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Objection to Massachusetts Bill S261 – Licensing of Reiki and Related Therapies in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Bill S261: An Act regulating alternative healing therapies

To Whom It May Concern,

I write today to strongly oppose the proposed regulation and licensing of Reiki and other spiritual or energy-based healing modalities in Massachusetts under Bill S261: An Act regulating alternative healing therapies. I do so as a professional with over 20 years of experience in both the domestic violence field and in Reiki and spiritual healing traditions, grounded in authentic Japanese lineage and cultural practices.

I am a Shihan (teacher) trained in Jikiden Reiki, a traditional form of Reiki that originates from Kyoto, Japan. My lineage is directly connected to the source of this sacred healing practice: my teacher’s mother studied directly with Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, one of the prime students of Reiki’s founder, Mikao Usui. My teachers remain in Japan, where the practice is deeply integrated with cultural and spiritual traditions rooted in Shinto and Buddhism. It is crucial to understand that Reiki is a lineage-based spiritual practice—not a manual therapy, not a modality that can be standardized or clinically codified without violating the very essence of its origins.

There is no U.S. school or institutional body that holds the cultural, historical, or spiritual authority to train practitioners or regulate this work in the depth that authentic Japanese lineage allows. To regulate this work under a Western framework would be both culturally inappropriate and spiritually harmful. My Japanese teachers, due to cultural and spiritual reasons, would not support licensing as it would violate core beliefs tied to the sacred nature of Reiki.

Furthermore, I have over two decades of experience working intimately with survivors of domestic violence, trauma, and systemic abuse. I was part of the TRAC coalition that testified in support of the Coercive Control Bill and the Litigation Abuse Bill during the last legislative session. Although I am not writing on behalf of TRAC, some of you may recognize my face from that work. In addition, I testified independently on 11 other bills not affiliated with TRAC, all related to protecting vulnerable populations and advocating for survivor rights.

As someone who works in both healing and advocacy, I can tell you that bills such as this one—no matter how well-intentioned—risk doing far more harm than good. They create additional barriers for the very people we aim to support:

  • trauma survivors,
  • low-income individuals,
  • those faced with end of life
  • those in addiction recovery
  • and members of marginalized communities.

Reiki has been an accessible and empowering support tool for many of these individuals, often provided at no cost through volunteer services.

Much of the Reiki I offer is done on a volunteer basis. I have facilitated volunteer Reiki programs at nursing homes, clinics for addiction recovery, and for survivors of domestic violence. I offer it through circles, teachings, and community programs. Reiki does not have to involve touch—in fact, it rarely does. A simple handshake from a trained teacher could be deemed a violation under this proposed legislation. Even something as universally accepted and scientifically supported as a hug, known to have therapeutic benefits, could be considered illegal under the regulatory language proposed. The same could be said for prayer in religious institutions.

This bill, in its current form, threatens to infringe upon constitutionally protected spiritual and religious practices. It could target Native American, Wiccan, Buddhist, Shinto, Spiritualist, and other traditional spiritual practices, violating the Religious Freedoms Act. Reiki, as practiced by myself and many others, falls under this category as a spiritual path, not a clinical modality.

As further evidence of my dedication and expertise in this field, I am the author of Secrets to Healing: An Invitation to Healing Trauma and Other Root Causes of Chronic Illness Using the Japanese Reiki Gokai, available on Amazon. This book explains how the core of Reiki is not about physical touch but about embodying five guiding principles that foster healing from within. Anyone who reads these principles and integrates them into daily life is, in essence, practicing Reiki. Requiring licensing to “use” these principles would be like regulating someone’s prayer or meditation practice.

I understand the importance of protecting the public from unethical or predatory practices, but this is not the way. Sweeping, vague regulatory language will only restrict access, harm vulnerable populations, and erode sacred traditions.

I would welcome the opportunity to speak with legislators to offer alternatives that address the root issues which inspired this bill in the first place. I believe we can co-create protective frameworks without violating spiritual traditions, harming practitioners, or creating additional trauma for survivors who already face overwhelming barriers to care.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and willingness to protect both public well-being and spiritual freedom.

