I can remember it like it was yesterday. I can even remember the exact time of day when they told me Jack was gone.  

Just that morning I had begun to unpack his baby clothes as we had just moved into a new home. I couldn’t wait to feel him growing bigger inside my belly. I even told him his big sister, Emma, had hiccups a few weeks before she was born. I was happy. I was so happy.

After they told me he was gone, I felt the room start to spin and the panic set in.

He was gone.

My boy was gone.

I felt dread begin to fill my heart.

One minute my life was intact and in the next, I saw pieces falling all around me.

• I saw all the plans we made for our family fade away.
• All the milestones I wouldn’t get to see.
• Not being able to see him grow up and share his gifts with the world.
• Our family wasn’t complete anymore.

​It was all gone.

A part of me gave up that day. Gave up on me, my life, my dreams. And it would take many years to grieve my loss.

Soon, the anger set in. I was angry at myself, my spouse, the doctors, and even God. How could God let this happen? What had I done to deserve losing Jack? How would my life ever be the same again? How would I ever get over my pain, my loss?

I became an empty version of myself when I lost my son.

The years that followed were filled with grief that became exhausting. All it would take was seeing a little boy who would have been the same age as Jack, and my eyes would fill with tears and my breath would catch.  

I kept putting on a happy face and tried to push past my loss.

I completely immersed myself in work and in my daughter’s life. But, just under the surface, lived the anger that was hiding the intense sadness in my heart. I didn’t know where to turn or who to talk to about my loss. I was guided to reach out to a medium whose energy was so positive and loving.

In my session, Larissa asked me, “Shauna, have you talked to Jack?”

I started to cry and replied, “No, Jack’s gone. He died.”

“He’s here and he wants to talk to you,” she replied.

I looked up to see a beautiful, majestic angel walking toward me holding hands with a little boy. The little boy appeared to be about 4 years old.

As they came closer to me, I felt time stand still and I clasped my hands over my mouth. I felt Jack’s energy all around me.

He held out his little hand like he wanted to give me something. I opened my hand, and he placed a small heart-shaped rock in it. I told him I loved him, and he said, “I love you more, Momma.”

He climbed into my lap and placed his head on my chest. I wrapped my arms around him and for the first time in years, I felt like I could breathe again. I’m not sure how long we sat together, but every moment was Heaven for me.

He looked up at me and said, “the angel wants to take me back, Momma.” 

Jack jumped up and walked over to the angel who took his little hand in hers. They started to walk into the light when Jack turned back and said, “I love you, Momma, I’ll see you soon.”

It’s a day that will be etched in my heart and soul for eternity. The day my Jack came back to me.

All the grief and sorrow I felt from losing him, added more pain to my heartache and prevented me from connecting with Jack on the Other Side.

After Jack went back into the light, I looked at Larissa and she said to me, “You must give your grief the dignity it needs. Jack will help you to heal your heartache.”

My heart began to heal that day.
 
I felt hopeful again knowing that my son was okay, and that I could connect with him whenever I needed to.

There are no words to describe the pain of losing a child, but it is through the heartache and loss that new life is found. Being able to connect with Jack, started to mend my heart and I was able to find new hope again.

​I am blessed to be able to watch Jack as he grows up in Heaven. He gets bigger every time I see him, and I still find heart rocks wherever I go.

​Have you ever searched for the right words to say to someone who has lost a child and come up empty-handed? While we search for the words that will bring comfort and encouragement, we may say something that inflicts even more pain on our hurting friend without meaning to. So, what can we say to a grieving family member or friend? How can we offer support?
 
Almost everyone has been on the side of grief where our words seem insincere or fall flat when we most desire to help. And many of us have been on the other side of grief where we desperately needed the support of our friends as we move through our pain.
 
After the loss of my son, Jack, I received so many different comments from people. Some comments were filled with comfort and love while others seemed to brush over my loss, leaving me feeling even more sadness. I found that while there were no magical words that took away my pain, there were things that people did that brought me a great deal of comfort.   
 
Be Available
Just knowing I could reach out at anytime when the pain got to be too much, and simply knowing someone was there for me, gave me a much-needed sense of comfort. After you lose a child, you never know when or how you may be triggered. For me, it was anytime I would see a little boy who was the same age as Jack. I remember a little boy running up to me one day, and his freckles and big blue eyes reminded me of my son Jack. I cried all the way home and then I reached out to a friend and she stopped what she was doing to hold space for me.
 
Show Up
Sometimes, our feelings of inadequateness will tempt us to avoid the grief that others are experiencing, but it is at this time that we need to show up. When grieving the loss of a child, it can feel like the pain won’t end, and the sorrow can lead to a sense of isolation. It is so important that you are brave enough to show up. A dear friend of mine would simply ask, “How can I support you?” These words were always followed by warm tea and a space where I could share. Her actions were soothing to my wounded heart.
 
Words
As awkward as you may feel, just know that if you’re not sure what to say or feel like you don’t have the right words, it’s okay. There are no words that can take away the pain of a grieving mother. However, a few heart-felt words from your heart to theirs will let them know you care.
 
Some examples might be:

• I’m sorry for your loss.
• Please let me know if you need anything.
• Share a special memory of their child.  
• You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
• I’m here for you.

 
Keep Checking In
Eventually, life goes on and people return to their own lives while the grieving person continues to find their new normal without their child. When left with their grief, it can feel debilitating, and they may begin to experience the full weight of their loss. It’s important to keep checking in on your friend as they may feel forgotten and alone as they watch the rest of the world move on. I am so blessed to have friends and family who have the courage to keep showing up for me. You may even want to make a note in your calendar to remind you to check in with your friend to see if they need anything.
 
