Reiki therapy is helpful for a great variety of issues dealing with animals.  Because it can be sent over a distance, there is much less stress on an injured animal and much less danger to the practitioner, as any animal may strike out in pain and fear.

Animals in pain will almost always react positively to Reiki energy.  In dealing with these kinds of situations, it’s best to mentally ask the animal’s permission before sending the energy. They often will turn their bodies so that the painful part is toward you, or may even place the painful area in your hands if possible.  It’s wonderful to see an animal that’s been in extreme pain relax and even sleep as it absorbs the Reiki energy.

Since Reiki heals on all levels, it can also be particularly beneficial for animals that have behavioral or emotional issues, since these may often stem from an abusive past.  In cases of abuse, the animals most likely have never been in control of anything in their lives, and may not accept Reiki at first.  But once they understand that they can take as much or as little energy as they want and stop at any time, most abused animals will gratefully accept it.

Animals in shelters will, almost without exception, eagerly and gratefully soak up the Reiki energy for as long as you’re willing to send it.  They recognize the benefits of this therapy and it’s not unusual for a whole row of caged pets to be sound asleep while the practitioner is sending the energy.  The energy can help calm them down and ease their emotional turmoil, often resulting in better behavior.  This ultimately makes them more adoptable.

Reiki can boost an animal’s overall health and well-being, with regular sessions helping older animals maintain their activity levels with less pain.  Arthritis and digestive issues are common in older pets, and Reiki therapy is very beneficial at easing their stiffness and discomfort.

When it’s finally time to tell our beloved pets goodbye, Reiki can ease that transition as well.  The energy is calming for the animal, and can greatly relieve the stress of any pain and suffering.  Owners benefit by seeing that their pets are more comfortable, and feel supported throughout this often difficult period.

Although Reiki is not a miracle cure, Reiki therapy can be an effective complement to your regular vet care and will definitely be appreciated by your pets.  Even if they’re healthy and happy, the gentle energy will make them feel pampered and cared for.  And if they have any health or emotional issues a Reiki session or two can set them on the road to good health.

Have a fur baby that needs a boost of positive energy? Zuri is available for distance Reiki energy treatments for your pets. To schedule an intuitive energy healing or to receive more information, please click here.

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Many of us spent an entire season stuffing down emotions and holding onto relationships, jobs or situations that we’ve outgrown. No matter what challenges we’ve been choosing to put on the back burner, we’ve felt the effects in the form of emotional, mental or physical blockage. And when we don’t deal with them, the Universe always steps in to create a life change so we can release the old and embrace a new identity. The ’9′ energy vibration this month teaches us that letting go opens up a dialogue with Spirit that brings resolutions and beautiful new beginnings.

The Virgo sun will encourage any activities that promote de-cluttering, organizing and re-prioritizing. By creating new space in your life, you can allow new opportunities in. Virgo acts as the life coach, snapping the whip and holding you accountable for creating the life you are meant to live. Through its spiritual mentorship you’ll discover new action plans to deal with a health, relationship or financial issue with grace and ease.

Are you having difficulty maintaining proper boundaries? Look at where you’ve been over-extending and giving parts of yourself away. For people stretched thin by responsibility and obligation, you’re being invited into a period of self-definition and re-structuring over the next couple of weeks. Reclaim your personal power and learn that it’s ok to put yourself first. Leave self-criticism at the door and nurture your beautiful spirit with self-care. You are perfect just the way you are. Call upon Archangel Jophiel to fill your space with beautiful thoughts and support your feng shui work.

On September 8th, the New Moon in Virgo will infuse a fresh energy of healing to our lives. Our priorities will be re-examined as we ground our energy and adopt new habits that support our growth. What’s your action plan for creating abundance? Right now, Mercury’s retrograde through September 12th, illuminating new insights and ideas that can allow a new perspective to emerge. Practice meditation and working with your angels to receive guidance on your best next steps. In the week after this retrograde, you can start to see the fruits of those planted seeds in your renewed efforts.

Stand in your own power and assert your individuality as the moon waxes full in Aries on September 23rd. Partnering up with creative people to finish old projects will be supported during this moon phase. Whether you’re single or part of a couple, be open to romance in all of its forms. Soul mates and past life connections are very strong right now. Don’t be surprised if you hear from people from your past and reconnect with someone you haven’t thought about in years!

Get ready to clear, release and renew… September is a recalibration process, preparing you to turn the chapter so you can experience all sorts of new opportunities come October. Have an insightful month!

I send you blessings of love, peace and strength.
With love,
Zuri ♥

Whether the insights come from a dream, songs, nature, or a conversation, pay attention to how Spirit is giving you answers. Signs are everywhere if you are open to seeing, feeling and hearing them. Have an enlightened Tuesday!

With love,
Zuri ♥

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Meditate on Friday’s tarot card, the Ace of Pentacles, to ground the energy of your root chakra to allow new opportunities and ideas into your reality. Carry a hematite stone to ground yourself and anchor your intentions. Whether it’s a creative project or a boost to your financial situation you seek, this is a wonderful tarot card to work with under this moon phase to bring a new beginning.

Have a wonderful weekend!

With love,
Zuri ♥

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Listen to your body and your emotions for additional insights. If you’re feeling any stuck energy, dancing, music and any artistic endeavor can greatly help move the energy out of your body and head in a creative way for cleansing. Crank up your song list and express yourself, girlfriend!

My favorite healing place? The ocean! A visit to the ocean can release any patterns that are now ready to be let go so you can get back to your center and feel re-charged. Call upon the Goddesses of the ocean to amp up your healing ritual and get ready to surrender what is ready to be released so you can celebrate the intuitive power that resides within you.

How will you be embracing the powerful energy of this full moon? Share your thoughts and let me know how this Pisces moon affects you.

Happy Moon Blessings!
With love,
Zuri ♥

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Think about where you’re over-extending yourself and Virgo will guide you to redefine personal boundaries and prepare you to question what’s working for you, what’s not and redirect your focus when new answers become available. The theme is all about making improvements in all areas of your life and letting go of any issues of perfectionism or seeking outside approval to find inner peace. You will be encouraged to find inner counsel through listening to your own voice and that of your committee of angels and guides.

Work on clearing and balancing your throat chakra with blue crystals, such as turquoise or blue lace agate, to speak your truth and open up the dialogue with the Divine. With Mercury also being retrograde right now and Mercury being Virgo’s ruling planet, your intuitive intellect will be laser sharp, so pay attention to Divine messages for a clearer overview of any situation that may present itself.

Today’s chosen tarot card is the Two of Cups, representing the partnership between you and Spirit. The message here is about being open to the possibilities all around you through the messages coming in from Spirit. Are you listening? Spirit has been calling on the other line and is waiting for you to answer. It’s time for you to pick up the phone and open your heart to its detailed guidance. Spirit wants to get together for coffee, go over the details and work with you to create the changes and success you desire, so don’t let the opportunities for transformation pass you by!

Have a great Monday!
With love and blessings,
Zuri ♥

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So, take back your power by researching and exploring your options in those areas so you can see where your next step lies. Engage in holistic self-care and practice healthy boundaries as you integrate this new energy into your life.  I drew from the Tarot for more insight into the energy of these next few weeks and got the Death card. The Death card heralds a time of letting go of the past and old patterns in order to make room for the transformation that is already occurring on a deeper level.

In what areas do you need to surrender control and change your perspective for a new door to open?  This retro period is a perfect opportunity to shed old skins, re-organize and let go of possessions that keep us emotionally corded to the past.  De-clutter, meditate and space clear to gain clarity and new energy flow. Your intuition will be heightened during this period so definitely listen to what the Universe has to say and take time to sit in silence and wait for more guidance.  The main message of this retrograde is to trust in the process, detach from the outcome and let go of any fear or poverty consciousness so your Angels can light the way for the big changes ahead.

Redefine your self-esteem and allow a new way of thinking to emerge from the transformations. By the end of this retrograde cycle, we’ll have new practical information to redirect our course and receive insights to get through any challenges.

Click here to read the full starcast for August 2010.

Wishing you peace and lots of empowerment!
Blessings,
Zuri ♥

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A common misconception regarding aromatherapy is that any scent that smells good carries aromatherapeutic properties. True aromatherapy is derived from essential oils, which are distilled from different plant parts such as the roots, flowers and leaves.  The molecules in these oils interact with scent receptors in the nose, sending a nerve impulse to the brain and creating their effect.

Different essential oils have various effects on the brain.  Some are calming and soothing, others stimulating and refreshing.  Some oils impart feelings of well-being and harmony to the whole body.  Oils can also penetrate the surface of the skin, offering profound benefits.

Lavender is probably one of the best-known and widely-used essential oils, as it’s readily available and famous for its healing properties. Use one drop of lavender oil in a cup of water as an antiseptic that’s soothing and cleansing for wounds or acne. This oil is also one of only two essential oils that can safely be used “neat” – meaning in its undiluted form.  Dab a little lavender oil on insect bites and stings – instant relief!  Did you spend too much time in the sun?   Ten or more drops of lavender oil in the bathtub, along with half a cup of baking soda, will cool down your skin and take away the sting.

If you’re prone to headaches, there are several essential oils known for their analgesic (pain-reducing) properties.  Again, lavender is one of the best oils for headaches.  Rub some oil on the base of your neck and into your temple area and relax in a darkened room, or put 4 or 5 drops in a bowl of ice water and soak a cloth in it for a cold compress for your forehead – very soothing.  Inhaling lavender oil can also help a headache.  Simply place a few drops on a tissue and breathe in, or put a few drops on your pillow at night.