Sincerely,
Laura Bonetzky-Joseph
Survivor of Domestic Abuse, Coercive Control, Sexual Assault, Post Separation Abuse

Shihan (Teacher), Jikiden Reiki Kenkyukai (Kyoto, Japan)

Author, Secrets to Healing & C0-Author of Feisty

Advocate for Survivors of Domestic Violence & Trauma

Healing Practitioner & Community Leader
Hingham, MA

For more information, please follow Reiki Unified

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Reigniting the Sacred Flame: Beltane, Ancestral Healing & the Return of the Wise Woman

Read prior post: Beltane Blessings (click here)

As the Wheel turns and the wild green world bursts into bloom, Beltane (pronounced BEL-tay-nuh or BEL-tuhn) arrives with her fire and flowers—a threshold moment where spirit and matter dance, where the veil thins, and where we are invited to remember our sacred belonging.

Beltane, rooted in ancient Celtic tradition, marks the midway point between spring equinox and summer solstice. It’s a celebration of fertility, passion, and the divine union of land and sky. Bonfires once blazed across the Irish hills to bless the cattle, protect the crops, and awaken the vital energies of life. And today, this sacred time continues to offer us medicine for modern disconnection, inviting us to reignite what has gone cold in our souls.

This year, my own Beltane journey is deeply tied to ancestral remembrance, spiritual preparation, and the reclamation of the Wise Woman within—not just for myself, but for those I serve.

A Full Pilgrimage, A Full Heart

In just a few weeks, I will lead an intimate group of brave and beautiful souls on a sacred pilgrimage to Ireland that we started in February as part of a six-month journey.

This year’s journey is full, and my heart is overflowing with gratitude for those who said yes to this deep ancestral healing. We will walk the lands of the goddesses, tend the wounds of lineage, and reclaim the stories that patriarchy, colonization, and religious indoctrination tried to erase.

Though registration for this year’s pilgrimage is closed, you can join the waitlist here to be among the first to receive details for future journeys. If your bones are whispering soon, listen.

Beltane Rituals: Fire, Flowers & the Feminine

copyright 2019 Laura Joseph, Healing With Spirit

In preparation for this sacred work, I’m weaving in traditional Irish customs and rituals that connect me to both land and lineage:

Sacred Fire & Candle Ceremony: I’ll light a ceremonial fire (or candle altar) to honor the ancestors, set intentions for the coming season, and call in the spirits of protection, growth, and fierce compassion.

Floral Offerings: Hawthorn branches, primrose, and rowan berries—plants deeply tied to the fae and Irish folklore—will be gathered and offered at thresholds: doorways, sacred trees, and the altar.

Earth & Body Connection: Walking barefoot on the land, listening to the heartbeat of the earth, and placing my prayers into the soil, I allow the land to speak through me—and to hold the healing for all those I work with.

Water Blessings: As Beltane is also associated with sacred wells and the divine feminine, I’ll offer water rites for cleansing, fertility, and renewal—sprinkling blessed water on tools, hands, and heart.

Supporting the Rise of the Wise Woman

While the pilgrimage is full, there are still powerful ways to connect and be supported in your own sacred path this season:

Accessing the Wise Woman Within – October 5th Retreat

A one-day immersive experience where we gather in sisterhood to remember, reclaim, and embody the healed and whole grandmother wisdom within.

Featuring vibrational sound healing, tea ceremony, ancestral rituals, and sacred circle. Facilitated by Christel Poirier and Laura Bonetzky-Joseph

Buffalo Drum-Making Workshop – November 2nd with Janee King

Craft your own medicine drum in sacred ceremony, connecting to the heartbeat of the Mother and the rhythm of your soul.

Perfect for those called to deepen their healing journey through sound and ritual.

Women’s Circle Gatherings

Monthly support and healing circles to connect, share, release, and rise—especially needed during these turbulent times when so many of us are holding so much.

Each of these offerings is an extension of my life’s work: to hold space for deep healing, ancestral remembrance, and spiritual reclamation rooted in authenticity, integrity, and love.

A Personal Invitation

Whether you join us in circle, drum your prayers into being, or light your own Beltane flame at home, I invite you to pause and ask:

  • What sacred flame within me is asking to be reignited?
  • What wisdom have I buried that now wants to rise?
  • Where can I say yes to beauty, pleasure, and purpose?

Let this be the season you remember your magic. Let this be the year you return to the earth, to the ancestors, and to the Wise Woman within.

With fire, flowers, and fierce love,
Laura Bonetzky-Joseph

A multi-generational and multi-disciplinary approach to healing

Jikiden Reiki Shihan | Ancestral Healing Guide | Spiritual Activist | Intuitive | Author | Podcast Host

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Which Side of History Will You Be On?

