How Will You Celebrate The New Year 2018 and The Full Moon?

With each New Year, we find ourselves with an opportunity to start over with a fresh new perspective, reset our personal goals as well as review the previous year and all of the events that had transpired. 


This year, we will begin the New Year on a Full Moon! That's a huge energetic and lunar push to jump-start the New Year on Monday, January 1st, 2018. The Full Moon is in Cancer during the time of Capricorn. 

What can we expect from this Full Moon on New Year's Day? 
We are transitioning from the fiery and airy 2017 into the flowing intuitive waters and grounded, sage earth energy of 2018. You may have already been feeling the effects of 2018 and are super-sensitive emotionally and are sponge-like picking up on everyone's feelings as well as your environment. Your intuitive abilities are and will continue to heighten. With the earthy energy of Capricorn, you are receiving wisdom from the higher, higher self. The higher, higher self resides in a more expanded and ascended realm of existence. This energy can and will blow your mind as you experience epiphany after epiphany this year.

Many people, myself included love to create ceremony during the time of the Full Moon and the New Year. This year, we are combining these two events into one. Below I have listed some rituals and suggestions that can assist you as you embrace this powerful lunar event as we move full steam ahead into the New Year.

Full Moon ~ New Year Suggestions For 2018:

1. Releasing Ceremony - Write down all of the things that you would like to leave behind in 2017.  Be sure to thank spirit for all of these challenges because they have made you stronger and wiser. Read them out loud and then release them. Next, you can burn or bury them and energetically leave them behind as you forge ahead. Buh Bye Felicia ;)

2. Write Down Your Intentions ~ Writing down your goals on paper helps to ground those intentions into the physical. You are using the 4 elements of creation as you do so ~ earth, water, air and fire. You have the idea (air), you feel the desire (water), you write down your intention on paper with a pen or pencil (earth) and then you bring in spirit and take action by being proactive as you set on your journey (fire). 

3. Water Magic ~ Since the Full Moon is in Cancer, why not do a little water magic? You can take a healing bath with sea salt, epson salt, Himalayan salt and the herbs and essential oils that correspond with your intention. Another activity would be charging up your drinking water by either placing crystals that can help you with your intention in your water. You may also write your intention on your water bottle. The water will take on the property of the words written on it. Be sure to check to make sure the herbs and crystals you select are non-toxic for the skin and ingesting in your water.

4. Surround Yourself with Positive and Goal-Oriented People - We are influenced by the people and the environments we place ourselves in, there is no way around it. Consciously make the effort spend your time with people who are happy, successful and who are loving life. This is an excellent way of raising your own vibration and keeping you focused on your future goals. Seeking out a mastermind group is also an excellent way of keeping your eye on the prize.

5. Know Your Limits - Over-committing ourselves is something many of us struggle with and is one of the number one reasons why we do not achieve most of our goals. Writing down your goals with a loosely structured timeline is a healthy and realistic way to work towards the intentions that you have set out for yourself. 

6. Take Personal Responsibility - When you make a mistake ~ own it! If you make poor decisions ~ own them! If you hurt another ~ own it! If you find yourself in a mess, take responsibility and don't blame others for your decisions, actions and or inaction. By taking responsibility for what we say and do, we understand that we are in control of our own lives and destinies. When we take control and ownership of our experiences, we have the power to change these experiences for the better. I would rather be at the helm of my own ship than giving up my free will to another to choose my destiny. 

7. Go On Vacation or A Staycation - Taking time off from work as well as the the day-to-day stresses of life is one of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves. Taking a break resets your mind, emotions and physical body. Schedule regular trips to places you haven't been before or hunker down at home, relax and do nothing. The break from the day-to-day grind often is all we need to get back on course with our goals.

8. Reward Yourself - Positive Reinforcement is an excellent way to reward yourself for all of the hard work and discipline you have put towards your goals. If we do not have some type of celebration as we cross the finish line, then where is the joy and recognition for our accomplishments. We will always have something to strive towards as long as we have a physical body, so you might as well treat yourself each and every time you meet your goals. You deserve it!

May 2018 bring each and every one of you ~ JOY ~ LOVE ~ LAUGHTER ~ EXCELLENT HEALTH ~ PEACE ~ SUCCESS

Blessings and Light,

Laurie Barraco

10 Really Cool Things To Do With Candles

I have been using candles to enhance my magical intentions for as long as I can remember. 

There is something so beautiful and magical about the ritual of gazing into the flame of a candle that has been charged, blessed and lit with the intention of moving and shifting energy in your life.

