Enchanted Empath

Charlene Murphy

remember your inner brilliance

  1. JAN 25

    The War on Intuition and Empathy: How 1984 Isn’t Just Fiction Anymore

    We are living in a moment that George Orwell once warned about, a world where truth becomes negotiable and empathy is increasingly framed as weakness. In 1984, Orwell did not simply imagine a government that controlled information. He described a system that trained people to distrust their own senses, silence their moral instincts, and surrender their inner authority to external power. Only when individuals abandoned their capacity for independent thought and emotional truth did tyranny become effortless to maintain. Orwell’s warning was never just about politics. It was about the slow, calculated erosion of human intuition, empathy, and critical thinking. In Oceania, citizens were conditioned to reject their own lived experience in favor of official narratives. They were taught to trust the state over their own eyes and conscience, and to view compassion as a threat to social order rather than its foundation. Emotional authenticity was replaced with ideological obedience. Moral discernment was traded for compliance. The Party’s greatest victory was not surveillance or censorship, but psychological conditioning. People learned to doubt what they felt, suppress what they knew, and accept contradictions without resistance. Over time, they stopped asking whether something was true and focused only on whether it was approved. That dystopian dynamic is no longer confined to fiction. It is unfolding around us. Long before I ever taught spiritual practice or intuitive development, I was a high school English teacher. Books like 1984 weren’t just part of a curriculum to me, they lived in my psyche. I watched teenagers wrestle with Orwell’s ideas about power, truth, and psychological control, and I watched some of them begin to recognize those patterns in the real world. Even then, it was clear that the novel wasn’t primarily about politics. It was about consciousness. It was about what happens when human beings lose trust in their inner voice. Looking back now, I see how deeply that work shaped me. It laid the foundation for everything I do today. Teaching literature was my first doorway into teaching discernment, intuition, and emotional awareness. My work as a spiritual guide did not replace that path, it grew directly from it. The same questions remain at the center: How do we stay awake? How do we stay human? How do we protect our inner truth in a world that constantly pressures us to abandon it? Across the United States, we are witnessing a cultural environment that increasingly rewards conformity over conscience and reaction over reflection. Short-form video and algorithm-driven media train us to crave instant stimulation rather than sustained thought. Attention spans shrink, nuance disappears, and complex ideas are flattened into memes and outrage clips. We are being conditioned to react emotionally while thinking less and less critically. At the same time, public education struggles under political pressure, underfunding, and systems that prioritize standardized testing over genuine inquiry. Many students graduate without the tools to question narratives, evaluate evidence, or empathize across difference. Political tribalism fills the void. Instead of asking whether something is right, many people ask only whether it aligns with their “side.” Loyalty becomes more important than integrity. Discernment becomes dangerous. People become stupid. Perhaps most disturbing is the growing rhetoric, including from some self-described religious nationalists, that empathy is a weakness. Compassion is framed as softness. Care for the vulnerable is portrayed as naïve. Yet this directly contradicts the teachings they claim to follow. Christ’s life was built on radical compassion for the poor, the stranger, the sick, and the marginalized. To reject empathy while claiming spiritual authority is not strength. It is moral confusion and straight-up gaslighting. These patterns are no longer abstract. They appear in our headlines and in our communities. Federal immigration enforcement actions have led to fatal shootings involving U.S. citizens. Children have been detained alongside their parents and transported far from home. Families have been shattered under the language of “law and order.” Each incident is framed as necessary, procedural, or justified. Over time, repeated exposure dulls public outrage. What once would have shocked the conscience becomes another passing story. This is exactly the psychological terrain Orwell warned about. In 