Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2019 i Chat It's Fate

May is one of my favourite months. The bluebells are out in my local woods, and my dogs and I love wandering through the beautiful blue carpet, sniffing the air. Traditionally, this is the time of year when thoughts turn to love and sex – or at least, they did for our pagan ancestors, who celebrated the fertility festival of Beltane on 1 May. If you’d like to put a bit of a spark back into your love life, why not try channelling some Beltane magic? We’ve got the lowdown on p20. Alternatively, perhaps you’d prefer to join in with some of the traditional May day festivities – we’ve got a great feature on where to go on p58, but just remember, dancing round that maypole is an ancient fertility…

Cutaneous horns are rare, rough yellowish or brown growths on the skin made from keratin - the same material as fingernails - which often occur on the face and hands. They are usually benign, although can be malignant in up to 20% of cases. It isn’t known what causes them, but they’re more common in older people and can be surgically removed. An 87-year old lady called Liang Xiuzhen from China had a 13cm ‘horn’ growing from her forehead. She was known as ‘Unicorn Woman.’…

Celebrity Past life Gemma Collins’ larger-than-life persona is rooted in her past life when she was abandoned as a baby and starved to death. Over-eating in this life is caused by never wanting to be hungry again. And her sassy attitude? This stems from being unwanted in the same past life. Meditation mandalas Do you have trouble ‘switching off’ in order to meditate? Jenny digitally paints channelled meditation mandalas specifically for you. You just stare into the image and take flight into a spiritual connection with your guides. Is that a bullet hole? People are often born carrying birthmarks that give clues as to how they died in a past life. Not knowing about the death can create phobias or illnesses, which can stop when you discover the cause. The…

John Lennon Well, John really did like the sound of music - and his own voice! He believed in the afterlife, but his real passion was his family, making them happy. He’d often tell spooky stories to scare people - little did he know that he would soon be playing the part of the spirit in them. His life changed really quickly and I know that he was with the love of his life when he passed to the spirit world. His life was filled with fun and laughter, and he always had a good story to tell everyone who’d listen that seemed to last for hours!…

At this time of year, you might be feeling a bit jaded after the ravages of winter. If you’ve managed to ditch the colds and illnesses associated with the bad weather, it’s an ideal time to put some healthy ideas into practice and get ready to greet the returning warm weather. Try a brisk daily walk, especially if there’s a little sunshine. It’s an easy way to get some exercise and fresh air and even though you may have to drag yourself outside, you should feel better afterwards. Think about your diet. Try and eat more fruit, good protein and less starch! Give yourself some small goals. Do that project you keep putting off, and allow yourself a little time to enjoy the joys of spring. Keep well!…

Rebecca Hart, 37, from Wigan, Manchester Settling down to meditate in my living room, as I often do, I sat down with my eyes shut and focused on my breath. Suddenly, a random thought popped into my head. ‘Go to Blackpool.’ Most people would have ignored this. Not me! I know it might sound bonkers to other people but I always listen to these ideas from the Universe – and if I had the nudge to go to Blackpool, that’s where I was going to go! I booked my train ticket for the following day. I gave my friend Julie Cameron, 53, a call and invited her along, too. I had a strong feeling that she needed to be on this adventure with me – I just had no idea…

This month May is a super-interesting month moon-wise. We get the New Moon in the money-making sign of Taurus, and the Full Moon in the resentment-releasing sign of Scorpio. If you’d like to attract more cash into your life, then work with them! Use the New Moon to attract money and the Full Moon to release fears and resentment around money. Make your New Moon wishes on 5 May. Simply write down your dreams around cash and visualise the dream coming true. And, on 19 May, write down all your fears around cash and then burn the list! This month, let’s do a card about money – what can you expect / what are you currently manifesting? Close or ‘blur’ your eyes and choose card 1, 2 or 3. Card…

