Monday, April 30, 2012

Orbs, Ghosts and Other Interesting Beings

Orbs in a cemetery
A friend of mine used to work in a mortuary around Seattle. She still works in a funeral home and has for most of her adult career, only now, she's down in the southern part of the United States. This friend told me she believed in ghosts and had the proof.

"Wow," I said. "Really?"

"Oh, yeah."

And low and behold, she really did. My friend has been a funeral director for more than twenty years. She has worked in all aspects of the funeral business from selling the caskets and plots to running the actual services. And now, she's a manager in a big company. She's doing quite well for herself. And there's no doubt in her mind that our loved ones live on.

Orbs in a garden
My friend used to take pictures of services and flowers inside the funeral home, with permission from the family and sometimes requested by them. They used the pictures for the memorial services and as keepsakes, but the pictures themselves showed something more than what was seen in those rooms.

Sometimes the pictures were blurred, like something was running across the front of the screen. Other times, you could see shadowy figures hovering in a corner. And there were lots and lots of pictures with orbs.

What's an orb, you ask? Well, an orb is a multi-dimensional entity. They aren't people or previously people and they aren't benevolent or malevolent. They are more like Sweden - neutral. They just exist and observe most of the time. And they are everywhere.

Orbs
In a picture, orbs look like rounded blobs floating in and out of the screen. Sometimes there are hundreds, sometimes only one or two. It really just depends on the situation and who they are here to observe. They are around when something interesting is going on. I'm sure orbs have their own agenda, but this is pretty much all that relates to us. Orbs can also be seen around people who are really active spiritually or connecting to this dimension in a fascinating way. They just show up. And show up in pictures, they do.

My funeral directing friend also has some fun experiences with her dad. He transitioned out of his body many years ago and ever since, he comes to visit my friend in a way that she requested. She asked him to send her pennies from heaven. And she gets them all the time.

She might be walking down the street and start thinking of her dad and boom! There's a penny. Or she wakes up after dreaming about him and she'll find a penny next to her car on the way to work. She finds pennies all the time and she knows they are always from her dad. It's her special way of connecting to him so he can tell her he's still here and with her. That's the great thing about this other side we talk about so much: they can hear you. All you have to do is ask for a sign and trust me, they'll do the best they can to get that sign to you. Whether it be pennies, feathers, flowers or the smell of a favorite perfume, the angels that once were our beloved mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers, they are still with us. And they will be for as long as you need them.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Mediumship is Easy


Mediumship is one of those practices in the intuitive part of our world that gets a lot of press coverage. There's James Van Praagh, John Edward, John Holland, Sylvia Browne. And of course, there's the TV shows Medium and Ghost Whisperer, among many others.

So, why does mediumship get so much coverage? Because it supplies the masses the easiest way to understand the invisible Universe. Our deceased loved ones are something we can understand - and confirm - in the spiritual world. When a psychic or medium tells someone something about someone they loved dearly and all of the information is right, accurate and dead-on, then how can it be refuted?

Well, people still try. And that's fine. That's their understandable right. Not everything makes sense in our infinite world - visible or otherwise. But mediumship is an easy way for someone to connect to something that is in the spirit world. Bottom line: it's relatable.

Ghosts and deceased loved ones are still with us all the time. They come and go, visiting when needed or called, and offering us assistance whenever they can. Their vibration is similar to our own, depending on how long they've been separated from the body they had. So, it makes it quite easy for us to connect with them intuitively.

If the non-physical person contacts a medium or even someone who is not, most of the time they just want to let someone know they are okay because they see their loved ones still here in physical form crying and grief-stricken and sad. They want desperately to tell someone, "Hey! I'm still here! Can you hear me?"

And yeah, we can.

Every single one of us.

Not just me. You and you and you too. Every one of you.

We all have the ability and capacity to connect with this part of our world. It's not outside of us - it's what's in us. The vibrational fold that encapsulates every living and non-living thing in every part of our Universe runs through everything. That's what makes it possible - we're all connected. And the more connected we are to something, the easier it is to hear, feel or see it. It becomes part of our experience. And that's why many people who do not consider themselves psychic get psychic messages from their loved ones after they've departed. It's actually quite common.

The practice of mediumship - the ability to see other people's loved ones - that can take a bit of practice. The reason it takes practice is because the amount of patience required to get a message from someone you haven't met before and know nothing about can be depleting. It takes trust, patience and practice. But for those willing, it will happen. You just have to open up to it.


My mom routinely says she can't hear the Angels or non-physicals. But what she really wants is to hear them like I do. Well, my path is not her path. Just like your path is not mine either. We must all walk our own journey to interconnectedness and when you do, you'll be glad you didn't try to take someone else's journey along the way.