1984, citizens were trained not merely to obey, but to stop trusting their own emotional responses. They were taught to feel what they were told to feel and ignore what their conscience whispered. When people lose confidence in their inner moral compass, they become dependent on external authority for meaning, truth, and permission. The call to “question everything” echoes across spiritual and philosophical traditions, from the Buddha to Socrates to Jefferson. It is not about rebellion for its own sake. It is about refusing to outsource your conscience. It is about asking who benefits from a narrative, who is being erased, what we are being encouraged not to notice, and whether something aligns with our values or merely our fears. Independent thought is inconvenient to systems built on control, which is why it is always targeted first. This war on intuition does not stop at politics. It permeates our culture. Scroll through social media and you will see endless rows of women with the same filtered faces, the same sculpted features, the same artificial perfection. Individuality is replaced with templates. Uniqueness is edited out. We are trained to distrust our natural bodies, rhythms, instincts, and inner knowing in favor of manufactured ideals and external validation. When people no longer know who they are, they become easier to manipulate. The truth is that the United States is not well. A nation where children can be detained, citizens can be killed with no accountability, empathy is mocked, education is weakened, and truth is partisan is a nation in spiritual crisis. We are increasingly governed by fear, spectacle, and short-term power. Many people sense that no one is coming to save us, and that realization can feel overwhelming. But that truth is also liberating. There is no hero riding in on a white horse. No perfect leader. No institution that will suddenly fix this. If we wait for rescue, we will wait forever. The responsibility and the power still rests with us. We remain co-creators of our lives. We still choose what we consume, what we believe, what we tolerate, and what we build. Systems thrive when people feel powerless. When they feel defeated. When they believe their choices do not matter. That sense of helplessness is not accidental. It is the goal. Resistance does not always look like protest. Sometimes it looks like clarity. It looks like choosing depth over distraction, integrity over approval, and alignment over autopilot. It looks like getting honest with ourselves about what fuels us, what drains us, and what we are ready to outgrow. This is not spiritual bypassing. It is spiritual responsibility. We cannot control every system, but we can control our relationship to them. We can decide not to become numb, not to become cruel, and not to become small. This is why intuitive and intentional living matters more now than ever. Manifestation is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about refusing to surrender your creative power to chaos. It is about consciously designing your next chapter instead of letting fear write it for you. In uncertain times, it is easy to shrink, lower expectations, and abandon dreams. But survival is not the same as living. You are here to create, grow, evolve, and contribute something meaningful. That requires intention. My upcoming Intuitive Manifesting class is not about “positive vibes only.” It is about grounded, conscious creation in a world that profits from your disempowerment. It focuses on reconnecting with your inner guidance, clearing emotional and energetic blocks, reclaiming your creative authority, and designing a life that reflects who you truly are, not who you were trained to be. In a culture built on control and conformity, creating an intentional life is one of the highest forms of rebellion. The gentle invitation is that you are welcome if you feel called. You belong. You will be supported. The harder truth is that if you do not intentionally shape your life, someone else will do it for you. Corporations, algorithms, political narratives, and fear-based messaging are already trying. This work is no longer a luxury. It is a form of self-defense. Orwell did not write 1984 to scare us into silence. He wrote it to remind us that tyranny succeeds when people abandon their inner authority. Empathy is not weakness. Intuition is not naïve. Independent thought is not dangerous. They are our last lines of defense. Take back your power. Intend. Manifest. Design a life that aligns with your truth. The future is not written yet, and you are still one of its authors. Remember your inner brilliance… and stay woke.

