Step into the supernatural world of Occoquan, Virginia with Rachael Bright. By day, she's the owner of Local Colour, a vibrant gallery featuring local artists. By night, she transforms into the self-proclaimed "crazy ghost lady of Occoquan," leading haunted tours and communicating directly with the town's supernatural residents.

Rachael's journey into spirit communication began in childhood when she first saw her mother's deceased first husband on the stairs—a man she would later identify from old wedding photos. Throughout her life, spirits have sought her out, recognizing an ability she didn't initially understand. Now, using copper dowsing rods that act like rabbit ears on an old black and white TV, she facilitates conversations between the living and the dead.

The spiritual landscape of Occoquan isn't just about random hauntings. Occoquan is a complex, interconnected community. From Tad, the seven-year-old Dutch boy who haunts Rachael's gallery, to Harry, an indigenous American from 1832 who lives in a local restaurant and is fascinated by modern technology, these spirits maintain relationships, learn new things, and possess unique talents. Some excel at moving objects, others at manipulating light, while some appear in reflective surfaces.

What makes this small Virginia town such a paranormal hotspot? Rachel describes Occoquan as a spiritual vortex centered around a conscious entity known as Oweya—a "genius loci" or local deity formed through thousands of years of indigenous spiritual practices. This presence influences both the living and the dead, drawing spiritually attuned people to the town and supporting a thriving metaphysical community.

Whether you're a skeptic or believer, Rachael's experiences challenge conventional understanding of the afterlife and suggest that the barrier between worlds is thinner than we might think. The most compelling moments come when spirits provide information that later proves accurate—like when a murdered great-grandfather named Sam warned his descendant about workplace danger through a reading.

If you are ready to experience Occoquan's supernatural side for yourself, visit OccoquanSpirits.com to book a ghost tour, or stop by Local Colour at 408 Mill Street where art, history, and the spiritual world converge in unexpected ways. You can also find Rachael on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/localcolouroldtown/

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You can find Kristine Erickson on Instagram at outrageous_wellness
Stay tuned for information on Sherry White as she rebrands!

Darkness retreats represent one of humanity's oldest spiritual traditions, practiced across cultures from South America to the Middle East, from indigenous traditions to monastic practices. Today, these powerful practices are experiencing a resurgence.

In this fascinating conversation with Keen of Dark Havens Darkness Retreats, we explore the transformative power of darkness as a catalyst for self-discovery. Keen shares his personal journey, which began with his excommunication from his fundamental Christian denomination, then through various spiritual modalities, before discovering darkness retreats as his path. His profound first experience on day five of a seven-day retreat became the turning point that ultimately led to his calling as a facilitator.

Unlike our typical approach to self-development where doing more is valued, darkness retreats invite us into the radical simplicity of being. Without visual stimulation, participants often access deeper layers of consciousness, forgotten memories, and profound insights about themselves and their purpose. The darkness functions as a perfect mirror, returning our projections back to us and creating opportunities for shadow integration that Carl Jung would surely appreciate.

The results can be life-changing. "People divide their lives into 'before darkness' and 'after darkness,'" Keen explains, sharing stories of transformed relationships, career shifts, and newfound clarity. Scientific research is now beginning to examine the neurogenesis and neuroplasticity that may underlie these profound changes.

Whether you're curious about consciousness exploration but hesitant about plant medicines, seeking greater clarity of purpose, or simply longing for the peace that comes from slowing down for a period of time, darkness retreats offer a powerful container for transformation. Listen now to discover how ancient wisdom might help us navigate our modern metacrisis.

Visit darkhavens.org to learn more about darkness retreats or find Keen's book "Darkness Speaks: An Invitation to Abyss" on Amazon.

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You can find Kristine Erickson on Instagram at outrageous_wellness
Stay tuned for information on Sherry White as she rebrands!

Kristine Erickson and Sherry White uncover the fascinating relationship between fear and spirituality, exploring how deeply rooted biological processes shape our spiritual and psychological experiences. Imagine a world where fear isn’t just a mental hurdle but a doorway to profound spiritual insight. Recent research highlights the periaqueductal gray, a brainstem nucleus, as pivotal in both fear conditioning and spiritual experiences, suggesting that spirituality is more instinctive than previously thought. Join us as we navigate the complex interplay between fear, anxiety, and spiritual growth, and reconsider how different fears, like those of death or the unknown, shape our life's journey.

Our discussions take a personal turn as we reflect on how belief systems, shaped by grief and ancestral trauma, influence our understanding of safety and security. Childhood and even in-utero experiences leave deep imprints on our mental health, with scientific evidence pointing to the inheritance of trauma across generations. In sharing personal stories of loss, we shed light on the universal challenge of managing fear while striving for balance and mental well-being. Acknowledging fear as an unavoidable reality, we explore how self-awareness and healing practices can transform it into a source of strength and growth.

Drawing inspiration from Richard Rudd's Gene Keys, Kristine and Sherry highlight the transformative power of addressing fear with love and acceptance. Recognizing fear's physical manifestations, particularly in the psoas muscle, and maintaining gut health can be pivotal in managing its impact. Our society often neglects fear, yet spirituality offers a path to confront and transform it. Navigate life's difficulties with compassion, and understand the importance of maintaining a higher consciousness in the face of collective fear. Through empathy and open-mindedness, we can work towards the greater good, listening and learning from diverse perspectives to uplift humanity together.

Tell us how we're doing

You can find Kristine Erickson on Instagram at outrageous_wellness
Stay tuned for information on Sherry White as she rebrands!