A Conversation on Grief, Transformation, and Energy Medicine with Judith Maxey
“There is a voice inside that does not use words. Listen.” ~ Rumi Guest Introduction: Welcome to Exploring the Seasons of Life podcast. I’m your host Cindy MacMillan. I have conversations with coaches, spiritual explorers and thought leaders from all walks of life about beginnings, endings, and the messy bits in-between. Self-love, well-being, and mindset are at the heart of our conversations because once you change the inside, the outside will begin to change as well. In this episode, I’m thrilled to dive into the work of Judith Maxey, whose exploration into alternative and traditional healing practices began while pursuing a Master’s degree in Applied Anthropology, exploring the cultural roots of healing. Judith is the owner of Almus Energy Medicine, has been practicing energy medicine for over 15 years. She is an experienced and certified Usui/Holy Fire® and Karuna Reiki® master teacher, mentor, shamanic practitioner, meditation guide and essential oil specialist. In 2023, she also became a certified End-of-Life Doula. Here’s a glimpse of our conversation: Welcome Judith. I’ve really been looking forward to this conversation. Judith: “There's always an underlying level of grief. Right now, I feel, in part because of the pandemic we just simply did not acknowledge the grieving that might have happened. That should have happened because we have a very, in my opinion, narrow perspective on what grief is.” Judith: “I'm a doTERRA wellness advocate, so I use mostly doTERRA oils. I believe in their quality, but I use a Snow Lotus aromatherapy oil that was created by a Five Element Acupuncturist, and it's called Sedate Metal and so from the Chinese medicine perspective. It's about metal and it's very good in fall for the lungs where we hold grief and it is a blend of Copaiba balsam, Atlas cedarwood, Amyris, and Geranium. And I would never even attempt to blend it the way that Peter Holmes does. It's just an amazing blend. I keep it in my office.” Judith: “I'm so happy that there are end-of-life doulas for the person who is passing and also for everyone involved and that's what I found was really there was so much learning in my end of life doula training about that about the interactions between the caregivers and what was happening for everyone how to be aware of the cues and Like everything else, Cindy, again, I feel like I say a certain few things throughout the conversation, but it's about being present.” Judith: “And then I started, in the same community as my Reiki teacher, I'll give her a shout out, Colleen Benelli, Licensed Reiki Teacher, The International Center for Reiki Training. She was also involved in The LightSong Community of 21st Century Shamanism and Energy Medicine. So, I started doing core shamanism training as well.” Judith: “You are meant to use us and, and we're meant to work together. And so, I started bringing in essential oils, the plants to my work. And I just feel like the combination of the shamanic practices that, I'd say in general, allow you to work with larger energies than yourself, Reiki, and the miracle, the magic of the plants, you know, getting to work with those three in a session with someone is a powerhouse. It's so supportive. Judith: “I would suggest, your ceremony be specific to you and what you're comfortable with. And most importantly, what you will actually do. You know, we can look at a lot of different ceremonies, but what calls to you? Do you want to gather in a big crowd? Do you want to gather with your three closest friends? In the darkness, with a candle? Being grateful? Saying out loud what you want to get rid of? You know? I think those elements are the important part. Again, gratitude, community, release, and calling in what you would like for the new year or your life. I'll say that I would suggest those same elements for any ceremony. Judith: “Forgiveness is so much larger than that.
