Michelle L. Raymond

Connect to your sacred inner wisdom with help from the ancient guides, leaders and seers from days forgotten.

A personalised reading can bring light to your questions, guide your next steps and clear your mind from doubt.

Choose between 4 types of readings:

1. The 1 card question
2. The card cross
3. The 3 card question
4. The Celtec spread (my personal favourite)

A challenging and highly introspective session to get you in touch with that which is hidden, trapped, denied and rejected within you.

This is a chance to really expand yourself in new ways.

The only way to grow is to get out of your comfort zone. Are you ready to be unleashed?

Are you feeling lost and disconnected from yourself?
Do you need some guidance and support but aren't sure who to ask or where to start?

Everyone needs a little help on their journey.
I hold the space for you explore and figure out for yourself what your next step is and what you need to take it.

If you would like to take your personal development and spiritual growth to the next level, then this package is for you!

This offer includes 4 x 60-90 minute personal coaching sessions to further your journey of awakening and actualisation.

What to expect:

The first session sets a foundation for the journey and usually deals with blocks, limitations and blindspots, as well as an assessment of your personal well-being and how your daily habits are serving, or not serving you.

The second session dives deeper into what was uncovered during the first session, including a further investigation into your thinking patterns and childhood.

The third session builds on the previuos two and looks at way of integrating a holistic lifestyle condusive to spiritual growth.

In the final session, we assess the journey, recongnise the changes and shifts and establish suitable steps to move forward.

The sessions are entirely dependent on the person and the path they have walked up to this point.

Extras:

In addition to the sessions, other complimentary services may be added if and when necessary, including guided meditation and breathwork, relaxation techniques, Ayurvedic lifestyle consulting, inner child work and shadow work. All this is included in the package.

This is an online assessment followed by a 90-minute feedback session.

The online diagnostic, designed by a renowned neurosurgeon, uses the fascinating science of PNI (psychoendoneuroimmunology) and PNEI (psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology) to assess your overall health, resilience, well-being and mental state without invasive blood tests.
It can give an indication of you levels of stress, motivation, meaning and purpose.

A short and simple-to-follow guided meditation to focus on your breathing.

Are our busy lives conducive to healthy living?

When you find yourself completely exhausted and are just trying to survive one day to the next, getting unstuck can seem impossible.

In this video, I explore the reasons why quick-fix, self-help techniques don't always work and share 3 simple ways you can overcome "rat-race fatigue".

If you have never tried to meditate, or have tried but can't seem to figure it out, then watch this!
In Eastern culture, meditation has been part of everyday life for thousands of years. As a child growing up, meditation is an intrinsic part of a daily routine. It is not necesarrily something you go to - like a class, it is just something you do - everyday, like bathing.

In the Western world, we don't have that cultural understanding or acceptance of it, so we need a little extra guidence.

In this video, I breakdown what meditation is and different ways you can get started.

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In this video, I break down the reasons why trying to achieve a work-life balance can often result in frustration, conflict and confusion. I also propose a better alternative and ways to implement it.

Enjoy! (",)

How often do we have to prove ourselves to be deemed worthy?
In this video, I take a deep look into what Self-Worth actually is and why it should have nothing to do with what you do.

Enjoy! (",)

Most of us are not born with just one passion.

Throughout our lives, we may try a little bit of one thing and discover it is not for us and then move on to the next thing. The aim is not a destination – an ultimate discovery that will prove to be the thing we have been looking for our whole lives, and when we find it, that is our purpose. This idea is romantic and lures us away from our natural tendency to explore life.

You need to find something you are passionate about and do that!

What legacy are you going to leave?

You are older now, why have you not figured it out yet?

What are you doing with your life?

Set better goals for yourself!

The problem with passion

When people become passionate about something, they give everything they have to it; their time, money, energy, focus and even sanity. Passion, like a fire, needs constant attention, or it will die out. And sometimes it does because the energy it takes to sustain it is exhausting. What is then left is our reality.

The alternative – a Hummingbird and a Jackhammer

In a public presentation, Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray Love) shared a letter she received from a rather upset fan. The letter was about a powerful talk she gave around passion and why it is so important to have one.

The letter read as follows:

I have never felt worse about myself than what I do after listening to your talk. I am in my early 50’s now and have worked very hard and given everything I have to find what my life’s passion is, and I’m sad to say that I do not have one. I have never felt more of a failure than I do right now.

After receiving that, Elizabeth scrapped all her content and produced an anti-passion campaign. She tells a beautiful story about a hummingbird and a jackhammer.

Those who have a burning passion for something are like the jackhammers. They put their heads down, work hard, invest a lot of energy, time and focus into it and tend to make a lot of noise whilst doing so.

