I love author Liz Gilbert’s 2009 TED talk about genius coming from the ethereal genie (by the way, Liz and Tererai Trent are co-leading a workshop in October at our MEA Santa Fe campus on “Awakening Magic.”). Liz suggests that we have to be a conduit for the genie to come through us as our muse.

There are two angels who’ve been my muses and they both have MEA workshops in May. Evolutionary astrologer Steven Forrest’s every-three-year readings for the past quarter century have given me a hint that I would become a modern elder, live in a foreign country, start a school, and reconnect with my partner Oren after 15 years of separation. Steven didn’t tell me any of these things were going to happen but he helped me to see the themes in my life and the potential doors that might open.

While a twentieth century psychological astrologer might focus on the dynamics of childhood, Steven focuses on the childhood of the soul—prior lifetimes, and the issues left unresolved from them. All kinds of artists have praised his work including the musician Sting, who said that Forrest "manages to disarm the skeptic, as well as debunk the charlatanism that surrounds popular astrology, with language that is as intelligent and cogent as it is poetic.” And, actor Robert Downey Jr. has praised Steven’s work saying “I marvel at the accuracy of Steven’s readings. He insists that nothing is so grave as to be beyond repair, and correspondingly that there is no rainbow that won’t be evaporated by poor judgment in the now. I can’t recommend him highly enough.

Vanessa Inn was my tai chi teacher more than 30 years ago and this transitioned into a close friendship and being neighbors living in Baja. Like Steven, she’s got a gift for seeing themes in one’s life and being a “first-class noticer” of patterns which is why she’s been a coach to so many Hollywood celebrities (here’s an Instagram interview between her and the singer Pink, one of her clients). I’ve found her to be insightful about relationship dynamics so, in particular, couples seek her out. I consider her to be a muse for me because she’s helped me to see that when I’m in my essence, powerful things happen including the two of us seeing this cloud image as we were talking about the way the two of us figuratively dance together as friends.

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Vanessa Inn’s Essence Leads to Power workshop is May 13-18 at our Baja campus and there’s a special offer for couples for that workshop: make a brief call appointment our Admissions department and when the first partner signs up at full-tuition, the second partner is free. Steven Forrest’s workshop is May 20-25 at our Santa Fe campus. I did an online fireside chat last week with the two of them which you can see on this YouTube channel.

-Chip