I was privileged to be invited recently to one of beautiful Ballingdon Hall’s spiritual retreat breaks. But it wasn’t all about relaxing and meditating away any negativities or self doubts I may have been harbouring – this particular invitation was to be filmed for an upcoming Netflix documentary series!
Along with my friend Lesley Reynolds (who owns Ballingdon with her husband Dr Aamer Khan), a world-renown clairvoyant is hosting the retreats. Lee Whyberd is a remarkable, highly sensitive medium who is in demand across the globe. He practices in London, Dubai and Mumbai, and regularly works with international Royalty – and even ‘those that shall not be named’ at the White House!
So my time was spent involved in Tarot readings, psychometry, clairvoyance, inner goddess work and some fantastic meditations. Lee and the team of therapists were superb, and I made friends with a group of highly talented, incredible people that I’m sure will stay close.
Ballingdon Hall is the most stunning Tudor manor house! Built around 1590, its oak beamed charm delighted all the guests as we dined in the splendour of the great hall. (That’s another story!! The food was outstanding! Ballingdon’s chef uses fresh produce grown in the lovely kitchen garden; everything was beautifully presented and the portions were huge!)
My stunning bedroom was well appointed with fresh fruit and flowers, and a full range of Ballingdon Hall’s own toiletries. If this were a hotel it would effortlessly qualify for five stars – but it’s not; this is my friends’ home, and guests are made to feel comfortable and welcome.
During filming, we were lucky to enjoy days of uninterrupted sunshine, cavorting through the 20 acre landscape with its secret hideaways, woodlands, lakes, fairies and chickens. (The peacocks have moved on but alpacas are coming soon!) The film crew were lovely as their cameras rolled, unobtrusively bearing witness to the truths being flung out by the Tarot cards.
Interestingly, it’s not the first time Ballingdon’s been filmed. In 1970, its then owners decided to move their Grade Two listed building half a mile up the hill, away from a new housing estate Suffolk council was proposing. The lovely house was wrapped in a steel casing, then literally lifted off its foundations and transported to its current location. You’ll find vintage footage on YouYube if you’d like to see more about this – it’s absolutely fascinating.
So did the ghosts move with their timeless home, or are they floating aimlessly in Sudbury, wondering where their drawing room has gone? Anything I learned or experienced during my stay, well… what happens at Ballingdon – stays right here, lips tightly zipped… (Apart from the secrets that will be revealed when the show hits your TV screen next year!)
From start to finish, my time at the retreat was an absolute joy! Lesley’s team fell over backwards to make us welcome, and the attention to detail was wonderful.
My thanks to Lesley Reynolds and Dr Aamer Khan for sharing their delightful home, and to Lee Whyberd and all the therapists for a hugely enjoyable few days.
Every year on July 17, World Day for International Justice is observed all around the world with the aim of promoting international criminal justice and supporting the work of the International Criminal Court.
The Aim of International Justice Day is to unite everyone who wants to support justice and promote victims’ rights. It is to help prevent serious crimes and those that put the peace, security and well-being of the world at risk.
Many people come to me for a Tarot reading because they feel they’ve suffered an injustice and want to know what the cards have to say about that. Sometimes the tarot shows an injustice has taken place that the querant (the person asking me) hasn’t acknowledged – or maybe isn’t even aware of it.
I’ve had an occasion where someone wanted me to help them manifest an injustice against an ex-partner – I don’t get involved with all that – what goes around comes around!!
World Day for International Justice is an important day and I don’t intend to trivialise it, but it seemed a shame to let it pass by without a mention of the Justice card.
This trump card represents legal matters and can indicate a court case, but it also highlights that there could be things needed to be learned. If this card shows up in your reading it can be reminding you that it’s about knowing the consequences of your actions, and getting what you deserve.
Want more information about the Justice card, or any other Tarot cards? I’m pleased to offer a range of spreads, including traditional Celtic Cross ten-card readings, at various price ranges, all via email or face-to-face across Zoom or WhatsApp.
And, if you’re planning a party — whether it’s an intimate get-together or a large-scale event, consider adding the excitement of Tarot readings. I’d love to chat with you, so to find out more, please email info@tarotbyemail.com.