Then there are the hummingbirds. They flit around from flower to flower and from field to field sipping the nectar from different types of floras. They do not favour one flower over another; instead, they enjoy all the varieties. They are curious creatures and therefore often lead rich and wonderful lives because of their experiences, interesting journeys and a wide range of skills.

Curiosity opens the doors for new possibilities.

Unlike passion, curiosity does not have a price tag. It is free, honest, pure and available to everyone at any time. Not only is it a great quality to possess, but research has also proven that it has some amazing benefits. It is also one of the three key predictors of academic achievement.

A study published in 2013, through George Mason University, suggested that curious people tend to be:

• more tolerant of anxiety
• humorous and playful
• emotionally expressive
• non-defensive
• non-critical.

Curiosity appears to be a force within us that not only enhances learning but opens us up to more positive perspectives and experiences.

According to another study done in 2014 through the Centre for Neuroscience, University of California, our brain chemistry actually changes when we become curious, which helps us learn and remember information.

Whether you are a determined jackhammer or a curious hummingbird, do not let mere labels hinder you from living an extraordinary life.

And maybe while you follow your curiosities, you will eventually discover your passion.

Passion is a tower of flame, but curiosity is a tiny tap on the shoulder — a little whisper in the ear that says, hey, that’s kind of interesting. - Elizabeth Gilbert

While rummaging through my collection of old magazines and torn out newspaper articles (a genetic trait, I’m sure, passed down from my grandmother who kept every tram ticket she ever used for reasons I’ll never know), I came across an article from 1999.

It was both nostalgic and hilarious to see the adverts back then and what was trendy. I shudder at the thought of what I used to wear.

I had kept the article specifically because it was about health, wellness and nutrition – a topic I have always had a keen interest in and still do.

It described a meal plan for maintaining good health and vitality. It suggested what foods to avoid and what foods to introduce or ramp up. Some of it is still relevant today. Some of it – well, is not.

Sugar, as everyone knows, was described as ‘bad’ and in the red box of foods to avoid at all costs. Processed foods like deli meats and crisps were also a no-no.

Here is where it got interesting.

Avocados and eggs were portrayed in a ‘bad light’ due to their high fat and high cholesterol content and should be consumed on rare occasions. There was no mention of raw vegetables other than the inclusion of a salad as a lunch meal. Breakfast consisted of cereal with milk or yoghurt with fruit; dinner suggestions were as simple as a protein with cooked vegetables and a starch. That was healthy eating in the nineties and naughties, how things have changed!

Today we have things called SuperFoods, protein shakes, meal replacements and smoothies.

It used to be a joke, back in the day, when people looked into the future and saw flying cars and meals in the form of pills. They were not too far wrong. I remember meeting a woman from Los Angeles who barely ate anything. Instead of food, she swallowed over 50 different types of supplements a day.

I have always had a bit of a complicated relationship with food. Not that I have an eating disorder, but rather a desperate desire to eat right for my body and give it what it needs when it needs it. Recognising what this is is hard! The pressure I put on myself and the time spent researching and experimenting is exhausting, to be honest.

Nowadays, it seems much more complicated with various foods that arrived out of nowhere.

(I am still of the opinion that Kale comes from another planet and is not suitable for human consumption). Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), chia seeds, coconut water, gluten-free pasta and wheatgrass shots came onto the scene around the introduction of social media. Anyone with an internet connection could position themselves as “experts” and create compelling, but often misleading, messages about what is healthy and what diets to follow.

We are faced now with the dilemma of deciphering what is ‘opinion’ versus medical fact and what is ‘right’ for our body versus the latest fad. And more often than not, we have to use our common sense.

Food, at its most basic, is fuel for the body to function optimally.

Instead, we indulge in it, we abuse it, we used it as a tool for discipline and control (“finish your food because there are starving kids out there”. “If you clean your room, I’ll give you a sweetie”), and it is often the very reason and focus of all our social gatherings.

Going back to the article I found – there, right on the opposite page, was a full-page advertisement that would draw anyone’s attention. A gorgeous woman, wearing a rather small bikini, standing suggestively next to a hunky man on a yacht surrounded by crystal clear water and blue sky, both looking so healthy, fit and tanned. An almost perfect image portrayal of the adjacent article about health. It was then where I had to giggle. The advert was for none other than Peter Styvatsen cigarettes.

Setting boundaries are easier said than done because the need to create them often stems from experiences of trauma, invalidation of our feelings and emotions, and abuse.

Here are a few examples of what healthy boundaries are. Consider trying out. Say them each out loud and take careful notice of how you feel and what it sounds like coming from you. Most likely, many of them will feel uncomfortable and perhaps even sound awkward. That’s okay. What is important is that you have started.