Spirit babies are said to be the spirits of our future babies. The term was coined by Walter Makichen, author of Spirit Babies: How To Communicate With The Child You’re Meant To Have. Makichen says that, when he was a young adult, he was visited by an entity who told him that he would never have children of his own, but that his work would involve communicating with the spirits of children before they are born. By communicating with spirits, and meditating, Makichen discovered that these spirit babies exist in a ‘holding place’ while they wait for their parents, or wait to be born. According to Makichen, spirit babies attach themselves by a cord to one or more of the chakras of their future parent. When Makichen does readings for…

HOT STUFF Things start to hot up in May – and not just the weather! It’s all about lurrrve, with oodles of positive influences. Venus and Mercury are particularly active, making aspects and connections which activate the other planets, warming up love lives nicely. A stunning and strong Venus/Jupiter alliance on the 9th brings a wonderful combo of love and luck. The New Moon is in romantic Taurus on the 4th, after which other planets want a piece of the action – Mercury moves in on the 6th and Venus on the 15th. With the Full Moon in scorching Scorpio on the 19th, and Venus fusing with unpredictable Uranus, it’s sure to be a day to remember. The Sun and Mercury move into Gemini on the 21st, making life busier…

There’s a lot of truth in the saying that ‘laughter is the best medicine.’ The healing benefits don’t stop at the physical - if there was ever a powerful antidote to dark forces in the world and a connection to a pure metaphysical realm, it’s laughter. Laughter therapy is a thoroughly enjoyable practice - and even if you’re by yourself at home you can giggle in good company with the free ‘Rise and Shine Laughter Line’ which is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 8:10am. Cathy Hill, founder of this project, explains, ‘I set up the Rise and Shine Laughter Line in January 2017 so that people can laugh for 10 minutes, with other people, every morning. With practise, we get ‘better’ at laughing - it becomes stronger, deeper,…

Danielle Marchant, 42, from Falmouth, Cornwall I’m standing in a field with my singing bowl in one hand. I can feel the cool breeze on my skin and the earth beneath me. In this moment, I’m aware that this is what I call the ‘Pause,’ where spirit guides us and nature holds us. I wasn’t always in balance. After years of pushing myself to the limit, one day in 2012 I woke up and found that I couldn’t get out of bed. My body wouldn’t function. I had burnt out, quite literally. I was in my mid 30s and the managing director of a consultancy firm in Singapore - we ran training courses for multinational companies. I loved my job and I was living in a fantastic apartment but I…

Picture a traditional witch, and you might imagine her draped in a dark cloak. This gives her an air of mystery - but the black cloak has a more important role to play. Used as a sheath to guard against negative energy, it’s a tool of protection. Physically, it covers the witch from head to toe, but on a psychic level it keeps harmful energy at bay. Cloaks might not be your fashion choice, but any piece of clothing can be infused with protective energy. Simply imagine your coat radiating a golden light which repels negative thoughts or feelings! GOT A QUESTION FOR KIRSTEN? EMAIL ITSFATE@SWNS.COM…

These two spells from Cerridwen will help you beat anxiety and stress. Comfort and Calm Balm Sandalwood, lavender and vanilla create a deeply relaxing balm with a warm and soothing scent. Here is what you need to conjure up a deeply relaxing potion to bring serenity. • 6 tablespoons almond oil • 2 tablespoons jojoba oil • 10 drops sandalwood essential oil • 1 drops lavender essential oil • 5 drops vanilla essential oil 1. Mix the oils together in a tightly capped dark blue or brown bottle. Shake well and pour a bit into the palm of your hand to warm before using. 2. Rub it lightly onto your shoulder and neck as well as your temples and wrists. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply with your eyes closed. Chant…

