Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2016 i Chat It's Fate

Life throws thunderbolts at some people - I don't know how they survive. A close friend of mine is nursing her dying sister, while coping with her niece's cancer. Another lost her gran, sister, nephew and brother-in-law all in three years. Our lead story tells Kate's story - her battle with illness, the deaths of her parents, surviving strokes and then cancer. But she pulled through, thanks to her team of heavenly helpers. Trust them, that's the wonderful message for Christmas.…

Psychic, author and spiritual teacher Tori Hartman says: ‘More kids than you'd imagine are receptive to spirit. I did the same thing when I was a child, running to my mum. Kate’s gran’s reaction is more than typical of us adults! We unwittingly invalidate our children’s experiences by dismissing them as a tall story. Luckily for me, my mum reassured me that angels are all around us and keep us safe. Psychic children can get ill quite often because of their empathetic sense. They have no frame of reference for the energy coming at them, so manifest their isolation in sickness, hence Kate’s constant state of ill health. Our guardian angels are constantly with us – and Kate’s dad supported her through her times of crisis. He also served to…

Astro beat If you're a Cancer into classical music, there may be a reason for it - a cosmic one. French composer Fabien Maman's book, The Musique Of The Sky, investigates the link between music and astrology. In 1981, Maman used microscopic photos to document the impact of music on cells, kickstarting the concept of vibrational sound healing. Maman founded the Academy of Sound, Color and Movement, known as Tama-Do (Way of the Soul). The Academy published his previous book, The Tao of Sound , and says that this new book explores the energy field of our souls, both terrestrial and celestial. Using ancient knowledge of the Zodiac, it offers tools of self-discovery so that every reader will learn to play their personal astrological theme music. Filled…

Christmas is a time when we spend, eat and drink too much. But studies show that giving and receiving presents releases the feel-good hormone, oxytocin, and whether it’s on the karaoke or in church, a singsong gives your heart and lungs a workout. Feast For years, we’ve been warned eating too much saturated fat is bad for our hearts, but now experts say it can protect against heart disease. If scientists don’t agree, it can be hard to know which way to go. But some festive food has positive health benefits, so enjoy eating these dishes. Xmas pud Ease your conscience with the thought that dried fruit and nuts mean you’re giving the gift of potassium, iron and fibre to your body! Smoked salmon A luxurious treat that’s also packed…

Crystal fact Ant Hill Garnet Tiny miners in the form of ants find these stunning bright red gems whilst burrowing away below ground. They then push them to the top of the surface where the rain washes them clean. Ant Hill Garnet gems accumulate around ant hills, unsurprisingly! The Navajo tribe originally discovered Ant Hill Garnets, and used them for ceremonial wear. They also gave them as appreciation tokens. Wear one for emotional support and self-confidence. They are mainly found in Arizona. Ghostly Inspirations Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell Stunning Charleston House in Firle, East Sussex, was home to artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell from 1916. It quickly became a popular hang out for the other members of the Bloomsbury Group, including tragic Virginia Woolf, and E M Forster,…

Q & A Peacocks were strutting their stuff! Dear Roi de Lune Recently, I dreamt that I was looking out of my sister’s bedroom window watching a lot of peacocks walk by. Her room was empty, which was odd as she lives with me. Melissa, 39, Telford Dear Melissa Peacocks are a positive symbol of success, contentment and even wealth, though sometimes they can represent vanity or arrogance. Your dream symbolises your hopes, which your sister may share. You’ve seen or will see changes in your circumstances, and your aspirations will be fulfilled. Culture corner The Spanish surrealist artist, Salvador Dali dedicated much of his work to the subject of dreams, describing it as ‘hand-painted dream photographs’ rather than mere ‘art’. The Persistence of Memory (1931), sometimes mistakenly called The…

Your relationship Think teamwork and join forces to tackle work and money issues together. Change things around so you don’t fall into your usual roles over the festive period. Admittedly, it’s not the most romantic month for you, although Christmas Day will prove special. It’s not presents but the support and love you show that matter most. New love There’s not much in the way of intimacy and special connections this month. Instead, love has a foreign or distant theme. This could mean you meet someone who lives abroad or a new lover is going away over the holiday period. Keep busy and get involved with friends’ activities and social events. Career and money Your ruling planet Venus enters your Career Sector on the 7th, which means you’ll be in…

