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Real Riches with Tanna Corona

Monday, August 1st, 2011

I’ve had the serious pleasure of exchanging uber-keen symbolic insights with Tanna Corona, host of Real Riches Radio.  I adore Tanna’s style – smart, savvy and sagacious.  I think you will too.  That’s why I’m encouraging you to take a listen to her talk show, every Monday night.

And if her radio show isn’t enough to make you adore her too, here’s Tanna’s impressive bio:

Tanna Corona  is a professional Certified Life Coach, Master Spirit Life Coach and Member of the Certified Coaches Alliance. Her expertise is in the fields of prosperity consciousness, love relationships, the Law of Attraction, metaphysical Christianity, and communications. Tanna is also an ordained Minister with the Universal Life Church.

Tanna (pronounced Tah-nah) is producer and host of the REAL RICHES show on BlogTalkRadio.com (RealRiches), where she interviews Spiritual, Law of Attraction and New Thought practitioners and proponents.

Tanna holds a Bachelor’s Degree (with Latin Honors) in Communication Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She worked in the legal field for many years, and she parlays the disciplines of that profession into her current work.

Tanna is self-taught in the realms of divination, self-knowledge and tapping into inner wisdom, such as the Tarot, numerology, runes, acrophonology, feng shui, meditation, and visualization.

——–

Here’s Tanna’s blog for more information.

And don’t miss her show on Blog Talk Radio.

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Poof! You’re a Toad (the dangers of totem-assignment)

Sunday, July 24th, 2011

Personal Investment is Key to Totem Identification

Don’t let the title of this blog post fool you.  I’m not waving my rowan-wood wand, turning folks into toads (yet, lol).

Rather, this post is about the tricky business of assigning animal totems to folks wanting to know.

Not a day passes when someone doesn’t send in an email with a question like: “Avia, can you tell me what my animal totem is?”

On the one hand, I’m thrilled with these inquiries.  It suggests a desire to re-connect to animal kin.  It’s a sign that folks are becoming more attuned to the wild and wonderful realms of the Mother [Nature] – and that is uber-awesome.

On the other hand, I’m often distressed by the lack of personal investment in re-connecting with our animal brothers and sisters.  Connections to our animal kin is a deeply personal act.

What’s even more irking is the idea that a virtual stranger can arbitrarily assign a totem to another person.  To explain, I’ve been known to listen in on certain radio show discussions about totems and neo-shamanism.  I’m not naming names, but I’m suspect when these totem-experts get callers on their show with the inevitable question: “Can you tell me my animal totem?” and I’m floored when the totem-practitioner pops off a critter to the caller – essentially assigning a totem to him or her in the span of two seconds.

How can that cosmic connection be gleaned from a distant second party?  It feels like “slot-machine logic” – an answer spit out at random.  I could be wrong. These totem experts could be mightily connected to their spiritual council, and so they are fed this totem information to present to the caller.  Still, I have doubts.

On my most connected days, in which unification with my own Spirit Council is super-tight, I am fed information in terms of “seeing” woodland creatures or other critters scampering around my client’s energy.  These visions give me a good idea about the inquirer’s totem affiliations.  Nevertheless, in the midst of these visions come strong admonishments from the Council.  Admonishments like: “These are the animal energies communing with the human – but he/she must establish the connection.”

Historically, shamans could succinctly identify totems to the members of their tribe/village.  There’s a reason for that.  Shamans, elders, seers, and wise-women of a tribe typically hold their positions in the group over long spans of time. They live, learn, love together in a tight-knit community, intrinsically linked to the clan members. They often oversee the birthing of new members, and are participants of that member’s life from day one.  This gives them special knowing, they see the patterns between a tribal-member’s aura, energy, personality that link to the like-energy of their totem.  Simply put, tribal shamans have had a long-standing connection with their people, and are therefore in a better position to identify the individual totems of their tribesmen and women.

So what if we don’t live in a native setting in which an Elder knows us and can help us retrieve our animal totem identities?

The onus is on us.  We must be the ones to invest the time to re-connect with our animal guides and guardians.

Asking others to identify our totems isn’t a bad thing, but I’d be leery of pat answers from virtual strangers.  Those who ask me what their totems are often get frustrated with my round-about answers.  I offer information that my Council feeds me, but not without belting out a few paragraphs about the importance of personal meditation, research and investigation into the matter.

Let’s face it.  Most of us wouldn’t ask a stranger “Who is my life-partner?” and then marry the first person named Joe or Suzie just because we’ve been given a pat answer to this question.

In my opinion, re-partnering with our animal totems is no less serious.  Our animal totems are profound partnerships – indeed, a marriage.  They deserve our time and attention to get to know them.  We deserve the investment to familiarize ourselves with our connection to them.  So, be wary of the “poof! you’re a toad” syndrome.  Pat answers to complex questions like these are to be approached with caution.

