Getting Started on Fasting....

**Talk on Fasting this Sunday at West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen, West Cork 

After my posts yesterday….I had quite a few questions and inquiries about fasting. So, I wanted to take a bit of time to answer the most important thing about getting on the road to better health; how to get started fasting.

Fasting, by the way, is one of my top 3 ways of all time, that have changed my life over the years and I highly recommend it to anyone. My other two are Oil pulling (extensive use of essential oils for healing inside and out) and deciding to be completely natural in my health & healing approach to all our physical, emotional, spiritual and energetic needs (read no drugs, no Night Shades & no chemicals).

My own personal journey with fasting started out officially in 2001 – when I embarked on a 72 hour water/herbal tea fast after doing 30 days intensive detox diet. I felt terrific after that initial experience and it was a game changer for me.

Since then, I consider fasting an integral part of any healthy lifestyle, weight loss, healing, cleansing, detox approach to eating, because our gut flora needs periods of food, feasting and fasting. That's right, you 'need' and benefit from periods of no food and have actually a digestive system geared for it.

It really is this simple.

So now, back to the topic at hand – how does one get started fasting?

Of course, the easiest and best way to get started is to pick a day and then just jump in! That’s basically what I did – I woke up one morning, said ‘enough of this’ and decided to fast again. I took in water, herbal teas, lemon juice and maple syrup, mainly, in those days.

However, you can also prepare yourself a little bit by doing several mini-fasts of 24 hours, then 48 hours, 72 hours and so forth. I’ve done those as well. Pre-planning Mondays for example, each week to give your system a break and only drink juices, smoothies, herbal teas or even water also works.

Remember, water (chemical free) is great!!! It is the single most nourishing liquid on this planet and yes, I have done water fasts….last year we did 30 days parasite cleanse on water (apparently the only real way to get rid of the nastiest ones). Grueling – but again, another huge shift for me, and something I am pleased to have done. 

Have I mentioned I did my Masters thesis for Exercise & Nutrition Science on the study of water?  (don't get me started on water LOL). We need water far more then we need food, that should tell you something really important right there - water heals, clears, cleans and shifts energy.  

To get started on your fast – follow these steps:

1. Pick a day but don’t over plan it, or make it that Tuesday, 3 weeks from tomorrow. Really, just jump in, where you are, with what you’ve got going on right now.

2. Pick up a couple of fasting helpers….I wish I knew all the little things that make fasting so much easier, years ago. I did it anyway, but now it’s that much better with my Rebel Juices (fermented probiotic drinks), immune boosting, detoxing and nourishing Herbal Tea Blends and Rebel Foods Tinctures.

3. Think about a goal/aim/purpose or reason why you need to fast and have that as an incentive. It could be something material such as a new iPad or a goal for your job, health, relationship, weight loss, writing – the lists are endless. Fasting heals inflammation rapidly by the way.

4. Get a journal and do some writing while you fast or have a project ready such as closets to be cleaned, an office to be sorted or something to keep you busy – you will have time & energy to do things like never before.

5. Fasting has a unique Spiritual element that can only be compared to being One with Nature, walking with gods and opening up inwardly like never before. Be prepared to get to know yourself on a whole new level. 

And that’s about it! The important thing here – is to fast while you are living your life, going on a ‘retreat’ from the world sounds lovely, but hardly practical. So carry on with your normal activities – we exercise, work, and do all the things that we normally do while fasting – only with a little more focus! LOL

Lastly, make no apologies for choosing to detox, heal and move forward with your life (I don’t feel the need to tell everyone I am fasting) nor do I explain my reasons if people comment in a negative way.  

I’m doing what I need to do. Moving right along….

April  

I was so impressed with fasting - I wrote a book about it! The Pagan Diet is about my life changing experiences 

Spiritual Detox

Spiritual detox is a term that I have been mulling over for quite some time - long before I even had much of an idea where this path would take me. I remember as recently as a year ago, trying to get at buried toxins that just seemed to be far more stuck than others and wondering why this was so.

Of course as time moved on and I kept moving forward with the Master Cleanses and fasting, I moved far more deeply into my own body than I ever have before. The one thing that became clear to me ( I have mentioned it here several times) is that these wounds of the spirit are by far the most profound.

Along with these wounds, like a poison arrow, there are toxins and built up debris that must be moved out in order to heal and restore ultimately moving on from spiritual resistance. All of this makes perfect sense and this is precisely the sort of material a good detox will remove. However, there are other issues of the spirit at work here and this is what I would like to talk about.