Here are my top 10 favorite candle activities:

1. When I recognize that one of my chakras is out of balance, I often will burn the corresponding color of the chakra that needs a little TLC. Root - red, Sacral - orange, Solar Plexus - yellow, Heart - green/pink, Throat - blue, 3rd eye - indigo, Crown - white or gold.
2. I love anointing my candles with oil to add a little extra oomph to my magic. The type of oil I use depends upon my intention. Ex. for peace - lavender or money - cinnamon. Be sure to research any oil before using it on any candle for safety purposes.
3. When I feel the need to clear the energy in my home, office or personal space, I burn a black candle first to clear and absorb the negative influences and then I will burn a white candle to bring in the light and blessings.
4. I love to inscribe my candles with either a toothpick, pencil or inscribing tool with my intention to bring in more of a personal touch to my magic.
5. I utilize the phases of the moon to help me to either bring in or take away energy. During the time of the Full Moon to the New Moon we are taking away energy. From the New Moon up to the Full Moon we are bringing in energy. 
6. I always make a point of keeping track of how long it takes to burn my candle. I will then use the timing to determine how long it may take to manifest my intention. For example - If it took 3 hours to burn, then it means my results may take either 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months to manifest in the physical.
7. I often will use the flame as a divination tool by scrying into the flame and allowing the candle wax and flame to speak to me, guide me and teach me. I always read the wax during and after the candle has burned. You will often find that there are pictures, symbols or initials in the wax.
8. When working in ceremony, I will use 5 different candles to represent the 5 elements and directions. Yellow in the east /air, Red in the south/fire, Blue in the west/water, Green in the north/earth and White in the center for spirit. The energy in the center is absolutely amazing and sacred. I suggest that everyone must give this activity a try!
9. I infuse my Reiki energy into each and every candle I use. I add the Reiki symbols to my candles which adds that extra, extra oomph to them. If you have not yet received the Reiki II attunement, any power symbol would work such as an Ankh, the Star of David,  Pentagram or even a Heart can and will enhance your magic.
10. I will invoke some non-physical helpers such as: archangels, masters of light or ancient deities such as Isis or Lakshmi to help bring in the energy to assist with my magic. There are many different resources that you can refer to help you coordinate the proper colors, aromas, herbs etc. to help align you with the energy of the light-being you would like to work with.

I prefer to work only with my own intentions. Often people will ask me to work a little magic for them. I am always careful to be sure free will boundaries are not crossed and that the intention is in alignment with the universal laws of morality and ethics. Never, ever, ever add someone to your magic without permission!!

Don't forget that a little candle magic does not take the place of being proactive in your life and taking the initiative to change your life where you know you are not happy or meeting your full potential. 

I love using candles as a focal point for my magic and the element of fire sure does gets the ball rolling!

Blessings and Light,

Laurie Barraco

The Do's and Don'ts During Mercury Retrograde

If you find yourself experiencing difficulty with getting projects started, communicating with others, and your electronics seem to be going haywire lately, it could be because Mercury is retrograde at this time. The planet Mercury went retrograde on July 26th, 2018, and we will feel the effects until August 19th, 2018. Many of us, myself included, have blamed Mercury for our mishaps when the planet goes retrograde. There are some suggested do's and don'ts that can help you survive Mercury retrograde during this potentially challenging time. Btw, there are some benefits during this time as well as you'll see below.

First, let's define what does Mercury retrograde mean? The planet Mercury rules communication, contracts, paperwork, travel, the mind/thoughts, and ideas. For about three weeks at a time, the planet goes, which can and often does cause confusion and a bit of chaos in our lives. When Mercury is retrograde, certain areas in our lives could benefit when we take some time to reflect and go within. However, there are also some things that it would be best to avoid doing.

Dont's

• Make important decisions
• Sign contracts
• Buy a car
• Begin a new relationship
• Take anything personally at this time

Do's

• Take your time reading paperwork/contracts
• Reflect on your past choices
• Have back-up plans for travel
• Repair your car
• Re-color your hair
• Review your financial situation
• Give yourself and your space a good clearing
• Release an unhealthy habit

What You Can Expect

• Miscommunication - people may be misinterpreting  and or you may misinterpret other's words and intentions
• Electronics are going haywire - computers, clocks, telephones, etc.
• Batteries dying
• Angry behavior
• Mistakes
• Getting lost, tardiness
• Increased number of accidents
• People from your past may make come back into your life

As you can see, there are benefits to the Mercury retrograde cycle. You are being presented the opportunity to stop and review your relationships, finances, and the decisions you have made. Your life doesn't have to be put on hold when Mercury is retrograde, and sometimes, we must sign contracts or have challenging conversations with others. My advice is to take your time and think before you speak, don't take anything personally, give yourself extra time to get to your destinations and have a few back-up plans in place.

Blessings and Light,
Laurie Barraco