I'm finding the gloomy financial news, famine and global violence on television contrasts particularly strongly at the moment with commercial breaks depicting happy families enjoying vast amounts of food, toys and the latest expensive high-tech gadgets.

Surely it's obvious by now that the more we seek happiness in the pursuit of money, goods and power the more unhappy and unbalanced we make our world. Not that there's anything wrong with money, goods or power - used well they can be fabulous resources - but when we make them a goal in themselves, instead of using them in service to a true vision we risk our integrity.

The Emperor's New Clothes
The essence which depicts this best is Pyrite, also known as Fool's Gold. So called because it often tricked the unwary miner with an illusion of instant wealth, Pyrite essence asks us to step out of mass delusion where we're frightened to be the only one to point out that the only suit the Emperor is wearing is the one he was born in. Pyrite essence asks us to resist external pressures and live our life according to our highest personal truth.

The Golden Lining
This, to me, is the upside of the economic downturn. We're having to take personal responsibility for our livelihood, our own happiness and the social and planetary consequences of our actions. If you're reading this then you'll be familiar with the concept that we create our reality ourselves, yet the media have again turned this idea of using the Law of Attraction into the pursuit of having more, when in fact the journey is always about being more - more of who we truly are. I recently saw this excerpt in a friend's newsletter which expresses this very eloquently - over to Mark Silver from 'Heart of Business'

Heart or Ego?
There's a popular idea floating around that says: God/Divine/Source wants you to have it easy. Just stay happy, stay focused on your dreams, and everything you need will come to you. This is a misunderstanding of a profound spiritual teaching. The Sufis talk about it like this: You have been promised ease around your sustenance.

The problem? This is a teaching of the heart, not the ego. For the ego, "ease" means easy, no work, lying around on the beach while the cash flows in. For the heart, however, "ease" means something entirely different. What brings ease to the heart is when your work (1) benefits others and has meaning, (2) hurts no one and doesn't accumulate what is referred to as "sin" or "karma," and (3) is honest. If you earn a living while accomplishing those three, even if there is some hard work involved, your heart will be at ease.
Business Heart article (c)2008 Mark Silver, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

I love helping people with soul issues. If you'd like to discuss a consultation or any other kind of soul support, just call 01273 77 33 24 on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays.

I'm sorry to say that I've had to postpone the December workshops. I'll be getting back with new January dates when things are clearer.

If you're particularly interested in either or both workshops just contact me and I'll make sure you're emailed the new dates.

Alchemy of Fire - Hogmanay Firewalk with Stephen Mulhearn

The alchemy of shamanic ritual transforms that which creates a heavy feeling in our lives and hearts into a lightness that is truly magical!

Be prepared to sculpt deeper happiness and more good fortune in your life as a direct result of this evening of deep shamanic work. Radiate from the healing and empowering potency of a Lendrick Lodge New Year Firewalk!

Cherish the experience of Firewalking by the flowing river Lendrick as a solo Scottish piper enchants the ritual with the pipes. After the firewalk you will be serenaded and captivated by live Celtic folk music.

Date/Times: 6.30 pm Wednesday 31st December-1.30 am Thursday 1st January 2009
Venue: Lendrick Lodge, Scotland
Cost: £75

Would you like to use Bach Flowers to keep your family healthy and balanced?
Are you a kinesiologist who tests essences?
Would you like to work through your chakras and your karma, clear your Lightbody or open up to the Angels and Ascended Masters?

Then invest in a set of essences to support your personal and professional growth - the choice is yours!
Bach Flower Set
Self Treatment Set
Inner Child Set
Rose Essence Set
Karmic Essence Set
Chakra Essence Set
Angel Essence Set
Archangel Essence Set

We may feel like dense physical beings at times - sometimes a bit too dense! - But it's good to remind ourselves that actually most of our body is made up of water, particularly our brain. Water is the medium in which most of the business of our body is conducted, cell and nerve communication, digestion, excretion, protection, lubrication, memory, repair, circulation, growth and vision.

The Energy of Flow
The full significance of this for health only dawned on me when I saw an illustrated talk by John Wilkes, an water expert and creator of flowforms, which allow water to meander and vortex in natural cleansing and energising shapes. I was reminded of him recently as I admired his flowform in The Chalice Well gardens in Glastonbury, pictured above.

Stagnant Water - Stagnant Body
Drinking bottled water which has sat stagnant, sometimes for years, in soft plastic bottles which leach hormones is not setting us up for high energy or good health. Nor is it helpful to be drinking tap water which has been forced through pipes and doctored with chemicals which kill its life-enhancing properties.

Goodbye to Migraine and Indigestion
The day I met John Wilkes, I also came across the Nikken water system. Nikken are a Japanese company who really understand the importance of bringing the health-giving energies from Nature into our daily life. They've researched ground-breaking technologies for over 40 years and their Pi-Mag water system brings a unique patented result. What changed for me within six weeks of drinking it:

What Comes out and What Goes In
Curious that such a simple change could have such radical results I started researching water. I realised that part of the reason this water 'works' is not just due to all the chemicals which are taken out of it, including chlorine and hormones, but also due to the minerals and sun and earth energies which are put back; in the form of magnetic field, far-infra red, Okinawa sea coral and silicate sand.

