Following my Heart

In 1985, I began to follow my heart instead of my head, and my life changed dramatically.

I had been working in a life assurance office for 13 years, earning a fantastic salary in the Actuarial and Life Underwriting Departments. However, I was becoming increasingly depressed. I sought help from a highly regarded clairvoyant, who recommended that I go to a local Spiritualist Church for spiritual healing.

Fate decreed that I follow his wise advice, and a few weeks after my first experience of spiritual healing, I attended a workshop at Westbank Healing Centre in the village of Strathmiglo, Fife. It was a full day learning basic reflexology and massage techniques.

I knew very little about either of these therapies at the beginning of the workshop, but as the day progressed I felt increasingly enthused and relaxed. By days end, I knew that becoming a natural medicines therapist was my destiny…

In the following months, I enrolled with The National Federation of Spiritual Healers, an organisation that trains students in the art of channeling healing energy, and I became a probationer healer.

Crystal Healing

I enrolled on a class in astrology, which produced a series of strange synchronicities that eventually led to my learning of the ancient art of crystal healing.

My heart compelled me to travel south to Lytham St Anne’s near Blackpool, for a weekend workshop on the healing power of crystals. I had absolutely no idea what to expect.

The workshop room was filled with large chunks of amethyst, quartz crystal, rose quartz…

Our tutor introduced us to a number of crystals and their healing qualities, which were often linked to their colour.

I became increasingly intrigued.

The Aura

He lead us in a guided visualisation:

“Close your eyes and imagine you are taking a walk through a beautiful meadow, filled with flowers in a myriad of colours…”

Once relaxed, I travelled off to other worlds. When I opened my eyes afterwards everyone looked different – each person was surrounded by a shimmering glow of colour.

Further discussion enlightened me on my visions.

“You are seeing everyone’s aura, a sea of energy that surrounds our bodies,” our tutor explained. “The colours depict our thoughts, moods and feelings. It changes throughout each day, and in time you will learn what each colour signifies.”

WOW!

The weekend continued, crammed with more new learning, and we began to practice crystal healing, using a variety of crystals, laid on energy centres called chakras. I was so impressed, that I just had to learn more on this ancient healing art.

And I did!

In early 1987, I began to travel to London for a year long professional crystal healing course, the first of its kind in the UK.

Colour Healing

Meanwhile, I enrolled on a number of colour healing courses with Theo Gimbel,  Bernadette Cleary, Lilla Bek, Marie Louise Lacey, Vicky Wall, Paul Lambillion…

I was blessed to have such wonderful tutors, many of whom were highly regarded authors. Although I was learning healing skills to help others, I was also inspired on my self healing journey.

Aura Readings

My clairvoyant skills continued to develop in the years that followed, and I was eventually able to offer aura readings, as part of my growing natural medicines practice.

“I see you have a beautiful sea of pink energy around your heart chakra. You are a naturally kind and caring person.” I might begin.

“Yes, I work with special needs children.”

“Pink hearted people often get taken for granted. Remember to take good care of YOU too, ” I added.

Learning to love and care for myself, would eventually lead to creating this blog and writing my memoir.

Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.