Your relationship The stars in the Heavens are smiling on matters of the heart. Once love Goddess Venus joins passionate Mars in your Relationship Sector on the 7th, your feelings for each other are at an all-time high. If you’re not ready to move your relationship to the next stage, your partner will. Astrology over Christmas indicates a proposal or a surprise declaration. New love Lucky opportunities abound this month if you’re looking for love, and the 2nd and 9th are glowing dates. A perfect reason to plan something special on Friday nights. Sensible Saturn dominates your Romance Sector, so you can’t avoid serious questions. Dating more than one person won’t turn out well. Career and money If you can take time out from work over the holiday period, you’d…

Your relationship This Christmas may well be special for your relationship, so put in some extra effort to ensure it’s a year to remember. Arrange a surprise the first weekend in December. If you ask family to help, you become part of something remarkable. Your other half also has a surprise in store – all will be revealed on Christmas Day. New love The person you meet on Saturday 10th will play an important role at the end of the month. Mars enters your Romance Sector on the 19th, and this is the date when your love life starts to fizz! There will be some to-ing and fro-ing, but keep options open. Something good will come from this connection. It might not lead to passion, but what you hear will…

Your relationship Love planet Venus graces your sign from the 7th, bringing with it a sense of renewal. This isn’t the time to embrace the same old approach to love, but rise to the challenge of something new. Widen your social circle together and try something you’ve never done before. Indulge in new experiences instead. New love It’d be easy to slip into a friend’s zone this month. In other words, you want a friendship to develop into something more, but you don’t want to be the one who risks rejection. The Full Moon on the 14th lights up your Romance Sector, making it the ideal date to put your heart before your head and declare your feelings. Career and money You’re most successful this month when your job involves…

My nan’s own heartbreak hotel Dear Miss Crimebuster Nan's the biggest Elvis fan and has a valuable collection of memorabilia, which she wants to leave to me. She's recently downsized and, to her horror, some of her collection has gone missing. Chloe, 23, Birmingham Dear Chloe Your nan’s old house was cluttered with bric-a-brac, and she made up boxes to be donated to charity. A young helper got the boxes mixed up and the missing Elvis memorabilia has been sold. If it’s any consolation, they are now owned by someone who loves the King as much as your nan. I need closure Dear Miss Crimebuster My son died in suspicious circumstances years ago. An open verdict was returned, but I think he was murdered. The prime suspect was a man…

Isn't it grand when something good happens right out of the blue? We all need surprises to keep us on our toes, and to revitalise a flagging energy. These thunderbolts stimulate the pleasure part of our brain, resulting in a heady rush of joy – which we often wish to share around. That helps to make the world a better place, too! How to use your Bolt From The Blue Dreamcatcher Cut it out and put it beside your bed. Make the connection Before you turn the light off, take a look at your Dreamcatcher. Visualise yourself in a field of flowers staring up at a clear, blue sky. Think about what might happen tomorrow, and let your body be infused with anticipation. Interesting things await!…

‘I wanted to know what life had in store’ From floor to ceiling, the little house was decorated in pink, tarot cards scattered everywhere. I was nervous when a cat leapt on the coffee table, but Linda Dawkins shooed him away. ‘Everything I tell you will happen over the next 15 years,’ she said. ‘But I don’t want you to come back. You need to let life unfold.’ Immediately she had my attention. The future I was 34 at the time and had never been to see a medium. But a colleague at the media agency where I worked recommended Linda. ‘She’s amazing,’ she said, giving me her phone number. I had to admit I was curious. I’d recently been through a break up and was awaiting some test results…

I’m melting! Massage Ciate London Makeup Melter, £16, ciatelondon.com, into dry skin and watch your make-up dissolve before your eyes. It works wonders on stubborn lipstick and mascara, and leaves skin feeling really soft. Sleep easy… If you’ve been partying too hard this festive season, Lavera Re-Energizing Sleeping Cream, £16.90, lavera.co.uk , is here to help. It’s full of organic ingredients such as almond and olive oils to plump and nourish your skin whilst you sleep, so you can wake up looking fresh faced. Pamper night Sanctuary Spa Be Happy Tin, £14, Boots, is packed full of indulgent treats for the perfect pampering evening. The travel-size body wash, body scrub and body lotion are great for taking away with you, too. Glow all the way St Tropez…