And here's the funny thing: my mom does get messages. She gets them all the time. Only her primary method of communication is feeling it. I have tested this and tested this and tested this with her, but she still won't believe all on her own. Even after I've confirmed it. So, remember this: if you are seeking validation for the answers and information you are getting, even if you get the validation, it won't really matter. Just like my mom. The truth is you just have to trust yourself and start believing. That's what makes it all so much easier.

If you want to know more about how to connect and communicate, check out my Divine Communication page. There are some basics about four of the different types of communication. See if you can figure out which one is your primary. You'll know instinctively. And then download my free e-book, Being Divine, on my website under Books. This is a more in-depth overview of what each type of communication entails and some meditative practices to foster your own development of these skills. Trust what you've got. You already came fully loaded. :) 
Uglies (Uglies, #1)Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It came as a recommendation from my friend and author, Elyse Draper. She and her daughter read it and they had such glowing things to say about it. I lucked out and found almost full set of used copies at my local bookstore and bought them up instantly. I started in on Uglies and couldn't stop. It's such an interesting look into one of my potential futures based on where we are now.

Scott Westerfield takes us on a journey with Tally Youngblood as she is just about to turn 16. At the ripe age of 16, the people of Tally's world go from ugly to pretty with the stroke of a knife. And each and everyone of them are ecstatic to have it done. Almost.

Tally meets another young girl named Shay on the eve of her surgical change as well. Only Shay is different - she doesn't want the change. She doesn't want to become pretty. She wants to run away and live her life as she is right now.

When Shay runs away, Tally must either choose to find her friend or live without the surgery that will make her life perfect forever. She is forced to choose between a life of pretty, fun-filled excitement or forever being banished from her society and stay ugly.

This dystopian thriller leaves you thinking about our own society and how we value those who have the facial features, lifestyles and grand living we all think we want. But do we really? Or do we just want the admiration of others? Scott Westerfield challenges you to ask yourself: what is it you really want? And how far are you willing to go to get it?

Rated PG for theme, content and some mild violence. And a couple steamy kissing scenes. :)

View all my reviews

Friday, April 27, 2012

Angels are Everywhere



You know, when people ask me about Angels, I have to tell them ~ they're everywhere. Literally. There are Angels surrounding you, surrounding your pets, surrounding your home, surrounding other people, surrounding the plants and flora and fauna. They really are everywhere.

Because you see, Angels are simply the energy of a quicker vibrational being who wants to help us along our way. It doesn't matter if that way is a human life, an animal life, a plant life or some other type of existence. We all get help equally. In different ways, but nonetheless, equally.

Now, what some people call Angels may or may not be an actual Angel (that is, of a specific vibrational order). There are a number of other types of entities trying to help us and as long as this entity that comes to you is trying to help you in a benevolent way, then yes, it is in fact an angel of sorts.

One of my first experiences that I can remember quite vividly with an other-vibrational-type of being was at my grandfather's funeral. My mom's dad passed away many years ago (in the late 90's) and I remember my mom, my sister and me heading off to Illinois for his funeral. There is a lot of charged family history between my mother, her parents and her siblings, but we all felt like we should be there.

I was in my early twenties and I had come to make peace with my concept of God and I was starting to open myself back up to things in the spiritual realm. I still wasn't really sure what I believed exactly, but I did know there were Angels and other sorts of entities like that, but I couldn't remember meeting one personally.

I wanted to. I mean, who doesn't?

Well, on this particular day, I don't remember the events before the actual funeral, nor do I remember the details of the funeral service. What I do remember was my experience in the church when the casket was open for a viewing. People were streaming in a slow line up to see my grandfather in his shiny, wooden casket with the off-white interior. People were crying and hugging and sniffling into tissues. Aunts, uncles, cousins and all sorts of other people I didn't know.

I don't remember being sad. I do remember being sad for my grandmother. She was obviously in pain and I knew that this was really hard for her. I remember walking up to the box that held his body and looking inside - it all seeming so fake and unreal. He was in there, but it wasn't really him. It looked like him, sort of. But it wasn't Grandpa. Not really. That was when things started to feel different.

I remember sitting back down and watching people walk by the casket feeling their grief in sort of awe. I had experienced funerals before, but something about this day was just different.

Strangely, one of the strongest memories I have from that day was feeling younger than I actually was. As I am even writing this now, that is one of the most pronounced feelings I still have. I almost can't believe that I was 22 years old that day and could have really been much, much younger - like an early teen.

As I sat there in my seat (it quite possibly could have been a pew...), wearing black and watching people walk by saying goodbye, I felt the strongest, most impenetrable feeling sliding along my back, down my right side. I could feel something there and instantly, I knew it was Grandpa. I knew he was there.

And I had no idea how I was going to tell anyone.

I could feel his presence behind me as though he latched on because I was the only one who would know he was there. And boy, did I know it. His energy was intense and fearful and wondering. He was confused and knew what he was seeing, but didn't understand it. It's like he didn't understand why he was there and there.  It made no sense to him. And I could feel him clear as day.

