Every once in a while, the question about life purpose comes up in a reading. This is completely understandable, because all of us want to know at one time or another if we're on the right track in life, doing the right things that align with our higher calling and ultimate eternal destiny.

Life purpose can be a slippery thing. We all have an Ultimate Purpose: to give and receive love freely and generously. That purpose never changes, because it is the purpose that every living being is called to live out.

But then things get more refined. The reality is that we have layers of purpose in our life. There is the Ultimate Purpose, then there are longer-range purposes, such as healing from childhood trauma, learning to be more forgiving, rising to challenges, rather than running from them, accumulating knowledge and sharing it with others, being a peacemaker, and more. 

And then there are shorter-range purposes, such as doing my current job well, raising a family, establishing our independence, and entering our elder years gracefully, to name a few.  

There are even micro-purposes, like forgiving the person standing in front of us, offering a smile to the stranger we see, and choosing the option that gives us a greater feeling of freedom, and many, many more.

This is not to say that I dodge the question of purpose when it emerges. I only want to call attention to the reality that there are many purposes at work in our lives, and as we stay more and more open to Spirit, we begin allowing Spirit to work through us, and our purpose automatically becomes recognized, chosen and fulfilled, which brings us a strong sense of peace, contentment, passion and purpose!

There are people who do something called trance channeling as a way of Mediumship. When that happens, the spirit of the person who passed speaks through the channel, who is in a hypnotic trance. 

While that is a form of mediumship, it is something I do NOT do. There are many reasons for this, and the biggest one is that you can never be quite sure who is coming through. On top of that trance Mediumship is a form of possession, which can leave serious spiritual and emotional scars on the person doing the channeling. 

Mediumship in itself is like a connection, mail carrier, and reporter rolled into one. Think of it like this: If we think of the physical plane as Island A and the Other Side as Island B, there is a bridge that connects these two islands.

The bridge is not the medium. Instead, the bridle is the love that we have and share with the people who have passed. My job as the medium is to get into a boat and go under the bridge, describing the traffic of validating symbols, messages and emotions that are constantly going back and forth on that bridge of love.

There are moments in life when things happen that simply don't add up. Sometimes it's losing your phone in the store. Other times a family pet runs away, never to return. Still, there are other times, when life just seems stacked against us for no apparent reason at all.

This situation emerged during a recent reading. During the reading, Carrie talked about a recent experience that was clearly being given to her by her guides: flashes of light during the funeral of her father, who had died suddenly.

The guides were clearly trying to communicate with her. As I contacted her guides, they kept indicating that they had prepared her for this moment, and they wanted her to know that she would be fine. Of course, Carrie wanted to know how they had prepared her, because that made no sense to her.

As she sat with it in silence for a few moments, I telepathically asked her guides to show her what they meant, that she was completely confused. At that moment, her eyes widened, and a light of recognition showed on her face.

"Now I get it!" she said. "I had been reading a book about near-death experiences, just out of curiosity. And then I lost the necklace my husband had bought me on our anniversary. I was desperately sad, and I had to just let it go, which was do hard to do. And then I accidentally closed the car door on my finger, which hurt so bad, and left a mark for weeks, and I had to get through life with a lingering ache. I think these were all preparing me for this."

The lights flickered slightly. A sign that the guides were acknowledging her insight. They said that they hadn't caused any of those things to happen, but they had inspired her how to handle those situations, so that she could build her "grief muscles", in preparation for the loss of her father. She had learned more deeply how to let go, to get her through life with loss, and that death was not the end.

So be open to those graced moments when things aren't going your way. Guides are preparing us for what is ahead of us. That doesn't mean that someone is going to die, as in this case; it means that we are learning, growing, maturing and evolving in our spiritual strength.

Last week, I had written about the pink aura and its significance. Today I want to continue the discussion of little-known aura colors with the strange mustard-yellow aura.

This particular aura color is not really associated with the "standard" yellow aura. Instead of being connected to the solar plexus, this aura is paired with the health of the entire physical body.

When the mustard yellow aura is present, this is a sign of sickness in the body. Sometimes it may emanate from a specific spot in the body, or it may be just a general color in the outer aura. If it is from a specific spot, then there is a possibility that this spot is affected, or has been recently affected, by illness of some sort. If the color is more generalized in the outer aura, then the person has an overall feeling of sickness, or feeling "off" from their usual selves.

A word of caution is in order. This is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. These are simply intuitively received signs of the auric field regarding the physical body. Only a qualified medical professional is able to diagnose or treat illness!

Many times I am asked about how you can develop psychic abilities. Of course, there are many exercises that focus on each of the psychic senses.

One of my favorites is psychometry - the ability to gain vibrational information from the sense of touch. By simply touching an object, one can have amazing intuitive and psychic experiences through the use of psychometry.

Here is a very good exercise to strengthen your psychometric ability. This is best done with about five or six people, so this can be done as a sort of party game with friends.

1. Give each person a small piece of paper or post-it-sticky note, and have them write their name on the note and fold it into quarters. It is important that all the notes are folded the same way, and that the paper is all the same color.

2. Gather the papers together into a cup, hat, or even just onto a small table. Mix up the papers.

3. Pick up one of the folded papers and close your eyes, engaging your intuitive senses. What images, feelings or thoughts do you pick up? Voice those. Feel yourself drawn to a specific person, and give the person that paper.