Make mine a Manhattan Sammy Rawlinson, 32, from Stockton-on-Tees The man on the other end of the phone line sounded scared. ‘I’ve had enough of all the ghostly goings-on at my pub,’ he told me. ‘Will you come and investigate?’ The pub in question was Manhattan’s, in Stockton-on-Tees. It’s got quite a reputation for being haunted – it’s been a hospital, children’s home and a morgue in its time, and seen more than its share of suspicious deaths. Rumour is that at least 100 bodies have been found here over the years. I’m a paranormal investigator, so this stuff is exciting for me! Our team headed off to Manhattan’s to investigate. Light smash Upstairs, the floors above the bar in Manhattan’s are deserted and derelict. We’d no sooner begun our…

Nicky says: Mama is so gentle and quiet, such an amazing dog. I know that she’s had puppies as she was rescued from the streets in Guatemala. I was living there at the time. I didn’t ‘buy’ her but paid to have her treated due to a chronic skin complaint. Sadly, because of it, she smelt really awful and people were mean. I just had to help her and eventually she became mine. She has a double coat so a groomer could be the solution to help get some of her undercoat out to keep her skin a little bit cooler. In spite of being a street dog, she would never snatch or steal food from me. She is the most wonderful loyal dog and yes, in the summer, I…

Reet Payton, 43, from Liverpool Loading the paranormal investigation equipment into the back of the car, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I knew exactly what that meant. ‘It’s going to be a fantastic night,’ I grinned to my partner, Robert Kirwan. Aspiritwas staring straightatme It was August 2018, and Robert and I, who run RAG Paranormal Investigations, were heading to a ghost night we were holding at the The Vernon Institute, a community centre in the pretty village of Saughall, near Chester, Cheshire. Most of the present building was built in 1910, although some of it dates back much further. It was used as a hospital for injured soldiers during World War I. As soon as I walked through the doors of…

A LEGACY OF SUFFERING Dear Jenny I feel angry that I couldn’t do anything about Auschwitz, even though I wasn’t born. Carole, 50, Hastings, Sussex Deadly chemical My name is Kurt. I’m in Poland. My heart is breaking. What hurts the most is that they’re being killed with a chemical designed for fumigation - Zyklon B - as if they were just pests to be stamped on! I supplied it to their killers even though I didn’t know what it was for. What can I do to stop this? The Nazis will shoot me if I refuse. Forced to watch It is 1942 and I watch men, women and children being led into a chamber to have a fumigator tossed in. So many deaths and it’s killing me too. If…

In our stressful world, we could all do with some extra help at times. Let EFT, or Emotional Freedom Technique, come to the rescue! This is a method of tapping on acupuncture points to relieve pain and tension. It’s easy to learn and brings quick relief, so why not give it a go? Take this class to • Have a strategy to cope with life’s problems • Feel relaxed and in control • Make constructive changes How it works Have you ever wondered what makes you feel the way you do? Sometimes worries seem to come from nowhere, upsetting you out of all proportion to the situation. Gary Craig, author of the EFT Handbook and the man credited with ‘inventing’ EFT in the late 90s, states: ‘The cause of all…

Sitting on the settee in my pyjamas, I stared at the telly, transfixed. I was six years old and my parents had let me stay up to watch the Miss World competition. I couldn’t tear my gaze from the television screen as one after another, beautiful women paraded by in gorgeous, glittering evening gowns. I turned to Mum, beaming. ‘I want to be one of those ladies!’ I told her. ‘Do you, love?’ she said with a smile. ‘Well, keep dreaming big – you never know what might happen!’ It was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with beauty pageants. I watched them whenever I could – the local ones, as well as the huge ones like Miss World. But I was far too shy, too insecure in my…

Q What is a past life phobia? Past life phobias are the ones that don’t make sense. There’s no logical reason for the phobia - at least not from the person’s current lifetime. Q What other signs suggest a phobia is related to a past life? You may experience flashbacks, almost like déj vu, like Rebecca at the Opera House, or have vivid dreams of another life that feels real. You may be drawn to a place or culture but hesitate about visiting there. And, as a child, you may have been aware of the phobia but somehow knew deep inside that it was connected to another time and place. Q How do you treat your clients? I help the client find where the phobia came from, which life. I…

