Thank you Open and Ann for a great exchange, and a special mention to Tilly for best wishes of speedy mending. Thanks to Megha for the insights too, and everyone who shared.This exchange was a bit different for me because I am on day 6 of a candida cleanse diet and have noticed that I am calmer, more alert and focussed, with less mind chatter, as well as less irritable, contrary and reactive. My typical behavioural issues seem to be quietening too. It will be a long road to re-balance the dysbiosis but am quite encouraged by the results so far.

I thought this exchange wouldn't be as relevant to me as I am not in an intimate relationship, but I was very wrong. I was able to gain deeper insight into many of my current and prior intimate, non-intimate and familial relationships. Everything was relevant! Especially the reminder of not strategizing. Eager to practice and learn that way of being.

When going through the chakras I was able to 'feel' myself at the throat chakra which is highly encouraging, and felt more present and spacious through the rest. When internally inquiring about relationship issues, I felt it in the usual place just above my belly button; that 'Gordian knot'. (Have noticed I'm not feeling anything in sacral chakra which is where I'd expect it) But as I flowed with the feelings that came up, I felt a sharp spike of pain on the right side of my crown that's becoming familiar. Also lots of tightness there. Good to know it's intervention but here's my question: In order to unravel and process out karma one must feel the emotions. How would one know if it's not just intervention triggering to gain a 'fix' so to speak. How do I know I'm actually purging karma versus just indulging in emotionality at the whim of intervention? Interestingly I felt the same spike of pain when you began to speak about the benevolent Star Beings, and also started to feel this 'zoning out'. Maybe something's trying to block me? As I awoke this morning I had an image of a being with large vertical oval eyes with cat-like irises. I've had this image come up before and don't feel it is around for my best and highest good, though it didn't feel overtly threatening, more like an amused superiority maybe, like "I own you.".

When Ann was weighing in on Rich's sharings, some crows flew by close to my window right when she said the word "shadow", and then I noticed a couple pieces of what appeared to be white down floating down from one of the crows. Not sure what that was saying other than maybe the shadow releasing something from childhood?

During the toning I felt a deeper connection to the sound and am interested in exploring that more. I feel the OH toning is more impactful than the app I've been using. Sound affects me deeply at times, like for example in the movie Contact. I'm mesmerized by the sound the 'machine' makes, and listening to those computer generated clips of stars and planets is almost transcendent. Something activates; chills up the spine. And the singing bowls that Nikki speaks of. Just to mention a few. I don't have conscious awareness of Star Beings yet but if sound is an Orion thing, then I resonate with that, pun intended. Also the deep shame and pain of being subjugated and controlled, betrayed. When I look at the constellation, it feels familiar somehow. I can't quite remember but there was talk of Venusians? Right at that moment i had high-pitched ringing in my ears and wonder if it was connected.

On a side note, on Thursday heading out to vote, I was walking to the (wrong) voting site and freezing rain and ice pellets began to rain down in this perfectly vertical sheet. I wasn't feeling my best and struggling with pain but reminding myself to stay present and enjoy the journey anyway, and suddenly felt this brief opening and it was as though...I can't even describe it, no words seem to do it justice. It was absolutely wonderful. A cold grey soggy day became deeply rich and meaningful, everything was beautiful, especially the rain. It felt a bit like being a child again, full with life and no cares, or more that the cares weren't important anymore. Only the moment and connection. Little peeks.

Thanks for a wonderful, meaningful exchange! Deep gratitude, barb