Firstly, how many of us (for a long time, me as well) would stay in a  negative environment, relationship, situation waiting for the 'signal' or sign or some indication that the lesson was over - meaning that we could now move on. Most likely only to repeat this all over again.

Secondly, are there still those out there walking and talking the language of spirituality, while readily sacrificing their dreams, hopes, desires, purposes and ultimately souls - believing that to give so much of the self away is part of what is asked of us? That this path will cost us absolutely everything, with nothing left over for us?

I am asking just these two simple questions because for some reason, there seems to be a lot of wrong information floating around about exactly what is asked of us by 'spirit' and how much we 'should suffer' before we are pure enough to open up to higher levels of consciousness. 

Anything that you do or allow to be done to you, to cause suffering to yourself or your body is not spiritual in any way. Pain, emotional, physical, psychic, energetic - whatever - serves to push you out of yourself away from the direction naturally mapped out for us. Discomfort and challenge are not on the same vibration as pain.

Likewise spending time in negative environments with those who do not care to understand who or what you are (or worse) is a contamination of the energy field. Your body cannot possibly maintain good health (mind and soul equally) when you immerse yourself in these lower vibrations consistently. 

This all being said, doesn't meant that you have to completely back away from all and everything - not entirely. However, you do have to carefully consider who and what you want to become, where your journey will take you and if hanging around those who have no spiritual leanings is beneficial.

For the most part these two issues will mainly revolve around the work you do and those in your wider circles. Often our immediate family are all from one soul group and we will be on a similar track together. You will not be taken from love. 

What is being asked of us, one and all who walk the talk, is to unbelieve some of these spiritual 'rules' that have little to do with higher consciousness. Awareness grows and moves from cell to cell within our bodies - anything that we might do to interfere with that process can cause imbalance to our system.

Perhaps it is time to end the pattern of suffering and embrace something new. Isn't it interesting that the opposite of suffer is thrive, flourish  and prosper? 

Have a wonderful day,

April

Borage in the herb garden

Looking For Love

As you may know already, I am on day 8 of a 10 day Master Cleanse which I started with the firm intention of removing blocks, breaking down walls and navigating my way around obstacles that were generally holding me back from living my dreams.

Here I am breaking down these walls around my heart and all I am thinking of is love - of course for me, I always start a query by looking it up - love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment that you feel for another person. Ok. But, that doesn't fill in all of the blanks for me yet. 

What else is love? What does it mean to me and why do I curl up and move away from people who throw this word around so easily? I write in one of my books that there must be different levels or degrees of love - because I can hear this word and want to run or 'feel' it and want to stay.

So, love must be far more than just an emotion, or a word and even an action. If love is what you do, who you are, the things you are passionate about and your inner soul/heart/being all wrapped up into one package - why are so many people afraid of it?

I am not entirely sure that I will be able to explain this but I will give it a try. From my observations, love is a force and not just any force it is THE central force of the Universe. Being a force it is strong, deliberate and certain. When I look up the word force I find - 

~ force is any influence that causes an object (insert person here) to undergo a certain change in movement, direction or structure

When we allow those words and meaning to sink in a little, it makes sense that being around 'love' or witnessing the power and strength (force) of love can be quite unnerving for many people because that is pretty awesome stuff.

Love then is an emotion or state of being and place inside of us, once we re-gain our inner spaces, where this force resides. To be perfectly honest, I am surrounded by love, and I do many of the things that I love to do, however, it has taken multiple cleanses, years of detox and walking a spiritual journey to take me just to the door of love inside of myself.

When I make connections to all else that I am doing in my life, these facts inform me of something vitally important here - that the food we eat, the water we drink, the people we spend time with, the work we do and the lives we have been living - have all conspired to push us as far away from the power of love as possible.

If our physical bodies are filled with fear (from television, radio, food, medication, unhappy relationships, dead end jobs etc.) then there is no room left for love. Or, love is pushed and squeezed into tiny far reaching corners of our beings, cut off and disconnected from our energy flow. 

Most of us live this way, experience our entire lifetimes missing out on the key element that makes us unique and gives our human species unlimited potential. Love is a force which is an energy drive or source of power. And we don't even know that we have it. 

Living the way we are living, burying ourselves in layers of debris and toxins, digging these holes and falling into patterns that keep us trapped and held back... it is no wonder that so many are frustrated, tired and angry with life and just want things to change. You, however are the only one that can decide to do the work that it takes to create the changes that you want in your life.