FIRE (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius). Hold your vision. This card suggests that you can create whatever your heart craves on a material basis; a new, better-paid job, a dream holiday, a new car, anything you desire. You just need to hold your vision. See yourself having accomplished it and feel the feeling of the wish fulfilled. EARTH (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn). Communication is key. Drawing this card suggests that you need to speak to someone about making your financial dreams come true. Who do you need to talk to about it? Think of someone who inspires you. Or it could be you need to ask for a raise - do it when it feels right. AIR (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius). Be bold and make the first move. This card suggests that to become…

According to legend, wine and beer were created by the gods for the pleasure of immortals and humans alike – and they remain very popular to this day, as anyone who enjoys a cheeky glass or two can testify! Once mankind had discovered the intoxicating power of alcohol, all sorts of myths and legends sprung up around it. Let’s take a look at some of them… AN INTOXICATING HISTORY Alcoholic drinks are thought to have originated during the Neolithic period from 7,000 to 6,000 BC. The first real evidence was excavated in Jiahu, a prehistoric settlement in China, where ancient pottery jars were found to contain molecules of a type of primitive wine fermented from rice honey and hawthorn. Beer was first invented in Northern Africa - chemical tests on…

If you’re thinking of starting a family, you might like to try this meditation, adapted from Spirit Babies by Walter Makichen. It will help you to clear out your chakra system to create space to decide what you would like in your life. Sit comfortably. Close your eyes and focus on you breathing for a few minutes. Place your hands so the palms are touching. Starting with your root chakra (in your groin), as you breathe, imagine red energy rising up through the soles of the feet up the legs, and meeting at the root chakra. Then, as you exhale, imagine the energy flowing down the opposite leg to the one it came up. Repeat this until you are ready to move on. Then repeat this breathing exercise with the…

Salt is a wonderfully simple yet effective purification tool; a sprinkle on window sills will help keep negative energies and entities out, and a pinch under the tongue is great on-the-go protection. A soothing bath soak, combined with aromatherapy oil chosen to open the door to clearer thinking and clarity of purpose, will clear your aura as it pampers your skin. The Lavender & Sweet Orange Mineral Bath Soak is a vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, 100% natural Dead Sea salt and epsom salt essential oil jar of loveliness. Pop a handful into your bath for an instant wash of positive emotions and restored inner peace. GOT A LIFESTYLE/BEAUTY QUESTION FOR RUBY? EMAIL ITSFATE@SWNS.COM…

RIDDLE’S REMEDIES Dear Kirsten I suffer from terrible job interview nerves, and it’s stopping me from finding the job of my dreams. Please help! Anya, 26, London Dear Anya For a successful interview, take a handful of sea salt and sprinkle it in your bath the night before. As you soak, visualise yourself, confident and in control, at the interview. See the interviewer smiling and imagine them telling you that you’ve got the job. The sea salt will enhance your wish for success. On the day, carry or wear a piece of turquoise to boost your personal charm and help you express yourself.…

WATCH IT CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA It’s technically an April release but we just don’t  want anyone to miss out on the fantastically dark second season of this show! Having signed the Dark Lord’s book last season, will Sabrina be safe from the clutches of Miss Wardwell – aka Madam Satan – and why is the Devil so keen on owning her soul? We can’t wait to find out, from 5 April on Netflix. READ IT! Everything Is F*cked: A Book About Hope by Mark Manson The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck was one of the big hits of 2017 – now the sequel is here! In a world where everything seems to be f*cked, from climate change to people being permanently offended on Twitter, Mark Manson takes…

