Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2021 i Chat It's Fate

As we ease gradually out of lockdown, we can all start to look forward to the simple things we’ve missed so much – seeing friends and family, going to the gym, a pub lunch! But it’s a walk not a sprint, and with restrictions of some kind set to remain in place until at least June, you may still be experiencing lockdown fever! We’ve got some fabulous advice to help with that on p26 – and as if that wasn’t enough, tips for bringing positivity into your life for free on p56. I’ve got to say, I was really inspired by Stacey Chapman’s story on p14. She used the Law of Attraction to bag a great job and the bearded, strong-legged man of her dreams! Definitely worth a try –…

The Enfield Poltergeist was a famous case of a poltergeist terrorising a family who lived in a council house in Enfield, London, in the 1970s. Furniture was thrown around, pools of water appeared on the floor, and members of the Hodgson family were physically assaulted. Much of the activity centred round 11-year-old Janet Hodgson – she became the mouthpiece for the ‘poltergeist,’ a grumpy old man called Bill Wilkins who’d died in the house many years earlier. Many thought the case was a hoax – but this has never been proven.…

WHAT’S IN YOUR spooky snaps? Going underground Dear Sally This photo was taken at a ghost investigation I did at Kelvedon Hatch nuclear bunker. I was constructing a seance and opening a portal – if you look closely in the blue light you will see faces of spirit. Grant Colyer, Essex Dear Grant I feel you’ve managed to capture a spirit energy that lives in the building where this picture was taken. I think that the picture shows you how it moved from one side of the room towards the person with his hand up in the air. The spirit energy was very interested in what the group was doing and wanted to show you how it could manifest, giving all of you validation of the existence of ghosts…

Katie paints your spirit guide Dear Katie would love to know I where I am going with my work life and purpose please? Caroline, 47, Hitchin, Hertfordshire Dear Caroline Your spirit guide is a woman named Andrea who lived in the Dominican Republic around the turn of the 20th century. Despite being incredibly poor and abandoned by her parents, she went on to become the first female medical school graduate in her country. Her entire career was based around progressing women’s healthcare and helping the most vulnerable women in society. She is working with you to increase the scale of your job, but also to consider adding a more humanitarian tone. Look to support or even set up causes, charities and fundraisers to help those in need. You have the…

You may think fairy tales are simple stories full of childhood joy and magic, but there’s more to these narratives than meets the eye! From Snow White to Cinderella, these stories borrow from folklore and mythology, and are littered with archetypes and symbols that can show us the way forwards and help make our dreams come true. All you have to do is look at each image and pick the one that resonates with you, then read the write-up to reveal your fairy tale future. The rose Delicate and colourful, the petals of the rosebud open to reveal this gorgeous bloom in all its glory. As a fairy tale emblem it represents natural beauty, the joy that can be found in simple things. If this image has called to you…

WHAT THE...? Dear Roi had a chaotic dream that I really would like I explained! It began with me ascending a staircase; on the first landing, I found a child’s safety gate, where three white lambs were resting. I started to pet them, but one got on its hind legs and fell over, so I tried to get up the rest of the stairs to help it. A Chinese man turned up to guide me but went the wrong way. There was a sign I couldn’t read, then I found myself at a comic shop, and all the comics had the same picture, but it wasn’t a superhero I recognised. Am I losing the plot? Alex Robertson, 64, Crawley Dear Alex In your quest to progress in some aspect of…

As most paranormal investigations are out of bounds during lockdown, we asked our resident ghost hunter and stand-up comedian Barry Dodds to list his 10 most active paranormal hotspots. From pubs to prisons, caves to castles, Dodds has visited them all. Not all venues are created equal so here’s the run down of the best locations to visit, either for a day trip or, for the braver among you, an overnight stay with vigil or two. This month we’re counting down venues 10 to five. 10: St. Botolph’s Church, Lincolnshire I really didn’t know what to expect on my visit here – I’d been told a lot of stories, sure, but could the tales of ghostly mists, devil worship and ritual sacrifice amount to nothing more than kids messing about…

