Spiritual Inspiration

Mercury Retrograde: It’s All a Part of the Plan

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Mercury retrograde is a time for rest, reflection, and revisiting moments in your life. Electronics may go wonky, hence my MacBook that won’t power up today, but it’s okay. Instead of powering through some writing, I took the time to really just be. Life is truly sweet, and while everyone has their seemingly dark days, even those moments seem to bring blessings. 

Being ridiculously happy lately has brought these beautiful moments of clarity. I’ve realized everything I once perceived as “bad” in my life has actually been the very events that led to a very beautiful time. It has given me this inner peace knowing that whatever job I didn’t get, or crisis situation I had to deal with, all of these things led me to this beautiful time of life. When the universe shuts a door or blocks a certain path, take it as a trail marker that you are being redirected to your purpose, because it truly is.

Every dark day I’ve ever had, I’ve managed to see synchronistic signs that helped me believe things were going to be okay. However, not knowing what tomorrow would bring was scary at times. I would go back and tell myself not to worry, that everything was working out beautifully, despite outward appearances. I truly feel in my soul that I knew this to be true, but being on the other side of tumultuous times I would reassure myself that these redirections would just become part of my success story.

Embrace the unexpected, the rejections, and the Mercury Retrogrades in your life. These, too, are here for a reason. đź’—  

The Curious Mystery of the Missing Crystal

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I had been wearing the same amethyst around my neck for the better part of a couple years. About a month ago, a random woman came up to me and told me she could see Archangel Michael behind me and that I am always protected. She made a comment that I don’t really need my necklace. I instantly knew she was referring to the amethyst I had chosen to wear for protection. I was elated to get a message like that on a day I had been seeing a lot of Angel Numbers, and deeply felt it was genuine and heartfelt. Even with such a beautiful message, I didn’t want to part with the crystal I had become so partial to wearing. I eventually bought a new crystal, a rose quartz, meant as a replacement, but still couldn’t bring myself to separate the amethyst from my necklace. 

Last week, I noticed the crystal was missing from my necklace before I went to bed. Retracing my steps seemed impossible since it was lost on my day off and I had ran a bunch of errands all over the place. I really wanted to know what had come of it. More importantly, I didn’t want this loss to be a waste. Instead of being completely bummed about it, I said a little prayer that someone who needs it will find it, and hoped for the best. 

A few days later, a coworker of mine, who I will call Sandy, stopped by my desk and started telling me about how she just came inside from her work break. Sandy was sitting in her car reading articles on the Internet about celebrities that carry crystals. This sparked an interest in her that lead her to research crystals to help herself. She realized she wanted to purchase an amethyst for a particular concern she had that very morning. As she came to this realization towards the end of her break, she opened her door and stepped outside to feel something break beneath her foot. She extended her hand at this point in the story to show me a broken amethyst. But it wasn’t just any amethyst. 

“That’s my crystal!” I exclaimed, in utter disbelief. I proceeded to tell Sandy about the woman who came up to me randomly saying that I don’t need my necklace, and how it came to be missing. It was bizarre that it happened to drop in my work’s parking lot to begin with since I had literally only stopped there in an area I never really even park in for a moment on my day off.

It was clear through such a synchronistic series of events that the crystal was meant for Sandy. We both had goosebumps and exchanged a series of excited statements. However, we were both slightly concerned it was broken, and started researching interpretations of the meanings behind broken crystals. The first site that we opened said that when a crystal is broken, it can mean it’s work with you is done and it is a sign to gift it to someone else who needs it. The fact it broke and the way it broke made me feel even better about letting it go. Sandy now keeps the crystal pieces in her pocket daily as she is working on a healing.


It was such an auspicious day from the start, even before Sandy happened to stop and talk to me, particularly, instead of the dozens of people working around us. The moon was full, and I kept seeing even more angel numbers than usual. It was like a heightened intuition had come over everyone with whom I came in contact. A different coworker happened to give me my work break at 4:44, which means angels are all around you. When everyone works together to bring each other signs and messages without even trying, it just shows how connected we all are. As for the missing crystal, it was never really missing at all, just repurposed for a greater need. 