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Join Me for Symbolic Talk with Tanna Corona

Sunday, July 10th, 2011
Avia V. - Guest Speaker for Real Riches by Tanna Corona

Avia V. - Guest Speaker for Real Riches by Tanna Corona

Tanna Corona is the brilliance behind “Real Riches,” a popular Blog Talk Radio show she hosts every week.

Tanna’s show features superior gems of insight for demonstrating abundance, prosperity and love in all areas of life.

I’ve had such a great time talking about symbolic portents with Tanna, and that conversation will continue on her talk show this Monday, 7/11/11 at 11:00 pm.

Come join us for a chat about living a symbolic life – it’s going to be a groovy show!

Thanks goes to Tanna for allowing me to be a guest on the show!

I’m jazzed about connecting with you all ethers this Monday! :)

(click this photo or any of the links in this post to listen in!)

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Introducing Valerie of Pacific Sound and Voice

Saturday, June 4th, 2011
Valerie Piacenti of Pacific Sound And Voice

Valerie Piacenti of Pacific Sound And Voice

Part of the thrill of being involved in an online tribe is meeting incredibly gifted souls along the way.  One such bright soul is Valerie Piacenti.  We’ve known each other for a few years now, and it’s been an utter pleasure to share life’s journey with her.  Valerie has been a beacon in my life for her refreshing outlook and her consistently uplifting perspectives.  Her passion is in sharing the gift of music as a catalyst for healing, expression and expanding awareness.  It’s clear I adore Valerie, her music, and her mission.  Everybody knows a good thing becomes great when it’s shared with others, so I’d like to take this opportunity to share a little bit about Valerie and the value she offers.  Check out her info, contact her, ask her questions – she’s a gem to chat with!  And feel free to leave comments, I know she’ll relish the feedback!


Valerie Piacenti has long been interested in how music, sound and voice can be used to soothe, inspire and heal. She is a certified Cross Cultural Music in Healing Practitioner and Founder of Pacific Sound and Voice, having completed a two-year course of study in Therapeutic Applications of Cross-Cultural Sound and Music with Pat Moffitt Cook, Ph.D. and Director of the Open Ear Center on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Valerie has been involved in extensive personal transformation, spiritual work and meditation for over thirty years, over six of them in sacred sound. Last year, she completed the program Spiritual Health Through Sound and Music, also taught by Pat Moffitt Cook and continues with this program several times throughout the year.

In addition to sound healing, Valerie uses her vocal talents as a professional singer and performer, having appearing on stages from Broadway to London.

Pacific Sound and Voice is a company focusing on the many applications and therapeutic benefits of using sound and music. Current services available for both individual and group clients include sound programs, chant and mantra meditation, prescriptive music and vocal coaching.


The practice of sound and music for health and well-being is ancient. It can easily be traced back 3,000 years and more than likely, it stems from thousands of years earlier.

Throughout history, the use of music and sound have been used successfully to reduce stress, control pain, to entertain, provide a shift in mood and emotion, induce and enhance awareness, as well as provide complimentary techniques to medical practices.

Using the tools of the voice through humming, toning, chant and mantra, the singing bowl, and prescriptive music we can help bring about increased health and well-being.

Some of the benefits of using sound, music and voice include:

  • Focus, clarity and calm
  • Stress and emotional relief
  • Increased breath and lung capacity
  • Synchronize and balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain
  • Balance the chakras or energy centers
  • Improvement of overall health, energy and well-being
  • Enhance meditation or spiritual practice

Are you intrigued?  You should be!  Valerie is a powerhouse of knowledge, talent, and intuitive excellence.  In fact, I have several of her CDs and they are a delight and a joy to experience. The instrumentation she chooses for her pieces are truly soothing and obviously crafted with care.  Furthermore, Valerie’s voice and musical affinity is superior in my opinion.

Check out Valerie’s website here (and check back on her website in a few weeks, because she’s working on adding new information).  If you want to talk to Valerie about her melodic awakening practice, here’s how to reach her at:  valerie{at}pacificsoundandvoice.com -or- give her a call at: 206-931-3771.  When you talk to her, tell her Avia says “hi”! :)

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Introducing Deep-Heart Healing

Monday, April 11th, 2011
Through my work, I come in contact with special souls, whose intent is true and virtuous.  One such soul is Steven Distefano, co-founder of Deep-Heart Healing.  Over time, Steven has remained consistent in his devotion to spiritual growth for himself and his community (both local and long-distance).  This post serves as an introduction to the ministry of his heart, Deep-Heart Healing.  Here are a few excerpts from his work, and the work of co-founder, Ulrike Basile.  Enjoy!

