Medium Rare™

MY TAROT CARD CEREMONY

2008-06-26T15:44:00.005-04:00

Did you ever wonder what happens to a Tarot deck when it becomes so worn from use that it needs to be replaced? Personal decks don’t get much use, but when you are in the business of using them, as I am, you let your client’s energy into the cards in order to read them. Though I know a great deal about the meaning of Tarot, I read by color and energy, and interpret what each card means according to my psychic ability.

Not everyone who gives readings does so professionally. There are many of you out there who are not aware of the precautions you should take when using cards (any cards) to interpret for someone else. The more people touch your cards, the more of their energy and the energy of the other side, is left on them, and that can cause a lot of negativity to infiltrate your world.

I had two Tarot decks that I had not disposed of, and I was beginning to feel really uncomfortable to still have them around. So, the other night I performed a ceremony. Some people bury their old decks, but I feel that only keeps the energy still lingering on yours or someone else’s property. Besides, as 4th generation psychic medium, I had often heard stories of various ways to get rid of a deck of cards. The following is a little big of my ancestors, Sue’s assistance and me.

There is a Chiminea in the backyard. While Sue fired it up with wood, I said a prayer over the decks separately and we tossed the cards into the fire. There was fresh purple sage in the garden, and that was added to our little bonfire to cleanse each deck as we sent them to disappear into the universe.

Once the ceremony was over, we immediately felt a lighter energy in our immediate surroundings. I recommend doing this with your own deck, and purchase a new one to bond with soon after.

THANK YOU....

2008-06-09T11:04:00.015-04:00

A little "thank you" goes a long way, and I am disappointed at how those two little words seem so difficult for so many people to take the time to say. It seems easier to yell a negative prayer at someone by cursing or swearing, than it is to express appreciation by saying thank you.

There are many ways to show gratitude: prayer is one of the bigger ones, and a close second is writing in a Gratitude Journal.

But if you are truly living your truth, and are sincerely grateful, you will take the time to use those two little words to those you encounter. Did the grocery clerk smile at you and make you feel good this morning? Maybe the mailman delivered good news. Perhaps someone held a door open for you when you needed it the most. Did you say thank you to any of them? I will predict that most of you reading “forgot” or “wasn’t thinking” or didn’t notice it at all. If you fall into the last category, I am speaking to you more than the others. For your lack of awareness speaks volumes about how you see your place in the universe. Its not a pretty picture because it shows the ego of your nature, and when we use ego we are Edging God Out of our lives.

It is important to be aware of, and acknowledge those, who fill in your surroundings. They are part of your energy and may even be a part of your karma. "Thank you" creates the tone and vibration of love and respect when the words are expressed, ultimately shifting the energy around us to a more positive place. It's affect is immediate, and can create ripples of positive vibes.

I try to practice what I preach. If I say I am grateful, you will hear me even thank nature for allowing the birds to deliver their morning song. No communication is exempt from my gratitude.

CLEANSING AND RECHARGING THE SPIRIT

2008-05-05T10:05:00.016-04:00

We are around people every day. Whether we live or work with them, or simply pass them on the street, we are encountering energy of some kind from each. Sadness, grief, jubilation, happiness, make up some of the energy we will experience as we walk our normal days through life.

All that energy does not have to be directed at us to affect us in body, mind and/or spirit. But it is important to note that it is still responsible for at least 75 % of our mood swings or negative reactions to things that happen in our lives. It's vital that we recognize this exists and cleanse ourselves with the ceremony of water.

Each day, step into the shower and allow the water to cleanse you of any energy that may not be in your best interest. Visualize the water cascading over your head and cocooning you inside a safe, clear tube of white light. Your intention to to clear your spirit and encircle yourself in Divine love and protection.

Water is a catalyst for many things. It cleanses us spiritually, but it also stirs our creative mind! Allow the meditative spray to bring to the forefront intuitive impressions, and enjoy the benefits of true clarity and rejuvenation. I guarantee you will feel very different (and a whole lot better) when you consciously place your intention on clearing yourself of the emotions of the day.

HILLARY ALL THE WAY!

2008-04-29T09:43:00.013-04:00

According to new Poll from The Associated Press and Ipsos….

If the U.S. presidential were held today, Hillary Clinton would beat John McCain by a 9-point margin, 50 percent to 41 percent.

The poll shows that when Barack Obama faces McCain, the two are statistically tied — though, Obama holds a two point edge over McCain, within the poll's margin of error.