Transmuting Negativity into Light-Filled Situations

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While the news blasts all of the worrisome things in this world, many of us have trouble seeing the light around us. Even on a personal level, there will be doomsayers in your life telling you to expect the worst in situations and people. What has become increasingly more apparent to me is that we often perpetuate our own experiences based on our beliefs about reality. Even in the most dire of circumstances, there is a way to see the light. Mr. Rogers once shared advice from his mother that even during the most troubling situations reported on the news, you can see a positive perspective. “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” 
There is literally light everywhere in this world and within every single person you meet. Everyone has the potential to show you their best version of themselves. What I found to help bring more positive situations in my life is keeping positive even in the difficult times. I got increasingly good at it to the point it become almost effortless to see from a higher perspective. I started writing stories and advice under the alias “Angel Eyes”. I chose my name very deliberately. I truly believe in Angels, non-denominational higher dimensional beings, who truly help everyone, simultaneously. In prior posts, I have shared stories of synchronicities demonstrating their help from the other side. These compassionate beings see you for the light inside you and love you unconditionally. To see the world through “Angel Eyes” is to truly see the world with absolute love. 
Dr. Wayne Dyer once said, “if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” If you don’t like what you see, try to flip the situation mentally into a positive and believe it. Doing this may take some practice, but it will help you attract beautiful situations into your life. No matter where you are or what you are going through in this world, you have the ability to see love and light wherever you go. Do this and watch your life transform into your highest potential.   

Perception in an Evolving Society

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“A question that sometimes drives me hazy: am I or are the others crazy?” -Albert Einstein

“You have to go on and be crazy. Craziness is like Heaven.” -Jimi Hendrix

“Don’t let the opinions of the average man sway you. Dream, and he thinks you’re crazy. Succeed, and he thinks you’re lucky. Acquire wealth, and he thinks you’re greedy. Pay no attention. He simply doesn’t understand.” – Robert G. Allen

I have recently rediscovered Einstein’s quotes, theories, and life view over the past year and I think he was onto something bigger than the main history books teach. Innovation in this society truly happens a lot more slowly than we give it credit for. The truly innovative ideas are often dismissed as crazy, and unreasonable until enough time has passed and the idea has grown into widespread acceptance. Sure, we have breakthroughs in technology all the time, but it seems to take so long for the rest of the world to wake up and accept amazing discoveries as fact. Think about how you would try to explain the world isn’t flat to a world of people who would vow to their children that the world is flat. The age of the Sphinx is a great modern day example of this. There is an abundance of evidence that suggests that the ruins are much older than mainstream textbooks claim, but because it challenges what is widely accepted as creation, anything on the contrary to mainstream belief is being swept under the rug.

My point is to you– all of you lonely people out there who feel the grain of people are constantly against you–that you are in great company. The greatest thinkers in society throughout history have been mocked, hated, misunderstood, tar and feathered, hung, and even imprisoned and tortured. Keep the faith. Hold on to your convictions, and trudge forward fearlessly into the direction of your wildest dreams. Don’t stop for anyone, and when you finally reach the top, the naysayers will seem so small. When you stop trying to win the people over that don’t believe in you, the real miracles occur. Let go and let yourself keep dreaming big… the world truly needs it.

The Goddesses of Easter: Ostara vs Ishtar

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May you all have a blessed Spring Equinox this year!

Julie Tourangeau's avatarJulie Tourangeau

A few years ago, I had a dramatic restoration of faith in God. During this time of my life, my husband and I ended up renting out to a roommate to help with bills. I don’t believe it was an accident that he just so happened to hold a bachelor’s degree from one of the state’s best universities in Comparative Religions. Since he did not personally affiliate with any particular religion, I often got an unbiased perspective of the control of information (and sometimes misinformation) in religions. I found myself asking him many questions on historical references for things I had been discovering through intuition and spiritual truths. Growing up, I had lost interest in traditional holidays I celebrated in my Catholic upbringing, but I found myself on a quest to separate fact from fiction on why the modern world practices and believes what it does. Holiday origins were some…

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Flavorful and Rich Vegan Shepard’s Pie

