I have had the most wonderful day today. Two of my favourite cousins (and spirit sisters) and I spent the afternoon in the sun talking about all things spiritual. It was fantastic to share our views, agreeing on many and having our own opinion on others. It was perfect! I came home feeling so contented - even though my vocal chords were a bit sore for some strange reason.
It was fantastic to 'be'. We could talk about anything and everything, there were no limits. What answers we weren't sure about we explored options until we found one that 'felt right'.
There was a time when I could never have had such open and frank discussion with anyone about this. I hid that part of me away for many years, only showing people what I thought was 'safe' for them to see. I'd learnt my lesson, after being treated like 'the devil's spawn' for believing in what I did and therefore, according to them, turning my back on religion per se.
It was funny, the more I hid my true self, the more people turned up in my life who thought spirituality was voodoo or witchcraft, and always evil. I discovered there was more prejudice from those with religious beliefs rather than vice versa. I admit I found this a surprising revelation. It didn't seem to matter which way I turned, these personality types kept coming out of the woodwork, pushing my buttons. It was with relief I finally 'came out of the closet' and admitted my beliefs.
When I finally began living my truth totally, I attracted all these wonderful souls into my life. I found out that many of the friends I encountered afterwards as well as some of my existing ones (and that includes my amazing cousins) also had similar beliefs. It was liberating to be 'me' and actually talk about all aspects of the
Universe, swapping stories and experiences as well as opinions.
Here's the thing; If we aren't being true to ourselves, if we aren't being who we truly are and live within the integrity of our soul, the Universe sends us all sorts of random people who will push our buttons, to nudge us and remind us who we are. As long as we are living in dysfunction or at odds with our 'self', we will attract others who are doing the same - it's that same old energy story. 
When we have stepped into who we truly are, we then attract others who have done the same. I look back now and can see how often and how hard the Universe 'nudged' me....and I'm truly grateful. Living my truth is a hell of a lot better than living someone else's lie.
So if there is someone around you pushing your buttons, ask yourself, is there something I need to address? What is it that feels so raw when I'm around this person? Do I need to show who I am? Do I need to admit to myself what is my truth? Because sometimes, just sometimes, the Universe is trying to get you to rise to the occasion and show your true colours and stop standing in the shadow of perception!
Thanks to Joy & Shell for such an awe-inspiring and amazing day full of insight, love, laughter and sharing! Love you xx
with love, respect and integrity
Cherie xx

Tonight I'd like to 'chat' to you about the energy around you and how it affects  your life.
As some of you know my husband Butch passed away in 2008. I miss his physical presence and the love we shared on this earthly plane.
I was talking to a psychic friend in early 2010, who told me I was about to meet the love of my life, my soulmate and within the year I would be married.
This sent me into a state of panic. I still love Butch, who, I know with every cell
of my being, was my true soul mate. I wasn't in the market for a new man and the
fear that the Universe was going to push me into something I wasn't ready for
created all sorts of emotional turmoil for me. Even though I know this isn't how the Universe works, fear overrode any intelligent thought.
As soon as the words were uttered, I began to 'close down'. I stopped being friendly with any males, just in case I encouraged a situation to develop. I stopped going out socially and retreated back into my cave. ( I had only just started to explore my extremely 'different' life at that stage)
This morning I was thinking about what was said, my reaction and how my life unfolded at that time.
It never happened, because I didn't allow it to.
Although we are given the heads up about  opportunities and challenges in a reading, the Universe doesn't force us to comply. We always have freedom of choice and really speaking we do need to meet the Universe at least partway for a reading to become a reality.
We can't expect a new job to turn up if we aren't even considering a change of employment. We can't meet the love of our life if we never go out of the house. We won't win money if we never buy a lotto ticket. We'll never see the world if we aren't interested in finding out what's out there.
Alternatively, if you are told in a reading that something bad is about to happen, you also have freedom of choice there too. If you know about it, you can take the steps to change it.
Nothing is cast in stone. Life is ever-changing, as are we. It makes sense that the energy around us will either attract or repel.
The Universe will always extend a helping hand, but it is through personal choice and our actions that we decide whether we take it.
with love, respect and integrity
Cherie xx