A Call for Humanity Amid Genocide and Manufactured Narratives

There’s something deeply disturbing I’ve noticed over these past months—something that should shake the conscience of every person paying attention.

Since October 7th, not a single widely shared image has surfaced showing a Palestinian child or civilian wielding a weapon. And yet, the world has watched—mostly in silence—as over 20,000 Palestinian babies and children have been slaughtered. Let that sink in. These were infants, toddlers, schoolchildren. Their lives ended before they had the chance to begin. And another 17,000 have been orphaned—left to survive on their own, without schools, without access to clean water, without homes, without medical care, without food.

We are witnessing a genocide funded with tens of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars, disguised beneath word salad and political spin. Leaders use vague justifications for the unthinkable, while backdoor deals and power plays—like the rumored Trump-Netanyahu-backed “Trump Riviera”—are made on the ashes of Palestinian homes and bodies.

This is not just political corruption. It’s the weaponization of blatant Islamophobia—and it’s reaching dangerous extremes.

For those unfamiliar with the region or its people, let me make something clear: Palestinians are not a monolith, and they are certainly not the enemy. They are Muslim, yes. But also Christian, Jewish, secular, and spiritual. They are artists, teachers, doctors, farmers, children. They are human beings. And to reduce them to a single narrative—one of “terrorist” or “enemy”—is not only factually wrong, but morally indefensible.

I have personally followed the story of a Palestinian journalist—a kind, courageous soul—who spent nearly two years documenting the horrors on the ground. I watched him grow thinner over time as starvation set in. I saw his hope persist even as the world looked away. And I saw, finally, the footage of his death. Targeted. Burned alive. His life extinguished not just by bombs, but by the apathy of a world that refused to speak up.

I’ve seen the bodies of children. Babies, some still swaddled in blankets. I’ve watched videos of limbs blown apart. I’ve seen hospitals reduced to rubble. More recently, I learned of an international team of medical first responders—doctors and humanitarians—who were captured, tortured, executed, and buried in a shadow grave. Their only crime? Trying to save lives.

And yet, in some corners of the internet and media, adults are cheering. Laughing. Celebrating the dismemberment of children as though it were justified. As though trauma and permanent disability are necessary collateral. As though genocide is acceptable if it fits their chosen narrative.

Where is our collective moral compass?

Let’s be clear: hundreds of human rights organizations and nonprofit groups—many of which have no political agenda—have confirmed and condemned what is happening. They have documented the war crimes, begged for international intervention, and pleaded with the world to listen. And still, we find ourselves here.

This genocide is not only killing Palestinians. It is killing our humanity.

History is watching. And one day, our children and grandchildren will ask us where we stood.

  • Did we question the lies we were told?
  • Did we allow fear or bias to blind us to the truth?
  • Did we use our voices to protect the innocent?

It’s not too late to wake up. It’s not too late to reclaim our humanity. But we must be willing to see the truth through the smoke, unlearn the propaganda, and demand better—from our governments, from our media, from ourselves.

  • To remain silent is to be complicit.
  • To justify is to dehumanize.
  • To act is to choose love and justice.

So I ask you again: Which side of history will you be on?

Resources: Take Action & Support Humanitarian Relief

Here are organizations doing essential work—on the ground and in legislative halls—supporting Palestinians and advocating for an end to the violence:

Advocacy & Policy Change

  • CODEPINK – A women-led grassroots movement working to end U.S. support for Israeli occupation and militarism. Offers campaigns to contact representatives and demand a ceasefire.
  • Jewish Voice for Peace – A Jewish-led organization standing firmly against antisemitism and all forms of oppression, calling for an end to U.S. military funding to Israel.
  • US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) – Focused on policy change and grassroots advocacy for Palestinian liberation and equal rights.
  • Defense for Children International – Palestine – Defends the rights of Palestinian children in the Occupied Territories through legal defense, documentation, and international advocacy.

Humanitarian Aid

Raise your voice.

Donate if you can.

Share accurate information.

Question the narratives that normalize violence.

Most importantly—refuse to be silent.

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A Sacred Homecoming: Making Peace with Every Woman You’ve Been

Make peace with all the women you once were

The one who doubted her power.

The one who gave too much, even when it hurt.

The one who was told to shrink, to stay small, to silence her fire.

The one who fought, who rose, who refused to be erased.

Every version of you paved the way for the woman you are today.

On this International Women’s Day, we are called to honor not only the women who inspire us but also the women within us—those past versions who survived, adapted, and did the best they could with what they knew.