    13 min
  2. 11/14/2025

    The Perfect Storm: Why I Left the US

    I didn’t plan to leave the United States when I did. I grew to love my home, my spiritual community, my clients, and the life I had built. But over time, it felt like I was standing in the middle of a storm that wouldn’t end. Everywhere I turned, something was falling apart — the economy, healthcare, politics, the environment, and my relationships with my children. As an empath, I could feel it all. The collective anxiety. The grief. The anger simmering beneath the surface of daily life. What had once felt familiar began to feel unbearable. And then came the moment I knew I couldn’t stay. When the Soul Says, “It’s Time to Go” It didn’t happen overnight. It was a slow unraveling — the kind that starts as a whisper and becomes a roar. Each year, another layer of peace seemed to peel away. The cost of living climbed higher, the sense of safety lower. Every conversation seemed to circle back to fear — fear of losing jobs, homes, freedoms, or even our lives. The pressure to keep up, stay strong, and “be grateful” grew louder, even as the joy drained away. For me, it became spiritual. My soul kept saying, “This isn’t freedom anymore.” I started questioning everything I had accepted as normal — working three side hustles while trying to grow my business, skyrocketing rent, healthcare, political chaos, and the ever-present undercurrent of division and violence. It was as if the entire system was designed to keep people exhausted and disconnected from themselves. And that’s when I realized: It wasn’t just about leaving a country — it was about leaving a mindset I was raised in. It was about creating something different. “None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” Johann wolfgang von goethe The Perfect Storm The decision to move abroad wasn’t one single event. It was a series of awakenings that stacked like waves until they became a storm I couldn’t ignore. It was watching the political divide grow so wide that compassion became a casualty. It was seeing gun violence take lives faster than we could process, and realizing it had somehow become normal. It was working harder for less, and feeling my body rebel against a pace that didn’t feel human. It was watching my son relapse and pretend it wasn’t happening, a heartbreak that changed everything. Each of these became part of the perfect storm—not a tragedy, but a reckoning, a spiritual invitation to choose life, peace, and sanity over familiarity and fear. Listening to the Call When I finally saw things as they were, not as I wished them to be, everything shifted. Allowing myself to imagine life beyond the U.S. wasn’t about escaping. It was about telling the truth. And in that truth, I found a strange kind of peace. Accepting what I couldn’t change and choosing to change what I could became the first real act of freedom. The idea of living slower, freer, and more connected to nature and community was about remembering who I am when I’m not constantly in survival mode, and when facing the truth is no longer treated as an inconvenience. So I followed the whisper. I packed my bags, said goodbye, and began the journey of becoming an expat — not because I had it all figured out, but because my spirit couldn’t stand the madness any longer. What’s Next This is the first episode in a series I’m calling “Why I Left the U.S. — The Perfect Storm.” Over the next few weeks, I’ll share what led me to this decision: the politics, the fear, the broken systems, the heartache, and the longing for something more. Each episode will explore one piece of the puzzle, from gun violence to healthcare, from racial division to the spiritual exhaustion that comes when empathy hurts too much to carry. If you’ve ever felt that quiet ache that says, “There has to be more to life than this,” you’re not alone. This series is for you. Freedom isn’t a luxury for the few — it’s our birthright, even if sometimes we have to fight to claim it. Affirmation I am free to follow the voice of my soul. I trust that peace is not a place — it’s a way of being.

