One Half of the Creative Cycle is Destruction.
I love the construction phase of creating. Dream the thing, construct the thing, go after the thing with rabid energy. All is possible during this time.
At some point when the creation needs only maintenance, I’ll sense I need a break. I ignore it. Every time.
It’s not until I’m dangling at the end of my rope, feeling like I can’t take it anymore that I’ll finally start to think about changing things up. (How many of you have come to me in the same place?!)
This bad habit leads to severe burnout.
This bad habit has led me to severe burnout on multiple occasions. With careers, creative endeavors, even house remodeling. Which then prompts me to throw a hand grenade into the situation.
Most of the time, the hand grenade was 100% necessary. I needed to leave the job or sell the house before I could glimpse possibilities of what might come next. Recently, though, all I needed was a break.
It’s hard to acknowledge burnout when you’ve spent years working toward an achievement, be it a degree, a successful business with a solid client base or a relationship.
It’s baffling to get burned out WHEN YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO. But guess what. It happens.
By August of 2023, after 5 1/2 years, I was so burned out of my much beloved readings and group events business, I had to take months off.
Six months later, Dad passed away unexpectedly. There went any energy I started to build back up.
People told me, “Just don’t work so hard,” “Do readings differently,” and “Don’t be so demanding on yourself.” My favorite: “Just have fun! Why do you take what you do so seriously?”
Not an option. I love what I do, and folks have come to expect a certain level of quality in my work.
Lowering my standards is never an option. Taking a break is.
Taking a much-needed break is a better option than lowering your standards.
I just returned from a week in Charleston, SC, where I gave readings to about thirty people. I felt on fire and loved every single minute of precious time with clients.
No more burnout.
I’m here today to give you permission to give yourself a breather. Dismantle and destruct the thing if necessary. Pull out the hand grenade. Or just hibernate.
Don’t worry about what you, your job or your endeavor will look like when you resurface.
You don’t have to go it alone. Nothing blooms without assistance from the soil, the rain and the sunshine.
Thank you so much for being here. Let me know if I can help you breathe, spark your fire or help you bloom.
My Halloween Wish For You . . .
Your favorite villain
may be your guiding light
in uncertain times.
When I was a baby ballerina, I saw the first modern staging of the ballet, Dracula.
The music was relentlessly evocative. By Dracula’s death scene, the dancer playing the role flung himself so close to the orchestra pit, I was certain he would plunge to his own demise. He dropped heavily on the last note, his head and shoulders dangling precariously over the edge of the stage.
The curtain dropped. House lights came up. Theater emptied.
I found myself still perched on the edge of my seat, clinging to the armrests, one droplet of sweat trickling down the back of my neck, unable to breathe.
Strangely, a year later, a ballet company, states away, offered me a job, promising a new ballet they wanted to stage . . . Dracula.
All new choreography. Set primarily to Arvo Part’s Tabula Rasa and Cantus for Benjamin Britten (and here they are for your Halloween playlist).
Even more strangely, since then, Dracula has been my lighthouse, primarily when I may have been searching for a light, but definitely not for Dracula.
Opportunities involving the novel Dracula, over the decades, forced me to acknowledge my greatest hidden desires and therefore, required me to dig, dig and dig to uncover my greatest reserves of courage.
It is not lost on me that Dracula’s creator, Bram Stoker, was a lawyer, a writer, in love with the theater, with story, with pushing the edges of societal norms, and exploring “reality” and the spirit world.
The idea of Dracula led me to accept the desire and find the courage to venture into the world of evidence-based mediumship. (and within this journey to say YES to a whole bunch of experiences everyone told me to say NO to, and vice versa.)
I share this with you this Halloween to remind you that there is very little on Earth we can individually control, particularly when it comes to the unknown amongst us, and the times ahead of us.
However, there are immutable, simple truths that lie in each of our hearts and souls. Your guide to your truth may be an unexpected one.
Your guide may seem like an unknowable monster or a scary villain to your family or to the rest of the world. Your guide may be a deceased loved one, a pet, an angel you don’t think you deserve.
Your guide just might be Dracula.
Halloween is all about venturing into the dark, the unknown, with a sense of mischief and courage.
My wish for you this Halloween is to go forth, into that unknown, hand-in-hand with the desires of your heart and the peace and wisdom of your soul. Grab the hand of your secret guide, and know that you have an entire band of heart and soul walkers, traveling right next to you.
Andrea
Let me know your worries & your dreams this Halloween. Click here.
Fall Events! Groups, readings, intuitive painting, paranormal investigation . . . pick your poison.
Take a mini-retreat with me to Pittsburgh for a boost of imagination, intuition and Fall Fun. Come to one, come to all four! Pick your poison.
First up, Happy Hour with Spirits goes to the infamous, historic Black Horse Tavern in Brownsville, PA, on September 26. Space is limited so everyone gets a reading. Book here.
Stay in Brownsville and join me on Friday, September 27 for a paranormal workshop + investigation of the Black Horse Tavern. Space is limited. Learn more and reserve your spot here.
