May 06, 2006
Psychic Growth
I was recently asked about when psychic abilities develop and if they are related to events that happen in one’s life, like death or trauma.
I don't think that events in a life necessarily make that big a difference. But I do think that there are "growth" spurts in this area just like there are growth and change spurts in your physical body. It seems that quite a few people begin to notice psychic abilities coming forward when they reach puberty and as they grow in their personal lives, these abilities can grow and develop also.
It also seems (at least in my experiences) that you reach stages in your development, especially if you are consciously trying to develop these areas, where you reach a plateau and stay at one place for a while. Then at some point or through some test or study or practice or meditation...it really is a mystery and can be different with each person...you suddenly find yourself at a new level of awareness. I guess the lesson is that you don't want to take it for granted, but you also don't want to let it consume your life or define you as an individual.
Posted by Linda Dalton at 09:34 AM | Comments (13)
March 19, 2006
Two Questions
Here are two questions that I get asked on a regular basis:
What is the job of a psychic?
I see my job as a psychic as that of a counselor. Using my abilities I can assist people through difficult transitions, see possible outcomes to interpersonal situations and, on occasion, find missing objects or people. However, most of the time my job is to help my clients develop further on their spiritual paths so they can see their own possibilities and solutions without my help. The idea is that each individual has a connection to Spirit and the stronger that connection is, the better they are at finding their own answers. So, like a counselor, eventually my clients will only need my assistance when events become confusing or their connection to a situation is too close and they need an objective interpretation.
How often do you need to have a reading?
There are two main components that I look at when determining if a client is ready for another reading. The first thing I look at is if there are any time frame indicator cards. These are the cards that represent signs of the zodiac or seasons and can give an idea of when something will happen, or how soon a situation will begin to unfold. Time is a tricky subject when working on a reading because spirit doesn’t move on the same 24/7 system that we use. And sometimes the time frame cards can indicate events or even people instead of a time period. That being said, if I feel a strong indication for a time period or I get several references to a time period, this usually means that the reading will unfold over that period of time. And usually another reading is not indicated until that time frame is fulfilled.
The second things I look at are the situational indicator cards that occur in a reading. These are the cards that relate to events or personal growth factors that need to transpire before the reading can be considered completed. The tricky area here is that events do not flow in a linear, predictable pattern, and there are often steps forward and backward along the path. These times can be confusing and often lead people to feel they need a new reading altogether, when usually all we need to do is take another look at the original reading in light of this new bump in the road. There are occasions when an event occurs that takes a person by surprise or on a completely different path. At times like these they might want to have a new reading to look for direction on this very different subject.
So to sum up, as many of you know I like to do ;) I am here to guide and assist in whatever way I can, but ultimately I’m here to help you help yourself.
Posted by Linda Dalton at 06:19 PM | Comments (6)
January 25, 2006
Emotions – Part 2
I recently received a comment on my blog site that brought up an interesting subject – how to tell if the emotions you are feeling are yours or if they belong to those around you.
When you start to develop your spiritual energy your emotions are usually the first area where you notice a change. Suddenly you are able to sense the moods and emotions of people close to you, whether they attempt to keep their feelings hidden or not. Often times when this happens it leaves you in a similar emotional state. I like to think of it like a kind of psychic puberty. When a child approaches puberty they have a sudden influx of chemicals into their systems leaving them feeling all sorts of emotions – sadness, anger, etc. that they accept as their true emotions. In fact, these are not their real emotions, but are false, chemically-induced, emotions. The same thing happens with psychics - you end up thinking that what you are feeling is coming from your own emotional well, not from some else’s and you do not recognize the difference. With all of this excess emotion flying around it can be just as confusing as going through puberty!
So what to do? The first thing I suggest is to take stock of your emotional center. When you start feeling an overwhelming emotion, stop, take a breath and calmly observe the mood. Is there anything in your personal experience that might be making you feel this way? Did you have a bad day? Was traffic a mess? If you can relate the emotional experience to an actual event then the emotion is probably really yours. If you cannot place the emotion to anything in your personal experience, then this may be a false emotion, or an emotion that belongs to someone else. Once you decide the emotion is not yours, you can “look” to see who it does belong to, but the most important lesson here is to learn to separate your emotions from theirs. At this point you might want to psychically feel out the people close to you and let your intuition lead you to the right person, remembering that people do not have to share their emotions with you, even if you can sense them. After that, what you do about it is up to you.
Posted by Linda Dalton at 03:38 PM | Comments (10)
November 04, 2005
Emotions
I was recently asked about the emotional aspect involved with developing your psychic side.
Often when you start developing your spiritual side, not only can you pick up the emotions of others, but the connection with higher energies can leave you weeping as well - and you can find yourself crying at the most inopportune occasions. Like in the middle of your child's school play or anytime you hear your national anthem, or anyone else's national anthem, or at the Hallmark commercials on TV. I can be a real basket case myself and it's taken me many years of practice to keep my tear ducts under a modicum of control.