    11 min
  3. 10/01/2025

    How to Channel Messages from Your Spirit Guides and Ancestors

    Have you ever felt a comforting presence in an empty room or heard a whisper of guidance when you needed it most? These moments may be your spirit guides or loved ones who have passed, reaching out to support you. In today’s Psychic Game, we’ll explore how to channel messages from these unseen helpers. It’s simpler than you might think and can bring clarity, comfort, and connection to your life. What Does It Mean to Channel? Channeling is the act of opening yourself up to receive information from the spiritual realm. It’s like tuning your inner radio to the right frequency. Spirit guides often come through as wise mentors, offering insights and encouragement, while loved ones may bring messages of love, reassurance, or even a little humor. How to Prepare Yourself for Channeling Before you dive in, it’s important to set the stage. Think of it like inviting a guest into your home—you want the space to feel welcoming and clear. Create a Quiet Space Find a spot where you won’t be interrupted. Light a candle or some incense, and keep the lighting soft. Ground Yourself Take a few deep breaths and visualize roots growing from your feet into the earth. This keeps you balanced while connecting to higher energies. Set an Intention Be clear about why you’re channeling. For example, say: “I invite only the highest and most loving energies to communicate with me.” Techniques for Channeling Messages Automatic Writing Grab a notebook and a pen. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and ask your guides or loved ones to share what you need to know. Then, start writing whatever comes to mind—don’t censor yourself. You might be surprised at the clarity that emerges. Meditative Listening Sit quietly and focus on your breath. Ask a question mentally, such as: “What do I need to know about…?” Wait and listen for impressions, words, or images. Sometimes, the answers will feel like your own thoughts, but trust the process—intuition often feels subtle. Write your impressions in a journal. Use a Psychic Tools Using Tarot cards is by far my favorite way to connect with anybody’s energy – near or far, living or not. Pull a Tarot card while asking your guides for insight or signs from a loved one—it’s amazing how spot-on the messages can be! The Tarot speaks straight to your intuition. You can also use a pendulum or your favorite Oracle deck. Speak Out Loud Try asking questions out loud, then pause and “feel” for the answer. It might come as a thought, an image, or even a physical sensation. I recommend writing those feelings and thoughts down to capture them before they’re gone… kind of like a dream. Want a simple, step-by-step guide to automatic writing? Grab my Automatic Writing Workbook and start channeling with ease. How to Know If It’s Real Many people wonder if they’re just imagining things. Here’s the deal: authentic messages often feel uplifting, insightful, and sometimes even unexpected. They’re not about fear or negativity; they’re about growth and love. It’s okay if you don’t know specifically who you’re connecting with as long it’s a positive experience. I often call my guides “you guys” and I don’t get caught up in identifying them. Instead, I’m grateful for their presence and guidance. Same with relatives. Sometimes I can’t tell who it is right away, but I keep going and tell them “I’m not sure who you are yet, but I can feel your love and warmth. Show me something that is unique to you.” If not right away, I’ll get a message or insight as to who reached out and I’ll thank them. I always recommend journaling your impressions after each session to create a personal reference library. This not only helps you track patterns and insights but also validates your intuitive progress over time. You’ll start to know who you’re connecting with based on the personality, words, or images you receive. How do you most commonly receive messages? Everyone is unique. Assess your intuitive style and level of receptivity by taking a QUIZ. Common Signs of Connection A warm or tingling sensation when you’re channeling. I typically feel tingling around my ears, head, and neck. Receiving answers or clarity in surprising ways. Stay open to signs and synchronicities. Feeling calm, supported, or reassured after the experience. Channeling certain people, I feel warm hugs, while channeling certain guides, I feel uplifted and inspired. A Simple Exercise to Try Today Here’s a quick exercise to connect with your spirit guide or loved one: Sit comfortably with your eyes closed. Take three deep breaths and say, “I am ready to receive a message.” Ask a specific question, like: “What can I focus on to improve my relationship with…?” for person guidance. Wait for the first thought, image, or feeling that comes to mind. Write it down. Ask questions like: “Were you at my wedding? Did I see you there?” for personal connection. You may not get a full sentence right away—sometimes it’s just a word or a symbol—but with practice, the messages will become clearer and clearer. Trust the Process Channeling is like building a relationship; the more you practice, the easier it becomes. Whether you’re connecting with a loving guide or a cherished relative, remember to approach the experience with gratitude and an open heart. The more open your heart, the clearer the connection. Avoid overthinking, as it can create blocks and interrupt the flow of messages. If your channeling session gets hijacked by your logical brain, it’s time to stop. Pick it up again another time. Believe me when I say, we are channeling all the time. Next time you have an insight or impression, ask yourself where it came from. You may begin to notice that not all your thoughts are your own or originate in your mind. When you take the time to write these insights, hits, and impressions in a journal, it becomes abundantly clear that many of your thoughts and feelings are intuitively channeled messages. Keeping this record helps you see patterns and strengthens your trust in the process… see why journaling is a big deal when developing your intuitive gifts? For extra support in your channeling adventure, check out my 21 Must-Have Tools to Help You Channel Spirit post that highlights the best tools for channeling. There is no magic in the tools. You are the magic, but they sure do help you get in the proper headspace and energy for channeling smoothly. Have you ever received a message from your spirit guides or loved ones? Perhaps in a dream? Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear about it! Happy channeling! 🌟