Don't underestimate the power of your presence and love.

Shauna Domalain is a Transformational Medium, Intuitive Life Strategist and Guide. She lives in Calgary, Canada with her family and fur babies. Visit her website for more information: www.livealifeyoulove.org.

Top 7 Fears of Spirit Communication
 
Through my own experiences of seeing spirit as a child I encountered so many fears along the way. I used to sleep with a light on hiding under the covers and I could not tell you the number of times I ran home from school after experiencing spirit there! I was worried about what people would think and if my mediumship would be a deal-breaker for them.   
 
These are the 7 top fears…

1. I will connect with or welcome in evil spirits. 
Early in my intuitive development, I learned different techniques to ensure that only beings from the light are communicating with me. These techniques included, prayer, invoking Archangels and my spirit team, using crystal grids, and asking for divine, white light.
 
As with anything, our energy flows where our attention goes and I choose to communicate only with beings of light, my teams, my angels, and my crossed over loved ones. Sometimes energetic ‘bad apples’ would appear in my world or during a client session and when they do, I ask for my spirit team to assist and clear these energies. A firm, “leave now” will always do the trick.
 
The spirt world will not show you anything you are not ready for. Find a way that makes you feel safe and protected when working with spirit and you will find more ease with your mediumship.   
 
2. I will be an outcast and no longer accepted by my peers. 

I found some people just couldn’t get their head around what I had to offer and in the early days I would think I did something wrong when people would no longer talk to me or return my phone calls. In time I learned that their response to me was not about me at all. I also learned to be aware of what certain people could hear and who was open to mediumship.
 
I really came out of the spiritual closet when my daughter told her class that I talk to dead people! What I know is true for me and so many others, is when you own your magic, your capacities and gifts with mediumship, the right people will root for your success and the rest will fall away.
 
3. My family and friends will think I am a nutjob and make fun of me. 

I will be honest; some did think I was totally crazy in the beginning and I found this a little upsetting. There were a few relationships that quickly changed when they learned that I worked with spirit and at first it was hard for me to understand but over time I realized that it wasn’t me at all and I had to decide that this was what I was doing, no matter what.
 
To this day, many of my family and friends have readings with me and take classes from me. I know mediumship this is not for everyone and I do not try to convince people anymore. Instead, I am the invitation to something new for them if they choose it. I had a relative poking fun at me at a wedding once and after about an hour my angels dropped a little tidbit that I’m pretty sure he didn’t want people to know about and he quickly became very respectful and actually moved tables.
 
Spirit always has your back. I asked spirit to move people into my world who would celebrate me and what I have to offer and sure enough, amazing people came into my world who support me and love what I have to offer. In letting go of the relationships that no longer worked for me, I made room in my life for those that do.
 
4. What if I’m making it all up and look like an idiot?

This was a fear I had when I first started doing readings and the more readings I did, the more feedback I received, and it gave me the validation that I was in fact channeling spirit. I even had one client say after a reading, “There is no way you could have known that, not even searching it on google”!

As with anything, to fully master something you need to practice, and you may stumble and make a bit of a mess at times, but that is all part of becoming the best you can be.
What I know from my experiences is when your energy is clear and balanced, and you have a sacred space to work with spirit, you will receive divine messages and guidance. And, when you make the readings about the other person, you keep your stuff out of the way.

And as crazy at is seemed, I learned that if I was being shown something in a reading that it was a part of the reading some how, so I shared it. In one reading spirit kept showing me KitKat chocolate bars and it just didn’t make any sense to my client so I just left it and a few days later got a call that my client’s nephew, who crossed when he was 8, loved KitKats. When you develop your trust in you and the messages you are receiving, you will witness the magic that mediumship offers. 
 
5. I will never find a partner to accept this or my current partner/spouse will leave. 

I remember going for a reading years ago and the woman reading for me told me that I too was a medium and that I would be giving readings and talking to the dead. While I felt a huge weight had been lifted and that was not certified crazy, I thought for sure my husband at the time would leave. I went through years of anxiety and panic attacks and we would end up leaving restaurants early and the idea of going to a concert or the movies was out of the question.
 
In time I began to finally realize that it was spirit trying to communicate with me all along! If you partner knows that something is important to you, they will accept it. It is important to not try and convince your partner to see things your way, rather, allow them to figure out what works for them and continue to love mediumship and mastering your craft.
 
6. Things will get even more crazy and I won’t be able to handle it. 

Once I understood that all the anxiety and panic was from spirit trying to get my attention and communicate with me, I started to relax into my mediumship more. Once I did though, I worried that I had opened Pandora's Box and would not be able to put the lid back on!
 
Once you’ve made the connection with the spirit world, you are now co-creating with a plethora of universal energies just waiting to assist you and guide you on your mediumship journey. When you are willing to be aware of everything, especially those in the spirit world, you have access to so much more information and possibilities.
 
This is where a good spiritual practice can come in handy if you do not already have one. Meditation, yoga, or mindfulness so that you can continue to strengthen your connection with your guides and helpers.
 
7. A religious doctrine I follow, or my family follows disagrees with or misunderstands communicating with spirit.

In my research I have found that there are countless points of view regarding spirit communication and religious doctrine. Spiritualism is an internationally recognized Christian faith that believes that your loved ones, guides, and angels are in heaven. And there are countless biblical scriptures outlining one-on-one communications with those in spirit whether it is an angel, guide or loved one.