Too often, we carry shame, guilt, and unresolved wounds from who we once were. We judge our past selves harshly, forgetting that each chapter of our lives was a necessary part of our becoming.

But what if we approached these past versions with compassion instead of criticism?

What if we saw each past self as a guardian—holding wisdom, strength, and lessons meant to guide us forward?

The Journey of Reclamation

This journey is not about forgetting the past but rather about reclaiming the parts of ourselves we left behind. Through Reiki, ancestral healing, and spiritual guidance, I help women untangle from old stories, heal ancestral wounds, and rewrite their narrative with compassion and power.

Healing isn’t about erasing who we were—it’s about embracing her.

The girl who once dreamed.

The woman who dared to heal.

The wise one rising now.

This is the path of the Sacred Feminine.

This is the power of self-forgiveness

The Medicine of the Wise Woman Retreat – October 5th (click here)

If this resonates, I invite you to join me for the Medicine of the Wise Woman Retreat on Sunday, October 5th—a day dedicated to connecting with the wise, whole, and healed grandmother ancestry of blood and bone.

Through vibrational healing, ceremonial practices, and experiential activities, we will journey together to heal ancestral lineages, reclaim personal power, and embody the wisdom of the women who came before us.

This is for the woman ready to rise.
This is for the woman ready to remember.
This is for the woman ready to make peace with all she has been.

>> Secure your spot now to walk this sacred path with us.
>> Learn more and register at Medicine of The Wise Woman Retreat 
>> Tag a woman who needs this journey.

Share this to spread the energy of self-forgiveness and empowerment.

This International Women’s Day, let’s not just celebrate—we RISE. We HEAL. We REMEMBER.

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The Most Radical Act of Revolution: Healing Ancestral Wounds

In a world that often feels fractured and chaotic, the most profound act of revolution may not be marching in the streets but turning inward to heal the wounds carried within our bloodlines.

Healing ancestral wounds isn’t just a personal journey—it’s a collective one.

As a multi-generational, multi-disciplinary healer and intuitive with over 20 years of experience, I guide others in reclaiming what has been stolen, forgotten, or buried beneath layers of oppression, toxic capitalism, and religious persecution. The time to begin this deeper sacred work is NOW.

Why 2025 Is the Year to Heal Your Ancestral Wounds

1)🌱 Energetic Alignment
The energy this year is ripe for transformation and deep healing. We’re entering a powerful period of introspection and realignment, making it the perfect time to release generational trauma. Ancestral wounds are not just echoes of the past; they are patterns that influence our thoughts, emotions, and even the political and social landscapes we navigate today. By addressing these wounds, we break cycles of pain and make space for clarity, purpose, and authentic power.

2)🔥 Healing the Collective
When we heal ourselves, we create ripples that extend far beyond our individual lives. Ancestral healing not only transforms our reality but also elevates the collective consciousness. The political and social structures surrounding us reflect centuries of unresolved wounds. Healing these patterns within ourselves helps to shift these external realities, allowing for a more just and harmonious world.

3)💫 Empowered Sovereignty
Reconnecting with ancestral wisdom is a pathway to reclaiming authentic power. Many of the challenges we face today—both personally and collectively—stem from a severance with the wisdom of our ancestors. By healing these wounds, we recover not only the wisdom lost but also the strength to walk our paths with integrity, purpose, and sovereignty.

Healing Within Shapes the World Around Us

The work of healing is not just for ourselves—it’s for the generations that come after us.

When we heal our ancestral wounds, we impact our children, grandchildren, and even generations we will never meet.

These ripples extend to everything around us—people, the environment, wildlife, and into direct harmony with Great Mother Earth.

As we transform within, we influence the very fabric of reality, contributing to a world that is more compassionate, conscious, and connected.

The Journey of Ancestral Healing

Ancestral healing is an intuitive and customized journey that weaves together 20+ years of trauma work with Reiki, ancestral healing, plant medicine, spiritual guidance, medical intuitive practices, numerology, tarot, vibrational healing, sound bath, and ritual and ceremonial practices—encompassing the ancient ways—all led by Spirit and the wisdom of the body.

Each journey is unique, guided by where you are and what your soul needs to reclaim and heal.

This sacred work is not about bypassing or glossing over pain but diving deep into the roots of wounding to reclaim your power, voice, and sovereignty.

It is about restoring what has been fragmented and remembering who you are beyond the layers of conditioning and trauma.