If Hillary can produce these same numbers after the North Carolina and Indiana primaries, she has a really strong case for the Democratic nomination!

Don't forget to: VOTE

The Psychic and The Skeptic

2008-04-24T16:12:00.017-04:00

Every now and then I hear someone say, "I'm a skeptic." I usually look at them and answer, "Wow! So am I." Because, you see, I have to be skeptic in order for my work to be valid to myself. For as much as I thrive on helping others through the miracle of metaphysics and psychic awareness, I can not do it if I do not have those "miracles" proven to myself first.

It amazes me how someone calling themselves a "skeptic" can consider their lack of belief to be the criteria for basing expert testimony!

For one thing, there is no gauge for psychic awareness. No real "degree" except the one we get from Divine Guidance, which the "skeptic" denounces because most true skeptics do not believe in God or form any foundation of religious belief.

My favorite quote on skepticism comes from Jason Hawes, founder of TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) and Ghosthunter and skeptic:

"A skeptic is just someone who has not yet experienced the paranormal."

Precise and to the point.
Someone go tell the skeptics!

SHARING....MY MAIL

2008-04-08T14:28:00.008-04:00

This particular piece of mail is going into my personal Gratitude Journal. So very often I wonder how I am helping, and "if" I am. So it is especially nice to receive an email like this one, which more than moved me to tears. It made me openly sob in gratitude to have made a difference in someone's life. I love you all.
****Edited for content as to privacy. ****

Dear Linda:
I must write to thank you for the peace you have given me. Since my ex-fiance jumped 7 floors to his death I have been in turmoil. Although we broke up nearly 10 years ago and he moved back to Germany, we had remained very close friends and had often said that we should have worked things out and married.

But, I had already remarried and that just wasn't going to happen, so as close friends we kept in contact and involved in each other's lives.

I knew he had Parkinson's, but he always said it was mild. When I wrote him an email the last Friday in February I sent it to his work address, which I usually don't. On Monday I got a reply from his co-worker that his Parkinson's was really bad and he saw no way out, so he jumped. However, someone from the company called his mother and told her that the boss called him in and demoted him, then he jumped.

I talked to his best friend over there and he said no way - that he'd never jump for being demoted. He believes they fired him and he jumped. That is what I believed then too, and you confirmed it when you said it was an act of desperation, not depression.

After reading the email from his co-worker on that Monday I went almost immediately into my first (and last) gallbladder attack which was excruciatingly painful. I was in the hospital within just a few hours of getting the news and had the surgery Tuesday morning. I asked the doctor to keep me on a high dose of pain medicines. I couldn't deal with the mental pain and just wanted to sleep.

When I got out I just could not get over it. I was crying constantly. Some suggested I see a therapist so I went to someone in Westfield and she felt that YOU would be able to help me more than she could. She told me of all the positive results her other patients got from you so I knew I had to do it.

I can't tell you the relief and peace I now feel. I didn't tell you anything about him except that it was the loss of a loved one. He could have been my husband, brother, friend... but you knew it was a relationship of the past and that both of us had gone on and had other relationships. I felt the peace coming on.

After all the things you told me, especially that he wants me to stop crying and that he is at peace, I felt so much better. That's what I needed to know - how he was.

I cried alot after our session - not at all because of being sad, but from being overwhelmed with peace.

When you said my 3rd great grandfather Chester was there I thought I'd fall out of the chair! And then my 2nd great grandmother, Mary was standing next to my ex, smiling - WOW! I had just shown both of their pictures to my girlfriend the day before while we were working on our genealogy.

I've told so many people who now want to come to you. I hope you can give them the comfort you've given me.

Thank you again for bringing me peace.

Sandra A.
p.s. Feel free to use this letter as a testimonial in any books or boards you may have.

ITS ONLY A DREAM

2008-03-10T17:48:00.003-04:00

A peaceful row of clouds slowly moved across a pale blue sky, and as each cloud rolled along, it grew larger in size. I watched this magnificent formation of nature enlarge until it filled my entire vision and exploded. The holographic image of a an airplane loomed menacingly as the metal monster broke thru the clouds, the words Boeing 747 stamped across its side.

“Linda!” It is at this moment that I hear my grandmother’s voice calling me. “Linda!”

My eyes burst open and beads of sweat dotted my forehead as I shot up to a sitting position. My hand glided down to the bed beneath me and I patted the mattress gratefully, my ten year old self relieved to be safe in my bedroom. It was only a dream.