From my experience, mediumship reunites the souls with their grieving families here, bringing comfort, hope, and a new understanding that all is not lost after death. Mediumship is a bridge between Heaven and Earth.

If this is an area of interest for you, and you feel guided, I encourage you to do more research on your own and trust what is true for you.

Here is the link to a podcast episode where I share more about the Top 7 Fears…

​As a young girl I saw “see-through people” everywhere and to fit in I shut off my awareness of the spirit world altogether. I had enough of the teasing and name-calling and I just really wanted to have someone to play with at recess.

It was after and accident in 2006 that my gifts were back on full force. I had no idea what was happening and started to explore the metaphysical world to help me feel some semblance of control in my life. After becoming a reiki master, spirit found the opportunity to come back into my world. I would look up during client sessions and there in the corner would be crossed over loved ones!

My mediumship was back on full force.

I had just started to embrace my mediumship again when I was basically kicked out of the spiritual toolbox. I was icing cupcakes to take to my daughter’s school the next day when she announced that she told her class that her mom talks to dead people and that it was pretty cool. I literally froze!

As I thought of ways to get out of going to the school the next day, I realized I had been hiding my mediumship. I would only share with people when I felt they would not judge me. And I would tell most people that I was a reiki master and leave spirit communication out altogether.

The next day at the school was incredible. Not only were my daughter’s classmates excited to talk with me and share with me how their crossed over loved ones connected with them, one of the teachers asked me for a business card. On the drive home I realized that talking to dead people was pretty cool!

Mediumship is a real gift and capacity and the spirit world chooses the medium they would like to connect with. 

I found affirming my mediumship very helpful...

I love being a medium and connecting with spirit.
Everyday and in everyway my mediumship abilities are getting stronger.
The messages and signs I receive are beautiful.

Much love,
Shauna

Smudging is a wonderful way to cleanse the energy of your space, your home and even yourself.  We can all unconsciously pick up thought patterns, energetic attachments, feelings and more.   

It’s a good idea to smudge if you have been feeling off in your home or space, have recently been ill, had an argument with someone or your sleep has been disrupted.  As a rule of thumb, I like to smudge weekly and more as I’m guided.
 
You can use white sage, herbs, Palo Santo, cedar or even sweetgrass.  I personally like to use Palo Santo and burn Nag Champa incense to finish smudging and infuse positive, uplifting energies. 
 
What you’ll need to smudge:

• white sage, palo santo or anything else that appeals to you   
• a lighter
• a feather to waft the smoke (your hand will work too)
• a fireproof bowl, abalone shell, or something that you can catch ash in

 
I like to start first with the Palo Santo. Light the match and as you do, start calling in light.

“I ask that Divine light surround me, filling this space with the light and protection of the Heavens.  I welcome all those from the light to cleanse and purify this space, releasing anything that no longer serves to the light.   Filling this space with divine love and light to ensure that only energies that contribute may enter.  And, so it is.”  

Begin to take the smoke and metaphorically wash your hands in the smoke, take some over your eyes, your ears, your heart, and your head.  Waft the smoke over your body as you clear away all energies that are no longer serving you. 

Begin to move through each room or space clockwise.  As you move through the room or space, continue to repeat the prayer and fan the smoke up into the corners of the room, around and under furniture, in closets, behind doors, shower curtains, crawl spaces, etc.
 
If you are using Palo Santo, it will at some point stop smoking and if you are smudging a larger area, or home, you will need to light it again until you have completed the smudging. 

Once I’ve smudged my entire house, I will light incense and I finish with gratitude and thank all those from the light for their assistance.  I may also light a candle to infuse the space with light.  Listen to your inner guidance as you may be guided to make changes in the space with furniture, water features or even crystals to support the higher vibrations.
​
Enjoy the nice, clear energy of your home or space!  And, if there is still something not quite right in your home or space, be sure to reach out as there may be energies that require a little extra help to clear. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Clients will often ask me during their sessions if they, too, might have the ability to communicate with Spirit.  And, my reply is always a resounding yes.  Some may have experienced moments of direct contact with their crossed over loved ones or instances of brief connection, and they wish to learn more about their mediumship potential.  While others are simply curious and want to know more about mediumship.  I find this is usually Spirit’s way of gently nudging them to look further into their gift of mediumship.     
 
You may desire to explore your mediumship capacity and ability for many different reasons…
 

• You may feel drawn to learn more about the Spirit realm.  
• There may be signs and synchronicities that you cannot explain logically.  
• You may wish for a deeper connection with your crossed over loved ones or you may have a desire to become a professional medium and help others through their grieving process by connecting them with their loved ones on the other side.    

 
I invite you to become aware of how you may already, unknowingly, communicate and interact with your loved ones on the other side.  You have within you the qualities of a medium and a unique way of receiving information and signs from those in Spirit.    
 
See if any of this rings true for you…
 

• Do you feel like you are being watched and don’t like to be home alone?
• Have you heard your name being called at different times when by yourself?
• Are there details you’ve just known before anyone shared them with you?
• Do you see flashes of light when you close your eyes?
• Have you seen faces when you close your eyes?
• Do you smell scents that remind you of your crossed over loved ones?
• Are there noticeable temperature changes in certain rooms of your home?

 
If you said yes to any of those questions or signs then chances are you are a medium!
 
Sometimes it can be hard to wrap your head around the idea of communicating with crossed over loved ones, trust me I’ve been there, but what if I told you that communicating with Spirit is a beautiful gift and capacity?  What if I told you that it is simply magical to provide a voice for those in Spirit to be able to connect with and communicate with their loved ones who are still here in the physical? 
 