Are You Ready to Heal Your Lineage?

This work isn’t just for you—it’s for your descendants.

Copyright 2024 Healing With Spirit, Laura Bonetzky Joseph, Adam Kaczmarek Photography in Cong, Ireland.

Your healing today creates ripples that impact generations to come, transforming both your lineage and the world around you.

Whether it’s through a 1:1 session, group work, or a sacred retreat, I’m here to guide you on this profound journey of reclamation and healing.

✨ Dive Deeper:

🦋 Purchase Secrets to Healing to explore these themes further.

🎙️ Listen to the Triggers in Spiritual Medicine podcast for insights, interviews, and actionable steps for your spiritual journey.

To book a session visit https://HealingWithSpirit.as.me/

or learn more about my offerings, purchase a book, listen to the podcast, social media links visit linktr.ee/HealingWithSpirit.

Embrace this sacred revolution. Heal your lineage. Transform the world.

With love, Laura

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Card For Today: Page of Swords Reversed; The Fog of Truth & the Trickster’s Illusions

Today, Tuesday, February 18, 2025, I pulled tarot both looking at the energies of today and subsequently pulled cards looking into the current energetic climate collectively, in the USA, politically especially surrounding the energetic influences around Musk and Trump. You can check out that information by clicking here.

This post on the card pull for today, the crow which also represents the ace of swords in tarot. What I realized AFTER I did the nine-card reading on the overall energetic influences, I noticed one thing that really caught my attention. That is, THIS card in a reversed position representing the energies of today, and the ace of swords in another tarot deck also reversed in the present position really caught my attention.

In my world, we typically would say, you can’t make this shit up moment.

The Page of Swords reversed brings an element of immaturity, misinformation, impulsive communication, and surveillance – a trickster energy that aligns even more closely with crow medicine.

Truth is twisted, logic is clouded, and deception runs rampant. It can indicate manipulated narratives, half-truths, and cognitive dissonance—a battle between what is real and what is being spun to appear real.

Crows as massagers and wisdom keepers, now appear as both watchers and warners. This moment calls for sharpening discernment – not just in recognizing deception, but also in how we react to it.

This ties in directly with the U.S.’s current energy, Musk, and Trump from the other cards I pulled today as well – (see other post here):

  • Reckless action fueled by misjudgment (The Fool).
  • Failed expectations due to poor foresight (Three of Wands reversed).
  • Confusion, blurred facts, and a war over perception (Ace of Swords reversed).

We see this playing out on multiple levels today.

  • Media wars: What is truth, and what is narrative control? The power of perception is being wielded like a weapon.
  • Legal entanglements & political deception: People are making high-stakes moves based on distorted information.
  • AI & tech manipulation: The rapid push into artificial intelligence and digital influence is a double-edged sword—presented as innovation but riddled with ethical and moral blindness.

The Energy of Today & Crow Medicine: The Trickster, the Messenger & the Prophecy Bearer

The Crow is deeply tied to this reversed Page of Swords energy. In many traditions, Crows are both tricksters and truth-tellers—able to see through illusion and expose hidden truths, but also capable of mischief and deception.

Right now, Crow energy is strong, and it’s bringing messages about:

1. Illusions crumbling & narratives shifting. The things once taken as solid truth are beginning to show cracks.

Are we being misled?

Are we making judgements without enough information?

Are we speaking or reacting prematurely?

2.Prophetic insight rising. Those who can see beyond the veil—intuitives, visionaries, and seekers—are feeling an energetic urgency. The truth is out there, but only those who listen deeply will hear it.

3.Trickster forces in play. Not all deception is malicious; some is meant to wake us up. But are we willing to see the tricks for what they are?

This ties directly into what’s happening in the U.S., with Musk and Trump, and on the global stage. We are at a crossroads of perception—and the Crow is cawing loudly, asking:

  • What are you refusing to see?
  • Where is your information coming from?
  • Are you being tricked, or are you being initiated into deeper wisdom?

How to Navigate This Energy

With the Page of Swords reversed & Crow medicine, “discernment” is everything. Again, a repeated theme I stated in the 2025 energy forecast on the podcast Triggers and Spiritual Medicine that was recorded in December 2024. Click here.

  • Pause before reacting. The first story you hear is often the most manipulated. Let the truth emerge.
  • Look for synchronicities. Crows often appear when a deeper message is at play. Pay attention to signs.
  • Use your own intuition. The world is screaming opinions, but your inner knowing is the real guide. We must listen between the lines.
  • Stay grounded in wisdom, not fear. Trickster energy thrives on fear-based reactions. Center yourself in clarity.