May the force be with you,

April

Schull by the harbour

Top 5 Ways to Unblock Energy

Top 5 Ways to Unblock Energy

My mission over these past few days that I have been following my July Master Cleanse has been to focus on areas of blocked and resistant energy. I have been listening, talking to and working with my body but focused on mainly my heart area as that feels to be the key to all of this.

Today is only day 3 of the 10 days but it appears to have hit me like a brick wall or perhaps I am the one who has hit the wall. And I think that this just might be the wall that I have to break down or get over somehow.

Tonight I am feeling tired, but not tired (like it comes from some other place), heavy in my heart and just now as I was tuning in to exactly what I was experiencing, it is as if there is an echo or an emptiness. I have found the block that I was after – so now what to do about it?

Of course, a cleanse is all about cleaning out areas, tissues, organs and cells at the deepest levels to remove toxins, reduce inflammation and generally restore harmony to the body. I know that this cleanse will do the work that needs to be done here – I am only required to support it.

I have been doing a few things to encourage the energy to move as I am an old hand at this (smile), however, this is deeper than I have ever gone before and I guess each successive Master Cleanse will be like this from now on. I have days, weeks and months of fasting under my belt and no two times have been alike.

This time around I am doing the following 5 things mainly to open up this blocked energy and get at the underlying pattern;

Cleanse

The physical act of cleansing on its own pushes the toxins to the surface creating movement in any area of stagnant energy. Sort of like an osmosis – water flows and pulls out embedded poisons and clears the debris. Any time spent cleaning the body inside and out is worthwhile leaving you feeling refreshed and renewed afterwards.

Music

I love music and all kinds of music –  this is often the first thing that I do with my day – listen to some music, usually loud and upbeat. These past few days I have been listening for all sorts of tunes from country to rock to classical –  and I have found that this has helped to open something that was tightly closed. Perhaps that is the magic of music, the notes and harmonies work with our body on several levels at the same time; it can penetrate where other things cannot.

Movement/Dance

Any form of physical activity, movement, exercise and especially dance takes us into and connects us with our innate energy flow. Energy can become erratic, spiked, congested and many other things – movement works to re-align the energy field, smoothing out the configuration and allowing structure or shape to be more defined. This should be a gentle process when necessary and dance can be a great way to encourage re-patterning within the energy matrix. Dancing brings us back to self – to put it simply, where there is more self arriving, there is little room for blocks. I always feel better when dancing or exercising and I try to do this often, having small children helps as they love to dance!

Nature

Nature is all about grounding, connecting and feeling apart of something grander, bigger than ourselves. When we are out in nature with the intention of making these connections, repair can take place to reverse the damage of blocked and resistant energy. When we are blocked in any way, we have interrupted these energetic ties to our own world and can lose our bearings quite easily. Using nature as part of our overall healing process brings us back into this level of awareness which then serves to help dislodge the block.  These past few days I have been walking, working in the garden and taking pictures when possible, spending time outside.

Creative Work (writing, art)