‘People connected with the Iceman have died’ This month's tale has a very wintry feel. It might even give you goosebumps. Hold on tight – we're going back a whopping 5,300 years... There we stumble upon a dying prehistoric man who will later be given the nickname Oetzi. OK, fast forward to the year 1991, and poor old Oetzi is now the subject of international wonder... Ice cold He's being acclaimed as one of the best preserved and intact ancient humans ever found. Not surprisingly – as he was buried in ice. But his discovery is not the only thing that Oetzi is became famous for. He is also cursed! Astonishingly, within just a year, seven people connected to the discovery of the iceman had died. Chilly curse The first…

Over the last few years I've often worked as a TV extra, but three years ago the parts dried up, and soon I wasn't receiving any offers at all. I became very down about it and felt that I needed some guidance. So I visited a medium at a psychic fayre to see if she could find some light in the darkness. The medium said she could see a huge ‘H’ in my future that would bring fortune. Shortly afterwards, the BBC offered me a part as a patient in Holby City. The psychic had been right and I was over the moon. Since then I’ve appeared on the show as various patients countless times.…

I lost Mum In July 2010, there was another blow when my mum, June, died of lung cancer at 79. I was devastated, but at least she was re-united with Dad. Then, in the following February, I was driving with the children. But as we were on a roundabout, a car sped from nowhere and slammed into my car. Back to hospital Thankfully, the children were unhurt. But the force had dislodged wires inserted to hold my chest in place after the heart op. I needed more surgery to replace them. As if that wasn’t bad enough, in September 2011 I had a major stroke followed by several mini strokes. Then, in November 2012, I was taken to hospital with terrible bleeding. I was so drained I kept collapsing. Over…

Q & A A storm was brewing Dear Jenny I dreamt of being an adult in the 1960s living by the sea in Galway. I was enjoying a singalong at the pub, but an old lady told me to go home to my husband and children. When I left, there was a storm. Catherine, 52, Dublin Dear Catherine In 1961, Caitlin Powers was walking through Galway City when a rare cyclone hit. She was killed when a tree was uprooted and fell outside the pub from which she’d just emerged. She never got home to her husband and two children. It could be said that the old lady was responsible for her death – perhaps it was her destiny to send Caitlin out into the storm. The fact that you…

I’m facing a life change Dear Lorelei I’m about to up sticks and move to Brittany and I’m fretting a bit. Maggie, 66, Wymondham, Norfolk Dear Maggie The change will be good as your aura shows a milk allergy, and all shadows over your life will fade in sunnier climes. Live close to the coast, but in a sheltered spot. You’ll make great friends, and your healing skills will be sought after. If you change your mind, look at Dartmoor and Exmoor as alternatives. Your fave colours interpreted Dear Lorelei Owning a healing centre where I can help others with my psychic skills is my dream. My fave colours are green, pale blue and purple. Lindsay, 40, Reading, Berkshire Dear Lindsay Your colours of healing, honesty and spiritual royalty show…

A few days before Christmas two years ago, I was in Chichester just before 7am for a chiropractor's appointment. It was very dark and freezing cold! As I waited for hubby Phil to walk up from the car park, I gazed across at the lights flickering in the cathedral windows and listened to the choir practising a Gregorian chant. The air was perfectly still and the singing was so beautiful. After my appointment, we went to the cathedral cafe for lunch, and on our way out, I spoke to one of the canons, telling him how wonderful the choir had been. You can imagine my surprise when he told me nobody had been in the cathedral until 9am... Michelle Cherub’s corner My son Jake, 6, asked why it always snows…

Seeing red I’ve recently been working on developing my psychic skills. I asked my sister who lives at home with our parents if she’d pick out a card from a deck at random and focus on it. I then used a form of astral projection to ‘fly’ to my parents’ house. When I got there, I saw her in the lounge. Everything was clear except her card, so I had to focus. Then I felt a surge of adrenaline – I saw red diamonds and heard the word ‘three’. I messaged my sister to say it was the three of diamonds and she said I was spot on. She took a photo of the card and I’m keeping it as a reminder of a successful exercise. Laura Preston, Newcastle Yasmin’s…