4. Have the person unfold the paper and see if it is theirs. If not, see how close you came.  Verify the impressions you received with the actual person's paper.

The point of the exercise is not so much getting it to the right person, as it is the impressions you receive. So don't get overly focused on being perfect!

There are many things that we get right about the Other Side, and there are others things that are less-than-accurate, if not completely wrong.

One misconception is that on the Other Side, everyone is perfect, there aren't any issues to deal with, and, essentially, the minute you physically die, everything is taken care of.

The reality is far different. Once you die, you go through a Life Review, during which you go through your life, much like watching a videotape. As a friend of mine had once put it, "You sit down with God and watch the movie of your life, and God asks you what you can show him about your unique ability to love on earth."

During the Life Review, we are given the opportunity to accept our mistakes, as well as realize that the good moments of triumph are really when Spirit was working and moving through us, rather than ourselves. This can take a long time, or short time, depending upon how you lived your life on the physical plane. If you've closed yourself off from love, both expressing and receiving it, then it's going to be a long experience. If you have cooperated with love, then that time shortens considerably.

Then there is the rehabilitation period after the Life Review, as we heal from the shortcomings of our life. Again, this takes some time. (Of course, you're in eternity, so time is of little consequence!)

Once through this rehabilitation, we begin the process of learning and growth. And then that is shared amongst others with us on the Other Side, as well as with people on the physical plane.

Essentially, the Other Side is a place of ever-deepening love, healing, and growth. 

Astrology is a fascinating study in the interplay of human personality, behavior, and the movement of stars and planets. I am sometimes astounded at the synchronicities that emerge when I compare someone's astrological chart and reading with their actual life as it has unfolded in the past, and as it evolves into the future.

That being said, there is a big question that looms in the background, about whether the stars and planets really determine our future.

During a reading a few years ago, the answer was revealed, and it came as quite a surprise. It's not that the stars determine our lives, but that our lives are reflected in the universe around us.

The universe is an amazing place, and in its complexity, there is a sort of design in all this that defies our complete understanding or comprehension. Much like a child peering over to see the tabletop, we are only glimpsing the most elementary aspects of reality.

When you were born, its not that the positions of stars and planets influenced your personality, but that the stars and planets reflected the great event that was your birth. You see, the fact is that the birth of every child is a tremendous event, and the heavens reflect the impact of that event. As such, the stars and planets reveal aspects of your personality and life as a celebration of your birth!

So when a horoscope is cast, it's looking at the mirror of your life in the stars and letting you know the realm of possibility in your life. You are still making choices, still discerning your path, and the stars are merely pointing out influences (known and unknown) in your own interior life that are affecting how you make those choices. It's not Fate; it's still a choice for you to make in your life. 

The Aura is a field of energy that every living thing emits. Through the gift of clairvoyance (clear seeing), an intuitive can perceive these energy fields in color, and understand more information about the plant, animal, or person emitting the aura. The colors of the aura will change, depending upon the history, circumstances and situation of the animal, plant or person.

There are many resources that talk about the main aura colors. However, there are fewer resources that discuss the more subtle, finer and lesser-known colors.

Pink is a color that will emanate in the aura, often out the top of the head, extending upward, much like the spout of a fountain. It is very easy to miss, as it often blends in the the physical surroundings, due to its lightness and transparency.

When pink is perceived, this is a strong connection to the unseen world, to the divine, and to the Other Side. The person who has this connection often possesses great potential in connecting with higher realms, able to perceive angles, guides and even deceased loved ones. 

On the flip side, people with this pink coloring in the aura tend to be more insecure, needing confidence, courage and affirmation from others to develop their own unique potentials in life. 

It was a wonderful day at Aurapalooza this past Saturday. On the 3rd Saturday of each month, I make a little trip to the Minneapolis area to join with other psychics, mediums and healers to provide readings through the day.

Aurapaloozas are at the Center for Intuitive/Spiritual Development (8 W. 66th in the Hub Shopping Center in Richfield, MN), operated by Renowned psychic and medium Echo Bodine.

They are always a fun time, with plenty of variety, and a chance to meet other people with similar interests and gifts.

The next Aurapalooza is on Saturday, July 20th. I hope to see you there!

Your Angels are constantly communicating with you, often through various signs. The fact is that our angels are always encouraging us, consoling us and guiding us in new directions. When we are attentive to their signs, we know that heaven is supporting us, and that our lives are moving forward on a good path.

There are three big signs that are often missed:

1. Coins. While coins are sometimes left for us as signs from deceased loved ones, our angels often will give us coins as a sign of their love, protection and help. When you find a coin and feel a warmth, almost like a hug, know that your angel is giving you a clear indicator of encouragement and love.

2. Music. This is more of music in your head than on the radio or other device. Spontaneous music coming into your mind is often the message of your Angels. Pay attention to how the music makes you feel, as heaven often communicates in the language of emotion. Also pay attention to any lyrics that surface for you, as they point to a central message that your Angels are trying to communicate to you.

3. Feathers. Feathers will show up at times when we need consolation in troubled times, or courage in our anxious moments. When you find a feather, realize that your Angels are sending you a clear sign that their wings are gently blowing away the fear and anxiety around and within you, helping you to feel peaceful, calm and empowered. 

There are many more signs, such as clouds, flashing lights, and even hearing from your Angels directly.

Watch for these and other signs from your Angels in the coming days. You'll be glad you did!