When I first started to hear my crossed over grandfather’s voice, I thought I was nuts!  Then to realize that I had dead relatives in my home and didn’t know what to do about it was almost too much, almost.  I read everything I could get my hands on and reached out and found other mediums to help me understand that everything I was picking up on and experiencing was completely normal and I started to develop the tools to master my mediumship so I could share it in ways that light me up. 
 
Here are some steps you can take to begin to manage your mediumship abilities and bring more peace and ease into your life…
 
Step 1.  Learn Everything You Can About Mediumship
 
There are books, blog posts, podcasts and so much information out there about mediumship.  The first book I picked up was Opening to Channel by Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer.  I highly recommend it and encourage you to look at their website as it’s full of meditations and additional information to help you with your spiritual growth.
 
The documentary Wake Up the Film captures Jonas Elrod’s real-life experiences as he makes sense of his new founds gifts of mediumship. 
 
I found that the more I learned about mediumship, energy and how my gifts work, the more comfortable I became with it all and it was easier to share with family and friends. 
 
My podcast The Oracle of Light has several episodes specific to mediumship.  You can check them out here…
 
The Oracle of Light Podcast
 
Step 2. Set Boundaries
 
Something I like to remind my students and clients of is that they are in control and get to decide who and what they are communicating with.  I found that once I began to understand more about my mediumship and that I could communicate with Spirit, every Spirit along with their friends also knew it.  Imagine looking up at the star-filled night sky and imagine for a moment that you are one of those stars shining brightly.  That is how Spirit can differentiate between those who are mediums and those who are not.  It’s like you are bright and sparkly to the Spirit world and once they ‘see’ you, they will want to communicate.   
 
I set up specific hours for Spirit communication to ensure my sleep wasn’t interrupted!  It’s like someone coming to your door – you get to decide if you’ll answer, let them in and how long they can stay.  Same applies for Spirit communication.  If you don’t have strong boundaries, it can get very chaotic!
 
I wrote a blog post about Why Spirit Shows Up at Night.  You can read it here…
 
Why Spirit Shows Up at Night
 
 
Step 3. Seek Out a Mentor or Register for a Class. 
 
One of the best things you can do is find a mentor or take a class to spend time with like-minded people.  Not everyone is open to exploring their gifts and capacities with Spirit communication and that is just fine, so I highly recommend seeking out those who do and are open to discussions about intuition, mediumship and energy. 
 
Connecting with others who share and understand your gifts, will ease any worries and make sense of your experiences with Spirit as well as boost your confidence while you learn and master your skills. 
 
While working one-on-one is individualized for your specific skill set, joining a class – either online or in-person – will also provide invaluable information and validation as you explore your mediumship.  Having someone you can go to when you are unsure, are looking for guidance and support, is incredibly helpful as you master your gifts and figure out how to best communicate with those in Spirit. 
 
If you are interested in learning more about Mediumship you can check out these classes and online options…
 
Mediumship for Beginners
Online Mediumship Program
3 Day in Person Mediumship Class

It's important to find mentors, classes and information that resonates with you.  Always check with what is true for you.  Often we are so eager to learn that we go along with everything without checking in with us to see what resonates and what doesn't.  While mediumship fundamentals are a basis for your learning journey, each medium does things their own way and it's important for you to figure out what YOUR way looks like.  Most importantly, have FUN!  The more fun you have, the more ease you will have as you master your gift of mediumship.  

I am happy to answer any questions you may have and look forward to supporting you on your journey with mediumship!

Shauna Domalain is a Transformational Medium, Intuitive Life Strategist and Guide.  She lives in Calgary, Canada with her family and fur baby Midnight.  Visit her website for more information: www.livealifeyoulove.org

As a medium, I love working with children of all ages to give them a safe place to share and explore their psychic gifts.  Many children see clairvoyantly and can sense energies and auras.  Knowing that your child is psychically aware brings a whole new level to parenting.  Never mind trying to find new hiding spots for presents, psychically sensitive children need special attention and a different approach that includes this aspect of them.  Psychically sensitive children are not programmed to look for problems, instead, they see the world around them with great clarity.  I’ve witnessed many children respond or react strongly when meeting someone new and their “hunches” where always right about that person.  Children typically don’t view the world through filters or points of view, but rather see what is and instantly know what works for them and what doesn’t.   
 
When my daughter Emma was 4, I walked by her bedroom and heard her talking and laughing.  I peeked inside and she had a tea party setup with 2 crossed over children as her guests.  I closed her door and waited until she brought them up with me.  Sure enough, the following day, she asked me if all children go to heaven and if their moms know that’s where they are.  This opened the door for a long conversation about crossed over loved ones, spirit communication and the work I do.  As she got older, closer to age 9, she didn’t communicate with her “imaginary friends” any longer but is a beautifully gifted artist who cares deeply about the people around her. 
 
Signs your child may be psychically sensitive:  
 

1. Knows the answer before a question is even asked.
2. Can communicate with angels and crossed over loved ones.
3. Startles easily and doesn’t like to be surprised.
4. Easily agitated with certain people or environments.
5. Is incredibly artistic and creative.
6. Enjoys a structured environment.
7. Needs time to decompress after school or parties.
8. Highly caring, especially with other children and animals.
9. Tends to shut down or become quiet when overstimulated.
10. Asks deep, thought-provoking questions that often don’t have an answer.
11. Feelings are easily hurt.
12. Has vivid dreams or nightmares. 
13. Picks up what others are thinking and knows when someone is lying. 
14. Has imaginary friends.