Joanna’s monthly blog Mad dash? Communication planet Mercury switches direction on the 19th – finish Christmas preparations and work deadlines before then or it’ll be a mad dash towards the big day itself. Have a think over the holidays and make plans for 2017, which officially starts on January 8th, the day Mercury turns direct. Celebrate! Two huge planetary aspects dominate the 25th and 26th, indicating that Christmas is a time of massive opportunity. The usual traditions will seem outdated, and there’ll be fresh initiative to modernise the rituals. Freedom is the key word, and there’ll be more than one radical decision or surprise event during the festive period. Baby-bump news If you’re expecting in December, here are a couple of auspicious names for your new arrival: Holly for a…

Your relationship It’s a big month for your relationship and a Full Moon cutting across your Relationship Sector on the 14th means it’s make or break time. Christmas brings revelations in the shape of a birth or pregnancy for some, whilst others will celebrate a partner’s announcement. New love A new relationship could develop quickly. But hold back as a steady pace is better than rushing into a committed arrangement. You may change your mind, so don’t make a promise you can’t keep. If there’s something you’re hiding from a new lover, speak up before the 19th. You’ll know someone is right for you when they whisk you away on holiday. Career and money Honesty’s the best policy when it comes to money. Your ruling planet Mercury turns retrograde on…

Your relationship Passion planet Mars enters your Relationship Sector on the 19th. If intimacy’s been lacking in your relationship, put love and affection first. Waiting for news over Christmas might prove unbearable, but you must show solidarity. There’s no rush with an issue concerning a child as events in early January will reveal. New love There’s plenty of scope to find love in December with your ruling planet Mercury established in your Romance Sector from the 2nd. Saturday 10th promises something special when romantic Neptune aligns with Mercury. Be careful if you want to retrace your steps as it’d be easy to fall in love with someone from your past. Career and money A busy month ahead is on the cards, but when you work alongside other people, you make…

Your relationship It’s your birthday month, so put yourself first without feeling guilty. The Full Moon on the 14th can reveal a lot about your relationship, whether you’re a united team or playing for independent leagues. If your partner goes quiet on you over the Christmas holidays, find out why. Your support will be appreciated. New love If you’re looking for a new relationship, it’s a great month to throw yourself into the social whirl. Online dating is well-starred, especially on the 2nd, 3rd and 7th, and a goal to make new friends is the starting point for love. If you fancy someone, make your intentions clear – that way you’ll find out if they feel the same. Career and money You’re keen to treat loved ones but rein in…

Your relationship It’s not ideal to keep secrets from your partner and vice versa. But this month, there’s more than one reason why someone’s not telling the truth. Focus on the facts. Talk about your future plans between Christmas and New Year, but don’t make any final decision whilst your partner planet Mercury is in retrograde. New love Venus is in the most hidden sector of your chart from the 7th and this is classic love affair territory. There’s no reason why you can’t enjoy romantic encounters, but don’t plan the wedding just yet. You’ll have to see what a new year brings before you’ll know whether a flirtation or liaison will last. Career and money Career and money matters paint a lively picture, and you’ll benefit from a promotion,…

‘Michael often knew who was on the phone or at the door’ Horrified, I put the phone down. My son’s headmaster wanted to expel my 13-year-old due to his disruptive behaviour. Michael was a handful, yes. But I couldn’t let him get expelled. Chills I began researching child behaviour on the Internet, and came across websites about Indigo Children. It gave me chills, describing Michael perfectly. Indigos see auras and some have premonitions. They aren’t scared of authority and are hyperactive because they’re bored. In some cases, their behaviour leads to a misdiagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Energy therapy Michael had all these characteristics, plus he was highly intuitive and often knew who was on the phone or at the door. In fact, I was convinced my son was…