• It is not my responsibility to make sure others are responsible.
• It is not my job to rescue others from their drama.
• It is okay if others get angry.
• It is okay to say no and to feel guilty about it.
• It is my job to make myself happy and figure out what gives me joy
• It is not my job to think, feel or live for others.
• I have a right to my feelings regardless of what anyone else feels about them.
• No one has to agree with me.
• No one has a right to verbally or emotionally abuse me. That includes friends, family, co-workers and partners.
• It is okay to spend time alone without having to explain myself.
• I don’t need permission to be who I am or think what I think.
• I don’t need permission to be myself or share and enjoy my passions
• Other people have every right not to like me or disagree with me, but they do not have the right to disrespect me.
• I have the right to end draining conversations and relationships.
• I know I am enough.
• I don’t need approval.

Take note of which of the above are the easiest and the hardest for you to set. The easiest ones will encourage you in terms of how far you’ve come, and the hardest ones will give you insight into what you are resisting, denying or rejecting about yourself.

Unlike walls that we put up to hide parts of ourselves, boundaries are there to protect you and allow you to grow and develop into a more conscious, integrated and happy person.

It is that time of year again. The birds are building their nests, trees are bearing new leaves, and new buds are sprouting, all preparation for the abundance of summer.
It is also a great time to get stuck into the garden, clear out the old and dead and make space for the new.

Of course, gardening is more than just adhering to the standards of the HOAs and keeping up appearances. To many, gardening is a way of connecting to a tiny piece of domesticated nature.
Not only can a garden produce an aesthetically pleasing environment, but it also holds a few secrets - if we are willing to pay attention.

Secret 1 - Grounding

A fancy word for walking or standing barefoot on the earth, and the benefits to our well-being that science show is extraordinary. Not that I need peer-reviewed papers to convince me. The feeling I get from having the grass or sand beneath my feet is evidence enough for me.

Secret 2 - Bee, Birds and Bugs

We have all heard about the importance of bees and their role in the ecosystem. It is easier, I suppose, to market how important bees are because of what they produce. Honey - the sweet by-product of hard work, dedication and brilliant organisation, qualities that are so admirable to us humans. But what about the ants, the chafer beetles, the earthworms and the woodlice? They, too, play a vital role in the delicate balance of nature, and their systems are equally extraordinary. Maybe one day, through biomimicry or entomology, we will learn their secrets too and then appreciate them for it.
And for the bird lovers:

What is a garden without birds
but a life only the deaf and blind could comprehend?
What secrets songs do they sing
whistling among themselves through the trees?
We can see them if only we look.
We can hear them if only we hear.
We can understand them, if only we invite them
into our gardens.

Secret 3 - Sustenance

A man, let’s call him Steve, visited a nursery in March 2020. Perhaps he knew something about the challenges ahead and wanted to be prepared. He purchased a large number of vegetables and fruit trees. The owner approached Steve to ask what he was planning to do with all the plants. Steve said he wanted to completely redesign his garden to be fully sustainable for the coming months ahead and beyond. The owner, curious by this plan, told him that he would have way too much produce to consume just for himself. Steve, without hesitation, responded that he intends to share the yield with his neighbours and community.

Imagine a world like that? One in which we all share in each other’s harvest.
It is true that what we reap, we sow, but what we share creates abundance.

Spring, with its blooms, blossoms and sprouts, is a reminder to pause and marvel at the wonder and the secrets our gardens hold. Why else would it want to show off?

In an age filled with social media, Tinder and virtual dating, are we creating the proper foundations for a healthy relationship?

This seems to be the time of hi-speed relationships, where one can simply, with the brush of a finger, swipe and instantly decide on the fates of their potential partners. Call me old-fashioned, but it takes a lot more than a mere gesture to find love. Not that I have anything against dating apps; many of my close friends have found true love with the help of the technology. But what is often overlooked is that this is just the first step in the long journey to love and marriage.

Let’s fast forward a bit.
Those who have been in love know how euphoric it is, but what happens when the honeymoon phase passes. What happens when you move from in love to just love.

Many people will argue that love is enough, but is it? Those who are in a long-term relationship or stable marriages will tell you that when times get tough, or money gets tight, or when someone falls ill, or when babies arrive – love is just not enough. The relationship requires compassion, understanding, communication, honesty, respect and the willingness to make it work.

And it takes guts!

Marriage is not for sissies (neither is parenting for that matter.)
So to set yourself up for success while still in the courtship phase, here are some great guidelines to help you decide whether or not your partner is right for you. Life is complicated enough without the added stress of unhealthy relationships.