For the last couple of months, I've been freelancing as a psychic reader for a couple of other companies. It wasn't about the money (because the payment was
extremely low) it was more about stretching myself, seeing what I was capable of doing. I was reading for people all over the world and it was kinda cool being
able to get visuals of people and places I had never visited..
 It was incredibly interesting to see that it doesn't matter where in the world a reading is purchased, most of the questions are similar - love, career, money, family. 
The difference was that I noticed that some people would pay for a reading every
week - it was as if they couldn't make a single decision without consulting a psychic. I found this incredibly sad that so many people give away their power to someone they think has all the answers.
As you can imagine I struggled with the flowery talk that some psychics use, but in
the end they decided I could just 'be me'! Hah! As if I would even attempt to be
anyone else!
Each of my readings had a message in it, empower yourself, believe in you, don't take any crap, you are cleverer than you think and you are worth more. I like to
think I made a difference. I did receive some feedback, so I know I changed a few people's perceptions of themselves.
It was kinda sad to stop doing it, but it was taking up way too much of my time for  no real financial gain. That makes it sound like I'm all about the money, but even psychics have to pay bills!
My message tonight is to remember you are a powerful being, you are intuitive, you
have access to inner wisdom, don't give away your power, ever!
A reading should be a tool, it should inspire you, empower you, encourage you and tell you things about yourself that you maybe hid away and needed a nudge from Spirit.
It can have guides, guidance and visits or messages from the other side, past life information and information that you have requested the reading to be about. It should never make you feel 'less than' or encourage you to become dependent on anyone. Think of it as turning on the GPS as you travel on your life journey.
with love, respect and integrity
Cherie xx

I was talking to someone about honesty, being honest to and with ourselves. This person was caught up in the idea that being honest with yourself and others was more about confronting someone about their behaviour or pulling them up when they went out of their way to hurt you.
This isn't what being about honest or true to yourself is all about. When we confront someone in anger, nothing we do or say will change who that person is or how they behave. It just creates more conflict and ammunition for the situation to snowball.
If someone tried to change our behaviour, would we? Could we? We are who we are, it isn't as if we can flip a switch and suddenly we are a different person or act differently.
The secret to living on this earthly plane is to accept everyone for who they are. We don't have to love them, or even like them, but we can recognise and acknowledge the divine spark that lies within.
There are people in my life I don't particularly like, but there is a part of them I love, so when we are together, that's what I focus on.
Don't be drawn into other people's dramas, because that means you own what they are talking about or angry about.
Every time you answer them or refute something, they gain power and you lose it.
Loving yourself for being honest isn't about confronting people, it's knowing that you are being truthful to yourself. You have the ability to tell yourself the truth, that you don't like how you are being treated, that you wouldn't do it to anyone else and its okay to be pissed off and hurt...but its also okay not to confront or take it any further. Acknowledging our emotions and feelings is extremely important when being honest with ourselves and true to who we are 
Everyone has their own 'map' of how an event took place, no two maps are the same, so you will never achieve anything by trying to get someone else to read 'your' map and admit its better. All you can do is acknowledge the maps are different and carry on with your life.
I'm not saying there is no reason to ever confront someone, but sometimes, it really
isn't worth wasting your energy when the other person is so headset in their own
'stuff' and won't listen anyway!
There are times when speaking your truth is vital, when you are being accused wrongfully of something, when you feel intimidated, undermined and many other occasions. However it's important to choose what it is you want to clash with people over, whether it's worth the aggravation, or whether you will just create more tension and achieve nothing.
It is also imprtant to remember that some people take their frustrations out on us when their life isn't going well or they are struggling for any number of reasons. I'm not saying this is right, but we have all lashed out at some stage when someone has crossed our paths at a time when we are irritated, angry or upset. And all too often, if two people are having issues, the effect can end up being a to and fro of words and accusations as both parties seek to find a way to release their pent up emotions and prove that they are in the right. Given that we have different maps and
Lets try to approach all situations with a clear head and a clear heart. Ask ourselves, is it worth creating friction for? Will it change the person? Will it change the situation? Can I handle this differently? Shall I speak my truth? Shall I walk away?
When we know the answer, we can then act accordingly...in honesty and within our self truth. 
with love, respect and integrity
Cherie xx