Deep-Heart Healing

Introducing Deep-Heart Healing

The focus for Deep-Heart Healing is the overcoming of fear-based energies in our life by love.

The great human problem of evil and fear lies in believing the illusion that we are separate from one another, separate from nature and Spirit.  This is ignorance of what truly is: Our Oneness. When this is overcome, we behave lovingly towards one another. What is most needed today therefore is healing the effects of believing the illusion of separateness and the fear it generates in our lives.

In the way of Deep-Heart Healing, – Spirit discerns all things. We are all an interdependent web of relationships mutually influencing each other in every moment. As we become aware of Spirit as Loving Ground we can discern how all things work towards the realization of our unique call to love from The Spirit for the good of all.

Deep-Heart Healing also stresses that we can develop intuitive guidance as we commit our whole life for the good of all. Intuitive guidance has but one aim — that we may discern what is in harmony in our life, in all our thoughts, words and actions with Spirit and what is not.

Deep-Heart Healing assists the direction of the heart towards the commitment for Universal Good which discerns all energies at work in our life.

  • What spiritual practice will best serve my awakening to Spirit?
  • What are the unresolved fears and limiting beliefs from my earliest years and throughout my life that are now calling to be released?
  • Where in my bodily systems is there imbalance and what supplements, healing modalities will best restore my natural balance?
  • What relationships and/or choices in my life, best serve my realizing the greater joy and freedom to respond to The Call of Spirit given me?

It is in listening to such questions as these in the presence of Spirit that what we truly need is discovered.

For Healing Sessions (by phone or in person), Talks, Workshops:

Steven Distefano
(402) 651-1926
deephearthealing{at}gmail.com

-or-

Ulrike Basile
(402) 319-7790
deephearthealing{at}gmail.com

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Symbolic Meditation

Friday, October 15th, 2010


Meditation is Symbolic Too

Meditation is Symbolic Too

Meditation is symbolic too. I’m not just talking about the journeys and impressions received during meta states. I’m talking about the act of meditation as a symbolic event.

Why?

Because meditation is an engagement with the aspects of ourselves that dance with powerful intagibles of higher experience.

The act of meditating is a signal to our expansive selves that says: “Oy! It’s ok to play now! Let’s party in the dreamtime! Let’s fly! Let’s create! Let’s experience everything without restriction!”

As a practice, meditation is symbolic of:

  • Commitment
  • Devotion
  • Awareness
  • Connection
  • Liberation
  • Focus
  • Freedom
  • Unconventionalism

Do you meditate?  What does the act of meditation symbolize for you?

Other posts you may find interesting…

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Driving Blind (not really)

Thursday, September 16th, 2010
Finding Alternate Methods of Gauging Progress

Finding Alternate Methods of Gauging Progress

As I was driving a friend to the airport, the dash on my Jeep went dead.

It’s not uncommon for this to happen after the Woodchuck Incident of 2001 (the fuzzy booger had lunch on my electrical wiring).

My friend noticed the glitch and said: “Avia, your dash is dead! How can you possibly know when to shift (RPMs), or how fast you’re going, or even how much fuel you have? Isn’t that frustrating?”

I hadn’t really given it much thought.  Every time it happens I remember the Woodchuck wisdom, and smile.

Moreover, this ‘driving blind’ thing is kind of a practice in gauging my awareness.

When the dash goes kaput, I’m forced to monitor my surroundings more acutely.  For example, I pay attention to the speed of the other drivers around me to keep my own speed consistent and within legal bounds.

As far as shifting gears…I just listen to the engine of the Jeep, and it tells me when to move up a gear.  ”Besides,” I say to my friend Dave, “who uses RPMs on the dash as a signal to shift gears?” I ask Dave.  ”I do” he shyly confessed.

The fuel gauge, I’ll admit, is another kettle of fish.  I just try to keep the levels in my memory banks (which are predominantly fried like my dashboard, but that’s another story).

My point is this: We are never ever completely ‘driving blind.’  There are always additional methods to gauge our progress along life’s path.

Some of these methods might not be our first choice, but when our primary navigation systems are malfunctioning (or seemingly nonexistent), we can always manage ourselves with alternative methods.

Do you rely on a primary system that monitors your personal progress?

Has that foundation/system ever run amok?

What are some other methods you could employ that help you keep your pace, and allow you to keep your progress?

Better yet, try incorporating awareness and other alternative methods in your daily routine.

Run your day “outside the box.”  Switch gears and gauge yourself in different ways (before your fall-back system takes a dive).

Just thoughts.

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Melting Glass Walls – An Excerpt from Pronoia

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

The following is an excerpt from Rob Brezny’s book, Pronoia (a book I highly recommend, by the way).  This excerpt was written by Nia Fil, and it moved me for its sincerity and simplicity.  I asked Rob Brezny of Free Will Astrology if I could re-publish this excerpt here, and he graciously granted permission.  I hope you enjoy this enlightening slice of perception as much as I did. 