A chemical spill may cause an evacuation of Darlington. The X Factor is ousted from the number one Xmas spot by Bowie. The catwalk could lose its appeal for Victoria Secrets model Shanina Shaik. The top football job may go to Harry Redknapp. Will a massive fire in Brazil cause carnage? Gareth Gates’ fans flock to see him in a new musical. Britain sees its wettest December in 100 years. Could Maggie's ghost be guiding our Prime Minister? Nigel Farage could get his life back with a younger woman. Internal fighting may see ISIS implode. For Lotto luck, try 4, 9, 14, 27, 33 and 55. For EuroMillions, go for 11, 24, 35, 39 and 44, Lucky Stars 2 and 3.…

‘Maggie, who was a medium, told me I had the gift’ ‘There was just a 50 per cent chance I’d survive the op’ My fingers danced across the keys as I played a tune on my grandparents’ grand piano. Suddenly, the sheet music was snatched by invisible hands and thrown through the air. I gasped in shock as it hit me on the side of the head. ‘What the..?’ I gulped. Then, terrified, I leapt up, sprinted out of the room. Whenever I visited my grandparents, Charles and Elsie Crabtree, at their Tudor mansion in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, I saw the spirits that haunted the ancient house. Ghosts I often spotted the ghosts of a nanny and two children who’d died in the nursery when a fire swept through the…

Crash course Six years ago, I was driving on the M25 when a lorry clipped the back of my car, spinning me round the wrong way. As traffic came at me, I was terrified, thinking another lorry would smash into me and kill me. Suddenly, I noticed a golden glow filling up the inside of my car. Feeling strangely calm, I looked down and noticed my mobile on my lap. Strange, as I’d put it in my handbag, which had been flung away following the impact. I managed to call 999 and the warm light stayed with me, only vanishing when another driver stopped to help me. Walking away from the car, I couldn’t believe I was unharmed. I know the glowing light was an angel who intervened to save…

A few months ago, I had a message about my past life from Jenny. I have had breast abscesses since birth and these were unexplained. I know now that I ‘arranged’ them so I couldn’t breastfeed in this life. I asphyxiated my baby in a past life this way. My daughter now is that baby. She was very sick and needed physio and speech therapies, but she has taught me patience and calmness. I’ve since been attuned in Reiki and learned to meditate. The past-life reading made things clearer for me.…

Q & A How to dodge a spot of bother? Dear Jayda Idon’t want spots over the festivities, so how can I avoid them? Eliza, 24, Bristol Dear Eliza Skincare begins with a healthy diet, so eat colourful fruit and veg every day. Making your own night cream is fun and effective. This recipe can even help with acne. Mix 2tbsp of aloe vera gel with 1tsp of essential lavender oil. Then add 1tsp of evening primrose oil. Mix well and store in the fridge. Smells wonderful! It keeps me awake at night Dear Jayda During the night, I get terrible pain in my leg, making it hard to sleep. Sara, 67, Plymouth Dear Sara You may have a herniated (slipped) disk. Disks are like rubbery cushions between the bones…

Signs across the divide Clever kitty My cat Smartie lived up to her name. She'd poke her head in my shopping bags, looking for treats. ‘Smartie pants,’ I laughed. I loved her to bits, so when she went missing in March 2013, I was devastated. My partner Arthur, 61, and I spent hours trawling the neighbourhood calling her name and putting up posters But with each passing day, there was no news. After nine weeks, we decided to get two kittens, Tipsy and Marbles, to cheer us up. But my heart still ached for Smartie. Then four months on, a neighbour knocked at our door. ‘Smartie’s in our shed,’ they said with a sad look on their face. Smartie had died. She must’ve been hit by a car and ran…

Your relationship You’re in need of excitement, so bring something new to your relationship this month. If you feel bored, do something about your social life and encourage your partner to do the same. Christmas Day is full of surprises and in a good way. But one proposition might not be all that you’d hoped for. New love Love and friendship go hand in hand, and there’s plenty of opportunity for you to steal a kiss under the mistletoe. Widen your social circle if you’re looking for love. The person who’s really keen on you might show up over Christmas. Expect some sexy texts on the big day itself. Whether in or out of love, enjoy the festivities. Career and money Communication planet Mercury turns retrograde in your Career Sector…