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I personally want full-flavored, Irish goodness on St. Patrick’s Day. When you have decided to eat compassionately for the planet, you may find yourself feeling a little left out (and grossed out) amidst all the corn beef chomping population beside you. Luckily for all you plant-based eaters out there, I have decided to share my favorite Irish, vegan recipe. đź’š

Start by boiling 8 red skinned potatoes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Filling

Add the following ingredients to a sauté pan with a little veggie broth:

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1/2 yellow onion, cubed

8 cremini mushrooms, sliced

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tsp fresh thyme

1 tsp fresh sage

Add a pinch of salt and pepper.

Add two cups of veggie broth, slowly.

Add 1 cup of tomato paste. 

Add 1 cup of organic frozen peas.

Add a splash of red wine.

Let simmer until veggies become soft.

Add 1 tbsp flour, and continue to let simmer until thickened.

  
Potato topping

At about 15-20 minutes of boiling, the potatoes should be tender. Check with a fork or knife.

Drain the hot water from the potatoes. I usually cut the potatoes in half with a knife and leave them in the same pan.

Add 2 cups of your favorite nut milk (I use cashew milk).

Add garlic salt and pepper to taste.

The tender potatoes and added ingredients should be easily mashed and mixed by hand with a potato masher.

  
Putting it all together

I put a little veggie broth on the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking.

Completely cover pan with thickened veggie filling. Make sure it is even by spreading with the back of a spoon.

Evenly layer mashed potato mixture on top of the veggies. Make sure it is spread as evenly as possible on top to keep a good ratio between potato topping and veggie filling.

Cook pan on the top shelf of your oven for 30 minutes, or until potato topping starts to brown and crisp.

Let dish cool for 5 minutes before serving.

  
Voila! A delicious, full flavored vegan St. Patties dish!

Enjoy, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Facing Perception and Rejection

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During the time in my life I consider my spiritual awakening, everything I had come to know was transitioning. I had surrounded myself in high school and college with very judgmental people who loved to gossip, chase wealth, party, and position themselves as elite in many ways. It has taken many years to funnel the people out of my life who refused to grow, and surround myself with totally accepting, loving people. I started this journey alone in many respects as I let go of those that no longer had my best interest at heart. I had experienced so many synchronistic moments after my dad had passed that I was busting at the seams wanting to share them. I sometimes worried about what others would think of me if I openly talked about signs from heaven and life after death. The beautiful truth that the dead are never lost is something that I wanted to share beyond myth, legend, and fairytale. Synchronicity made this truth tangible for me, and I felt my story would help others. Synchronicity taught me that all beings are deeply connected, even in death. I felt a deep calling to make this work the center of my life. 

There was one day in particular, right after I quit the insurance biz and focused on writing, that I meditated outside behind my apartment in the sun. There was a long stretch of grass near the woods that lined up against my complex that I often liked to visit. It was a gorgeous spring day. I sat concentrating on a patch of dandelions nearby. The only way I can describe my state of being was one of a blissful trance. I was beaming from the inside out and smiling. I felt at peace with myself and finally free from pressures of a stuffy business job and business school. I knew others (at least the others that were in my life at that point in time) would not understand my choices, but I wanted to share this peace I had found with the world. 
A thought came to me as I happily sat near a bunch of dandelions, enjoying their beautiful bright yellow color that resonated with me as such a happy flower. I thought about how many people think of this beautiful flower as a weed. I realized that I was very much like a dandelion as well. I remember concentrating on a particular sentence as I continued to meditate: “Some people think I am a weed, but really I am a beautiful flower.” This truth truly freed me from any perceived judgements of others. At that moment, it didn’t matter what anyone said or thought about me. My heart was full of love and my soul was lit by a calling to share my spiritual experiences, no matter how others perceived my choices. 