 

In this blog I want to talk about truth in relationships. Sometimes a relationship breaks down. There doesn't have to be a reason, it is what it is. Sometimes one falls out of love with the other, the magic disappears, or there may even be a third party in the mix. There's a part of us that doesn't want to hurt the other person. We try to pretend everything's okay, but we know it isn't and the
pretence is only skin deep. We can feel the truth within and it messes with our
energy vibration.
If we are the other person, we know something is wrong, but we can't put our finger on the cause...or maybe deep down we know what the truth of the matter is - we just don't want to face it.
Somewhere along the way lying becomes sanitised as protecting the other person. We justify to ourselves, 'What they don't know can't hurt them'. As we disconnect energetically from the person who loves us, they certainly know what is happening, but they are confused or try to block out the signals our energy is transmitting.
Did you know only 3% of our communication is through speech? The rest of it is based on our tone of voice, our body language, our actions, etc. So, if you believe you are protecting someone by not telling them you don't want to be with them to their faces, you would be better off telling the truth.
I come across the 'dance of deception' a lot both as a psychic and a healer. As I have said many times, I don't give readings based on whether you are being cheated on or die-by-dates, but it breaks my heart when I see how others treat those who love them. I encourage clients to open up to the energetic messages they are receiving, to acknowledge what they know deep within, but I would never ever tell them how their relationship is or should be. That is not my job. I'm in the business of reminding everyone about their personal and spiritual empowerment, I believe in building others up, not tearing them down.
There are some who would say that's pretty darned selfish of me - well, hey, I'm not the one who created the problem, or the one who is allowing it to linger instead of speaking my truth. I believe that the lesson for both parties is to be truthful, to utilise the kindness of telling it like it is, to let the other person know their true feelings and allow you both to move on.
Spirit doesn't want to become embroiled in our break-ups or philandering. These are lessons we must pass through, and the lesson is for both parties. By speaking truth and hearing truth, although there will be some hurt, it's far better than living in fear or confusion, isn't it?
And holding back the truth isn't restricted to marriages or partnerships. What about the friends we freeze out because they don't fit in our lives anymore, or they did something we can't forget or forgive? We're busy when they call, we don't answer the phone or we treat them coolly when we run into them. Don't they deserve the truth? Isn't if fair to assume they could seek out other friendships that would be more beneficial to their self esteem and sense of personal power?
Just to make my point clear, I am not passing judgement on anyone. I know that life is full of curve balls and hair-pin bends. What is our truth this month may be something totally different to next month. Someone we desperately love this year may be a distant memory by this time next year. That's how life is. That's how we, as humans, are.
However, I do believe our integrity is as vital as breathing. If we tell the truth, we never have to remember what our last lie was or get tangled in a web of deceit. Be true to you, be truthful and even though you may hurt someone, it's better than torturing them slowly until everything becomes sour and leaves a nasty taste in everyone's mouth.
with love, respect and integrity
Cherie xx