    14 min
  4. 08/04/2025

    From Sensitivity to Strength: How Enneagram Personality Types Empower Empaths

    Today’s topic: “From Sensitivity to Strength: How Enneagram Personality Types Empower Empaths”. Welcome to the Enchanted Empath podcast, where we explore the mystical and the magical within you. I’m Charlene Murphy, your guide on this journey of intuition, energy, and spiritual empowerment. Whether you’re here to strengthen your empathic abilities, deepen your connection with the universe, or simply find a little peace and clarity, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in and discover the magic that awaits! Empaths possess a unique ability to understand and experience the emotions of others. This heightened sensitivity can be both a blessing and a challenge. To navigate the complexities of emotions effectively, empaths can greatly benefit from delving into the Enneagram system. The Enneagram provides a framework for understanding personality types, offering invaluable insights that can empower empaths in their personal growth and interpersonal relationships. In this article, we explore the Enneagram system and outline how knowing Enneagram personality types can be a game-changer for empaths. Understanding the Enneagram The Enneagram is a powerful tool for self-awareness and personal development. It identifies nine distinct personality types, each with its own patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. These types are not rigid boxes but rather dynamic frameworks that shed light on our core motivations, fears, desires, and coping mechanisms. By exploring these aspects, empaths can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others, leading to improved empathy, emotional regulation, and healthier relationships. The Nine Enneagram Personality Types The Perfectionist: Rational, principled, and self-disciplined, they strive for perfection and can be highly critical of themselves and others. The Helper: Caring, generous, and self-sacrificing, they seek to support and nurture others but may struggle with setting boundaries. The Achiever: Ambitious, adaptable, and image-conscious, they pursue success and recognition, sometimes losing touch with their true selves. The Individualist: Creative, sensitive, and introspective, they long for authenticity and often experience intense emotions and a sense of longing. The Investigator: Analytical, observant, and independent, they seek knowledge and understanding while sometimes withdrawing from social interactions. The Loyalist: Committed, responsible, and security-oriented, they value loyalty but can be prone to anxiety and seeking reassurance. The Enthusiast: Fun-loving, spontaneous, and adventurous, they seek stimulation and avoid pain, often struggling with commitment. The Challenger: Assertive, confident, and protective, they value control and can be seen as powerful and domineering but also have a nurturing side. The Peacemaker: Easygoing, agreeable, and accommodating, they strive for inner and outer peace but may struggle with passivity and indecisiveness. You can find deeper and more thorough descriptions of the nine Enneagram Personality Types on Truity.com How Enneagram Benefits Empaths Self-Awareness: Understanding one’s own Enneagram type helps empaths recognize their default patterns of behavior and cope with challenges more effectively. It promotes self-compassion and encourages personal growth by highlighting areas that require attention and development. Understanding Others: The Enneagram offers insights into the motivations and fears of different personality types, enabling empaths to better understand the emotions and needs of others. This understanding fosters empathy and allows empaths to navigate relationships with more compassion, patience, and insight. Emotional Regulation: Empaths often absorb and internalize the emotions of others, leading to emotional overwhelm. By identifying their Enneagram type, empaths can learn strategies for emotional regulation, such as recognizing their triggers and developing healthy coping mechanisms. Healthy Boundaries: Empaths tend to prioritize the needs of others, often neglecting their own well-being. Understanding the Enneagram can help empaths establish and maintain healthy boundaries, enabling them to care for themselves while still being empathetic and supportive. Conflict Resolution: The Enneagram offers valuable insights into the different communication styles and coping mechanisms of each personality type. This knowledge equips empaths with effective strategies for conflict resolution, enabling them to navigate disagreements with empathy and understanding. Understanding Enneagram personality types can be a transformative journey for empaths. By exploring the intricacies of the nine types, empaths gain valuable insights into themselves and others, enhancing their emotional intelligence and strengthening their relationships. The Enneagram serves as a guide, empowering empaths to navigate the complexities of emotions with grace and authenticity. If you’re an empath seeking to deepen your self-awareness and enhance your empathic abilities, I encourage you to embark on your own Enneagram journey. Taking an Enneagram Personality Type Test can be the first step towards discovering your dominant type and unlocking a wealth of knowledge about yourself. Numerous online resources offer Enneagram tests that can provide a starting point for your exploration. Remember, the Enneagram is a tool for self-discovery, growth, and understanding, but it’s important to approach it with an open mind and recognize that we are all more than just our Enneagram type. Embrace the journey of self-discovery and let the Enneagram be a guide on your path toward personal transformation and empathic empowerment. Take the Enneagram Personality Type Test today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and empathy like never before. You’ll be amazed at the insights and growth that await you.