 
Here are some ways to support your child with their psychic gifts: 
​

• Let them ask questions and encourage them to share their experiences with you.
• Be curious about the way your child sees the world.
• Notice if your child is more withdrawn or quiet.
• Learn as much about intuition, energy and psychic development as possible.
• Help your child to understand that not everyone sees what they see and that’s okay.
• Allow your child extra time to get used to new people and situations. (I always stayed with Emma until I got the hairy eye to leave)

Shauna Domalain is a Transformational Medium, Intuitive Life Strategist and Guide.  She lives in Calgary, Canada with her family and fur baby Midnight.  Visit her website for more information: www.livealifeyoulove.org

I recently came across an article on the stages of grieving by the INLP Center (inlpcenter.org).  The loss of a loved one can be one of the greatest challenges to overcome in life.  Honouring the grieving process is an integral part of the healing process.  

Stages of Grieving: Take the Steps to a Resourceful Life 

Most people think, when faced with an incredible loss, they just have to hunker down and get through the pain and suffering. For the most part it’s true. However, the grieving process can be a great opportunity for growth. You can learn to develop resourceful states as you move through the inevitable stages of grieving. By developing resourceful states you will be able to manage your pain and suffering and not fall into a pit of despair.

Human beings have been experiencing grief for as long as we have been gifted life. We have our loved ones in our lives and think they will be there forever. Then, one day, they are gone in a moment. Finally, we begin our own stages of grief.

Reiki (pronounced ray-key), simply translated from Japanese, means spiritual energy is a holistic, light-touch, energy-based healing modality.
 
Reiki re-establishes a normal flow of energy (Ki) within the body to heal all levels – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.  Our physical body is sensitive to the energy of thoughts and emotions.  When we experience negative feelings or thoughts about ourselves, develop negative thought patterns and beliefs, or experience a physical or emotional shock, this affects our energy field, creating emotional and physiological blockages that eventually disrupt our health.
 
•Reiki frees and aligns the body’s energy system, which in turn releases pain on all levels – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual
 
•Reiki aids the body in releasing stress and tension by creating deep relaxation and it restores energy balance and vitality by relieving the physical and emotional effects of unreleased stress
 
•It gently and effectively opens blocked meridians (energy pathways) and chakras (energy centers) and clears the energy bodies, leaving you feeling relaxed and at peace
 
•For Reiki to be more effective, the client should be open minded and willing to take responsibility to alter negative life patterns or issues to create their own healing
 
Every client's experience will vary and will vary from session to session as well.   Each session will be unique where different things will be resolved or worked on. The client may see colors, have a vision, a past life recall, or experience a very deep state or even fall asleep and snore. Often, emotional releases can and do happen during Reiki sessions. My role here is to assure them they are safe and talk them through it if necessary. Giving permission to let things go is a powerful healer in itself.
 
Reiki can accelerate healing, like in first aid for example; cuts, bruises, bleeding, upset stomachs, nightmares, and inability to fall asleep. Diane Stein shares a story in her book about a man who severed his finger at work. While being driven to the hospital he began giving himself Reiki healing and 20 minutes later in the emergency room, the hospital crew could not re-attach his finger as too much healing had occurred. For a broken bone, have the bone reset by a professional then by all means use the Reiki energy to begin healing right through the cast or bandages.
 
Reiki is wonderful for reducing stress and anxiety; it has helped people suffering with depression and does wonders for those who suffer from insomnia. Reiki does many miraculous things to the human body! It can also promote immunity, giving us better odds during cold and flu season and can also be used to lessen side effects of prescription drugs or harsh medical treatments (Chemotherapy & Radiation)
 
4-6 weeks is a general timeline given to clients to ensure their energy is flowing at it's optimum and should additional stress or illness appear in their lives, booking a session sooner helps greatly to get them back on the path to wellness.  Many clients just feel their energy is off and intuitively know it's time to book a reiki session. 
 
Reiki complements other treatment modalities including, but not limited to: massage therapy, counseling therapy, bodytalk, reflexology, acupuncture and physiotherapy.  Reiki during pregnancy is also a wonderful way for an expectant mother and her baby to relax.   
 

​A Mediumship Reading is an opportunity for you to connect with your loved ones who have crossed over.  As a medium, I provide a voice for your loved ones to communicate with you.  I will spend a few minutes making sure you are relaxed and comfortable and I will explain how I receive the information from your loved ones.

Each session also includes intuitive guidance giving you direction on the past, present and future of your life.  I may see, hear, feel, know or even smell the information your loved ones would like me to share.  It is the client’s job to interpret how the meaning or information is significant and it can be a bit like piecing together a puzzle.

Here are some of the types of things you may hear in a reading:

Characteristics – This can be things about your loved one such as:

• Body type
• Height
• Personality

 
Evidence – These can be things about your loved one such as:

• How your loved one passed away, or health challenges they faced
• A favorite hobby or pastime they had
• A favorite food or music

What a Medium experiences during a reading

Let’s pretend you would like to connect with your Grandpa George who died.

• When I hear Grandpa George speaking, I am hearing him in my mind. I may hear the actual voice that Grandpa George had while he was here on the Earth or I hear Spirit in my own voice which is like mental telepathy. (imagine counting to 10 in your mind)
• When I tell you I see Grandpa George, I may see him sitting next to you, as well as seeing him (and any images he shows me) in my mind’s eye like a movie playing.
• If Grandpa George passed of a heart attack, I may feel a twinge in my chest, or I may just have a strong sense (a knowing) that this is how he passed.
• If Grandpa George was a smoker, I will smell the smoke as if it were in the room.