There are a few things you can do to curb this tendency. The first thing I find useful is an actual physical exercise to stop your tears. As you begin to tear up, start blinking rapidly and take in a few deep, calming breaths. This seems to help regulate that emotional spike and keep your tears from flowing over.
The second thing you can do is to set up an alternate release response by creating a place of calm and peace in your mind. Practice imagining a scene that makes you feel relaxed - a Zen garden, an open meadow, a flowing stream - anything that makes you feel peaceful. This does not have to be anything elaborate, in fact the simpler the better. When you start to feel emotional and you don't want to let it all flow just bring this image to mind and let yourself feel that calming influence.
And although it can create embarrassing situations when you start connecting with the pure emotion going on around us, know that you are indeed stretching your psychic and spiritual experiences when you begin to feel in this way.
Posted by Linda Dalton at 08:36 AM | Comments (1)
October 12, 2005
Choices
We all have choices in our lives. Sometimes the choice is easy to make, with clear-cut parameters and obvious consequences. But sometimes our choices are not so easy to see. In fact, sometimes we can’t see the options or possibilities that are right in front of our faces. Why? Because in order to see these choices we have to be able to step outside of our own established behavior patterns. That is where I come in.
Readings are more than just finding answers to simple questions or peeking around the corner to seek what the future may bring. Most of the time readings are about change and the choices one needs to make in order for these changes to progress. And most of the time these changes refer to alterations that a person needs to make in their own behavior patterns in order to overcome their stagnation and begin to move forward again.
This is a very difficult issue to deal with because in order to change your life, often times you need to change your behavior. All of the predictions for new beginnings and new opportunities won’t stand a chance of occurring if you don’t look inside yourself first. So when a reading advises you to stop looking backwards, or to turn your energies to a more positive frame of mind in order to open new pathways, this needs to be done. Ultimately we are the only ones who can change our lives and consequently our futures. If we choose to cling stubbornly to old patterns that no longer serve our best interests, then how can we expect change?
Readings and psychic abilities can only show us a path through the woods; the ability to change our lives lies in our own hands. The choice is up to us.
Posted by Linda Dalton at 01:17 PM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2005
Tarot
I am amazed at how complex the Tarot can be. The multiple layers of information contained within a reading are impressive, to say the least. After working with the Tarot for over 25 years, I still learn something new with each reading I do.
There are four basic elements to look at in a reading:
1. The Layout.
There are many types of layouts to choose from when planning a reading. I prefer the Celtic Cross method because it gives me the options of past, present and future as well an opportunity to look at relationships and divine intervention.
2. The Position of the Cards.
When you are reviewing a reading you need to be aware of what the cards mean unto themselves and then add the aspect and determination of the place the card holds in the reading. The same card can have very different interpretations depending on the position it falls in within the reading.
3. Major and Minor Arcana.
Major arcana cards can have strong influence on the interpretation of a reading. If there are three or more major arcana cards in a reading, it indicates that there are many outside influences at work. And depending on the position of the major arcana cards in the reading, they can greatly influence the outcome of the reading. While minor arcana cards can indicate a return of control to the querent, they must also be assessed by the additional influences of their number and suit. So, not only do you have to be aware of the meaning of a particular card, you must also be aware of the meanings associated with their suits and numbers.
4. Aces and Court Cards.
Court cards can be more difficult to interpret because they can represent a person, they can point to a career choice, they can indicate a time frame and they can refer to a course of action – or they can be interpreted as any or all combinations of the above. And while aces represent new beginnings and opportunities, they can also indicate time frames and refer to the aspects of their suit.
So hang in there, all of you who are just beginning to work with the tarot. After a while and with a lot of practice, you really can start to make sense of it all. For more information, check out some of the articles on this site especially, Reading Tarot Cards.
Posted by Linda Dalton at 12:22 PM | Comments (0)
August 11, 2005
Creatures of Magic
Occasionally I get an email that prompts me to write a blog entry. This time I received a note from a young man who is just experiencing the beginnings of "psychic-ness". These things often start with little leaps ahead into the very near future, it's almost like your psychic mind is jumping ahead a bit and then bringing little bits of information back to you.
The same things happened to me when I first started to realize I might be psychic. I would be singing a song and then it would come on the radio. I would think about a person then I would bump into them. One time I even caught the scent of a person I had only recently met and then later...there he was!
The important things to remember when these things happen are that:
1. This is all normal. Everyone has some degree of sixth sense, whether or not they choose to recognize and develop it.
2. Start to be aware of these incidents and learn to trust the information you receive. Just like with everything in life, the more you practice the better you get. Try doing it on purpose instead of waiting for it to happen. But don't be disappointed if it doesn't work all of the time; just keep practicing. And give thanks to God, Spirit, (whatever you choose to call a higher being) for assistance and guidance in your development.