Frosted Glass - Melting Glass Walls of Separation

Frosted Glass - Melting Glass Walls of Separation

MY PRONOIAC TESTIMONY
by Nil Fia

I’ve always felt there was a glass wall between me and the world — a see-
through barrier that kept me in my place and everything else in its place,
never the twain shall meet.

But a week ago, as I was driving through the streets of my home city of
Detroit, something odd happened. I seemed to reach out an inner finger
and touch the inside of that glass wall I gaze through. And for the first
time ever, my finger sunk into the glass, just a bit.

A little while later, I did it again, and this time my finger went right
through the glass. Or rather, maybe, the glass was not there, at least
momentarily. There was no longer any boundary between what I saw and
where I was seeing it from.

In other words, the whole world was inside my head. Either that, or my
head had just dissolved.

Let me backtrack. A few months ago, I hated my job. I despaired that my
hobby would ever amount to anything. There was never enough time, and
whatever time there was, I spent it trying to get done all the things I
hated doing but had to do. And then I failed at the whole enterprise, and
not only didn’t I have time to do anything I liked, but I wasn’t getting
anywhere with the stuff I didn’t like, either.

Life was one big miserable chore that never ended. It just bled from day
to day, sucking the vitality out of everything. Even weekends. This in
spite of the fact that I’ve never considered myself a miserable person. I
always thought that being annoyed 24/7 and never having time to be
happy was part of being an adult, and I tried to handle it bravely.

But then on that day last week, I put my hand through the glass — I still
don’t know how — and suddenly the way the morning sunlight lay on the
overpass during my way to work cracked a big smile on my face, and the
whole miserable commute seemed worth it.

The next day, I spent a chunk of the ride to work looking at the trees, and
being thrilled that so much amazing greenery, so many unreproducible
shapes and colors, could fit in my head at once. What used to be “just
another tree” was now an utterly unique thing that I would never have the
gift of having in my head again.

This new knack didn’t go away. It started creeping into other daily
moments. I’m still moving in and out of it now, many days later.
It’s not that stupid things make me happy; it’s that everything makes me
happy. Taking a breath makes me happy. Hearing a human voice makes
me happy. Feeling my hand rise up against gravity and sweep through the
air on its own makes me happy. Yesterday this state — which I like to call
“bliss fugue” — came on after I whacked my knee on the table. The pain
made me happy! Happier than maybe I’ve ever been!

Here’s the weirdest thing about the happiness: It seems completely
uncaused. Not only do my flashes seem to exist in a vacuum. I would
swear the feeling seems to be a characteristic of the vacuum. The
vacuum I refer to, of course, is the sucking of myself and the world into
each other that happens whenever I penetrate that glass wall between us.

I’m truly content folding laundry. I happily concentrate on every spot on
my dishes. Not all the time, but more and more. And it seems the more
stuff gets through the glass wall — the more the world becomes
immersed in me and I in it — the less time everything takes, and the more
I enjoy the “free time,” 10 seconds of which suddenly seem like enough
to justify having been alive all these years.

This is one of those “I might be doing something right, or I might be
losing my mind” things, but I’ve done those before; so I’m cool with it.
But I will mention one side-effect: mild fear. Not during the state itself –
I’m not sure it’d be possible to feel afraid then, though I haven’t had
occasion to test that — but afterward, as I connect to the realization that
something is happening to me that might really muck around with my
ordinary old life. (Did I say above that I was miserable with my daily life?
Well, that doesn’t mean I’m not attached to it.)

Already once or twice I’ve done this thing and had people notice, and
their reaction is always alarm or distaste: “Hel-LO? Are you OK? What are
you staring at? Is something wrong?” So far, this has always snapped me
right out of it. I don’t know how I’d react to people if this state continues
to happen more frequently and for longer periods, and I get stuck dealing
with people from within it. (Would I then be talking to the voices in my
head, I wonder?)

I’ve also noticed that when the bliss fugue hits me, tears sometimes come
out of my eyes due to the weirdest things: the smell of the wind, a bird
that stops and looks at me, a shoelace lying on the sidewalk. I can’t
explain that. I’m not normally an emotional person, especially not in
public.

Well, there you go. Something for your Outlaw Catalog of Happiness: the
Joy of Nothing. ;) I’m going for a walk now, and see if I can do it again.


Note: This is an excerpt written by Nia Fil from Rob Brezny’s book, Pronoia (click the link to grab the book, which is totally grab-worthy).  And if you don’t know who Rob Brezny is, you should.   Check out his wicked-awesome-jump-jivin-vibe here: FreeWill Astrology

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