In 1999 I suffered from a back injury. I was told I would only ever live a sedentary life, that I could look forward to doing not much more than reclining on a couch for the rest of my life. In those days I wore a back brace and couldn't wear shoes with backs on them due to incessant pain. Walking or standing was difficult. For six months I passed most of my days, half sitting/lying on a couch. I kept myself busy learning how to write better, how to play the harmonica and reading.
For those six months I grieved for the body I had taken for granted. I'd been extremely active, exercised daily and felt that not being able to dance, do my household chores and even go shopping signified my life was over. I mourned not being able to play or lift my grandchildren if and when they eventually appeared in my life. 'Depressed' was too light a word to use to explain my state of mind.
Then one day, I decided no one was going to tell me my life story, that I was the mistress of my destiny and I had a choice. Gradually I worked on my muscles, I started walking a little each day, then joined a gym when I needed to step up my exercise program. We moved to Australia in 2003. At that time I would take a lift because walking up stairs was just too difficult and painful. We walked almost every day as well as attending a local gym. After six months, I was racing my husband, Butch up four flights of stairs.
Yesterday I went to the Botanical Gardens with my daughter and my wonderful grandchildren. As I was looking at the photos, I was reminded of how dark and dismal my life once felt. I was also reminded of my stubbornness and determination and willingness to adapt.
In the above photo, I am showing Ella, one of my granddaughters how to jump on leaves to create a satisfying crunching sound. Where once jumping was something I could never have contemplated, where walking for a long period of time was out of the question, where carrying either of my grandchildren wold have been considered an impossible dream, I now know that when we set our minds to it, anything is possible. We can overcome great odds, if only we believe in ourselves and trust that we know ourselves better than anyone else ever will.
Today I celebrate my stubbornness, my willingness to adapt and the resilience of my spirit. My back injury is by no means fixed or cured, but I have found ways to ensure I have a quality of life that far exceeds the dire predictions of doctors and specialists.
In my list of accomplishments I list being a massage therapist, a belly dancer, a fun grandma and an active participant in my life.
I thank those people who said I couldn't, wouldn't and shouldn't. They were the same people who inspired me to believe I can, shall and will. I am grateful for the encouragement they gave by being so negative, because it was within their negativity, I found the positivity I needed.
Are there people in your life or your past who you need to be grateful for? For without their input, you may not have strived to follow your dreams and to be all you can be?  Remember to thank them.
Sometimes events, situations and people present in our lives to prove how strong and amazing we can be...if only we try!
with love, respect and integrity
Cherie  xx

I have been doing volunteer massages on a weekly basis at a centre for senior citizens and  intellectually disabled people.
During this time I have noticed that there can be a certain 'musty smell' around those who don't get around much (said with love). I used to think was just associated with the older generation, as I remember smelling it around my grandparents as a child. I've come to the conclusion this is 'stale energy', when we aren't moving around or using the energy trapped within our bodies.
The last couple of weeks when I've come home, I've had a whiff of it as I work on my laptop at night and I couldn't understand why. I knew I'd had a shower and changed.
Tonight I mentioned it to my cousin, who asked if I thought I was bringing 'someone' home with me. Talk about an A-ha! moment! Now this might seem like a perfectly obvious explanation, considering what I do. However, given that most of the people I massage for have reached the age where they have lost a lot of loved ones, I usually shut myself down completely before I leave my house. It would be just too overwhelming (and noisy) otherwise and I wouldn't be able to focus on what I'm really there to do.
I sat on my couch and talked quietly to a beautiful, frail female spirit. I asked her to put her hands in mine, to trust that I would help her. I reassured her that there was nothing to be scared of, I would help her to cross over. I could feel the tingling sensation in my hands as she did so. I told her I was calling the angels to come in and take her to love and light. She was quite anxious and I explained they wouldn't take her unless she was ready and willing. I would stay right here with her until she felt the time was right.
The room became warm and I knew her escorts had arrived. There was a knock at the door (two light taps) and as soon as she saw them she 'flew' across the room to be greeted with open arms. It was beautiful and happened so fast, I didn't even have time to say goodbye to her. Isn't that so wonderful? Her fear was unfounded. As soon as she felt the unconditional love, she knew she was going home and it was where she wanted to be. I would like to believe we will all feel that magical moment when it's our time, and if we don't, I hope that someone will help us to discover it.
with love, respect and integrity
Cherie xx