3. Most importantly, don't let all of this overwhelm you and start to define you. You don't have to suddenly become "The Psychic." This is just another aspect to you as a whole person, so don't stop doing all of the other things you do.
As I have said before, these abilities are all part of who we are as human beings. We are not just combinations of chemicals and molecules, but also creatures of magic and wonder.
Posted by Linda Dalton at 07:23 PM | Comments (3)
July 22, 2005
Precognition
Precognition is the ability to foresee events before they actually happen. Sometimes you can glimpse a small part of the event while at other times you can see the whole process unfold. It follows the idea that time is more of a spiral, not a straight line. Therefore, sometimes you can "skip ahead" to catch a peek of a possible future. Time is also dynamic so absolute predictions don't usually apply.
The thing to remember with this, or any psychic ability, is the more you use the ability, the stronger and more reliable it will become. It's important not to stress out over the process or place too much attachment to it. It's a natural ability that does not need to define you, but only adds to who you already are.
There are a few common things to do to develop this ability. Pick a time once or twice a week when you can be alone without interruptions. Then sit and relax, take a few deep breaths and allow your mind to wander. Observe what you see but don't try to analyze anything. This exercise is good to keep you connected with spirit and aware of your intuition. You also might want to keep a written record of the things you see, especially since some precognitive visions might take years to unfold. Next you want to view every aspect of your life through your intuition. You don't have to use it just to see the future.
Be aware of your intuitive responses to any situation you may be in. Over time you will learn to trust your intuition and you'll begin to use it naturally in every aspect of your daily life - without even thinking about it!
Posted by Linda Dalton at 11:07 PM | Comments (46)
June 30, 2005
Keep on Growing
After nearly 50 years of working in the spirit realms you would think that I would have a pretty good understanding of this field. And I have gained a great deal of knowledge, however…there is always more to learn. And although we may have a firm grasp on some of the basic concepts, we are always students, always in a position to learn more.
Over this past weekend I took another class from Tracy Parker. This class dealt with working with spirit in both worlds. Right up my alley. I work with spirit all of the time, whether seeking guidance while counseling or seeking information from actual spirits while looking for missing people.
But Tracy’s class, as always, brought much more depth to the subject matter. By looking at spirit as a resource to help us on our chosen life path, we realize that we are never alone and never without guidance when we need it most. As in most things in life, all we have to do is ask. We might not always be prepared for the answers or even willing to follow the advice offered, but that knowledge is there for us whenever we are ready to try to comprehend.
Posted by Linda Dalton at 08:44 PM | Comments (0)
March 24, 2005
Balancing the Spiritual with the Physical
I have a good friend, Tracy Parker, who is an amazing healer. He does a lot of work with cancer patients and others with serious illnesses, using energy fields to create bio-chemical changes at a cellular level. He has recently started teaching classes in Pasadena, California to help other healers work with energy.
There are certain practitioners in this field that he refers to as “airy fairies” who spend their time in the upper chakras, floating along in the beautiful stream of spirit. There is nothing wrong with this, if this is where they want live. But in order to make connections to the material world and actually do healing work, you need to be connected to the earth and very physically grounded. Without this grounding you cannot affect changes on the physical plane and make use of the higher-level information you receive from Guidance.
What I like about Tracy’s classes is that he approaches the subject from a scientific viewpoint, (he has a background in Engineering) while at the same time acknowledging Spirit and God (he is also an ordained minister). One of his objectives in teaching is to take the field from its “airy fairy” perception and bring it to a more practical realm. He teaches how we can, as healers, focus our energy more specifically, using information from Spirit to recognize, visualize and change damaged cell patterns. But to do so requires that we stay completely in our bodies and use our grounding to keep the energy flow strong and constant. What good does it do you to receive information from Spirit if you can’t translate that information into healing energy for your patient? If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend his classes.
Tracy’s wife, Stephanie (one of my best friends!) is an acupuncturist and massage therapist. They often work together, combining their talents and expertise to garner the best results for their patients. Their practice is called Touch Healing. A few years ago they ordered business pens that came back misspelled. Instead of Touch Healing, the pens read Tough Healing! Tough healing…is that like tough love!?!
Posted by Linda Dalton at 08:53 PM | Comments (0)
February 26, 2005
Developing Psychic Ability
I think of psychic ability as I would any other talent or gift. It’s like singing – everyone can do it, but some people are better at it than others. With that in mind, I also think it’s important that people realize that it’s no more “mysterious” than being able to sing or dance or paint. When you think about the physical mechanics of taking a note and transforming it into beautiful music, it’s awe-inspiring. It is an ability that is God-given and you can choose to develop it or not. Psychic ability is very similar. You start by really listening to the small bits of intuition that everyone gets and then learning to trust those instincts. Eventually the feelings get stronger and begin to relate to other areas of your life. Where does this intuition come from? I think it comes from the same place that inspires people to create in any form. God, Soul, Source…
Posted by Linda Dalton at 12:01 PM | Comments (5)