Things to keep in mind for your reading

Grandpa George is still Grandpa George.

Did you know that when we’re in spirit, our personality doesn’t change?  So, if your Grandpa George was funny while he was here on the earth plane, he’ll have that same sense of humor when he communicates from the other side.  If your loved one was very quiet or serious, that personality will also shine through.

If Grandpa George didn’t know how to manage his money, and you wouldn’t have asked him tax advice while he was living… guess what? He still won’t be able to answer your questions about taxes.

You do not need to wait a certain amount of time before seeing a Medium

I have done readings for clients the same week their loved ones have crossed over.  Often, our loved ones in spirit are eager to communicate with loved ones left behind to reassure them that they are at peace on the other side.

Be open to the Loved Ones that do come through in your reading

Just as in life, there is no guarantee that your loved one in heaven will come through during your session.  While I do my very best to connect with the loved ones you are wanting to come forward, I am not in control of Spirits on the other side.
 
If you are planning to have a reading, you can think about your loved one before your appointment.  Some clients will even ask their loved one to be at the reading with them. 

All Readings are Different

Some loved ones give lots of details that may include first names and dates while others step in the room so you can feel their energy with you. Please do not wait to hear a specific or exact phrase from your loved ones as it may not be important to them and they are working hard to communicate what they feel is most important for you during your session.

Each and every session is different.  If you do not understand the information being received, please write it down and check the information with your family.  Please keep an open mind and listen to the information coming through so you can have a positive session.

Questions

Please write them down and bring them with you to your session.  It is common to get lost in the emotions and forget what you wanted to ask.

A Mediumship reading can be life changing and will often give us more to consider about life after death.  Many are greatly comforted knowing that their loved ones are safe and at peace and that they are guiding, encouraging and loving them from the other side.
 
If you would like to connect with your loved ones in Spirit, contact Shauna today to schedule your reading.  403.923.9894 / [email protected]

As we welcome the new year and new energies, we have a beautiful opportunity to reflect on all the soul growth and life mastery we have accomplished up to this point in our lives.  While some would say there is still much to master, I invite you to see things as they are, even amidst chaos and uncertainty, and start to look for the new.  New possibilities, a new angle, a new perspective, even a new version of you. 
 
A few years ago, I sat with the new year energies and connected deep into my heart and began to look at everything I desired to bring into my world.  Instead of looking at resolutions, I began to look at magical possibilities.  What would I like to have in every area of my life and what are the inspired action steps to get there?
 
What are your heart’s desires?  What are your passions, your fantasies?  Those are the essence of who you really are and when you connect with them, and begin to invite them into your world, the Universe will meet you each and every time.
 
7 Ways to Own the New year  
 
1.  Celebrate you
 
We often look for the struggle, the pain or the disappointment, instead of celebrating that we showed up in the first place.  Look for ways to celebrate who you are, in this moment, perfectly imperfect.  Instead of looking for what is right, skinny enough or acceptable, look at what makes you uniquely you.  That’s where the magic is and that’s what the world is waiting for.   
 
When you celebrate you, your energy field changes and then the world around you begins to change.  Knowing you are enough.  Always.
 
2.  Go after your passions

A wonderful teacher of mine once said, “If it doesn’t light you up - let it go.”  She was so right.  Yes, of course there are tasks that must be completed but what I’m asking you to ponder are those things that you’ve kept that are no longer in alignment with who you are.  They may be worn out beliefs, limitations, relationships, those bird statues that your mother gave you, ideas, stuff or anything else I haven’t mentioned.  When you get clear about what no longer serves you, you’ll make more room for your passions.
 
Does the idea of picking up a paint brush fill you with joy?  Do you dream of designing your own garden or line of furniture?  Are there places in the world you just know will be in your travel plans at some point? 

Not sure what your passions are?  Begin asking the Universe every day to show you what you’re passionate about and then watch for signs, synchronicities and magic.   
 
3.  Ask for what you desire. 
 
There are stirrings in your soul and when you begin to honour them and look for ways to embrace and unleash them, you must include asking in your magic.  Asking others, asking the Universe, asking YOU.  You cannot ask too much and only in asking can you keep an ongoing dialog with your guides, masters, angels and your inner knowing. 
 
Contrary to popular belief, other people are not always rooting for us, looking for ways to make our lives easier or asking us what we need.  That’s our job.  What do you desire?  Now, go ask for it and keeping looking for the possibilities.  
 
4.  Grab the learning and move on
 
Wayne Dyer used to say, “You didn’t fail, you just have a result.”  When we begin to see life from this perspective, we can look at what we learned or gained and then let it go and make another choice.  Life is all about choices.  Choosing to make that call, eat more vegetables, nourish our spirit OR sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring, choosing pizza for the 4th night this week or ignoring our spirit altogether. 

If your choice didn’t bring you the intended result you wanted, look for what worked and move on instead of marinating in what didn’t work or distracting yourself in all the ways it went sideways.  Learn to gather up what was a win and go back to the drawing board with a revised plan.   
 
5.  Nourish your body, mind and spirit
 
If we are running on fumes, putting everyone else before us, we get worn down, depleted and just plain cranky.  Just like putting the oxygen mask on you first in case of an emergency, you can’t give from an empty vessel.  When you make your needs a priority, you have more to give, your creative juices flow and you’re much happier. 
 