I do many things that might be considered creative, I write, I love to cook, bake and create with food,  we grow herbs for my teas and keep a large garden. And even though it would not be something that I would show to others, I enjoy painting, colouring or using pastels. When I am working on an art piece I approach it in the exact same way I would a reading on someone – my body, mind and spirit go into a new realm and something just flows. In this instance it would be colours, textures and shapes giving voice to feelings and thoughts.

~~~

These are some of the ways and means that I have been using to find these blocks in my system and then to uproot them and hopefully begin the process of removal. I am not naïve enough to think that this will happen all in a day or even during this cleanse. Often these energy blocks have existed for lifetimes and will take careful effort to dissolve, however, this is all part of the journey that I am on and I am pleased to have come so far. 

Let's see what tomorrow brings,

April

Interesting Dreams Last Night

It was another one of those nights where I must has been sleeping very deeply because it felt as if I went very far away. I have been thinking about it since I got up this morning and it seems as if the longer I cleanse and fast then the more access I re-gain to my body, so it only makes sense that I am going more deeply into my body tissues and cells thus the deep sleep and dreams.

This is significant for me in particular because I have not ever slept well or deeply and in fact would have been a light sleeper all of my life waking at every creak and sound. I still wake easily, but I feel better in the morning because I feel as if I have 'slept'. Some of you out there may know what I mean! LOL

So, today I feel rested again and as usual post fasting/cleanse I can certain that there has been another positive shift in myself. This time my dreams were showing me leaving an old hotel that I had been staying in, it was expensive and I had already paid (dearly!) but was still in the process of checking out. I was packing up getting ready to leave and it felt good, however there was no mention of where I was going, it was just interesting the things that I was finding as I was packing, because there were items that were not mine.

Clearly there are more changes on their way to me and us and I am starting to get excited about it all.

For those of you still on the outside of this fasting circle having a peek in, following day on/day off fasting is like taking regular baths where a layer of grime is removed each time. Doing seasonal Master Cleanses is like a long soak in a tub where you come out squeaky clean and ready to move on with your life in a new way.

Of course, each time your body resets, adjusts, clears and just works far better steadily moving back to the ways it was designed to function. There is nothing that compares to this process and not one thing that could be better. You have got to try this and see for yourself!

Have a sunny day, where ever you are,

April

Suffering, Crime and Punishment

What exactly does suffering have to do with us? As therapists, healers, energy workers or even as human beings? And why would we think that this suffering leads us any where but to more negativity - just whose concept is this?

When I look up the definition of suffering - I come across something very interesting; it is described as pain in a broad sense but more importantly fear, unpleasantness and aversion with the perception of harm being done to the individual. This is far more serious stuff than an association with things being a little difficult for us simply because we chose a tougher path.

What if I was to throw a thought out there into space - that our suffering increases because of these choices that we are making, yes, however they are increasing because someone or something wants us punished as a result of making them. The higher levels of spirituality have been considered to be the exclusive domain of only a chosen few, usually men for the past two thousand years or so.

I have long said that if you are not using it, someone else is using it for you. This same energetic rule applies here for higher consciousness, the years that we have spent in the lower realms while pushed out of our higher self have allowed open access to others up to no good. It appears to me as if they then set up some internal 'trap' to send us into a punishment pattern once we attempted to regain entry into our private spiritual sphere.

So there you have it. If you are currently suffering or feeling as if you are being punished for making the choices that you have made and thinking in new ways about your life and dreams, then this is likely an energetic pattern that has been turned on by your presence in this space.

A very good reason to plan a detox or 10 day Master Cleanse very soon! 

Have a great day,

April

Swans in Lough Hyne, a very sacred place, lovely energy!

Final Day of My Mini Cleanse

And of course 3 days into anything and I am only just starting to get into the grove! LOL But, this has been a very productive 3 days and continues to be with my mind feeling relaxed and clear. I must say that I really like this feeling of heightened perception and clarity about life and the tasks I set out to do.

One of them has been to make some changes to my website (which is soon to be replaced) and focus on this blog. I am actually enjoying this process of creating and the things that I am learning about the internet, coding and using these tools. All great stuff.

Physically over the last 2 days I was a little tired at times and then it would shift and I would feel a surge of energy. Now today it is all energy and I feel as if I am flying. Usually by day 3 of any cleanse or fast the adjustment period is over and you will feel fabulous. 

My husband is doing this with me and had been sand blasting at work which always bothers his lungs, he was in pain each time he coughed or sneezed, this has also now shifted and his lungs feel clear again. 

I am actually thinking of doing another 3 days at the end of next week before I have to decide on when I will do my  July 10 day Master Cleanse. We'll see how this goes as I have lots of cooking to do (: in the next few days and that might be a challenge as I would like to be able to taste test everything (a few times!).