Peppermint oil is another essential oil with many uses.  Where lavender is soothing, peppermint oil is stimulating.  It’s a digestive aid, an antidepressant, an antiseptic and it also has analgesic properties.   To dispel nausea and intestinal gas, a drop of peppermint oil dissolved in a teaspoon of honey and then taken with an 8 ounce glass of water is very effective.  If your feet are sore and tired at the end of a long day, place a drop or two in a rolling foot bath and soak for 10 minutes.

When you’re driving home and feel tired and worn out, place 2 drops of peppermint oil along with 2 drops of lemongrass oil on a tissue and tuck it into the vents in your car.  The scent will refresh and revive you.  Or you can purchase an essential oil diffuser for your car.

Essential oils are safe and effective when used properly, but as with all home remedies caution should be applied.  Everyone reacts differently to things, so its best to consult with a trained aromatherapist before trying these remedies on your own.  With the exception of lavender, essential oils should NOT be applied directly to the skin in undiluted form, and even when using lavender, start with small areas of the skin first to make sure you’re not allergic.

Aromatherapy has been used for centuries, and is growing in popularity.  When used properly, in conjunction with knowledgeable advice, essential oils can be a welcome addition to your arsenal of home remedies.

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So, go ahead. Schedule that massage, get that makeover and feed your spirit by being selfish for once. Listen to your needs and honor them. Place yourself first and hang that “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door, as you engage in some playful activity, lounge in your luxurious bathtub, or spend some time in meditation. Nurturing ourselves is necessary to re-fill our cups so we have more to give to the others in our lives.

The energy of the Leo sun empowers us to put the focus back on ourselves and what we want, which will shift our perspectives and allow us to purge what is no longer working. The Venus in Libra influence over the next six weeks will also coach us through any self esteem issues so we can restore balance to our sense of self and re-prioritize any relationships that don’t serve our highest good.

On August 9^th, we’ll experience the magic of the New Moon in Leo and the rebirth of our personal power. Set the intention for a creative infusion to any project or give the Universe the green light that you are ready for a major change in your life. This will be your time to broadcast your dreams to your spiritual guides and plant magical seeds that will continue to grow and reflect the great spiritual transformation that is ahead of you.

By the weekend, Uranus enters Pisces on August 13^th. If you’ve been feeling as if you’ve been sleep walking through an aspect of your life, you’re about to be woken up by a cold bucket of water courtesy of Uranus. Any illusions trapped in our subconscious will be illuminated to allow us to see the reality of our situations for what they really are. The theme here is about recognizing where we’ve been enabling self-denial in our lives and shifting to a path where we now speak our truth and live authentically with joy. From this point of clarity, we can take action and leave behind the story that we’ve outgrown in lieu of a brand new one.

On August 20^th, Mercury goes retrograde in the sign of Virgo, which will have us re-evaluating our health and financial situations. Old problems in those areas may arise, causing everyone to look at a new path for answers and security. The ’8′ energy vibration of this month has everyone attending to financial details and researching alternative methods for approaching an issue without over-analyzing or trying to control the outcome. This particular retrograde will remind you that there is no choice but to release control and realize that you need to go inward for answers. What you may have thought you knew is no longer the case. This retrograde is also a karmic lesson in patience and realizing when you must surrender to the Universe to wait for guidance on the next step in your spirit’s evolution.

This month’s chosen tarot card, The Four of Cups, encourages us to be open to unexpected help from the Universe. Just when things are not looking favorably, there is a hand that reaches out to guide and lift us to a higher level. Embrace that hand and remember that there are opportunities for abundance all around us. It’s not always wrapped in the package we were originally expecting and may take on a different form. Maintain a positive mindset to see when the possibilities for movement present themselves.

The last week of August may have everyone craving a little bit of practical magic as moon waxes full in Pisces on August 24^th. What messages are swirling around in your mind from your dream guides that you have not been acting on? Earth based magic will ground your energies so your intention will be pure and powerful to release ideals that did not come to pass in exchange for new visions. The Pisces energy brings a lot of healing through our connection with water.

Turn to the goddesses of the ocean to wash away any emotional attachments and spark life into the messages coming through from your dreams. Sometimes we need to cleanse away the cords of the past in order to free our mind towards new avenues of thinking. Your intuition will be heightened right now so listen to the messages from Spirit and act on them. Venus will sprinkle harmony and balance to your rituals during her stay in Libra through September 8^th. Walk your truth and stand strong in your power. Have an amazing month of transformations!

With love,
Zuri ♥

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Have a beautiful Sunday!

xoxo
Zuri