What does your body require?  What is your mind asking for?  Are you listening to the whispers of your soul? 
 
6.  Be kind to you and who you are becoming
 
Soul exploration and growth can be exhilarating, frustrating and downright impossible at times.  What I know for sure is this - you are exactly where you are meant to be in this moment.  All the trials, tribulations and triumphs have brought you to this exact place. 
 
Could you have done things differently?  Of course.  Could you have done it better, with more pizzazz, finesse, grammatically-correct flair?  Yup.  Instead of looking back at what you could have, would have done differently, be kind to you and your process.  What if this year is about becoming who you came to be?  What a gift.
 
7.  Be unapologetically YOU
 
As you explore more of you this year, you’ll find more of your non-negotiables.  What works for you?  What doesn’t?  Are there shortcuts you’re willing to take or are you prepared to get your hands dirty for as long as it takes? 
 
When you begin to really ask what your desires are, be willing to be 100% honest with yourself, you’ll begin to show up differently.  Some people will cheer you on while others will want you to go back to the version they knew yesterday.
 
Be unapologetically YOU.  There is no one on this planet like you, who can do what only you can do; swearing like a pirate, dancing until dawn, slamming back tequila like there’s no tomorrow – whatever your superpowers are – OWN THEM.  Unapologetically.

Shauna Chandler is a Spiritual Medium, Teacher and Guide, an avid women’s empowerment advocate, and a loyal coffee and chocolate lover.  Her passion is sharing insights and inspiration, assisting clients with clearing anything holding them back, creating room for magical possibilities to take root and grow.  Shauna lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with her husband and daughter. 

When we lose someone we love, there are emotions and feelings that we often don’t expect as we grieve.  Whether our loved one was ill for some time before they crossed over, or their passing was sudden, there are stages of grief that we go through.  The grieving process can take a day, or it can last for years.  Everyone experiences loss and grief in their own way.     

Even as someone who communicates with Spirit, I am not immune to the grieving process and have experienced loss and pain that literally brought me to my knees.  My grief was intense, unpredictable and eventually brought me closer to my loved ones in the afterlife.    
Working with people who are grieving, I teach them how they can move through their loss in healthy ways so they can find happiness and joy in their lives again.  Helping them to understand that their loved ones are still with them, communicating with them from the other side and even sending them love.  Our crossed over loved ones become our greatest fans, experiencing the events in our lives along side us.  From the birth of a child, to a wedding or even a new job, Spirit is cheering us on.        

The 5 Stages of Grief

1. Denial
When you first hear that a loved one has crossed over, it can be difficult to believe it's even real. You want to just shake your head and say, 'no way.' You may even feel numb or disconnected and may initially not feel any pain.  The shock and disbelief are suspending your pain, and this may last for days or even several weeks.  

2. Anger
Once the initial shock starts to fade away, you may start to feel angry.  Nothing makes sense and anger becomes another way to experience grief.  You may be angry at God, yourself, the doctors, or even the loved one who has crossed over.  You may not even know who or what you’re angry with and from this stage you may start to bargain in hopes of bringing your loved one back.    

3. Bargaining
The loss may seem like a bad dream and you think of ways that you could have your loved one come back.  You wish you could just wake up and have them with you.  Maybe God would exchange your life and your loved one would come back.  We can even start to feel guilty about something that we think we could have done or should have done for the person in a way to change the outcome.  We may replay scenarios in our mind where we do something different, anything different, to not experience the loss.       

4. Depression
This is when it first starts to hit you that your loss is real. The pain can be like a wave that you experience mentally, physically and emotionally.  As you feel the pain from your loss, you also feel the change in your life from losing your loved one.  Reflecting on memories and the special connection you shared while your loved one was alive as well as sadness as you realize that no new memories will be created.  You may start to realize that future plans have changed without your loved one.    
 
5. Acceptance
As we begin to accept the loss of our loved one, we start to move on with our lives.  While you may not ever ‘get over’ the loss of your loved one, you start to feel okay about it and you’re able to think about them and even talk about them without feeling the despair or intense pain.  You may feel a little sad thinking of them from time to time, but you are able to remember and experience the fond memories and happy feelings.  You may even begin to notice signs from your crossed over loved one to let you know they are with you, just in a different way.     

The stages of grief are different for everyone.  You may only spend a few days in disbelief and your sibling may spend weeks there.  You may never go through a bargaining stage while your best friend spends a lot of time with it.  You may feel depressed for weeks or even months while your partner moves onto acceptance.  There's no right or wrong way to grieve, and there's no timetable for an acceptable length of time to grieve.  It’s important to honour the process, your process, and recognize if you may need extra support or help with your grief.  If you feel like the waves of grief become too much, do reach out and find someone or a group to help you as you heal.  
​
Shauna Chandler is a Spiritual Medium, Teacher and Guide, an avid women’s empowerment advocate, and a loyal coffee and chocolate lover.  Her passion is sharing insights and inspiration, assisting clients with clearing anything holding them back, creating room for magical possibilities to take root and grow.  Shauna lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with her husband and daughter. 

 
To begin, let’s understand how we got here.  Your consciousness, your spirit, your soul, made a choice to incarnate into a human body to have a human experience here in this reality.  Some agree and choose to take physical form to work on ancestral issues, karmic issues, personal growth, or even assist with the evolution of humanity. 