Enjoy your Saturday,

April

A large moth outside our house, that survived the rain storm!

Lough Hyne

Yesterday in honor of the Water Festival weekend we decided to go for a walk near Lough Hyne (Baltimore) - it is an ancient place with an abundance of history and magic. We walked up the hill in the nature reserve which took us to the top called Soldiers Look Out. There were lots of steps, tight spots and overgrowth of trees - it was lovely and refreshing after our day of eating all that food!

The walk itself is very like life in general - a steady climb to the top, which can be difficult in places and pushes you to use your whits and keep your mind in a focused space most of the time. Then you will encounter a few areas where your mind can wander free and ponder the larger mysteries. While the path is mostly dark, once you near the top it will open up for the most magnificent view and bright light.

Something to look forward to on our own journeys, onwards and upwards. I have posted a few pictures below from our walk. 

Today after all the activity with the garden on the weekend etc, we are back to fasting to give our digestion a break and I am already thinking ahead to when it would be best to start my July Master Cleanse, I can hardly believe that it will be July so soon. However, such is life, carry on with this next part of my summer as I can see that this is having positive results for me.

Have a lovely day,

April

The path back down the hill 

The View from the top - you can see for miles! 

Lough Hyne 

Good Morning...

This weekend is usually known around the world as Mid Summer and St. John's Eve as it has to do with the changing seasons, solstice and to mark the summer growing season in a significant way. One thing that might not be very well known, but is an obvious link here, is to water.

And of course anything to do with water interests me greatly as I have long found that this substance is the number one healer, changer, shifter and the most grounded food on the planet. So, what are the links to water?

Well - John the baptist was the one who appeared to be using water to create change in people's lives through 'baptism'. This is very symbolic of using water to cleanse as it washes away all that does not belong in the body (cleanse or detox). The other most interesting link for me is that this weekend is an ancient Pagan water festival when on the morning of Mid Summer water would be found from a running stream and honored as part of the day (spirit of living water). 

So, this weekend is a water festival as well as a fire festival - buckets of water would be poured over participants usually to cool them from the heat of the sun, but also to symbolize cleanse and consciousness. Too bad it's not hot enough here for that!  

Either way, anything to do with water as the Universal healer is most welcome - the use of water (and herbs in water) is the only way that I have found that works in the body to do nearly any healing that needs to be done - weight loss, health, spiritual journey and detox.

Check out my book The Pagan Diet to find out all about what and how I eat, live and walk the path that lies before me. 

Have a great day! 

April

The Pagan Diet  

The Pagan Diet

My new book on living, eating and fasting for weight loss, healing and health is finally ready. If you would like to know all about how I live, the way I feed myself and my family and what it means to me - this is the book that goes into detail on food, fast and feast, master cleanses, detox and healing your body. Here I discuss the many things that I have found out about myself and the world as I follow the pagan calendar and celebrate each season of the body. 

To order a copy you can contact me by email, text or phone.

087 236 1616

028 34527

info@aprildanann.com

Back on Track

I think I am back on track here - sort of, in that I am feeling pretty good - my energy levels are better than they have been in a while and I find that I have loads of energy for exercise, my projects and everything else. In fact I see so much that I would like to do, I don't know how I am going to get to it all!

Its nice to finally feel this good in mind and body, the interesting thing is that I felt good before and have for years after I changed my diet and lifestyle, however this fasting takes things to an entire new level. 

The things that have been on my mind since I finished my Master Cleanse have been all about work or the kind of work (care) that we need to do for ourselves but sadly many of us never get around to it. Instead we spend our entire lives caring for others (children are not included here) - outside of our families.

And perhaps I could clarify a little more - not only are we caring for others but we are taking care of their issues, their worries, their stresses when we 'work' for someone other than ourselves. Often this work, leaves you with little time, energy or imagination to sort out your own stuff. 

One of the reasons this has come up for me now is mostly because I am talking to people who are so stressed out - and it is not with their own stress, but with the things that they take on from others. Stress appears to be the number one chronic 'disease' state that of course leads to any number of other conditions of ill health in the body.

These few days just following a MC or any detox for that matter are really nice in that your mind is very clear, your thinking is sharp and you are still moving from that empty space within to other parts of your life. So, lots of deeper issues can come up (and should) for you to process through. 

Tomorrow is the Summer Solstice and new moon - which is traditionally a very big day as it is the longest day of the year and considered Mid Summer in many places around the world. This year, I am reflecting on the work that I am doing for myself, sources of stress that are not mine and an inner balance that must be achieved. 

Nothing major!! LOL

Well, off to get my day sorted out here, hope its sunny where you are,

April

Lady's Mantle in my garden - I love how the early morning dew collects on this plant

Moving On...

We are only 1 day and half off of our Master Cleanse and already we have moved on - the transition was much faster this time round perhaps because it is summer and the weather is a little warmer. Or maybe it helps that we are busy in the garden and not really giving it much thought otherwise!