“Are you ok?” My mother is standing beside the bed gently pushing the damp strands of hair away from my forehead. . “Did you have another bad dream.”

“It was only a dream, Mom.”
“It’s never only a dream in this family. Tell me about it.”

I retold the dream to my mother and the first thing she did was to call my grandmother (her mother). “Linda had a dream about a Boeing 747 and that could be your TWA flight.”

“Does it crash,” my grandmother asked.

“Yes.”

“You’d think she’d learn to have these dreams a little more in advance for convenience sake. Now I have to send your grandfather down to the airport to change things.” She blew out a long sigh, as if the weight of the world were on her shoulders.

“Well, mother, at least you’ll be alive to see another trip.”

“Not till your daughter has insomnia.”

My mother laughed. All was safe. Just a normal day in a very paranormal life.

A MEDUM'S MESSAGE FROM MOM

2008-02-11T16:41:00.000-05:00

My mother passed away in 1999 after a long illness. Three days after she was buried, my father asked me to pick up her old mail and paperwork and go through it for him.

Along the ride home from his house, I could feel Mom’s energy jumping off the pages of the miscellaneous papers in the box next to me. Family recipes, old Christmas and birthday cards, and envelopes of photographs that never made it to her photo albums were the legacy she left. I felt an immediate sense of peace just having the box near me, and it was like she was right there in the car.

This was the first time I could actually feel the energy of the presence of someone who passed. That feeling caught me completely off guard, and caused for a lapse in judgment and I had to slam on the brakes, stopping just short of a red light. The box fell off the seat, and a piece of paper flew out. I pulled the car over and parked.

When I touched the paper and brought it up to read, I saw that it was my mother’s handwriting. I no sooner mouthed the words “Hi, Mom,” when I felt immediately surrounded by a warmth that I can only define as a feeling of unconditional love. I looked down at the paper in my hand. It was a recipe for the Easter meat pie Mom used to make special for that holiday. I thought about the significance and realized the message at once. Easter marks the ascension of Jesus Christ. This was my mother’s way of telling me she was okay. I nodded my understanding in silent communication. As soon as I did, the feeling went away and I knew I was alone again in the car. But now something was different. I had invited someone from the other side and she had accepted my invitation. I was now a willing communicator with the energy of the other side.

MOM'S SPIN

2008-02-05T13:34:00.000-05:00

I used to roll my eyes heavenward every time my Mother put a new spin on and old superstition….or “stupid-stitions” as we kids called them. She had the kind of reasoning that put a positive spin on everything.

One afternoon, while having a relaxing cup of tea with her in the dining room, we were discussing the birth of my first nephew. I had made the comment that it rained on the day he was born, and I thought that to not be a good sign.

Mom put her cup back down into the saucer slowly and smiled. “On the contrary. God was actually shedding tears of joy at the birth.”

“Then how do you explain that it rained on my wedding day, and I am now divorced?”

It was her turn to roll her eyes heavenward. “Rain is not always a bad sign, Linda. No sign is good or bad. They are confirmations.” She lifted the cup to her lips and took a sip before continuing. “God was weeping tears of regret that you entered into that marriage. So the divorce, to me, was no surprise.”

I thought about this and in now, 20 years or so later, I know exactly what she meant. I supposed in Mom’s world, you really can win for losing!

WAITING ON THE WORLD TO CHANGE

2008-02-01T15:46:00.000-05:00

I am grateful to say, that in my lifetime I have been a part of some very historical events in the history of our country. From the 1969 Anti-War March on Washington and the first-ever rock festival in Woodstock New York to my work with N.O.W.,(National Organization for Women), I was a part of some pivotal events. I befriended people like Gloria Steinem and Bella Abzug and I worked tirelessly for the women’s movement by educating the women I met, spoke to, or shared experiences with.

Women only got the right to vote in the United States in 1920. Some of us have mothers and grandmothers who were born around that time, so it’s not that long ago, which I find amazing in terms of the big picture. Voting is the number one thing you can do to ensure your rights in this country. It is your voice, and the only one we presently have to speak to our government and show them we mean business.

For me, it is even more important because I am about to be a part of yet another historical event in our country. I am so proud to be witnessing a woman running for office of President of the United States!

Maya Angelou has come out in support of Hillary Clinton. In the new radio commercial featuring her encouraging and captivating voice, Maya Angelou says:

“As a child, Hillary Clinton was taught that all God’s children are equal, so as a mother she understood that her child wasn’t safe unless all children were safe.

