot). Shrugging and thinking: "I don't remember leaving these here" and then going through some of the cards...I realized, this is not the same deck. This one was not as well loved. Actually didn't seem to have been used at all. Walt is smiling at me with the ardency of an otter at play and then finally confesses he found them in a basket in one of the bedrooms. Not MY basket, with MY things but Nella's things. Further investigation with Nella , proved fruitless in explanation. She knew nothing about the cards or their origin and I was welcome to them.  

 One of my favorite authors and avid spiritualist , Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said: Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.
  If this had been any other Tarot Deck, I might have been tempted to brush it off.

My conclusion: This Tarot deck is an apport.

On the way to Orlando for our Séance adventure, I learned that a friend (on the same adventure) had paid for our room with her Holiday Inn points. Major Blessing!

We had an (early) supper together and then headed off to the Séance, which was interesting and mystical and lovely.

The next morning, another friend bought us breakfast! I love chatting away and eating breakfast and drinking coffee.

On the way home, we were on 520 and elected to stop at a Metaphysical Store we'd been meaning to visit (and never had). We stopped at Angel's Oasis on the way home. It is a quaint and pleasant shop with dragons popping out of eggs, and oracle decks and crystals (oh my!).  It's plumb in the center of Cocoa Village (in a bit of store cul-de-sac-)  My concern in this shop was the dimness of the lighting, I found the lighting insufficient to take in all of the delights of the shop. I know...I'm aging and need more light...but only to see.

 After visiting there, we were walking down the street to our car, when I saw an "other worldly figure" walking UP the sidewalk past us.

It was (of course) Morgana Star. I've never met her in person (or any other way, for that matter). 5' 8" (I'm assuming) buxom woman with blond flowing hair and skin as creamy as the dress she was wearing. I think Walt expressed it best when he said "She cuts quite a fiqure". Seeing her approaching, I found myself wondering if people in Cocoa Village see her and wonder if she's a spirit or Celestial being, instead of a human. After exchanging cordial "hellos" we went on our way.

 But not quite home...not quite yet.  On a roll (as they say) Walt had not seen Creative Energy (on 192) We arrived there just before they opened. It is a beautiful store...and honestly, like a candy store for the metaphysically inclined.

While Walt was enjoying the crystals and fairies and mermaids (oh my!) I found my way back to the large display of Tarot decks. When Kathryn Flanagan emerged from a curtain (nearby), I actually wondered if she caught me drooling (over the Tarot decks....never-mind). I loved seeing Kathryn in her environment, as she regaled me with her latest theater extravaganza (in which she dances). I'm sure she's breath-taking in it.

 After himming and hawing, and two Tarot Decks and a golden $100 bill later (they have them there for sale...I'm putting it on my vision board-don't judge me!)

We made the winding trip home.

It was a wondrous, mystical and blessing-filled weekend.

More wondrous and mystical and blessing-filled than has been

for me...in many a year.

Until next time,

eat something wonderful,

and live a life worth loving,

-Kim

Lessons I'm learning in this move and search for a home. Part 2 Living with your own contracts

Mark 11:23-24 ESV

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Often, during readings, I will ask people, "OK, but what are you saying?"

Then it's smacked me right in the face with my own events (of late).

Digressing for a moment, I remember talking to a church member, about this very topic. She was going through things with her kids. I often would hear her remark "Give me a break!" One day while shopping at the mall with her kids, she stated (emphatically) "Give me a break!" as she was stomping her foot. At that precise moment, she broke her foot.

What we confess (for good or for ill) will certainly (in some form or fashion) come to fruition.

For a year, I confessed that I wanted to clean out our two-car garage. Well, circumstances have occurred so that the garage had to be sorted and cleared.

I have been praying for someone to whom I could gift my mother's sewing machine After putting it on the curb, our neighbor from across the street asked if she could have it. She was (formerly) a seamstress.

What brings this into focus now, though, is my friend Nella. We've known each other since the early '80's. I read for her at Starlight (when it was off of Strawbridge). Coincidentally, she is now in her 80's. She's had a condominium in Indian Harbour Beach, since we met.

She is a dear woman, who "kept to herself" most of the time. I think it was 5 years before I actually visited her at home.

Walt and I have looked after her for these years (during Hurricanes and the like).

But for 2 years, I have been praying for a way to be helpful to her in a substantial way. I've become aware of the error in my thinking here (more about that later).

 In so-doing, praying, confessing, I was creating a "contract". Agreeing that I am available to be used as an instrument for this specific purpose, by God.

 I've lived up to more difficult contracts, however I was younger, and thinner and (I think) more naive to how much work I was agreeing to undertake.

