the first post, an introduction

Dear Reader,
This is my first post here.  Well, my first blog. I've been keeping a journal for so many years.  My first journal entry is apppropriate for this one, even though that one was made when I was 4. 

I Love.

I am starting this blog to tell you about this.  I find myself pondering who might read this and then know that it is not the issue.  If you are meant to come, you will.  And since, along with being a healer and artist my whole life, I spent many of my years working within the construct of a Public Relations or Executive role.  Loving. It worked well.  I played an important part in AIDS prevention in the USA and Environment movement Internationally, based in Australia, and International medication logistics (for short, when Developed Countries used to donate medicines and related "stuff" to Developing Nations, there were times when all of them decided to donate, say, asprin, but the needs were much more broad and so with a team we developed a way for the needs of the developing countries to be met, communications and product logistics, etc. more info than perhaps you want to know on this blog.)  Anyway, artistic communication, strategy and intuition, a good dose of chutzpa to raise the funds and use them wisely, and bringing lots of folks/corporations/NGOs together was the main work that I did in the arts, health promotion and the environment, plus a short list of other things.  I am a member of the Public Relations College of Fellows (a small club and I am quite honored to be a part of it), a graduate of a number of Universities including Pepperdine and Stanford in California and many others.  I have a bunch of degrees.

But the most interesting training I have had in my life is collateral to the more formal.  I was blessed with much training from an Australian Aboriginal healing woman in the Kimberly Mountains north of Perth, and attended Religious School at a VERY liberal Jewish congregation in LA from 1960 -1973.  So I never lost the ability to see sound, hear light, interact with auras and Chakras/Energy Centers, move in various dimensions (Dreamtime and others). I've had countless other teachers, including other spiritual training, and contact with wonderful people, some for a moment, some ongoing through my life. I think that most of us were born knowing all this.  But it isn't common for adults to feel comfortable about the the spirituality that they retain, so I've often found myself helping people to "remember" what they already know.  

I am constantly learning new things.  There is great love in learning. I find myself laughing with great joy when I am learning on new ground. That is what this blog is about.  For the past several years I have found myself learning about chronic illness, yes, this Artful Healer is not physically well, interesting, eh?  And also I've been learning about slowing down, which was not my forte to say the least in past years. But since 2004 I haven't had much of a choice.  Also, along with my husband, John, I've become a "professional" healer, both through sessions with clients and through creating custom-designed/made designer jewelry and custom wishing/prayer beads.  Although I may just meet the "customer" through an email, or we may have the opportunity to speak on the phone, or we may be working together on healing and life choices, or indeed I might be working with someone I've known as a friend or family member for many years. Or sometimes I just get a feeling that someone will come into my life needing a certain necklace or Healing Bag or prayer/wish bead piece. In all these cases, I find that I get a sense of a Life, an Energy, a signature Vibration from this person that I work with to create a piece.  Sooner or later they come to claim it.  We also have sources for a myriad of geological marvels, Crystal Gemstone Beings really, but otherwise known as mineral specimen, which we use in healing in-person and distance. We also work with these energies to align the vibration in homes and other important places toward health and joy.  We have become interested and active in sound vibration.  We work with Singing bowls of different kinds (see www.bestbowls.com for examples and great inspired bowls) and are in a somewhat slow process of composing, performing and recording, not to mention distributing sound work (AKA music) that I am sure to write about more in the future. 

And there is more. 

For now, I will tell you that I am very drawn to Garnet in all its forms, Pearls, sterling silver and Kyanite.  Kyanite is a semi-precious (though it is precious to me) gemstone that I've recently found out is mined mostly in Virginia, USA, where I live now.  It is an interesting texture either in wands or in beads.  It is black, blue and green naturally.  It is a layered stone, and this really shows when you are working with it.  I will post a photo of a Healer's Neckpiece that I created a couple of years ago with a flower of black kyanite. Very powerful to stop the healer from soaking in negative energies.  The blue and blue green are pulling at me (this is a good thing) these days.  They carry intuition, throat/heart chakra energy, which simply means that it involves pretty much everything.  More on this when the room here is more quiet.

I was recently drawn to create a three-strand pearl, garnet and sterling silver necklace.  I was in nearby Star's Beads, and Star had just created a stunning example.  Mine is different, as one would expect, and I must say that it is an  honor to be near Kay and her daughter, Star, who run what is a very good beading supply shop with the highlight Star's Clasps, which is one great resource for clasps.  They are literally in walking distance when it is not freezing out.  My only beef with them for people new to beading or people wanting to express healing through this medium is that they don't label their beads, and sometimes some people working there aren't as knowledgeable about the basics of gemstones.  (I have a feeling that John and I are going to end up labeling their beads for them ... )  This can be important or not wherever you purchase beads or crystals.  Nevertheless, it is probably a good idea to know which material you are working with, and also perhaps understand why on many levels, which will take a bit of research or learning on your part.  I think that Star's Beads is certainly one of the most wonderful resources around.  I'll let you know what Star thinks of my 3 strand piece when she sees it.  I haven't been in to show her this since I made it a few weeks ago.

I'd like to use this blog to go much deeper than I have today.  It got busy here in Satya Rising Sanctuary after I started writing.  So I will leave you with this thought:


As you handle gemstones in any form, quiet your breath, follow your breath (still yourself by noticing your inhale and exhale, see if any feelings, thoughts, images or other energy vibrations dwell in the bead, especially if any sounds arise in your mind.  Notice deeply as you sit quietly.  Let yourself reap the energy of the work you are creating.  Place your calm and intent into your work.  Be open to what arises.  It may surprise you.  It may delight you.  It may take awhile but it is there. 

Happy New Year to you and your family,

Dr. Laurie
The Artful Healer
Vienna, VA