I know what kind of president Hillary Clinton will be because I know who she is. Hillary Clinton has always been a strong woman and a passionate protector of families. For 35 years, that’s exactly what she has been doing.

Each generation of African Americans stands on the shoulders of those who came before. Today, the challenges facing us threaten the dreams we have had for our children. We need a president with the experience and strength to meet those challenges.

I am inspired by Hillary Clinton’s commitment and courage — a daughter, a wife, a mother — my girl.”

We no longer have to wait for the world to change…change starts when we have a First Laddy in the White House (and I am not misspelling the word.)

Like Kiann in Florida wrote me: "Hillary Opens People’s Eyes and that spells Hope.”

MEDITATION = COMMUNICATION

2008-01-31T12:20:00.000-05:00

I’ve been receiving a lot of emails asking how to receive signs from the other side. Let me quickly share, in one word, a surefire way I know to ensure communication: Meditation

To “meditate” is to mindfully go within oneself through our own oxygen and vibration. It is no secret that the more we breathe, the calmer we feel. It’s usually the first thing someone says to us when we are upset. “Take a deep breath and calm down.” The more oxygen we circulate though our bodies, the calmer our mind and spirit become. At the same time, that very act of breathing in this oxygen serves to mend and heal our physical body, and helps to prevent disease.

Meditation allows us to be focused and healthy, and that intention, through regular practice, is the single action that is responsible for any direct communication with the other side.

I would like to share with you a quick “centering” meditation.

Set aside a special “appointment” time for yourself when you know you will not be interrupted. Sit in a comfortable chair with your feet planted on the ground. Give yourself a few moments to become accustomed to the energy in the room. Inhale very slow, cleansing breaths by inhaling through your nose; and follow by exhaling slowly through your nose.

It is when we make a point to still the outside voices and listen to the internal ones, that we get the richest dialog. The longer you practice meditation, the more likely it is that you will be able to recognize signs that reveal messages from the other side and those who passed on. You will be further enriched by the guidance you will receive from your angels and guides.

That is really all there is to basic meditation.. However, if you need additional guidance, my meditation CD, Graceful Meditations with Linda Lauren, is available through our web site at www.LindaLauren.com or by going to amazon.com

I welcome your comments on the progress you make in meditation, and suggest that you keep a journal on your progress..

God bless!

SIGNS…SEALED AND DELIVERED

2008-01-11T10:23:00.000-05:00

Signs from the Other Side comes to us in ways that are unique to each person, the messages are magical only in their existence, not in the length of the words or what they may say. Each of our senses can deliver up a message from across the clouds. A name, a reminder or a long ago memory shared; a scent, a taste; or the way something feels.

A sign can come from any source, as it is your connection to the person who passed that enriches such communication. Perhaps you found a penny, a feather or heard the sound of chimes as a validation of your loved one’s message to you.

I don’t often share the real personal signs I receive, choosing to hold them close in private. However, I am going to break my silence and share with you the message I received from my angels and guides this year on Christmas Eve, and how that message was delivered.

Like everyone else, I have my moments of self-doubt. I sat this past Christmas Eve and was thinking about my life as a medium. I was feeling sad, as can happen during the holidays. The question that came into my mind was whether if, by being a medium, I was intruding on grieving families by giving the messages they came to me to deliver.

I asked, God and my angels and guides to help me answer that question. I was not in any kind of meditation, in fact I had been catching up on television that I had prerecorded and had not had the chance to see yet.

After asking that question, I turned the television back on. The movie The Note, (a Hallmark TV/movie) with Genie Francis, was one I had not finished viewing, and the show was in middle of the story when I caught up with it. The two principal actors were sitting on stairs talking. These were the first words I heard spoken, and I took the time to write it down word for word:

“You can either say to yourself: I’m intruding into the lives of these poor grieving people or you can say to yourself, I’m giving these poor grieving people the opportunity to talk to someone. Because in the end, what we all really need is someone willing to listen.”

WELCOME BACK

2008-01-11T10:13:00.000-05:00

I am re-introducing my blog, Medium Rare. Some of you may recall my earlier blog, and have asked me to pick it up again. So…here we are in a new year, with a new blog in which I hope to share with my readers some of the answers to the questions they have about all things psychic. Though I do not profess to have all the answers, I trust that my experience, along with the help of my spiritual teachers, can offer insight and clarification on many of the subjects that I am often asked about.