Your relationship Your lazy side is showing itself, so get rid of it quick! Your liaison’s rolling along a predictable course, and you’re not questioning why. Speak up before communication planet Mercury turns retrograde in your Relationship Sector on the 19th. If ever there was a time to plan a holiday, it’s now. New love Are you in lurve with someone who’s unavailable or is a secret being kept from you? Mercury’s reversing through your Relationship Sector, which makes it hard to get the truth. Don’t get overly involved until you’ve asked the right questions. Modern technology helps to unite you with someone special over Christmas. Career and money Help arrives just in the nick of time in the form of a gift of money. This is good news if…

Your relationship You’re a champion of equality and fairness, and your friends adore you for it. But there’s an imbalance in your love life which you must address. Don’t avoid a personal issue that might crop up over Christmas. Events over the holiday could be quite extraordinary. Maybe you’ll be given an offer you can’t refuse. New love Your ruler Venus enters your Romance Sector on the 7th where it joins passion planet Mars. Put the two together and love could sweep you off your feet. The first weekend of December is perfect for a steamy date. Librans like to avoid confrontation, but at the end of the year, it’ll become increasingly important to speak your mind. Career and money Events at home and in your personal life have an…

Your relationship If you’re craving some me time, this isn’t the easiest month to claw back independence. But it’s worth a shot. Look after your own needs on the run up to Christmas and don’t slip into overwhelm. Try suggesting to your partner that you’re going on a retreat or spa day. The Capricorn New Moon on the 29th is perfect to set new intentions. New love You’re not at your most confident this month and you’re finding the party scene trying. So you might struggle if you want to meet someone new. The same goes if you’re in a new relationship but not in the mood to date or socialise. After the 7th, keep your expectations low and don’t feel obliged to step out of your comfort zone. Career…

As I twirled the house keys, my wife Nelly rolled her eyes. ‘I can’t believe you bought a property without stepping inside,’ she said. ‘Have you lost the plot?’ ‘I couldn’t resist,’ I replied in August 2012, despite the £80,000 price tag! See, the former council house on 30 East Drive, in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, has a chilling history… Terrifying Twenty years ago, I was working at an advertising agency when my colleague Pat told me about the house. His aunt and her husband had lived there with their two teenagers. ‘It’s the most haunted house in Britain,’ Pat said. ‘The family were terrorised by a violent poltergeist, worse than The Amityville Horror. It dragged their daughter upstairs by her throat, smashed furniture and pulled people out of bed.’ Terrifying!…

Witch report Veleda certainly knew how to pack a punch back in the 1st Century. Revered as a Goddess by Germanic tribes, she delivered prophecies from a tower near the Lippe river. She predicted the total destruction of some Roman legions with whom her people were at war. As a seer, she was considered the best! Worshippers weren’t allowed to approach her. All women were highly respected – with or without witchy powers Riddle’s remedies Dear Kirsten I suffer with nightmares that bother me for days. Becky, 27, London Dear Becky Create a charm. You’ll need a piece of stone to represent the earth, and lapis lazuli, associated with the sky. Put them in a charm bag and place beneath your pillow. For happy dreams, rub lavender essential oil into…

My dreams call me Dear Yasmin I'm with a great man and have two kids, but I'm unfulfilled. I'm not making much money, but I want to support my family. I keep feeling the tug to write a book with a Native American theme. Sam, 31, Doncaster Dear Sam Urges such as this should be listened to. They’re our soul calling, and our guides helping us to hear them. Writing a book doesn’t mean you have to quit your job – you can do it early mornings or late at night. Plenty of successful authors started off this way. Saturn currently in your Writing Zone will help you be disciplined. The card you got is Family Changes, which suggests that those connected to your family will influence your next step.…

Which is your lucky planet? 1. Would you like: a) a sharper mind b) to be more attractive c) more self-assertion d) more optimism e) more self-discipline 2. Are you fascinated by: a) eloquence b) beauty c) power d) confidence e) determination 3. Do you long for life to be more: a) lively and changeable b) romantic and creative c) active and challenging d) adventurous and mind-expanding e) reliable and achieving 4. Do you most admire people who are: a) clever b) gorgeous c) courageous d) happy-go-lucky, e) authoritative 5. In your dreams you're: a) a top novelist b) a film star c) an Olympic sports-person d) a wealthy entrepreneur e) a top scientist 6 You wish you were less: a) dull and slow-witted b) clumsy and dumpy c) nervous…