It also makes a huge difference that we have our upcoming feast to plan for Mid Summer and much to look forward to in the next week or so. For each of us, the MC meant something different as we go through the days and stages of the detox in various ways, however, the final outcome was the same - improved energy, brighter outlook and renewal in mind and body.

I also plan to jump right back into my day on/day off food and fasting regimen as well, because this is when I feel at my best and I want to keep that feeling. Today and perhaps this coming few weeks now, my focus will be on more and different exercise as well as some out door activities, my body just feels ready for some significant changes.

And change is ultimately what any of this work is all about - it doesn't matter if you are only starting out or have been at this for years in one form or another- there is always more to learn, more to understand and another road to travel down. Life is great when looked at through clear eyes.

Today I am hoping for some sun (I know its up there in the sky somewhere!) and am busy with other projects - while my mind is still reflecting back over these 10 days. I can tell you one thing about it right now - a piece of our soul came back, something significant, life altering and fantastic. 

Now, it just needs some time to unfold as it moves fully into its' place. Work well done.

Have a lovely day,

April

Evening Primrose in my garden yesterday

And We Did It!!

Another successful 10 day Master Cleanse has been completed and you know what? The first thing that I started planning was my next one for July....so it must not have been that bad after all. LOL

It was a strange night though perhaps because of the time of the year - I woke up around 3:30 or so and say a clear sky that never really got overly dark - so I got up deciding to watch the sunrise. By 4am, everyone else was up too and we were drinking our smoothies and talking about these past few days of our cleanse. In years to come I will remember this - the same way that I have always remembered the sun not setting but just dipping slightly below the horizon on these same few nights of the year when I lived in Labrador as a child.

Right now the sun is shining and we are all busy in the garden catching up with the weeding while getting some more seedlings planted which have been hardening off. And the MC is already fading into memory.

From where I sit right now, this was one of the most significant cleanses I have ever done and a tough one this time round too. They talk about mental toughness in sport, that this is a frame of mind you can develop which gives you an edge and can even boost your skill. I think that this is what has been improving for me as well.

To check in with how things stand after 10 days of liquids - lost 7 lbs, increased flexibility, improved attitude and it feels as if my mind has an even sharper edge. My thinking is clear, focused and the project that I am working on has really taken shape. I definitely feel as if a huge layer of toxins has been lifted once again and I am really looking forward to this weekends' Mid Summer Celebrations.

The summer Solstice is on this coming Wednesday and Thursday with a new moon, one of my favorite times of the year and I am really looking forward to the party (most of all the food!). I even have a few new recipes to try out this year, so a good few days of cooking and eating are most welcome.  

I am posting a couple of photos of this morning's early sky over Leap (in case you missed it!!)

Have a lovely day, see you tomorrow,

April

Early morning sky over Leap, West Cork

Early morning sun rise, Leap, West Cork

Day 10 - Nearly There

I am now in the final stages of my Master Cleanse - Day 10 with less than 24 hours before I break my fast and start gearing up for food again. This has been quite an experience I must say and at the end of it all - very good!

My body never ceases to amaze me at what it is capable of and how it then proceeds to systematically remove the old/unnecessary/toxic and clean house. I feel pretty good today and have felt good for the last few days in fact. Except for the rain...but oh well. That too shall pass.

This MC has been quite different from others that I have done and I think it is because it is simply deeper - perhaps I am finally getting into spaces and places in-between that I have wanted to get into for a long time. It certainly seems that way. I am feeling quite clear in my mind and body as well and my thinking is a little different again.

I feel more adventurous - as if some piece of my spirit or the girl that I used to be is coming back. Last night was a night of many dreams - only these were not the usual ones that I have during a cleanse, they were each about change, movement, traveling and setting things up - sort of like getting ready for something? Perhaps for any changes that are coming!

One dream that stands out was of me with a dog team and sled in the north of Canada, I was pretty far north, but realized I still had a ways to go and was sorting out fish to feed the dogs so that we could continue night and day on our journey. Very cryptic - I am thinking now even as I write this if my body would like me to continue for a couple more days on this cleanse...hmmm. Today will tell!

Other than that I am once again very pleased that I have made it this far - it is always such an accomplishment and my digestion always goes back to work so cleanly afterwards. Another point worth making here is that instead of feeling depleted after 10 days without eating, you feel nourished, taken care of, refreshed and ready to go. Remarkable really, because all that is taken in is water and the little bit of lemon, maple syrup and herbs. 

Well, off to see how this day plays out, talk to you tomorrow,

April

Here is another butterfly in the garden- they seem to love the sage

48 Hours to Go - Day 9

We are now officially in count down mode with less than 48 hours to go before we break our fast and start on the juices that will get our digestive tract moving again and prepared for food. This has been a far tougher cleanse than some of the others - comparable in many ways to my 40 day fast last year- perhaps because of the depths that my body has taken me this time around.