    10 min
  5. 03/25/2025

    Pamela Colman Smith – The Visionary Behind the Modern Tarot

    Continuing our celebration of remarkable women in history, today we honor Pamela Colman Smith—the artist and mystic whose visionary illustrations brought the Rider-Waite Tarot to life. Though often overshadowed by her male contemporaries, Pamela’s work revolutionized Tarot, infusing each card with rich symbolism and intuitive depth. Her legacy lives on in every reading, every seeker’s journey, and every moment of insight drawn from her iconic deck. Who Was Pamela Colman Smith? Born in 1878 in England and raised partly in Jamaica, Pamela’s life was a tapestry of artistic inspiration and esoteric knowledge. She studied at the prestigious Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where she honed her skills as an illustrator and storyteller. But her true calling emerged when she became deeply involved in the occult world, joining the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn—a secret society devoted to mystical and magical studies. It was through this connection that she met Arthur Edward Waite, who commissioned her to illustrate what would become the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck in 1909. With her deep understanding of symbolism, color, and archetypal storytelling, she created a deck that transformed Tarot into an accessible, intuitive tool for seekers of all backgrounds. A Mystical Artist Ahead of Her Time Pamela, known as “Pixie” to her friends, was a woman of boundless imagination and deep spiritual insight. She didn’t just illustrate Tarot—she wove stories within each card, making even the numbered Minor Arcana visually meaningful for the first time. Her use of vivid colors and evocative imagery set the standard for modern Tarot decks, making them easier to interpret and read intuitively. Beyond Tarot, Pamela was also a playwright, poet, and publisher. She created her own magazine, The Green Sheaf, where she published her art, folklore, and mystical tales. Yet despite her immense contributions to both the art and spiritual communities, she struggled financially and remained largely unrecognized in her lifetime. Why Pamela Colman Smith Still Matters Though history often credited the Rider-Waite Tarot to Arthur Waite, Pamela’s art is what made the deck iconic. Her ability to channel esoteric wisdom into powerful imagery has shaped how millions of people connect with Tarot today. Pamela also serves as a reminder of the countless women artists, mystics, and visionaries whose contributions have been overlooked. In recent years, Tarot lovers have worked to restore her legacy, ensuring she receives the recognition she deserves as the true artist of the world’s most famous deck. Honoring Pamela Today Want to bring Pamela Colman Smith’s magic into your life? Try one of these: 🎨 Study her art—look closely at her Tarot illustrations and notice the hidden details. 🃏 Read Tarot intuitively—trust the imagery and let it speak to your subconscious. 📖 Learn about her life—rediscover her contributions beyond Tarot, from folk stories to stage design. Pamela Colman Smith was a woman ahead of her time—a visionary whose art continues to open doors to intuition, mystery, and self-discovery. The next time you pull a Tarot card, take a moment to honor the woman who made the magic visible.