But the story has a postscript. Three of the doormen working at the pub thought our investigation was a joke, did a little investigation of their own. They posted the photos they took on social media, captioning them ‘No ghosts here lol.’ ‘Erm – zoom in closer on that photo,’ they were told on social media. And sure enough, if you zoom in on one of the photos, it clearly shows the ghost of a little boy. Could it be Joshua? I don’t know – but one thing I do know is there’s something very wrong with Manhattan’s. I’ve never investigated anywhere so sinister. There is more going on there than meets the eye.…

MAMA MIA! Dear Jackie I have a four-year-old rescue dog, Mama. We have moved several times and I want to check that she’s fine with this. Nicky, London Dear Nicky Mama says she is definitely not a dog afraid of her own shadow but she’s submissive rather than aggressive. She is very loyal and would not run off. She shows me her tummy and I think she’s suggesting that she’s had litters of puppies in the past. She tells me she was, ‘not bought but paid for.’ I don’t know what that means – do you? She is a very clever and adaptive dog and the pair of you certainly have an amazing bond. Although I feel she’s had to look after herself earlier in her life, she is gentle…

LIFE AFTER DEATH A Cornish ghosthunter has gathered what he believes to be conclusive proof of the existence of ghosts. Mark Davies was filming in Grade II-listed Falmouth Cemetery in February when he recorded paranormal activity that appears to show two figures appearing from a grave containing the remains of two women, Elizabeth Mills and Jane Brecknell. Mr Davies said, ‘To the left of the grace there are also figures coming out and you can see an orb figure that moves. A solid object clearly walks for two seconds then vanishes in a sort of white mist. I invite any expert to dispel this evidence as it is the pinnacle of proof for life after death.’ You can watch the video on cornwalllive.com  . Take a look and…

SOUL MESSAGE Dear Barrie Please could you connect me with my mother, who sadly passed away last year? Mel Codling, High Wycombe Dear Mel Your mum is really grateful for everything that you did for her. She mentions a car journey or a ride just before she passed, and she shows me that she has been with you to the coast on a visit. I know your mum would never be far away and that she continues to be by your side each day. Mum speaks about a sister link and mentions her closeness to you all. She gives me the initial of ‘A’, which could be a family connection, and also a Mike or Mick link. There’s a birthday around August and also another follows in early September. She…

Treatment of the month: Placentophagy Perhaps the weirdest alternative therapy of all time, placentophagy is the act of the mother eating the placenta after birth. Proponents claim it helps the uterus contract after birth, eases post-natal depression, balances hormones and increases milk production. Does it work? The jury remains out! Motion commotion Dear Cara It’s not long until holiday season – and I dread it because I get really travel sick. I’m OK on aeroplanes but feel very nauseous when I’m travelling in a car or by boat, and I often do throw up, sometimes publically. It’s mortifying. What do you recommend to help with this? Moira, 60, London Dear Moira You poor thing! It’s bad enough feeling sick in private, but the thought of throwing up in front of…

Canny crystal Dear Katie, I’m in a financial mess that’s causing me to lose sleep and I’m making myself ill. How can I help myself? Elinor, 42, Stirlingshire, Scotland Dear Elinor Pyrite helps remedy financial hardship and attract wealth by bringing wisdom and confidence in decision-making. Tiger’s eye reminds you that there are multiple paths to security, and gives you a fresh pair of eyes on your situation. Finally, citrine is the ultimate wealth crystal for manifestation. It’ll help you embrace a more positive mindset and achieve your intentions. HAVE YOUR COLOURS INTERPRETED Dear Katie My favourite colours are black, purple and deep pink. I’m struggling with a lack of confidence and constant anxiety - what I can do to help myself? Michelle, 42, Birmingham Dear Michelle Sometimes you’re too…

Sometimes angels in human form pop up in the most unexpected places. I recently called my car insurance company for a quote. They wanted to know why I’d had a gap of three months between cars. I explained that my best friend had been critically ill, and I’d agreed to keep her car going until she was recovered enough to drive. I added that my brother and stepdad had both died, I was recovering from breast cancer, and my husband had been made redundant! A few days later, I had an unexpected delivery - a huge bouquet of flowers! They’d been sent by the insurance company to cheer me up - and they did, thanks to the angel in the call centre! HOW DIVINE! Personalised glass angel wings tealight holder…