I am the Weekend Witch, and I can’t wait to help you discover your story!
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Ostara, also known as the Spring Equinox, is a pagan holiday that celebrates the arrival of spring and the balance between light and dark as day and night become equal in length. This lovely festival marks the beginning of the astronomical spring season.
Ostara is often associated with themes of renewal, rebirth, fertility and growth. It is a time when the earth awakens from its winter slumber, and new life emerges in the form of budding plants, blooming flowers and newborn animals.
In case you’re wondering, the holiday is named after the Germanic goddess Ēostre, who represents dawn, fertility and the rising sun.
In many pagan traditions, Ostara is celebrated with rituals, ceremonies and symbolic activities that honor the changing seasons and the return of life to the earth.
In relation to Tarot, Ostara’s themes of renewal, rebirth and growth can be reflected in Tarot readings and interpretations. The Spring Equinox is seen as a time of balance and transition, making it an opportune moment for introspection, goal-setting and planning for the future. Tarot cards associated with Ostara include:
The Fool: Symbolizing new beginnings, spontaneity and embracing the journey ahead.
The Empress: Representing fertility, creativity and nurturing energy, aligning with Ostara’s themes of growth and abundance.
The Ace of Cups: Signifying emotional renewal, spiritual awakening and the potential for deep emotional fulfillment.
The Ace of Wands: Reflecting creative inspiration, passion and the spark of new ideas or projects taking root.
The Wheel of Fortune: Symbolizing cycles of change, destiny and the turning of the seasons, highlighting the transition from winter to spring.
Overall, Ostara offers a powerful opportunity for spiritual reflection, growth and renewal. It invites us to embrace the energy of the season and harness its transformative potential in our lives.
Remember, tarot readings are a form of guidance and self-reflection; your own actions and choices ultimately shape your path in life.
Interested to see what’s in store for you this spring?
As well as giving personal readings by email, over Zoom and via WhatsApp, I can help business owners to plan ahead and strategise using the cards as discussion tool. I also love reading at corporate events. To find out more, please email info@tarotbyemail.com.
March 8th is a special day in the calendar as it’s when women are ‘offically recognised’ for something specific even though we are awesome and amazing in everything we do, every day – right?!! This year, its theme is “Inspire Inclusion” and you can learn more about what that means here.
So which tarot cards best represent the brilliance of women and all that we stand for?
Well, there are many cards that could be suitable for International Women’s Day, as tarot is a deeply symbolic and intuitive practice that can be interpreted in many ways. Here are just a few possibilities:
The Empress: The Empress is a powerful card that represents femininity, motherhood, creativity, and abundance. She is often associated with fertility, growth, and nurturing, and can symbolize the powerful and creative energy that women bring to the world.
The High Priestess: The High Priestess is a card of intuition, mystery, and hidden knowledge. She represents the feminine power of intuition, psychic abilities, and the mysteries of the universe. This card can symbolize the wisdom and insight that women bring to the world, as well as the power of inner strength and intuition.
The Queen of Cups: The Queen of Cups is a card of emotional depth, compassion, and intuition. She represents the ability to connect deeply with others, to feel empathy and compassion, and to express emotions in a healthy and balanced way. This card can symbolize the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy in the world, as well as the strength and resilience that women often possess.
The Star: The Star is a card of hope, inspiration, and healing. It represents the light that shines in the darkness, and the power of transformation and renewal. This card can symbolize the resilience, strength, and determination of women, as well as the hope and inspiration that they bring to the world.
The World: The World is a card of completion, wholeness, and fulfillment. It represents the achievement of a long-term goal, and the sense of satisfaction and completion that comes with it. This card can symbolize the many accomplishments and achievements of women throughout history, as well as the ongoing struggle for equality and empowerment.
Want more information about Tarot cards and readings? I’m pleased to offer single-card, three-card, and Celtic Cross ten-card readings at various price ranges, all via email or face-to-face across Zoom or WhatsApp.
And, if you’re planning a party — whether it’s an intimate get-together or a large-scale event, consider adding the excitement of Tarot readings. I’d love to chat with you, so to find out more, please email info@tarotbyemail.com.
I am the Weekend Witch, and I can’t wait to help you discover your story!
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