What's Available - Give it a Whirl!
Nikken even produce an Optimiser like a magnetic, mineralised food blender which vortexes the Pi-Mag water, creating such highly oxygenated energy it gives you a real buzz! (Only to be used with Pi-Mag Water) Check them out here under Wellness Products, then Environment.

There's also a plumbed in version which I can get from the States, if that suits you better. Call me for advice on: 01273 77 33 24.

Crystals and Orbs
Another step in my understanding was the water crystal work of Masaru Emoto, who found that playing music to water or exposing it to certain words caused it to produce crystals which reflected that energy. My favourite is the crystal produced by Heartbreak Hotel - it forms a heart, broken down the middle!

I saw Masaru at Alternatives in London once and have never forgotten the incredible energy and inspiration he produced. Checking his blog recently I wasn't surprised to see his photographs of his trip to Turin in Italy has visible orbs, which Diana Cooper says can only show up in the presence of high vibrational energy. Confusingly, you'll find it in the Columbia section.Take a look

Top Tip - Make a Difference for under £10
Always carry water with you in hard plastic bottles. Soft plastic is bad news and gets worse the more you re-use it. Most camping shops sell hard plastic bottles. I found the make Nalgene leakproof and easy to carry. Look for the triangle on the bottom of any plastic bottle. There will be number inside it. The lower the number, the softer the plastic. Seven or higher is good news. Think of the saving in landfill if we all took this one step - the planet would be grateful too.

In the December Issue of Soul and Spirit I give:

Click for previous articles - recently updated

How to get Soul and Spirit
You'll find it in outlets such as WH Smiths and Tescos.To have it delivered direct in the UK or anywhere in the world click below.

Andrew Ferguson, Founder of Breakthrough Network. Email: andrew.ferguson@lifeshift.co.uk

www.BreakthroughNetwork.Net is the new meeting place online for busy owner managers, self-employed and social enterprises.

We're creating a socially responsible enterprise community to relieve isolation - with a special focus on supporting holistic enterprise, life balance and positive purpose.

Breathtakingly easy to use and search, the clever Forum and Directory generates wise answers through direct contact between members. Share insight on topical issues and, as a result, make new connections.

Special Offer From February 2009 we'll be charging £39.95 for Life Membership, but if you join before 31 January you SAVE over £30.

I've known Andrew for over ten years. I love his books, workshops and ethics. Contact with him always leaves me feeling clearer and more enriched. Knowing his amazing networking history I'm sure his Forum will attract just the kind of people I want to connect with.
Nikki Wyatt

In the present financial climate this just has to be my essence of the month! I've used it to great effect in blends for agoraphobia, panic attacks, over-sensitivity to global crises or any fear-based issues. Particularly useful for Pisceans and Capricorns who have a life theme of overcoming fear.

Red Clover is an essence for letting go of fear and breaking the pattern of habitual fear which fuses emotional and causal bodies together causing a universal form of emotionalism.

Daunted by crowded shopping centres?
Want to give something a bit different?
Try a Spirit of Transformation gift voucher, from as little as £5 upwards redeemable in full or part payment on any product or service such as essences, attunements or healing sessions.

You can either print it off to give by hand or schedule it to arrive with your loved one by email on a day you choose. They'll be assured of my best attention and I'll be happy to discuss options with them and answer any questions if they call me after receiving it.

Just click the link below for a heartwarming reminder of the power of connection and community - you'll have to wait for it to download, so make a refreshing brew and check your speakers are on.

If the slideshow doesn't start automatically click the top right hand icon called 'slideshow'. Once the first slide is up, right click your mouse and choose 'Next' on the menu after which it will move through on its own. When it finishes, right click your mouse again and choose 'end show'.

Thanks to Loreen in Australia for sharing this.

I shall be on holiday from Monday 22nd December to January 5th, so please get your attunement or essence orders in before then.

I have a just a couple of consultation slots left between now and Christmas, either on the phone or in person. Just email or call: 01273 77 33 24 to book or discuss what's best for you.

Bargains include:

The link below is regularly updated, so what you see is usually still available.

Croydon Hall in Somerset has a particularly rich programme of events coming up in December and January. From a vegetarian house party and a Learn French while Cooking course to individual New Year retreats and Well Being weekends. Take a dip!

Shimara Kumara has produced a set of 40 Inner Child Cards, each with a message and an affirmation. These sacred cards have been programmed by the Angelic Realms who have promised to work closely with all who use them. They can be used for meditation, divination or in conjunction with the Inner Child Essences.

Cost: £21.95 + p&p

"Be careful what you water your dreams with.
Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream.
Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success.
Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success.
Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream."
Lao Tzu

I hope you enjoyed reading this and welcome any feedback. If you know someone who'd enjoy this month's issue, please forward using the blue 'Forward' link below left rather than your usual forward button, otherwise the graphics will be lost.

Nikki is a graduate of the College of Vibrational Medicine which is affiliated to the Institute of Complementary Medicine. She's also a qualified Gaia Healer and is passionate about empowering people. If you'd like to invite her to give a talk, interview or submit a quote or article, please contact her on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays.

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In Gratitude