December 26, 2008

Christmas Newsletter 2008


Hello Everyone,

We're sending this a little early this month so we could wish you Happy Holidays close to when they're actually happening. We meant to send this Christmas Eve but, oops!, no Internet connection, so we wrote it then and sent it today. Life in the Arizona desert has been a bit more disrupting than expected. We're still connected, still in business, but still in process with the transitions and changes we've been needing to make.

Seems like a lot of people are going through personal challenges right now but the Winter Solstice / Christmas / New Year's transition is a good time to be doing this kind of work. The dark time of the year--the time when many woodland animals retreat to their dens to sleep out the winter--is the traditional time reserved for inner contemplation, quiet, letting go of the past (death of the old vegetation), and making plans and new resolutions for the futures we want to bring forth. This year, more than anything else, most of us are looking at the events of this previous year and thinking about the next with a combination of awe (our first Black president was elected to office) and fear (worldwide economic shakedown). A challenging time, a time to go forward with deep resolve.

The two of us have temporarily moved to a place where we are literally surrounded by miles of juniper trees in every direction. That's what grows out here and very little of anything else (besides a few grasses and an occasional cactus). But the juniper trees are abundant and, being very interested in flower essences and aromatherapy, Sheryl was recently compelled to look into what juniper trees are good for.

Juniper trees have many medicinal and spiritual uses but, most significantly, the essential oil is a very effective tool for uplifting the spirits in the most challenging situations. Juniper berry oil powerfully dispels negativity, so much so that the local native tribes used to carry the berries in medicine pouches to provide protection whenever they went on a difficult journey. The tree is also, in some cases, the perfect image of a full and bushy Christmas Tree. Evergreen and loaded with berries they attract and provide sustenance for winter birds while the local rabbits, antelope and desert packrats find shelter underneath. It provides sanctuary -- the only sanctuary for wildlife-- in the high Arizona desert and is a lovely example of why the evergreen tree is to this day the most beloved of Christmas symbols.

We can't send you all a package of juniper berries to warm your spirits in the new year but we do send you the gift of one of Paul's photos of a bell in the junipers here instead. Imagine it ringing with thoughts of good cheer and best wishes for our collective well-being in the coming year.

Love,
Sheryl and Paul

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THE SOLSTICE EVERGREEN

Sheryl's first book, The Solstice Evergreen, about the origin, history and folklore of the Christmas Tree, is still available via her author website at http://www.sherylkaras.com . A little late for this Christmas but still a good read any time of year.

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MANIFESTING LIFE PURPOSE, ABUNDANT PROSPERITY, AND ALL SORTS OF OTHER GOOD THINGS

We'd love to help you with all these things through a series of spiritual counseling and healing sessions with us... 5 sessions for $400 (that's one session for free). Pay through the Donate Now button at the bottom of the page at http://www.healingcommunication.com and let us know when you'd like your sessions to be.

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SESSIONS IN SEDONA

We'll be in Sedona for a few days starting January 3rd. If anyone on this list plans to be in the area or has friends there, we'll be available for sessions while we're there and would welcome opportunities to meet with people who could introduce us to the local scene.

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SESSIONS BY TELEPHONE

Until we get our Internet woes worked out (our local hosts are on a very slow and sometimes undependable dial-up) we'll need an extra day or two to work out times for sessions but we're still doing them via telephone (we call you after a time and payment via our website is arranged).

Sessions cost $100 an hour, $150 for an hour and a half, or 5 1-hour sessions for $400

December 1, 2008

December Newsletter

Hello From the Road

Wow! It's hard to believe an entire month has gone by since the election and the last newsletter came out. We're moving! And we're literally writing to you on the road on the way to our next destination—Arizona and the Southwest.

For years now, since we met, Sheryl has had a fantasy that the two of us should go on a photography journey through the Southwest. And she also has had a strong desire to visit retreat center locations and find one that would be suitable to join forces with. We don't know where we're going to end up but Paul's mom made us an offer we can't refuse and we're going to stay with her and Paul's stepdad in Snowflake, Arizona while we're exploring retreat center locations in the Southwest.

In the meantime we intend to continue doing business from our new location(s). If you're one of the many people who have had sessions with us via Skype and telephone we imagine you won't notice a difference. If you're from Santa Cruz or the Bay Area give us a call! Doing sessions via the internet works really well, there's no long distance charge, and we'd love to keep in touch.

love,

Paul and Sheryl

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NEW VIDEOS

Sheryl has three new videos up on our Youtube channel. Check them out!

My Introduction to Flower Essence Therapy


The Story of Mama Love Perfume

The Importance of Being Yourself


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GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALING

Gift certificates for our spiritual counseling and healing services can be arranged in any denomination you like. Pay for a whole session or help someone offset the cost.

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FLOWER ESSENCES, AROMATHERAPY AND REIKI ALSO MAKE A GREAT HEALING GIFT

Mama Love Healing Perfumes, body and bath oil, and skin cream are available directly from Sheryl through her website at http://www.mamaloveproducts.com. You can also buy the perfumes locally at Artisans Gallery on Pacific Avenue, Way of Life at their new location (1220 41st Ave., still in the Begonia Plaza near New Leaf), Community Chest Treasures at 745 41st Ave. Santa Cruz (near Pleasure Point Pizza), and at the Phoenix Shop at Nepenthe in Big Sur.

And soon, you'll also find them at Community Chest Treasures second store, opening soon at 1121 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz (across from Gateways Bookstore). Join us there for their grand opening on November 14.

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