Taurus The Taurus nature Earthy, creative and sensual, you’re down-to-earth but have a love of the luxe life! At your best… Keeping it real means your authenticity and warmth are people-attractors. You’re all about the true beauty of life – whether it’s food, lifestyle, learning, or building a tidy fortune. Friends love your reliability. You’re capable of making great things happen. At your worst… You love routine – some would say to a fault! This can see you accused of being a stick-in-the-mud. Jealousy can be an issue as you get very attached to people and those around you should be aware that although you are slow to blow, when you do it’s spectacular! Sex style Slow and sensuous does it. You’re a great lover, who doesn’t want to be…

MEET YOUR MATCHA Matcha (a type of green tea) is having a moment and if you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll adore this Honey Bunny Matcha powder from Bird&Blend. Vegan-friendly, simply add boiling water for a relaxing beverage – or add hot oat milk and another dash of honey for a deliciously naughty hot drink. £20 from birdandblendtea.com SPICE UP YOUR...LUNCH Luchito is a a blend of pure Mexican honey with Gran Luchito chilli paste. It will transform everything from humble glazed ham, spice up a BBQ marinade or can be simply served with cheese or spread on buttered toast! Delicious! £3.30 from mexgrocer.co.uk BEE GORGEOUS Be inspired by the secret world of the honeybee with this range of six matte, silky, glittering eyeshadows and two highlighters in glorious honey…

Diana Cooper has been working with the angels since her guardian angel appeared to her, many years ago. Since then, she’s written over 30 books on the subject, and played a significant role in bringing a wider understanding of angels to public consciousness. In her latest deck of oracle cards, Archangel Oracle Cards, she’s created a way for people to connect with 44 archangels – beloved ones and less well known. Diana also introduces several Seraphims in this deck; these powerful 12th dimensional angels maintain the vibration of creation and help divine visions to manifest. They are just starting to connect with humanity. Here, she introduces us to three of them and shares their special message for us. Diana says: ‘Even though the Seraphim are the highest of the high,…

Even if you’re not green fingered, there’s something magical about tending to plants and flowers. Getting out into the fresh air is an instant mood booster, and physically connecting with nature cements your link with Mother Earth. Every task is a simple spell, from digging your hands into the soil, to pulling out pesky weeds. When you plant something, make a wish and see it grow in your mind. When you weed, picture the things you want to eliminate from your life and imagine uprooting them. When you water, imagine a shower of positive energy surging through you!…

I’m one of the co-founders of The Positive Planner – a journal which includes gratitude practice and tips for remaining positive – but that doesn’t mean I’m always upbeat, bright and perky. In fact, I’m a passionate believer that we shouldn’t always try to put on a brave face. This toxic positivity, the idea that no matter how bad a situation is we should try to keep a positive mindset, can be hugely draining. Numbing out and ignoring or even denying our feelings can only lead us to more problems in the future. Taking our feelings in hand and actually addressing them helps us be more authentic with ourselves and others, find possible solutions and grow. There are, however, things we can do to gently bring more positivity into our…

Pet TIP BITS If your pet has had an illness that shows up in their urine, once your vet has treated this, you can monitor it by doing regular tests at home. You test the wee following the colour code, and if the results are normal, then fine, and if not, it’s a good indicator to go back to the vets. For a cat, put some well rinsed gravel in a tray, and you will be able to get a sample that way. A shallow tray works for a female dog, and an angle-edge tray for a boy. Paws for thought any chewing gums contain a M sugar substitute, xylitol. It is highly toxic and can be fatal to dogs. Treat with care and keep gum far out of…

The Spice Girls were blaring on the radio as my big sister Sarah, 12, and I sat on our beds, chatting. It was 1999 and I was 10 years old. We’d grown up sharing the back bedroom of our four-bed pre-war terrace In Romford, Essex. Our little brother Ryan, then six, had his own room. The radio kept switching itself off Sarah and I got on well – being the younger sister, I’d sometimes annoy her by playing with her make-up or nicking her clothes, but we liked sharing a room. What we really loved about our room was the full-length mirrored wardrobe with sliding doors – we thought it was really glamorous. The only problem was that the doors never closed properly – probably because we’d both stuffed it…

The Chilliwack Poltergeist Poltergeists are not always violent and frightening – they can just be really annoying! In 1951, the Chilliwack Progress, the local newspaper for the town of Chilliwack in Canada, reported several times on the sound of banging on the walls which went on night and day at 150 Brookes Avenue, home to Anna Duryba and her 14-year-old niece Kathleen.  Experts investigated and various theories were put forward that it was caused by water under the house or a malicious (and extremely dedicated) prankster – but no definitive explanation was ever reached, leading many to conclude that the cause was supernatural. Luckily for the Duryba family, after three months of the persistent hammering, the noise just faded away. The Rosenheim Poltergeist In the summer of 1967, a lawyer…

SPIRIT OF THE ASYLUM AScottish psychic snapped a photo of a ‘girl ghost’ at a castle where she’d smelled ‘rotting meat.’ 23-year old Bethany McPherson was visiting Lennox Castle in Scotland when she had the experience. She told the Daily Record that, during the trip, she also had an object thrown at her, saying: ‘We went into a bit which was a tunnel. I think it may even have previously been the morgue, as there were holes in the walls, but I just remember smelling this disgusting smell like rotting meat... As we were leaving, we heard an object hitting off a piece of metal. We just started running to get out.’ It was when she later looked at her photos from the trip that she saw the ghost. Lennox…

Sitting in my living room, I logged into my bank account. My stomach plummetted. I had just £500 left in my account. I was worried sick. It was 2016 and I had just split with my daughters’ father and was on benefits. I had Morgan, then four, and Shelby, two, to look after. How was I going to cope? The next six months were a struggle. I worried constantly about putting food on the table, paying the rent, buying clothes for my little girls. Money was incredibly tight, and I couldn’t sleep – I’d wake up two or three times a night, stressing about, well, everything! Then one day I was watching daytime TV when the presenters started talking about a book called The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne. It’s a…

The tarot card reader looked at my cards. ‘You’ll be taking a life-changing trip’, he told me. ‘I think you’ll be going to Sri Lanka.’ ‘I do want to travel,’ I breathed excitedly. I decided to do some research, so when I got home, I logged onto the Lonely Planet website. I was planning on looking up Sri Lanka, but instead I was drawn to an article about Peru on their homepage. A few days later, I switched on the telly and found myself watching a documentary narrated by Stephen Fry about Peruvian bears. This was in 2001. I was already spiritually attuned, connected to angels, so I didn’t think any of this was a coincidence. I was being guided to look into Peru. I ordered some travel brochures, but…

What are you looking forward to most, once lockdown lifts and life begins to return to normal? Travelling again, live music, eating out – going to the footie? I’m looking forward to all of those things, and I sincerely hope we’ll be able to do them soon. But by far my most fervent wish is that we can just see our loved ones, without the need for social distancing or masks. I want to visit my daughter in Brighton and hug her, and take the dogs walking with my son and daughter-in-law. Humans are social animals and need that direct contact. Remember that until that time comes, the angels are watching over you – and them – and if you need that hug, ask for it, from the angels. Think…

YOUR QUESTION ANSWERED Every month I choose three cards totally randomly. Ask your question (it can be anything), choose your card and then look down to get your answer – no peeking! Card A GUIDING CHILDREN Even if you don’t have children of your own, or if yours have grown up and left home, this card comes with the message that it’s time for you to spend more time with kids, to bring the smile back to your face. However, it can also be a message to get in touch with your own ‘inner child’ – the fun-loving side of your personality. If a child in your life has run into trouble, guide them. Card B PEACE A beautiful card to have chosen; it comes with the message that ‘there…

From Twilightto Buffyto Dracula himself, vampires have long played a significant role in popular culture. We’re fascinated by these undead beings, who are often thought to be very beautiful, but who drain the lifeforce of the living in order to stay alive themselves. Are they always the stuff of nightmares...? DREAM OF THE UNDEAD Vampires tend to symbolise predatory seduction and animalistic ferocity mixed with sensual aspects, and romanticised notions of death and fear. YOU’RE THE MAN Dreaming of being a vampire yourself means you’re becoming aware of your own powers of seduction or persuasion, and that some kind of dark energy is permeating your desires. A SCARY SIGHT Seeing a vampire in your dreams could symbolise the presence of a threatening, dangerous person in your life, or that you…

ON THE UP Hoping for a May where you get to skip through meadows and take in the joys of spring? Well, that’s not all you’ll be up to! It’s a month of big happenings. There are the usual planetary movements – Mercury, Venus and the Sun flitting into airy Gemini, for example, and the new moon in the sign of Taurus. Saturn’s retrograde motion in Aquarius will give us time to question the fast-paced changes that have taken place in our world recently. Balancing this, Jupiter, planet of good fortune, floats into spiritual Pisces, so love and luck are going to be shapeshifting in a good way. Add to that the powerful lunar eclipse in Sagittarius, which signifies hope, optimism and faith, and you can see the potentially big…

Anne Jirsch, 61, from Maidenhead, Berkshire Shuffling my tarot cards, I opened myself up to spirit, waited to see what messages came through. Suddenly, with a crackle of static, my telly switched itself on. My client raised her eyebrows. I’d not read for her before, and I could tell she was wondering if I’d somehow set this up to happen, to create a ‘spooky’ atmosphere. ‘Look, the set’s not even plugged in,’ I said, pointing to the socket. As she glanced at the wall, her mouth fell open in shock. But it wasn’t a surprise to me, because these kind of things happen around me all the time. I’m a natural psychic, and since I was a young child, I’ve just ‘known’ things about people. I’d always tell my mum…

Little boxes of raisins have long been a popular addition to any lunchbox – but they’re not just for kids. Produced in hot countries where the grapes are left to dry under the scorching sun for two to three weeks, these power-packed nuggets of goodness punch well above their nutritional weight – just 30g of raisins counts as one of your five-a-day, compared to 80g of fresh fruit. A handful of raisins will give you an instant energy boost, thanks to the natural sugars they contain, but without the calories or sugar-crash risk afterwards! Not only that, but they’re rich in fibre, which helps with digestive and bowel function, have a high level of free-radical-neutralising polyphenolic antioxidants catechins, which can help reduce cancer risk, and can even help protect your…

RIDDLE’S REMEDIES Dear Kirsten Times have been tough for us all recently, but I’ve been having sleepless nights worrying about my job, money, the future, you name it! Is there a spell to stop me worrying about everything! Rania, London Dear Rania Invest in a piece of smoky quartz or obsidian. Stand outside first thing in the morning with bare feet, holding the stone in both hands. As you breathe in, press the soles of your feet into the earth. Imagine roots growing from each foot and spreading beneath the surface. Feel them anchoring you to the ground. Gently roll the stone between your fingers and breathe deeply. Know that you are safe, secure, and supported. Rub the stone in the palm of your hand whenever you need reassurance.…

Three studies in peer reviewed journals found that positive thinking is good for the immune system, reduces anxiety, and increases positive emotions. This doesn’t mean you need to go round with rose-tinted glasses on, telling yourself things are great when they’re not – it’s all about adopting an optimistic attitude to life, and when your life feels out of control, this can trigger a set of events over which you do have control. For example, positive thinking can trigger joy, which can trigger the urge to be creative – and this in turn leads to a sense of accomplishment.…

Dear Jackie My horse Hugo is three years old and has some physical problems. I’d like to hear his take on them. Sam, Devon Dear Sam Hugo has a big personality and says he is not mean or nasty, although he’s definitely cheeky. I feel he has some serious growing up to do! He is happy to get plastered in mud although is not keen on the hose – he prefers warm water and a sponge. He is good with other horses although he can be boisterous. I’m getting the feeling that he was shut in a stable when he was weaned, which caused him distress, possibly a lingering fear of stables. I have explained to him that it is simply like a bedroom with nothing to fear. He tells…

Poltergeists are variously thought to be the spirits of the dead, some form of demonic energy – or caused by the emotions of troubled individuals, as in the case of Annemarie Scharberl. Known as Spontaneous Recurring Psychokinesis, this theory suggests that this negative energy is then unconsciously projected outwards onto the physical environment, producing the phenomena attributed to poltergeists. However, many scientists would point out that there’s no empirical evidence that conclusively supports this theory.…

Celebrity PAST LIFE Why can’t Rita Ora and Andrew Watson stay together when they seem to love each other so much? Look no further than their past lives as 12th century star-crossed lovers Heloise and Abelard, who were forced apart, and ended up taking monastic vows of celibacy. Rita and Andrew are actually scared to be together again after the tragedy that overtook them both that time. PAST LIFE JENNY’S IN-DEPTH Regression MISSING WOMAN Dear Jenny I’ve always longed for a sister, and wanted a daughter when I got older, but sadly it didn’t happen. Even now, when I think about not having either, I get upset and I don’t know why. I feel like she should be here, even though it’s a ridiculous thought. Claire 43, Warrington, Cheshire Running…

Many tourists who visit Machu Picchu report feeling an incredible spiritual energy, particularly around the Sun Gate – a set of walls, windows and doors through which the sun’s rays enter in the summer solstices – and the Sacred Rock behind Huaynapicchu mountain. Machu Picchu is located between two geological faults and at the top of an ‘isthmus’, which causes recurrent tremors and earthquakes and may be the source of the energy that some tourists say they feel in the Inca city.…

Let’s face it, 2021 so far hasn’t been the year we hoped for. The new year brought such promise, and yet nothing has really changed. It looks like government regulations and social distancing are set to continue until mid-summer, and although there’s light at the end of the tunnel, we have a few months to get through first! If the same four walls are weighing you down, here are healer Antonia Harman’s top 15 tips to get you through the coming months. Antonia’s work is all about healing trauma and emotional pain, so she knows what she’s talking about! 1: GO FOR A WALK We are allowed outside, so make sure you go. If you are in a rural place away from others, try and get fresh air. Where safe,…

Strap yourself in – it’s an eclipse month which means that anything can happen and probably will! The Full Moon eclipse means it’s time to let go and move on. Hopefully we will soon all be letting go and moving from the restrictions we have all faced for the past year or so... Here’s hoping! Here’s a card for what you need to know this eclipse month. Sign of the month: TAURUS – Look at the bigger picture. This card tells us that sometimes we need to step back and look at the bigger picture, so we can see how far  we have come. What’s happening now may be because you’ve been distracted. Focus on your life targets. GEMINI – The end of a tough cycle approaches. Keep going and…

They say there s a special bond between mums and daughters, and from the very first weeks of my second pregnancy I was convinced I was having a little girl. Me and my husband Justin already had a daughter, Thea, who was three at the time and couldn’t wait to be a big sister. We decided not to find out the sex of our second baby – letting it be a surprise – but in my heart of hearts I already knew. Call it mother’s instinct. ‘It’ll be a boy this time,’ my friends told me, pointing at my tummy. ‘It looks like a boy’s bump.’ ‘No, she definitely feels like another little girl,’ I smiled knowingly. At our 20-week scan the midwife said everything looked great, but my umbilical…

4th Mercury zips into busy Gemini allowing for brilliant communication. 9th Love planet Venus whips into flirty Gemini, livening things up socially. 11th New moon in nature-loving Taurus – great for fertility and growing things. 12th Energetic Mars in Cancer links to outlandish Uranus, while Mercury makes a positive aspect to Saturn in forward-thinking Aquarius. Lots of positive change is afoot! 13th Lucky Jupiter slips into mystical Pisces, signifying a summer of giving and dreaming. 23rd Teacher planet Saturn in tech-obsessed Aquarius begins its retrograde phase. Watch out for electronics needing an update now! 26th The lunar eclipse in Sagittarius signals a completion of a cycle linked to beliefs and travel, opening the door to new possibilities. 29th Mercury goes retrograde, giving you a fresh perspective.…

Governed by the Moon and Venus, marshmallow is associated with Aphrodite. The root can be carried to attract love and the leaves were often burned in cleansing rituals. In folklore, marshmallow was planted near graves to honour the dead. There’s a reason why it’s so popular in hot chocolate, the two ingredients combined make a powerful love potion! Make it! In a pan, heat 200g of halved strawberries with 20g of caster sugar, until you have a pulpy mixture. Add 140g of marshmallows stir and let them dissolve. Whip up 200ml of double cream, then add to the mixture when it’s cold. Spoon into bowls and set for a couple of hours. Eat this delicious mousse to boost loving energy. GOT A QUESTION FOR KIRSTEN? EMAIL ITSFATE@SWNS.COM…

SIGNS ACROSS THE divide The truth will out Sharon Collins, 48, from Leinster, Ireland As a child, a lady spirit visited me and I’d chat away happily to her – until one night my father walked into the room. ‘Who are you talking to, Sharon?’ he frowned. ‘There’s nobody else here.’ I realised he couldn’t see my mysterious visitor – and that frightened me. I stopped talking to her and eventually she stopped visiting me. An old lady appeared in the canteen But growing up, I was always interested in the tarot and read a lot about psychometry and other things. For a while, I read the tarot until jobs and children took over. When I was 30 and working in a supermarket, I was sitting at the canteen table…