 The error in my thinking, in this, was in not considering that someone else could help Nella. Although, I don't know if that is truly possible, because she trusts so few people. But the contract I made, I'm living now. cleaning the walls of her condo; cleaning the carpets, undressing her walls, seeing to repairs for her, replacing appliances for her. I don't regret helping her. But frankly, the up and down the stairs is waring on me.

Even the most casual of "contracts" can (and I've found WILL) be honored by God and spirit. Several months ago, on facebook, there was a picture of a cabin. A question was proffered: "You will have everything you need. No cable, no internet. Could you live here for a month". I remember responding "I could live without cable, but don't think I could live without internet."

As it happens, here at Nella's condo, We can have internet (provided via the phone lines) but we can't have a dish, so our At&T  programming is null and void.

 In the light of this, there are new contracts to which I am giving voice.

 We will find a beautiful home in the Melbourne area. There will be newer appliances (glass-top stove). The kitchen will be large enough for Walt and I to be in at the same time, creating meals and delights.

The house will be a "4/2" of sorts, preferably with a MIL suite (of sorts) that can be my art studio, reading and classroom.

We will have a yard in which to display our holiday joy.

It will be within a specific budget range for us. We will be approved by the mortgage lenders. It will be ready for us to move into at the end of closing.

The electrical panel accommodates 200 ampage. New roof, sound plumbing, sound foundation.

Yes there's even more.

Be aware, though, of the "random thoughts" as well. In our search for a new home, a manufactured home caught my attention. Not that that is a bad thing. What I really liked was the mortgage payment. Extremely low, even with the absorbent insurance.  Also, the community had a pool, and I really liked that idea.

The condo where we're staying, the rent we will pay, exact same as the mortgage payment on the manufactured home, and the condo community has a pool.

Access the contracts one is making most carefully.

We need to start staying what we mean; Meaning what we say.

Until next time, Eat something nutritious and live a life worth loving.

Lessons I'm learning in this move and search for a home. Part 1

I'm sure friends and family are sick of hearing about this move on which Walt and I have embarked.

The truth be known, I'm kind of weary of speaking about it.

However, I am learning lessons and I'm hoping to share some of them here.

The most powerful one is centered around something that I heard in a

documentary of Mother Teresa.

I am unable to quote directly as I have not found the quote in my searches.

In the documentary she said that in devotion to God, you have to be willing to be

where God puts you. If that is in a mansion, then alright. If that is in the streets of Calcutta,

then "alright".

In moving from the house in Melbourne, to the condominium on the beach we have cut our furnishings, appliances and living elements down to (an estement) 1 tenth (if that) of what we had in our previous house. Of course, a wealth of those things are in pods, so technically we still own them. There were SO many things we gave away. Neighbors gleaned and people just driving by picked up things off the curb. Things there weren't enough room for in the pod, at the condo, or in our life, any more.

It makes me sad to say good-bye to these things. Many of them enriched our lives. I console myself by saying "they will enrich someone else's life now" I pray that's true.

In the film Sister Act, Maggie Smith (as Mother Superior) tells Whoopie Goldberg's character,  "God has brought you here. Take the hint."

Of the reasons that "God has brought us here" I can think of several.

First, I've been praying for a way to help my long-time friend Nella (who owns the condo).

I love her dearly. She's been struggling more years than I can number, financially and personally. Nella doesn't allow many people (well, now those people are down to 2--Walt and me) in her condo. So the condo has needed some repair and cleaning. Not to mention that we will be a financial blessing to her.

Apparently, the only way that can come to pass is that Walt and I move in to the condo.

(see part 2-Living with your own contracts)

In the time we have been here (about 2 weeks-on and off because last night was the first night we've spent here) we've eradicated rodents (that should be Walt, Anita and Truly Nolan, mostly in that order)

Repaired two toilets (again, that should be Chuck Jacobs and Walt).

Repaired the water-heater (Chuck Jacobs).

Repaired sliding glass door handle & lock. (Walt)

Repaired the back screen door (Walt & Eric)

Replaced the stove (thank you, Chuck Jacobs, Pam Jacobs and Eric)

Washed walls (me and Walt)

Shopped for and found replacement refrigerator and range hood (delivered tomorrow)

Steam cleaned carpet in all the condo. (me)

and moved ALL the furniture in the house (looking for evidence of rodents)

All, while packing and moving the things in our own (previous home), packing the pods,

and trying to keep ourselves fed and sane.

(not too sure about the efficiency of the "sane" part)  

I'm trying to not complain. (maybe I'm complaining a little bit).

But a favorite character in another film said (talking to God-in the film Ladyhawk) "I would like to think all of this has some higher meaning. It certainly would reflect well on you.".

Until next time,

Eat something nutritious

and live a life worth loving.

-Kim