I sat in the sun for quite some time until finally I decided to make my way back to my apartment. As I opened the screen door, I was greeted by my two miniature dachshunds, Reesie and Scooby. Over their happy yelps and wagging tails due to my return home, I heard my email notification on my iPhone go off. I picked up my phone off of the kitchen table to check it out. It was a Live Nation email letting me know I was eligible for a pre-sale for my husband’s favorite band that was going to be playing across the street at Meadowbrook, where they had never played before. I could often hear bands play there from my place it was so close. Extremely interested, I scrolled down the email to get the code. To my absolute joy, the code for the pre-sale just happened to be “dandelion” when moments ago I had meditated so intensely on a dandelion. Albert Einstein once said coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous. I took this meaningful coincidence as validation of my break through. When synchronicity happens, I often perceive the meaningful coincidence as the universe’s way of telling me to keep going. 

From that moment on, I haven’t cared about what other people think of me. If there is one thing I learned from that experience it is that even if the majority of the population perceives you as a weed, you will still find others out there who know you as the beautiful flower you are. The perception of a weed and a flower is only established by your mentality. The way you view the world is your choice. To let others’ choices define you is a mistake in thinking. My hope is that this story helps you overcome the judgement of others and know true freedom to be yourself.

Label Me: The Human Condition 

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Nothing ever stays the same, yet year after year so much changes that it still surprises me. We are constantly evolving, searching and experiencing. Throughout this life, we find ourselves moving in different directions, trying on new labels for ourselves, and moving on to the next. We are a child, a best friend, a student, a lover, an ex-girlfriend, a friend, a roommate, and a soulmate. We go through all of these labels, all the while exchanging experiences with other labels like teacher, boyfriend, boss, and grandma. We are constantly interacting with a sea of faces that go on swapping labels, like best-friend, coworker, and date. At the end of the day, we have a hard time looking past the labels we use to define others’ relationships to us, as well as defining ourselves.  

“Behind every atom of this world hides an infinite universe.” – Rumi

 
Remember, that you are a reflection of the divine. You are a part of the universe, and the universe is a part of you. You are part of all that ever is, all that ever was, and all that ever will be. We are infinite beings, experiencing a finite existence. To get caught up in the matters on the surface is to lose sight of the infinite reality that is your soul: the ghost operating and observing the three-dimensional vessel that is your body. Anything that ever took place in your life is timeless. Anyone you ever exchanged experiences with in this existence is infinitely a part of your story as you are of theirs. Being a part of a creation that is happening through us, and not just to us, is to recognize the divine in every experience you’ll ever have. The truth is, you are as infinite as the entire universe as well as a mere piece of it. As much as change appears to be a reality, there is a constant divine flow that runs through absolutely everything, as we are all a part of all of creation. The next time you catch yourself labeling anything or anyone, consider this: To label yourself as anything less than infinite is to sell yourself short. 

Above All Things, This Story is About Love

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About ten years ago, I received numerous mixed burnt CDs from my friend Jeff, whom I called Christian, and he called me Mercedes. Jeff and I were very close and had tons of great memories getting ready for a night out or dancing in the car to the music he made us. In 2008, when I bought the iPod I still have now, I uploaded all of these music files and named the ones I recognized. There was an amazing instrumental that speeds up the tempo as the song goes on. It is mesmerizing. I didn’t recognize it, so I saved the artist under “Ask Jeff Feys”. I always meant to ask him what this instrumental was from, but unfortunately never found out. 
  

Friday night, I decided to put something on I hadn’t seen in awhile. I put on the movie Moulin Rouge. It had probably been about 5 years since I watched it, so I am not sure why I decided to put it on Friday. The movie embodies the bohemian lifestyle, upholding the values Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Love. It is something that has resonated with me since I was in middle school. The movie ends in tragedy, however, the message is clear. “The greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return.” Even though the main character, Satine, dies tragically, she definitely was able to love and be loved before she died. Even though she dies, she was able to learn the greatest lesson there is to learn in life. 

I sat through the movie and cried like I usually would. The ending credits came on, and I sat on my couch with my dog, Reesie, not wanting to get up quite yet. To my surprise, a familiar song that had eluded me for years came on during the ending credits of the movie. Yes, it was the “Ask Jeff Feys” instrumental from my iPod. I found myself very happy and smiling that the mystery was finally solved. I recalled Jeff loving this movie, so it made sense. I was surprised I hadn’t stopped to listen to the credits before. 