I have mentioned a little about it - of seeing fairies and into other worlds and realms - that is not unusual for me, being a Medical Intuitive, I am often drawn into those dimensions and can navigate my way around quite well. However, this time - it was to the darker energies of those worlds and for that reason this has been an intriguing few days to say the least.

So, what does that mean - I can't just throw that out there - darker energies and leave you dangling can I? Well, I have long understood that each and every realm, world and dimension has a dark side (why wouldn't it?) everything is not all love and light. Sorry to burst some bubbles out there - but there is a criminal element in everything. Just look around at the recession and the mess the world is in - but that's another discussion!

These past few days have taken me on a journey deep through some dark space where this criminal element resides (we can also look at it as old viruses that do not belong, candida, fungus, inflammation in the body - there is always a parallel) and things have been cleaned out of some of those areas. Very simple process really and some deep work on my body's part.

I feel pretty good, I did a lot of Yoga yesterday, stretching, some free weights, and re-bounder - just to keep my energy moving and because I felt like I had lots of energy to burn off. I have a very clear mind at this point and even in the rain it feels as if I can see for miles...

What I am now looking forward to is seeing how my body feels next week after I finish this 10 days - just to experience if some of the old inflammation (my knees, old scar tissue from a C-section and MRSA that I had a few years ago) has reduced even further and my body maintains this feeling of wellness. 

I will keep you posted,

April

You can't see it very well here - but there is one of our honey bees on the oregano in the garden!

And Then There's Day 8

Waking up this morning to the sound of the wind and the rain did not put me off the day actually - so I know that I have come through something huge in the past week or so. Something that has been too big to put down into words here or even to articulate to myself fully at this point - but it was dark, heavy and very old. As if from the beginning of my time here on earth.

So, how do I know that I have turned a corner and come out of the woods even a little bit? Music. Usually during a Master Cleanse I am listening to music non-stop - it can be like a craving. My body virtually asks for it and I play all kinds of music - like a balm for a body and soul laid bare.

But this time, not at all - there was no craving for music, no need for soothing sounds. It was as if my body was too focused and concentrated on its particular task that I could not allow myself to be detracted by anything or even comforted by sound.

That has all shifted this morning and I feel that I am back to myself as much as one can be while doing a 10 day intense Master Cleanse! I feel pretty good as well - good energy, skin is clear, my eyes are bright, and I have lost about 5 lbs or so. I always find that when you don't have much weight to lose you will not lose it. I have done these before and lost a stone and half in 10 days - but it needed to come off. Now, my body loses the toxins, fat and some water and not a lot of weight.

Today will be a good day, the others have also been good days, the difference has been that I have been so aware of moving through a dark forest and now it feels as if I have come out the other side. That some task, part of me that I had to find, change, alter, clean out - has nearly been done and now I will find my way back home.

Doing these cleanses and incorporating them into my life has become like pure magic on the physical level of reality. And all it takes is water, time, patience, commitment, and perseverance. It's not over yet - I will keep you posted.

Have a lovely day,

April

This is the Master Cleanse Juice - and ingredients - must be organic and clean water

And On the 7th Day...

Here we are, once again now on day 7 and deep into another detox cycle - each of us is keenly aware of it this time around as well. We are far more in sync as a family or a unit that is detoxing - quite remarkable actually.

Not much in the way of physical symptoms - I am feeling pretty good, really clear in myself and lighter in my stomach area. This Master Cleanse has gone deeper than any other before - with a lot of old dark, heavy 'things' coming up to the surface. I am relieved that perhaps some of this is moving out now and that progress is being made.

I am also having a lot of dreams and visions - I usually have visions or other worldly insight but when I get busy and preoccupied with the stuff around me, these often fade into the background. It is nice to have them back and to feel more in touch with other dimensions within myself. 

Yesterday was definitely a day for the other realms - there were fairies, animal beings, plants and trees with human form and all sorts of interesting creatures coming into view for me - each with their own wisdom or information to share.

I feel as if I am finally cleaned out enough to be worthy of that special link and communication with them again. And that is indeed what this Master Cleanse is comparable to - a gentle bath on the inside of my body to remove built up debris which ultimately hold me back in some way. 

It always feels good to get to this point in the cleanse because now I feel as if I have a chance to reflect back on these last 6 days and then decide if there are any other issues I would like to focus on - although most of the time my body appears to have its own agenda! LOL

I am also aware that I am not feeling as productive from a getting things done perspective this time around - I am resting more and reflecting a lot on what I am feeling. Each MC is so different so you just have to go with it and let it play out naturally. 

Well, off to get some things done, have a good one!

April

My son next to our Top Bar beehive at Skibbereen Market

It's Day Six!

We are now over half way there and I will have to say that this time around has been a lot tougher then the last Master Cleanse - however, not as difficult as some others that I have done in the past. I was thinking about it yesterday - years ago in 2001, I would find it hard to do just 3 days and be so happy with myself if I made it that far. My how times have changed!