I don't remember telling anyone about my experience. Maybe I told my mom, but I know I didn't tell any of my aunts or uncles or my grandmother. I wanted to. But I couldn't figure out how I was going to tell them that he wasn't there - he was right here. Right with us. He hadn't really gone anywhere, but yet he had. He just wasn't with his old form anymore.

It was strangely confusing for me because I knew I had had experiences like this before, but rarely with someone I knew. I didn't know a lot of death. Certainly not with people I was familiar with.

And that's sort of how my communication started. I know in the past I have been sought out because of the energy I put out - mediumship (the ability to connect with deceased loved ones) just sort of came to me because of this. But these people, the people who have come before in their own human pathways, are Angels in their own vibrational way. On that day, my grandfather may not have been the kind of Angel that helps and guides us, but I know now that he needed his own guidance to understand his transition. But what he did do in an Angel sort of way was give me the gift of my own guidance. It was the Angels, my Angels, guiding me to the next step in my life. If I had known then what I know now, I would have helped him. But at the time, I didn't know what to do and I think I actually told him to go away because it scared me. I knew what it was and the energy pressed down hard into me almost making me pass out, but it was because he was scared too. He didn't know what else to do and he saw somehow in my vibration that I would feel him. And I did.

But the thing to remember is that every little experience along the way brings us to the next place in our lives. It helps us unfold and unfurl our beings and open up to the next level of vibration. Without him, I don't know how my path would have unfolded. But what I do know is that he is an angel of sorts and I'm grateful for any Angelic help because we're getting it all the time.


Monday, April 23, 2012

Divine by Nature now available at East West Book Shop in Seattle

My new book, Divine by Nature: Spiritual Messages from the Planet's Natural Elements, is now available at a local independent bookstore in the Ravenna area of Seattle!

East West Book Shop is an independent resource center for conscious living. They provide books, CDs, DVDs, art, statuary, handmade crafts and all sorts of other lovely things from around the globe. They promote local artists and authors, as well as provide events and programs with speakers from around the world working to create and uplift everyone on this planet. They wish to support each of us in our journey through life as we find our True Selves in the form of joy, love and wisdom. It's a beautiful shop with an exquisitely beautiful message. Please go support them today!

www.eastwestbookshop.com




Thursday, April 19, 2012

Hitting the local area bookstores soon!



Divine by Nature is coming to local area bookstores here in Seattle in the very, very near future! Arrangements are being made and works are in place to get my newest book onto the shelves of Seattle's favorite reading hotspots.

Come back soon for details about when, where and what's next...

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

WIN A COPY OF MY NEW BOOK ON GOODREADS!


Goodreads Book Giveaway

Divine by Nature by Michelle L. Hankes

Divine by Nature

by Michelle L. Hankes

Giveaway ends May 12, 2012.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win

Goodreads Review: Heaven is for Real


Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and BackHeaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a really thought-provoking book. It makes you think about the way you see things, what you believe and what works for you. What does your own faith in whatever you believe in mean to you? This book will make you question yourself in a way that expands you into a new awareness (hopefully). I think both the family and the child are quite brave for speaking forth about what they experienced and being okay with however people take it. It's their own experience and nothing more; but it leaves you questioning the entire Universe.


View all my reviews

Thursday, April 5, 2012

New Upcoming Interview with Cheryl Jensen and Higgins!



A good friend and excellent channeler, Cheryl Jensen (channeling Higgins - an extraordinary group of non-physicals) will be on Law of Attraction Talk Radio with Jewels on Easter Sunday at 5pm. Listen and watch live or reaccess it on YouTube later this week! It's going to be awesome! I'm sure they have some really fascinating things to say, as they always do.


A little bit of fun information from their website, www.higginsandcompany.net, this is what Higgins has to say about themselves: 

"Welcome Friends.  We are Higgins.  We are a group of non-physical beings who come forth through a physical body with intent to share our wisdom and knowledge of the Universe.  The entity through whom we speak is not separate from us, she is an essential part of that which is Higgins.

Each of you comes forth into physical expecting to express the eternal truth of who you are.  The denseness of the Earth realm and the physical body often prove overwhelming and many of you flounder in the expression of your truth.

We come forth to share with you what it is to be human and to remind you the ways of the universe that you all may once again radiate your light within.

We chose the name 'Higgins' for we thought it would be easy for the children to remember for it is our intent to assist you from cradle to grave." 





Cheryl has been channeling Higgins for several years now and they never cease to surprise any of us listening to them. Cheryl herself is a wonderful blessing and a charming channel. This event is going to be fantastic! 


TUNE IN: 5pm (PST), Sunday, April 8th, 2012




For more information about Cheryl and Higgins, please visit one of her many websites: