I never personally met Gretchen Raisch-Baskin. Although she drew all the Color Wisdom Cards. We met on the internet and communicated via email and phone. And perhaps that is how it was meant to be. When I received the news recently that Gretchen had passed away on Feb 15th, I felt a hollowness and a sense of surprise that here was another spirit now connected to the Color Wisdom Cards. When I had originally began the journey with the cards 20 years ago each fable had come to me through a spirit interrupting my daily life whether I was walking the dog, sleeping or cooking, they would energetically interrupt me until I wrote down the fable. I’ve often pondered in this past year, why the fables stopped at 51 when I felt so strongly in the symmetry of the number 52, there are after all 52 weeks in a year, why was one missing? Well suddenly it hit me, it’s because there we meant to be 52 spirits connected with the fables. The 52nd spirit is Gretchen.

You see, I never told Gretchen what to draw. I gave her a manuscript and magically, every few weeks over the course of a year, artwork would show up in my inbox, and it was always perfect. She had a deep sense of knowing with theses cards and I feel a strong allegiance to her spirit owning the energy of these cards in the afterlife. Anyone now reading this understands the magic of coincidence.

When I received the news from her husband Greg, I frantically looked to find my last correspondence with Gretchen and there is was in my inbox, dated Jan 12th , that was a powerful sign to me as that was the anniversary of my father’s death. I can look back now on our connections and see how she always showed up on dates that were significant in my life, perhaps showing me the path to take or quite simply, that she came here to deliver this to us because the magic of the Color Wisdom Cards were made real by Gretchen. So when you look at the cards, and you experience them, I know she’s sending you some special fairy dust, because I absolutely know that she’s the 52nd guide for all of us. Her artistic expression is humbling and what she leaves us is a way for all of us to connect to Spirit thorough beauty.

There isn’t much I can really say, as it feels so empty to have collaborated on one of my most important works with someone I never met in form, but she knew the Spirit of this project and for that I have tremendous gratitude.

Here’s a short excerpt from my new book Dog Stars. You can find it on my site!

The Phases of the Moon and How they Affect Your Pet

All creatures are affected by the phases of the moon, but especially your canine. The moon is the fastest moving planet and rules our emotions. In general, it sends a brief 2-3 days in each sign of the zodiac. Because dogs are emotional creatures the moon strongly affects them. A moon transit will give you a sense of what is temporarily affecting your dog and how to best deal with it.

The phase of the moon may for example help you decide if today is the best time to begin training your dog or to simply let me play. The moon ephemeris at the back of this book makes it easy to look up the daily moon phases.

Note: A full moon will always intensify the effects of the moon transit and makes its effects more powerful. The monthly full moon will always be in the opposite sign of the present sun sign. A quick search on the internet will give you the moon’s present position!

The Phases of the Moon

This month, the full moon hits on the 30th of March, making it a Libra full moon!

Look for a loving, compatible time when the moon shifts into Libra. Here is the perfect time to introduce anything new into your dog’s environment, especially a new pet. Dogs tend to have more of a desire to please today, so they may respond well to training.

Spending quality time with your canine will have more ease to it than usual in loving Libra. Sharing anything together is also ideal. A dog’s sweet tooth will be activated now. Go ahead; share that ice cream with him. He deserves it.

Somebody asked me about running my own business recently. I think sometimes because I’m “psychic” people think I should know for myself or better yet, never have fears or make mistakes. Ha, ha!

When I started my own business, the first thing that came to mind is visibility. Suddenly I wasn’t just a psychic working with a few celebrities, the work I did and everything about my work came under international scrutiny by strangers on the internet. For me I had to weigh the risk of whether or not it was worth it to be in the public eye. Make sure you ask yourself how important you feel your work is!

I had many moments when I stopped and questions whether I wanted to put my work out in front of the world. My Intention Candle Kits are costly to make, especially because they’re organic. Soon after the article in the New York Times came out, I had many comments from strangers on various blogs stating that maybe they should be doing what I did since there was so much money in it. Unfortunately in the school yard of business defending or explaining yourself gives life to more confrontation. I always chuckle when people say “sue,” or “fight back!” Against what? Someone’s opinion?

I would say the biggest thing that I feared in business was being hurt. I don’t think it’s that I feared losing everything, I think it still goes back to first grade when I simply wanted to have a friend. And in business, everyone is running for class president.

I think my biggest fear has been being criticized for the gift that I was given. And I think everyone on some level deeply fears having their greatest gift rejected. So before you step up and put something down or make fun of them, consider how it would feel if it happened to you. That said – TAKE YOUR RISK NOW! It’s vital!

Consider this; who’s your favorite musician, what if they had never written that first song, for fear of being rejected? The world would miss their voice, just like it will miss yours.

So it comes down to two roads, fear or faith. And in my work either God is or God isn’t. You choose.

Do you want to experience more love? Try this:

What if we addressed everyone we met with love? Admiration? Try this experiment with me: For the next 30 days, everyone you talk to… or interact with… look at them with great admiration. Listen with Love, Do your job with love. And shop with love.

I am going to start signing all my letters “With Love, Tori.”

What if we just broke the mold and starting being loving EVERYWHERE? What if I signed my invoices for my business.. with love?

This year, let’s learn the vital lesson of what is truly important to us all: LOVE. Yes, money is amazing, success in your career or even closing the deal, but at the end of the day, it’s all the same feeling: it’s love.

Great happiness is tied to love. What would happen if we all raised our vibration now? It is with happiness in mind that I propose we expand Valentine’s Day and the month of love to fill the whole year, and we’ll start with the next 30 days.

Let’s see what happens if we’re cheerful.

And it is with LOVE that I wish you all a very Blessed Valentines’s Year!

With Love,

Tori

Well, in 2000 one of my projects Learn to read Tarot in an Hour went to tape. This was before MP3’s! Yikes!

I’d always loved to be in the studio, and folks had told me that I’d had a nice voice, but writing and teaching have always been my passion. In fact, my editor from Berkley Books asked me in 1996, how on earth I was going from a Fashion book: Fabulous You! Unlock Your Perfect Personal Style ~ to tarot and the esoteric interests.

It only took me a moment to get it: my life mission was to take complicated subjects, and make them easy and accessible to everyone. I had always loved the idea of mastering something and then showing others how to do things for themselves.

This made sense to my Editor. I didn’t explain that I was a Sagittarian and our life was to focus, hit the target and move onto the next challenge.

But there I was ten years ago now, in a studio, and beginning to record what would become my easy Tarot lessons. We had to record late at night in a studio because the rates during the day were too high. It was dark, and intimate, and there was only me, the music stand that held the book, and a small light to illuminate what was being read.

It was magic for me. I loved recording and enjoyed working with the world of audio. After the project was finished, it sold very well, but I was captivated by those long nights in the studio.

I had enjoyed the time working with this medium, and was bitten by the recording bug!

I started studying, and taking voiceover classes. I learned with the best, from Kathy Kalmenson to Marc Cashman. It was an exciting time because you had to go into a studio to record.

My spiritual work – which I spent a great deal of time hiding from – supported my new habit. And I loved every minute of it. I worked hard and soon landed an agent, and was reading commercials for pay!

And, all the while as my career developed, so did my spiritual practice and inevitably, my agents and everyone who I worked with also walked this path. One of my dearest friends is Kathleen Ham who is a regional Voice over agent. And, she flew out to visit with me last October. While she was here, we jumped into my studio – (I now own my own) – and recorded what I feel is the first honest conversation with a talent agent about how faith and spiritual connections matter to her.

Feel free to check it out, it’s podcast number 10 – and you can download it for free.

I do believe that we must all walk our talk. So, there you have it.

Many Blessings.

Last night I got together with friends and finished my personal Vision Board for 2010. A Vision Board is a collage of images that represent what you truly desire, like a big poster of your New Year’s resolutions. I usually do this every year on New Year’s Day. This year I opted to do it over a three week span of time, and for a very powerful reason: Each process allows me to go deep within and discover what is authentic to me. To start your vision board you’ll need the following items:

• A 20” X 30” foam poster board
• A lot of magazines, newspapers or any pictures that mean something to you
• A note pad
• A pen
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Snacks
• Supportive friends

Week I: Get Started!

Set a timer for three minutes and make a list of all the things you accomplished in the previous year. Then go around the room and read your accomplishments aloud. Having a group is helpful because your friends are familiar with your life. Perhaps you’ve done something worth celebrating but forgot to put it on your list. As we shared, it was interesting to see what we remembered. One woman put her move to California on the top of her accomplishments, but forgot to put her new job on the list.

Next, repeat the process, only this time, list all of your regrets from the year. As you read your lists aloud to each other, it will become clear that even the mistakes and poor choices were necessary because they brought you to where you are now. Hind-sight is 20/20 but 20/20 isn’t always necessary along the way.

On the back of this list write a letter to 2009, bidding it farewell. Revel in your triumphs and acknowledge mistakes, Say goodbye to it all and declare it complete, to make room for the New Year ahead. Then burn your letters. Don’t be surprised if you’re met with unexpected emotion during this part of the ritual. It’s bitter-sweet to put the past to rest, but it is a necessary part of preparing for what is to come.

With the old behind you, it’s time to make way for the new! The New Year needs to be prioritized into the BE, DO and HAVE for 2010. This can be a state of mind, or an emotional intention of who you will be this year. Write a few sentences or just list words that describe what you would like to BE. Share this list with the group.

Next, skip to what seems like the end and make a list of the things you would like to HAVE in 2010. What do you really want? A new home? Financial security? A stronger career? Share this list with the group and be open to feedback. When giving feedback yourself, be sensitive to what you know about your friends’ feelings. Share only what is constructive to each persons journey. Stay away from general criticism or personal opinions. Try giving positive suggestions as opposed to negative comments.

Wait! I’m sure making a list of things to DO to get what you would like to HAVE makes sense next. This is because you don’t know what those actions are yet. When you change what you are BEing, what you DO will automatically change and create different results. At this point we know who we need to BE and what we would like to HAVE, but it is up to Spirit to make the connection and build the road that will connect the BE and HAVE with the DO. Have faith in this process.

With your group, take a couple minutes to quietly center and visualize your coming year with your BE and HAVE in mind the things you have been contemplating. Allow Spirit to guide your meditation into being and having the things you desire. One of our group members mentioned as she left that night that she was going to get a jump on the process and start cutting things out at home. I suggested she wait. There is magic in sitting with BE and HAVE for a week as an extension of this step.

Week II: Cut Em’ Up!
Now you are conscious of what you want and the feelings that should come with these desires. Spread out the magazines and have at it! Cut out any images that call to you or resonate with your goals and set them aside to later glue on your board. While you look, be mindful of what the other members of your group are looking for and if you find something that might fit for someone else, offer it to them. Support your group as they support you. Keep in mind that while words are powerful, images are better. Pay special attention to what is in the center of your board as this will tend to be your focal point.

Week III: Putting it Together!
Once you’ve finished collecting images and words for your board, arranged them on your poster board and glue them down in a way that makes sense to you. Finally, share your board with the group. Remember Show and Tell from elementary school? Enjoy that feeling of pride in sharing your resolutions to the group. Enjoy the positive energy from encouraging others as they present their work.

Because of time restraints I chose three separate Sunday evenings for this, using the first Sunday to list and meditate, the second Sunday to collect words and images and the third Sunday to glue and share our Vision Boards. If you have the luxury of starting early in the morning and working through the entire day, go for it!

I find every year that I look at my board as an unfamiliar relative, and slowly I realize that my true subconscious needs are right there in front of me.

Wherever you place your board to view it, move it every few weeks, your subconscious will pay attention each time as it will register the newness of it. Remember there is no right way to do this! Follow these steps as it feels right to you and enjoy the results!

My first post as a reluctant psychic.

There I said it. You know what bugs me? Here I go…

People that hide their true feelings behind being spiritual – and by the way this started WAY back with the phrase: Doctor, hear thyself.

Remember that?
The cobblers kids have bad shoes. Sigh, and my favorite… ever sit at a party and chat with a therapist or psychiatrist? I’m always trying to figure out if they’re trying to figure me out.

Most of the time, they’re nutty! But it’s the folks who volunteer for parking detail at psychic fairs that really make me laugh. Can you say, control issues? Wow, that’s the place to work them out.

And, sorry, the folks who are waiting for the spaceship to beam them up.

Sigh.

Then there are the “psychic” busters. My question is … Why bother?

Who cares? When I went to see my friends Marty and Michael after my father died, I was so relieved to hear from my father.

And then the time a young widow came to me, and I had no idea who she was or her circumstances. The message I got from her dead husband was, I was trying to get to you, that’s why I didn’t call. I thought I would survive.

She left my home at peace. Her husband had died in 9/11 and she always wondered why he never phoned her.

If therapy or making shoes for others or analyzing others floats your boat so be it.

My job is to support you in your journey. Gosh, isn’t that what we’re all doing?

There are days I don’t want to talk to dead people anymore than the locksmith wants to open one more door. But we’re all on our path.

Well, I’m going to go do a reading. Another door to unlock.

Peace out.

I’m picky about which oils I used for my intention kits. I know, finest oils, etc. But they really are. More importantly, I handpicked these oils to promote the intention they support. I’ve even, of late changed out a few aromatherapy oils because I found stronger spiritual pulls with new ones. Okay I’m compulsive. Up constantly working… This glossary is to assist you in seeing another aspect of the Intention Candle you choose. And working your own “magic” with oils.

BAYBERRY: Luck to the home, attracts money and wealth.

BERGAMOT: Protection. Balances the soul. Strengthens the immune system. Encourages personal power.

CEDAR: Instills peace, dispels unhappiness and brings positive dreams.

CHAMOMILE: Highly relaxing. This brings deep healing sleep.

EUCALYPTUS: Sends away negative thoughts and promotes clarity of the spirit. Clears the way, promotes vision.

FIG: This enlivens your heart and soul and has powerful healing properties. Fig trees are mentioned in the bible. A powerful oil.

FRANKINCENSE: Frees us of our earthly distractions and allows pure connection to the divine. Opens us up to spiritual blessings, allows only powerful white light into our midst – purifies our spirit.

GERANIUM: This is known for its ability to calm us and relax an overactive mind. Easing frustration and unhappiness, the sweet smell brings feelings of calm strength. It alleviates nervous exhaustion and brings an ability to let go.

GRAPEFRUIT: Allows us to surrender our high expectations of life and others and brings a harmonious understanding of ourselves. It allows us to forgive others and ourselves again promoting deep clarity and understanding.

HONEYSUCKLE: Awakens us to unseen positive energy, brings about an acute sense of intuition. Attracts prosperity.

JASMINE: Protection when we are most vulnerable. Purifies the aura, stimulates creative expression and original thinking, invites spiritual harmony and love.

JUNIPER: A reminder of happy times and brings fond memories. Also believed to repel evil spirits.

LAVENDER: Reduces stress. Awakens our inner calm. Brings peace and stability. Known for its soothing properties. Allows us to trust the universe.

LEMONGRASS: This has very powerful inspirational properties. It stimulates the wonder of the imagination.

MANDARIN/SWEET ORANGE: Frees us from worry. Promotes serenity and well-being.

MYRRH: Brings deep knowledge. Allows us to feel peaceful. Gives us empathy for others. Draws good spirits.

NEROLI: This oil is known to calm and regulate the nervous system. This relieves mental and emotional upsets. It brings hope and strength where there may have been despair. It creates a hypnotic effect to calm the soul.

PINE: Purifies and allows deep forgiveness of others and ourselves.

ROSE: The true essence of love revealed and attracts all things related to love. Gives hope, harmony and possibility to those who smell it.

SAGE: Clears, cleanses and chases off unfriendly spirits. Cleans a room and a home. Purifies all.

SANDALWOOD: Calms the mind and allows us to open up to our own intuitive nature. We allow spirit to guide us and lead the way. Protects us from unwanted thoughts. Aids in profound visions.

SPEARMINT: Sharpens your senses. Improves circulation. Stimulates new opportunities.

SPRUCE: Spruce is elevating and soothing at the same time. It is widely used for meditation. It strengthens ones general well being and opens us up to healing.

SWEETGRASS: Invokes spiritual blessings, aids transformation.

TEA TREE: This is powerful spirit medicine – it is known for its natural antibiotic properties and energetically stimulates our body’s natural ability to heal. This can also have an anti-depressant effect. Promotes emotional well-being and gives space for the body to heal naturally.

VANILLA: This is highly energizing and attracts happy experiences to the home; also invites good fortune.

VERBENA: Brings faith and balance. Helps to ground us. Allows us to tolerate upsets in others.

VETIVER: Transforms anger into peace. Brings higher knowing and awareness to calm us. Lessens irritability through connecting us with Spirit.

YLANG YLANG: This is a powerful antidepressant. There is a call to relax the body. This promotes the properties of an aphrodisiac. It calms anger. It aligns us with deep love that moves us physically.

To clear your manifesting energy do some seventh chakra aromatherapy work. The seventh chakra is your final chakra and your connection to the universe. When this chakra is closed, communication to the spiritual realm is blocked. All of your personal energy is transmitted through this chakra out to the universe and therefore to be fully connect, it must be open.

Even if you feel great, it’s always great to get a massage, right? Think of this as a spiritual massage! To do a seventh chakra aromatherapy clearing, you’ll need a few things; once you have what you need, follow the ritual below.

List of items needed to perform seventh chakra aromatherapy ritual:

1. A Spirit Guide Intention Candle (www.intentioncandles.com). There are many candles to choose from, but this blend is the most appropriate for the connection to spirit.
2. This is a great time to charge your spiritual jewelry too. The chakra vortex jewelry collections have a few pieces that are specifically designed for the seventh chakra. If one calls to you, then consider adding it to your ritual.
*Infinity Chakra Vortex
*Spirit Guide Prayer Mala (Purchase it as a set with the intention candle and save $)
* Open Heart Home Chakra Vortex opens your heart to spirit.

3. Incense holder if using incense sticks
4. Incense sticks (incense spray is a great option if you need to avoid smoke)
5. Matches or lighter
6. Sage smudge stick
7. Fireproof bowl

Perform your Seventh Chakra aromatherapy ritual this way:

*Find a quiet place, gather all necessary materials, and prepare a prayer space.
*Sit where you are comfortable with your items laid out before you.
*Light the sage and smudge the area. As you do this, ask the Earth for the element of air to help you connect with the universe. Keep the smudge stick lit and place it in the fireproof bowl.
*Light your Spirit Guide Intention candle. This candle will draw your spirit guide to assist you in connecting with the universe. This candle is ideal because it is a full 7-day candle and will continue to work long after you’ve done this process.
*Slowly take in seven deep breaths and thank the Earth for the gift of the elements to assist in your communication.
*Place your vortex jewelry around your neck as you visualize it as a key opening you seventh chakra.
*Light the incense with your Spirit Guide candle and place into the incense holder.
*Focus your intentions on opening your seventh chakra while taking in the scent of frankincense, sandalwood, and vetiver from the Spirit Guide Intention candle.

Finding a safe place, keep your Spirit Guide candle lit until it burns down. You can place it in the fireplace or in a bathtub. Do NOT blow it out. It is okay to gently cap it with the lid, but I recommend allowing it to burn as it will continue to clear and bring spirit forth to assist you over the week that it burns. The details of which date to set your intention and what the burn means are in the intention kit.

*When your chakra is open, you will feel a clearing and a state of connection.

The seventh chakra aromatherapy ritual will open your entire being to attracting true peace and communion with spirit. You will know that your seventh chakra aromatherapy has worked because you will find yourself open to all kind of fortuitous circumstances.

If you want to turbo-charge your intentions, pick up a Miracle Intention Candle next and watch what happens.

As we step into the new decade, we’re growing our dreams – and flowers, color and aromatherapy have magical properties. Some open us to luck, some attract love and some connect us with out Spirit Guides. Whatever you desire, planting the intention is more than simply wishing for something. You must focus as much energy as possible into an intention and the more spiritual forces riding the wave for the same intention, the faster it becomes reality.

So as you’re creating dreams and plans for this new decade, here are some energies to connect with. Make sure your intention contains an aspect of love, prosperity, wisdom and protection. Think of an intention as money in the back. The more firmly rooted in one, the more the roots of other intentions can grow.

Let’s take a look at a few flowers, colors and energy for your Intention Setting Rituals.

Consider the Sunflower which brings changes and bright prospects. Our Inspiration or Business Blessing Intention Kits with Spearmint, Pine and Sandalwood aromatherapy are powerful support and align you with Spiritual forces.

Heather supports spiritual development and beauty – this makes a Spirit Guides or the Harmony Intention Kit the path to peaceful manifestation.

Rose Brings Love and psychic power – our Divine Love Intention Kit will draw love in many forms. Your Intention will make it come alive.

Lavender brings creativity and cleansing which creates new beginnings with the Relaxation Intention Kit. A great way to let go and allow things to come forward.

Chamomile is about meditation and rest. Here we created our Restful Sleep Intention Kit.

Mint is Prosperity ~ wow. This is a powerful intention. Step into the future now with our Prosperity Intention Candle Kit.