    5 min
  6. 03/20/2025

    Florence Scovel Shinn: The Woman Who Taught Us To Manifest

    Continuing our celebration of remarkable women in history, today we honor Florence Scovel Shinn—a metaphysical teacher, artist, and author whose work laid the foundation for modern manifestation techniques. Long before “law of attraction” became a buzzword, Florence was teaching people how to align their thoughts, words, and beliefs to create the life they desired. Who Was Florence Scovel Shinn? Born in 1871 in Camden, New Jersey, Florence started her career as an illustrator before stepping into her true calling as a spiritual teacher and writer. She was a pioneer in New Thought philosophy, blending Biblical wisdom with the power of affirmations and visualization. In 1925, she self-published her groundbreaking book, The Game of Life and How to Play It, which remains a staple for anyone on a manifesting journey. The Power of Words and Thought Florence believed that our words hold creative power, shaping our reality in ways we may not even realize. She taught that by aligning our speech with our desires, we can shift our circumstances and call in abundance, love, health, and success. Many of her affirmations—such as “I now release the past and move forward into the divine plan of my life”—are still widely used today. Manifestation and Spiritual Law Unlike many teachers of her time, Florence didn’t just focus on positive thinking; she emphasized the importance of divine timing, faith, and letting go of resistance. She described life as a game played according to spiritual laws, and those who mastered these laws could create lives filled with ease, prosperity, and joy. Her teachings on synchronicity, intuition, and trusting the Universe continue to inspire modern-day spiritual seekers. Why Florence Still Matters Florence’s work paved the way for today’s manifestation movement, influencing countless spiritual teachers, authors, and coaches, like me! Her message—that we are powerful co-creators of our reality—is just as relevant now as it was a century ago. She reminds us that faith and fearless belief are the keys to unlocking infinite possibilities. Honoring Florence Scovel Shinn Today Want to bring Florence’s wisdom into your own life? Try one of these to honor her today: ✨ Speak your desires into existence—affirm out loud what you wish to manifest. 📖 Read or listen to her books—start with The Game of Life and How to Play It (my audiobook on YouTube) 🌀 Trust the divine flow—release control and allow the Universe to work its magic. Florence Scovel Shinn taught us that life is a game—and those who learn to play it with faith, intention, and joy will always win. Are you ready to play? 🎲

    5 min
  7. 03/12/2025

    Marie Laveau – The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans

    Continuing our celebration of extraordinary women in history, today we honor Marie Laveau—the legendary 19th-century Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. A spiritual leader, herbalist, and powerful healer, Marie Laveau’s influence extended beyond magic—she was a force of justice, wisdom, and compassion. To this day, her legacy continues to inspire those drawn to mysticism, folk healing, and ancestral power. Who Was Marie Laveau? Born in 1801 in New Orleans, Marie Laveau was a free woman of color in a time when racial and social divides were deeply entrenched. Though much of her early life remains a mystery, she trained as a hairdresser, giving her access to the homes and secrets of New Orleans’ wealthiest and most powerful. But her true calling was something far greater—she became a renowned Voodoo priestess, healer, and spiritual guide, serving both the elite and the poor with equal dedication. A Spiritual Leader and Folk Healer Marie Laveau’s work blended Catholicism, African spiritual traditions, and Indigenous practices, creating a unique and powerful form of Voodoo that provided protection, healing, and justice for those in need. She was known to perform elaborate ceremonies in Congo Square, where drumming, chanting, and dance called forth divine energy. She was also a highly skilled herbalist and practitioner of gris-gris—a form of folk magic using charms, potions, and prayers to manifest desires, from love and prosperity to justice and protection. Her remedies, infused with both medicinal and spiritual potency, helped heal the sick and bring peace to troubled souls. The Queen of Influence Marie Laveau wasn’t just a spiritual figure—she was a powerful and respected leader. People from all walks of life, including politicians and law enforcement, sought her guidance. She was known to intercede on behalf of prisoners, helping many avoid wrongful execution. Her ability to command respect in a deeply divided society was nothing short of remarkable. Though often depicted as a woman of mystery, her true magic was her compassion, wisdom, and ability to empower her community. A Legacy That Endures Marie Laveau’s name has become legendary, inspiring countless books, movies, and even TV series. But her real-life impact was far more profound than any fictional portrayal. Even after her passing in 1881, her tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 remains one of the most visited spiritual sites in New Orleans. Visitors still leave offerings, hoping to receive her blessings. Honoring Marie Laveau Today Marie Laveau’s wisdom and magic still resonate with us today. Want to connect with her energy? Try one of these: 🔮 Set an intention—write a prayer or affirmation and place it under a candle for guidance. 🌿 Work with herbs—explore the power of plants like basil (for protection) or bay leaves (for manifestation). 🎶 Immerse yourself in Voodoo culture—listen to traditional Louisiana Voodoo rhythms or do a YouTube search Marie Laveau was a woman of power, faith, and resilience. Her legacy is a reminder that true magic comes not just from rituals, but from love, service, and the courage to stand in our truth. 💜