IN THE PINK Dear Roi I had a funny dream that someone was dying my hair bright pink! Does it mean anything at all? Katy Lizz, 33, Bristol Dear Katy I think it could indicate one or a combination of the following things. Either you’ve been hankering after a major change in how you believe you’re perceived by other people, or someone has been directly responsible for attracting attention to you in some way. Another explanation could be that you’d like to be noticed more, to stand out from other people in an attractive, perhaps socially-elevated, or peacock-ish way! Culture corner Terry Gilliam’s 1985 satirical film Brazil is set in a dystopian, totalitarian, near-future world. The ‘hero,’ Sam Lowry, searches for a mysterious woman who keeps appearing to him in…

Kate Orson, 39, from Southhampton Staring in the mirror, it suddenly hit me. I wanted to have a baby. It was 2010 and I’d recently moved to Switzerland with my husband Toni. I’d been feeling lost and confused about what I wanted to do with my life, filling out endless job applications. I wanted to write, but was struggling with writer’s block. Now, I was filled with a sense of urgency. I needed to get pregnant. I was 31 so it wasn’t as if my time was running out just yet, but Toni was 14 years older than me. Now definitely felt like the right time. When Toni got home from work, I broke the news to him. ‘I think it’s the right time for me to become pregnant,’ I…

Taurus SIGN OF THE MONTH The Taurean nature You have a sensuous nature and an eye for beauty, but you’re anything but shallow. You’re likely to be money-minded and very fond of routine. Friends adore the fact they can rely on you - you’re capable of making great things happen. Property is important to you, and you’re likely to love your garden, too. You’re a true brick to friends, but people should take care not to take advantage. You’ll put up with a lot, but then you’ll blow up! Your love life As a partner, you’re loyal and loving. Your super-sensuous nature means you’re a wonder in the bedroom. To you, it’s vital things feel as good as they can possibly be - so think silk undies and long, slow…

FULL STEAM AHEAD! Dear Ruby My boyfriend and I split a few months ago but I’m really struggling to get over him. As a practising witch, I’ve come up with an incantation to help shift myself with a little magic, but I was wondering if you could suggest a physical exercise I could try? Sophia, 34, Glasgow Dear Sophia We’ve all been there. Getting over an ex can be really hard, and in these circumstances it can be helpful to call on external powers to assist. If you had a sexual relationship with this person, you will have absorbed some of their energy, which then creates a psychic bond that you need to release in order to fully let go. The ancient art of Yoni steaming (aka womb or vagina…

Often used in Indian cooking, fenugreek seeds are associated with wealth, prosperity and fertility. They have the power to increase anything you set your mind on - from a bigger bank balance to a bigger house! Sprinkle the seeds around your property to attract cash, or simply leave an open jar with a few seeds inside on your table. MAKE IT! Chop an onion, one large tomato and a carrot and toss in a bowl. Add 50g of whole fenugreek seeds that have been soaked in water for 5 hours. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, a handful of chopped coriander and a squeeze of lemon juice. Toss again and serve as a tasty side salad to boost fertility and prosperity!…

Checking the list of things for an anti-anxiety spell for my latest client Jessica*, I nodded to myself. I’d got all the bits I needed - yellow flowers, a photograph of her and a small bell. Carefully, I arranged all the objects on a table with Jessica’s photograph in the middle and lit the candle. ‘On this earth and under these stars, I call upon the gods and goddesses to bring great help and good fortune to Jessica,’ I intoned solemnly. I rang the bell. After a few more chants, I ended the spell and visualised support and love flowing to Jessica, who lives 130 miles from me. This kind of spell is what I call distance magic. The person doesn’t have to be there to benefit from the ritual.…