To calm your nerves, the following afternoon, September 28, finds us in Abby Bolton’s glorious studio for intuitive readings, workshop on using color in intuition, then a guided create-your-own Inspired Flow abstract painting at Abby Bolton Arts. This is not your generic paint-n-sip workshop! Space is limited, so everyone receives personalized messages and guidance. Learn more and reserve your spot here.
Finally, join me at the Unity Center of Pittsburgh for a workshop on practical, fear-free spirit communication at the Unity Center of Pittsburgh on September 29. This is an introductory, personal development workshop designed to separate fact from fiction and give you solid tools to navigate intuition and the unknown. Reserve your place here.
Because I’m partnering with fabulous collaborators, each event must be reserved separately. Travel and accommodations are not included. I hope to see you this fall!
From Courtrooms to the Carpathians . . .
When Katarina from MysticMag reached out for an interview – prepared with insightful questions – I was happy to say yes.
Read our conversation here.
What is the Imagination Bridge?
What is the imagination bridge between our conscious mind and our soul? Why is it that sometimes we simply cannot connect with our loved ones on the other side?
Listen in to this podcast where David Strickel and I de-mystify a bunch of topics on that hazy realm beyond our conscious minds ~ with love and irreverence.
We even go all the way down into the energy basement . . .
And we discuss the continuation of personality after death and the wacky way grief continues to show up.
If you’re needing extra support and clarity this season, tune in here.
Halloween Happy Hour with Spirits!
Lift your spirits!
Happy Hour with Spirits 
returns to Charleston for Halloween!
A ghost story + mediumship & psychic readings = a faboolous start to this thrilling, soul filled weekend. 
Join me on Friday, October 27 at 6 PM, in the yoga studio at the gorgeous Salt Spa & Yoga on King Street.
Please note seating is unique in this venue – there are limited yoga chairs and meditation pillows. Feel free to bring mats, blankets or anything to make you comfortable in the yoga studio.
**This is a non-alcoholic happy hour**
Space is limited.
Join Me for a Spirited Dinner!
So excited to be part of the event line up at Fire to Table!
I’ll give readings, you’ll eat fantastic food. We’ll all connect with our hearts and souls. Reserve your spot by emailing: FireToTableEvents@gmail.com
I will provide as many connections and messages as time and energy allow.
Please know that not all attendees are guaranteed a personal reading during this event. But the intention is for everyone to experience inspiration, peace and comfort from the spirit world, and a deep connection with your own heart and soul.
You’ll have plenty of time after the event to talk with me privately.
For more information on how public group demonstrations work, watch this video here.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Online version added for Honor the Yule Workshop!
Join me for a magical workshop, offered in person and online, designed to recharge your spirit during this busy holiday season.
This is a personal development workshop where we’ll discuss old traditions and legends, then move into multi-sensory spiritual & magical practices that are most appropriate for this time of year.
I’ll also teach you a go-to winter solstice/mid-winter tarot spread (and exercise) that will be useful anytime from now through February. And I’ll use the spread to give anyone a reading who wants one (in private, not in front of the group).
Finally, we’ll end with a piece of fool-proof Estonian magic, my absolute favorite thing to do this time of the year!
Reserve your spot for December 8 at 7 PM in person.
Hope to see you this holiday season!
Honor the Yule (and Lords of Misrule), an evening of Holiday Divination
Join me for a magical workshop designed to recharge your spirit during this busy holiday season.
Take a breather from this busy season to commune with your soul and recharge your spirit, so you’re ready for the holidays and the winter ahead.
This is a personal development workshop where we’ll discuss old traditions and legends, then move into multi-sensory spiritual & magical practices that are most appropriate for this time of year.
In other words, we’ll do some soul work, commune with the spirit world, and cast a healthy spell or two (no hexes on the exes, folks!).
Reserve your spot here.
I’ll also teach you a go-to winter solstice/mid-winter tarot spread, and walk you through an intuitive exercise that will be useful anytime from now through February. And I’ll use the card spread to give anyone a reading who wants one (in private, not in front of the group).
Finally, we’ll end with a piece of fool-proof Estonian magic, my absolute favorite thing to do this time of the year!
It truly involves alchemy, and you’ll walk away with your own divining piece for the winter.
Space is limited to ensure an intimate gathering.
Limited, free onsite parking available. Instructions and directions provided after booking.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Reserve here.
Halloween events in-person & online!
Let’s play this October! Group readings & ghost story evenings . . .
Happy Hour with Spirits!
Join Andrea for Happy Hour with Spirits, an evening of readings in a small group, salon setting. Click each link below to learn more and register:
If you’re not familiar with group reading events, here’s a short video.
Craving good ol’ fashioned ghost stories, haunts, legends and lore?
Come hear strange true (!) stories of conjure and the macabre, witches, voodoo and of course, ghosts.
This event explores fascinating stories grounded in real people, real beliefs and real events, all giving rise to spectacular legends and superstitions. This event is based on works of literature, extensive archival research and numerous interviews conducted by Andrea.
Special Halloween night! This is the only event that will be recorded and available afterwards, but you must register in advance.