Spend a day going through your photo albums and baby pictures with your partner. Ask each other questions like:

• Where did you grow up?
• What were you like as a child?
• How was your childhood?
• What values do your family hold?
• How does your family celebrate special occasions?
• Babysit a friend or family members kids together.
• You can ask each other questions like:
• How did your parents discipline you?
• How did you feel about it?
• Do you want kids?
• Do a competitive activity together. Competition can tell you a lot about their character.

Take a turn to prepare and cook a meal.

Ask each other:

• Who did the cooking in your house?
• What foods do you love?
• Did your family sit down together for meals?
• Who cleaned up and why?
• Budget for a holiday or a day out.

Money is often the reason couples fight. Gaining an understanding of what your partner believes about money early on can save you in more ways than one.

Money should never be a taboo subject in a committed relationship.

Start the conversation now by asking:

• What lessons did your parents teach you about money?
• Do you value spending or saving, and why?

Have a chat with a long term, happily married couple.

Ask them:

• What is the secret ingredient to a happy marriage?
• What advice can you give?
• How do you keep the romance alive?

This all may seem like a lot of effort (and totally unromantic) for dating, but just like a house needs a solid foundation to last through the storms, so do relationships.

Marriage and children may not be future pursuits for you, and that is ok. It is ok to be single.

It is ok to be married and not have children. It is also ok to not be married and have children.

Your life is yours to live and experience – just make sure you live it with integrity and gratitude.

I believe that a cup of tea can cure just about anything.

And in some cultures, it does just that.

Herbal teas have been used for thousands of years by many cultures as medicine, muti and preventative remedies.

Nowadays, herbal teas come conveniently packaged and readily available from any store. But on closer inspection, many of them contain artificial flavourings and additives. So although they may taste nice, they are not very beneficial for health.

Homemade herbal teas are a much better alternative and are so easy to make.
Just remember: It is always best to make these teas fresh and avoid reheating them.

Here are 5 must-try herbal tea recipes to try at home.

Tea to support digestion

• 1 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• Half a teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 2 – 3 pinches of ground ginger
• A pinch of rock salt

Boil 1 cup of water in a pot. Add the spices and salt. Bring the water to a boil then
simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the tea and pour into a cup. Drink it hot 30 – 45 minutes before a meal.

Tea for a cold/sore throat

• 1 – 2 cups of water
• 1 spring onion (don’t knock it till you have tried it)
• A 2cm piece of fresh ginger, finely chopped, or 2 – 3 pinches of ground ginger
• Half a teaspoon of ground black pepper
• A pinch of rock salt
• A teaspoon of honey

Boil the water in a pot. Add all the ingredients except the honey. Turn the heat down and gently simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the tea to infuse for a further 5 minutes. Strain the tea then add the honey. Drink it as hot as you can handle it.

Did you know?

The honey must never be heated on a stove or microwave, as heated honey is considered toxic (very hard to digest and changes form) in Ayurveda.

Turmeric tea for a good nights sleep (aka Golden Milk)

• 1 cup of milk
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• A sprinkle of ground black pepper
• A dab of ghee (ghee is clarified butter and found at most supermarkets. If you do not have ghee, use butter)
• Sugar/honey to taste

Place the milk in a saucepan over low heat and bring to a gentle boil. Add all ingredients except the honey or sugar. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not let the milk burn or boil over. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool to a warm, drinkable temperature. Strain and pour into a cup and then add honey or sugar to taste. Serve warm just before going to bed. Or better yet, drink it while in bed.

Cooling tea for summer

• 4 cups of water
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

Boil 4 cups of water in a pot. Add the spices and simmer gently until the water has reduced by half. Turn off the heat and allow the tea to infuse for another 5-10 minutes. Strain the mixture. Pour into a cup and enjoy hot or at room temperature.

Authentic Indian Masala Chai

• 1 cup of water
• 4-5 cardamom pods, crushed
• Half a teaspoon of ground black pepper
• A 2cm piece of fresh ginger finely chopped or 2 – 3 pinches of ground ginger
• 3-4 cloves or half a teaspoon ground cloves
• A teaspoon of black tea (5 Roses) or a teaspoon of ground coffee (for a caffeine-free option, use Rooibos tea)
• 1 cinnamon quill or half a teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup of milk
• Sugar/honey to taste

Boil 1 cup of water in a pot. Add the spices, but not the honey, and the tea or coffee. Bring the water to a boil then simmer for 10 minutes on a gentle heat. Add in the milk and then turn off the heat. Allow the spices to infuse for another 5 minutes. Strain the tea. Pour into a cup and add the honey or sugar to taste.

Did you know?

Chai in India is simply tea and referred to by the locals as masala chai.

Chai tea, therefore, translates into Tea tea.

There is a philosophy from an ancient culture that believes emotions seep into the
food when preparing it. That could explain why a cup of tea made with love tastes so much better.