    5 min
  8. 03/12/2025

    Grace (White) Sherwood – The Witch of Pungo

    Today’s featured woman in history holds a special connection to my colleague, Jackie Carpenter—an artist and practicing Green Witch who proudly continues the legacy of her ancestral line. Grace Sherwood, known as “The Witch of Pungo,” is Jackie’s 11th-generation great-grandmother. Accused of witchcraft in early 1700s Virginia, Grace faced suspicion, persecution, and even a trial by water—yet she never confessed to a crime she didn’t commit. Her story is a powerful reminder of resilience, truth, and the dangers of mass hysteria. Who Was Grace Sherwood? Grace White Sherwood, born around 1660 in the British colony of Virginia, was a skilled midwife, herbalist, and farmer who lived in what is now Virginia Beach. She had a deep understanding of plants and natural healing, often assisting her neighbors with remedies and midwifery. Working her land in Pungo, she defied societal expectations—not only through her knowledge and independence but also by wearing trousers while farming, a bold choice in a time when women were expected to be submissive and quiet. But in an era when strong, capable women were often feared, Grace’s gifts made her a target. Over the years, neighbors accused her of witchcraft, ruining crops, and even shape-shifting into a cat. After multiple accusations, the case against her escalated, and in 1706, she was put through a trial by water—a brutal test where she was thrown into the river to see if she would float (a supposed sign of guilt). Grace survived the ordeal, but instead of being freed, she was imprisoned for several years. A Woman Who Wouldn’t Break Despite her unjust trial and time in jail, Grace never admitted to being a witch. She refused to give in to fear or to the expectations of her accusers. When she was finally released, she returned to her land and lived peacefully into her 80s, proving that even in the face of injustice, she wouldn’t be broken. The Legacy of the Witch of Pungo For centuries, Grace Sherwood’s name was tarnished, but in 2006—300 years after her trial—Virginia’s Governor officially pardoned her, acknowledging the wrongs committed against her. Today, she is remembered as a symbol of strength, perseverance, and the fight against injustice. Honoring Grace Sherwood Today Grace’s story still speaks to us in the modern era. Want to honor her resilience? Try one of these: 🌿 Connect with nature—spend time in a garden or work with herbs like rosemary and sage. 📖 Learn about women accused of witchcraft—explore the stories of those who stood against injustice. 🔥 Embrace your strength—stand firm in your truth, even when others misunderstand you. Grace Sherwood was called a witch, but she was really a woman ahead of her time—one who refused to be silenced. Her legacy reminds us to honor our wisdom, trust in our power, and never let fear define us. 🖤

    5 min

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5
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