Life Plan
Before incarnating, you chose your family of origin (yes, you chose them 😉) any key players in your life, soul lessons or major events for you to experience, any soul contracts with other souls you would meet on your path.  Sort of a blueprint for your incarnation.  I have met souls who are in what I refer to as a “resting” incarnation.  They are here to enjoy life, as more of a support role for their family of origin or soul mates.  I’m sure you’ve met people like this – nothing really gets them down and it doesn’t take much to make them happy.  They are happy with being in physical form supporting those they love. 

Into the Physical
Now, with a game plan, it’s time to leave the non-physical.  There is a veil that is placed over your memory of who you are in totality (an eternal soul) so that you come into this incarnation as a blank slate, following the guidance of your soul and your team, fulfilling your mission if you will.  This allows you to create a life based on your preferences and desires while filling in the blanks as you grow and connect with those around you.   
​
So, you’re here in the physical, living and experiencing life, drinking lattes, making babies, learning soul lessons, making an impact in the world, crossing paths with souls you’re meant to, etc.  You are living your life. 

Soul Urges
Sometimes, what can happen is we start to feel what I call “soul urges”.  Those little whispers.  We start to wonder if there’s more to life. We know we should feel grateful and love the life we have, yet, there is a longing for more.  At this point, we start to become aware of our higher, divine self, the part of us that is not in the physical, the part of us that knows what our blueprint is, why we chose this life.  It’s at this point that our higher self will guide us to the experiences we planned for our life.  If, by chance, we are not in touch with our higher self just yet, our lives can seem a little topsy-turvy and we can find ourselves jumping from one thing to the next looking for more.  Something to keep in mind is that we have free will, so you get to answer the soul urges or not.  It’s all up to you.    
 
Deciding to go Home
Now, what most people don’t understand is that we choose to leave the physical, we decide when to die.  Yes, you read that right.  You decide.  It’s not random.  On a soul level, you make the decision as to when you’re going to go home.  Often, once you’ve fulfilled the blueprint you outlined for your life, you are ready to go home.  For some, the list is complete, you came, you saw, you conquered and you’re ready to go home.  For others, sometimes life can be too much, and you decide to end it early and go home.  Most people go home when it’s time, when the time is right for them.  There are what I have experienced, “exit points” we have planned throughout our lives and it is at these times when an opportunity to go home presents.  With free will, we decide when we would like to go. 
 
Making the Transition
One of the greatest fears people have is dying because they don’t know what’s going to happen or how it will feel to leave the physical.  I’ve met several people who have died and then come back to life and they have all shared that it was the most beautiful experience.  One gentleman said it was like he woke up in a different place with his crossed over loved ones were there and he could see himself lying in the hospital bed.  For him, he chose to come back into his physical body to be with his family as there were grandbabies that were coming in, so he wanted to be with his family a little while longer. 
 
When death takes place, you leave your physical body behind.  A beautiful light appears along with angels, crossed over loved ones, a barista holding a latte.  You get the picture.  Someone from spirit will come to guide you to the “other side”.  Now, if you choose to not go to the light, for whatever reason, you will become “earthbound” and from my perspective, this is not a place that would bring your soul great joy.  So, look for the light when it’s time. 

Life in Spirit  
You’ve gone to the light, you are with your crossed over loved ones, latte in hand, you will adjust to life in the hereafter.  For some souls, there is time required to adjust and accept that they are no longer in physical form.  Someone who took their own life or who were on drugs when they died, may require a bit of time to adjust energetically and on all levels.  From this point, there is a life review where you will have the opportunity to review your life and watch it unfold before you.  You will have the opportunity to see the impact of your behaviour and decisions on those around us.  Oftentimes abusers will have witnessed first hand the impact of their actions and will desperately want to make amends with their loved ones.  It is a beautiful reminder to live consciously and with kind, loving intentions. 
 
What’s next?
After your life review you’ll get to decide what you’d like to do next on a soul level.  Some souls choose to incarnate again pretty quickly, while others take time to assess what they’ve accomplished on a soul level and what they would like to do next.  Some become spirit guides to their loved ones, some like to mess with the family dog and play with the radio.  From this place, there is so much we can do on a soul level.  We can tour the universe or other dimensions or watch over this planet while our loved ones are still here.  Some souls wait to incarnate to meet their family members when it’s their time to cross.   Basically, there are things to do and experience and new plans to make.  You’ll see when you get there.  😉

The BIG question

“WHEN DO I GET TO MEET GOD?”

After all that, you’re probably wondering when you get to meet the Big Guy, or Girl, the King Poobah, the Cat’s Meow, yes?  What we often forget is that we are a projection of God, God is within you, God is you, you are God.  Once we remember our Divine Spark, just look into your eyes next time you pass a mirror, we can save ourselves years of feeling lost and disconnected.  Our true essence is interwoven with God energies and he/she drinks lattes just like us (sorry that was my reality popping in).  The point is, we can experience Heaven on Earth while we are here and have a meet-and-greet when we leave the physical. 

The Bottom Line
Death is going home.  It’s something your soul yearns for and deep inside we know we are still connected to home while we are here in the physical.  Now, until it’s your time to go, grab a latte, or glass of wine, and live your life to the fullest.  Remember, that we each carry the essence of God inside us and can choose to fully and completely live each and every moment we are here.   

Shauna Chandler is a Spiritual Medium, Teacher and Guide, a mind-body science enthusiast, an avid women’s empowerment advocate, and a loyal coffee and chocolate lover.  Her passion is sharing insights and inspiration, assisting clients with clearing anything holding them back, creating room for magical possibilities to take root and grow.  Shauna lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with her husband and daughter.  Visit www.shaunachandler.com for more information.