The next day, I logged onto Facebook, about to tell him about the song. To my devastation, I found out he had passed the night before. Jeff had tragically died by being hit by a car when he was crossing the street in Warren, Michigan. I spent my 4th of July thinking about Jeff all day. Part of me felt guilty that we hadn’t spoke much lately outside of Facebook. The other part of me laughed and giggled at all of our ridiculous memories together as I listened to old mixed CDs he gave me with hilariously inappropriate titles, like “Cupcake for Mr. and Mrs. Titface”. Jeff was one of the brightest people I ever knew. I know people say that about people who passed all the time, but Jeff was different. Jeff truly lit up a room with his larger than life personality and presence. He was one of the funniest people I knew. He was greatly loved, and he cared so much for other people. 
  

He personally helped me find myself after I graduated high school. I ended a 4 year relationship, and Jeff was right there with me, filling my days with laughter and uplifting memories. I recall working on a song with my vocal coach at a music college I attended. She taught me to bring more emotion to the song I was singing by telling me to think of the most upbeat, energetic person I knew. It worked like a charm because I knew the perfect person to channel. That person was Jeff. 
  

Now that the initial shock has worn off, I am left to reflect about the events from this past weekend. It was extremely auspicious to me that the mystery song he gave me was solved hours within his passing. I can’t help but feel he made sure to answer the question I had on my IPod for years the night he left us. I found out the song was put at the end of the movie to lift the viewers’ mood after witnessing such a tragic end for Satine. This is why the tempo starts slow and speeds up at the end. I see so many parallels between the lesson from the movie and the lesson of Jeff’s life. I do not believe this was a mere coincidence. He died way too young, and very tragically. To be hit by a car crossing the street is not the way Jeff ever expected to go, I’m sure. I keep coming back to the message in the movie and how it can also relate to Jeff’s life: the greatest thing you will ever learn is to love and be loved in return. Jeff was undoubtedly loved. He was deeply loved and will be missed dearly. I definitely believe he learned how to love and be loved in his short lifetime, more than most. That’s the silver lining in all of this. 

I love you, Jeffrey. 

Rest in Peace. 

  
1986-2015 

Following Your Intuition to Your Life’s Purpose 

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 When developing your intuition, you may often find yourself against the grain of society. You may leave a job everyone else in their rational minds would kill for. You may follow a dream that seems impossible. As you honor your inner knowingness, others may not be privy to the divine guidance you are following. Know that there is a good reason for this. 

Albert Einstein said it best when he said: “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” The world around us is often full of people who live their life by rational logic, weighing statistical chances with decision making for a safety net of a future. The truth is though that no matter how much you plan, or take the path that seems the safest, there are no guarantees that things will go as planned. Flexibility is called for as we live in a Creation that is still happening. Things are constantly changing and to pigeon hole yourself into a certain lifestyle or plan goes against your very nature as a child of the universe. The truth is, living from your intuitive self is your direct hotline to an all-knowing, all-being mind. We may not understand completely why we feel we must follow a certain path or action when we follow our intuition, but one thing is certain. A higher power definitely does understand the bigger picture, and having faith in our intuitive guidance is the first step in co-creating a life lived to the fullest. 

Many people would agree that following your intuition sounds good in theory but when putting this notion into practice, it may not be super clear. There are many things you can do to clear your mind and develop your intuition. A good place to start developing your intuition is here: Julie Tour Discusses 5 Simple Steps to Develop Psychic Awareness. There are also many divination tools that can help you sort out true divine guidance from fear. As someone who once had a cushy corporate position, drove a luxury car, and had every material perk one could ask for, I found out the hard way that following that path was not the key to happiness. I was operating from the rational, servant mind and at the end of the day, materialism is only an illusion of security and, to top it all off, my job wasn’t my true passion. If your situation isn’t fueling your passion, chances are that you missed your calling. The good news is that every day that you are still breathing, you have the opportunity to live passionately. When operating from your intuitive mind, your sacred gift from God, your life becomes magical, meaningful, and full of wonder. Never lose your divine birth right to co-create a meaningful, rewarding life.