So, for a six day mark check-in : rash on hands and foot nearly gone, very itchy at times, skin is clear and soft, feeling cleaned out inside again, good levels of energy, aches and twinges have gone, lots of flexibility, and planning to do some extra exercise today... I feel back on track.

This time around I am quite aware of even more old patterns rising up to the surface from the distant past. Yesterday I spent a good deal of time mulling over each of the ways I have been forced to conform to others rules, standards, guidelines, wishes and so forth especially in places of work. Conformity is all about losing your uniqueness, character and personality in a process of being molded into something you are not.

And I happen to think that this is a painful procedure - like the extraction of the soul piece by piece. Not a nice thought is it? As you can see, these are very deep and big issues that are coming up to the surface for me right now - and of course this is what is intended, to remove a layer of others energy in an effort to make room for my own to come back.

I did another Salt Water Flush this morning - the third one, we do these every other day during a ten day cleanse. And I am finally starting to feel squeaky clean on the inside. Its amazing all the stuff that gets loosened up and moved by this gentle process. 

I am already wondering what will surface today...hmmm

April

 This is my cat - after rolling in catnip in the herb garden...bliss!

Now Half Way There!

Today is the start of day five and it already promises to be another good day. We got a few things done yesterday - as is par for the course when doing a cleanse, as you work far more efficiently and of course a little faster.

As is usual for me, I am cleaning all sorts of things - inside and out. So I spent the morning cleaning things that needed to be sorted out and then out to the garden for some more weeding. Then, once I started in on the garden I stumbled across an ant hill which had to be carefully moved - very telling for a family doing a cleanse! Removing weeds and things that do not belong in the garden (the shadow self). 

I am feeling pretty good overall - a little sore this morning after all the bending, kneeling and moving things around with the weeding. However, I am far more positive today as I know that I really came through a huge detox cycle in the last two days or so. This is how it always seems to work, big detox cycle, the a small rest, then another big push inside the body to get another deep layer out.

And I am so pleased with having made a huge connection from these old energetic patterns in my life to the time I spent working in a place where I was treated horribly and felt bullied. Hopefully now some other big chunk of that old way of thinking/feeling is behind me.

A Master Cleanse is deep, this is hard work, it is ten days of intense focus and scrutiny on your inner being, emotional, spiritual, energetic, and physical patterns. Then allowing your body the time and space for these to move and come to the surface - while you listen, watch and work with all that surfaces.

To say that this can be the biggest commitment and perhaps one of the most important things that you might ever do, would be an understatement. Each of these has changed my life - a few days at a time and moved me to higher ground. 

I would not trade the time spent detoxing, fasting and cleansing for anything. Yes, it can be tough. I have days which are absolutely grueling. However, I had far worse in my life when I was eating poorly, feeling unwell and could not see the light at the end of each tunnel. 

With each MC, I am choosing my battles and the place where they will play out - and I am entirely in charge. This is all about power, change and taking back control of my life from the inside out.

Something to think about....

April

The Fourth Day

This is day number 4 and things are really moving for us all - this cleanse is definitely all about a job that I had for several years way back when and the many things that I took on board but also the way that it deeply affected me. I can clearly see now how much it changed my perspective of life, the way that I looked at things altered - I no longer felt valued, useful, interesting or even valid as a person.

After that job was done with me, I felt like nothing. And I cannot compare it to anything else that I have ever done in my life or even experienced before or since. What job was it you might ask? I worked for the government for nearly 6 years as a Food Hygiene Inspector. The job itself was very interesting and I enjoyed many parts of it - the politics, the lack of communication and the people are what did me in.

And I was quite pleased to leave it behind when I moved to Europe. So, why is this all coming up now during a Master Cleanse and what could it all mean for the bigger picture? The only thing that comes to my mind is that some part of me has been stuck back there and I needed to re-claim those pieces of myself.

The MC is designed to remove debris that has been lying around inside of our bodies for a long time and get it safely into a place to be eliminated. And that is exactly what is happening each time that I do this. I know that I am going more deeply into myself because I have been working backwards in time with each cleanse - stripping away further layers and levels that had been built up.

I was a little bit non-commited going into this cleanse - only because I was so uncertain of the plan my body had in store for me. Now that I know for sure the part of my past that is being purged, I feel much stronger and quite re-assured that my body always knows exactly what it is doing.

Of course the confusion was coming from the part that was about to be purged - because that is exactly the way that they operated, keep everyone in the dark, create a layer of confusion, do not talk about what is happening and do your job. As if you are completely blind, stupid and kept in a constant state of fear. This environment served to only push me out of my body to such an extent that it requires a series of cleanses, detoxes and fasts to get back into those spaces. And I am delighted to be getting back into these places in my body once again.

Such a splendid place to live - in one's body! 

Well, let's see what the rest of the day brings, its only getting better. 

April