Crow’s Warning:

Not all information is true. Be cautious of assumptions, gossip, and sensationalized narratives.

Someone may be watching. The reversed page of swords can indicate surveillance, data collection, or hidden monitoring – whether on a global scale or personal level.

Watch for intellectual arrogance. Are we resisting new perspectives out of stubbornness? Are we dismissing inconvenient truths?

Crows are known to mimic sounds and even play tricks on humans and other animals. They remind us that not everything spoken is what it seems. The page of swords reversed suggests an urgent need to decode double meanings and look beyond surface level words.

Another major warning here is mental chaos and information overload. The page of swords reversed is like doomscrolling, overanalyzing, and getting lost in an endless loop of speculation.

Are we consuming too much conflicting information?

Are we being bated into distraction?

Are we losing touch with inner knowing because of external noise?

Turning trickster energy into power using the mind strategically

The page of swords reversed can be impulsive, but crow masters the long game. Instead of rushing into battles, crow chooses when to strike and when to wait.

Crow’s strategy for intellectual mastery:

Gather information, but do not act immediately. Let knowledge simmer before making decisions.

Refine your communication. Instead of wasting energy arguing, speak with precision.

Use humor and wit as tools, not weapons. Trickster energy can be wielded wisely to disarm manipulation.

Final Thoughts

The Page of Swords reversed is the sword of illusion or the sword of revelation—it all depends on how we choose to engage with it. Right now, Crow medicine is working with this energy, calling us to see beyond the smoke and mirrors. If we lean into discernment, we can move from confusion to wisdom. If we don’t, we risk getting lost in the trickster’s game.

Crow is her to help us see beyond words, sharpen our minds, and navigate with wisdom.

Instead of reacting impulsively, we listen.

Instead of being distracted, we refocus.

Instead of falling for tricks, we become the strategists.

Are we ready to embrace the lesson of the trickster – not to deceive, but to see through the deception?

Crow is waiting for those who dare.

Share your thoughts and stay tuned for more deep dives into the unseen forces shaping our world.

If you would like to see how these energies are influencing your life and would like to book a reading, click here. 

In the meantime,

Stop.

Pause.

BREATHE.  Create space.

What is the action step?

Above all, practice kindness as love TRUMPS hate.

With love,

Laura

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The Tarot Speaks – Where is the U.S. (and Its Leaders) Headed?

If you have been following me on social media or in groups, I have been offering psychic energetic updates regarding the political environment including elections for the last 12-13 years. Considering the current increasing chaotic energetic, collective, and political climate over the last year, I have offered numerous updates along the way.

Please note, what I say sometimes will NOT be explicit for a reason while also understanding the energetic implications of my words to the whole and my intention is NOT to incite fear, but to instill a deeper understanding of hard truths, clear out old wounds and learn how to move through uncertainty from a place of power, clarity, and grace.

The following is what is being seen through tarot, my personal interpretation, and a guide to navigate on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of global and political shifts, today’s (2/18/25) tarot reading sheds light on the energetic patterns influencing the United States, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump.

Past: Hidden Moves & Strategic Departures (High Priestess, Eight of Cups, Ace of Pentacles)

The High Priestess signals that much of what has shaped the present was decided behind closed doors. Hidden knowledge, secrecy, and power plays have been at work.

The Eight of Cups suggests that key players walked away from something significant—whether ideological alliances, old structures, or outdated systems.

Meanwhile, the Ace of Pentacles indicates this was not just an emotional or spiritual shift but a calculated one, involving financial and strategic gains.

This points to a past where political, corporate, and elite influences were quietly repositioning power, wealth, and influence for what was to come.

Present: Blind Leaps Fueled by Misinformation (The Fool, Three of Wands Reversed, Ace of Swords Reversed)

Currently, we are in Fool energy—a time of leaps of faith and new beginnings, but also recklessness and naivety.

However, with the Three of Wands reversed, expectations are not being met, and careful planning is lacking.

Meanwhile, the Ace of Swords reversed suggests confusion, misinformation, and decisions being made without full clarity.

In short: there’s a rush toward change, but it’s being fueled by misjudgment and false confidence.

The U.S. is acting impulsively.

Musk is making bold moves in AI, space, and media without full foresight.

Trump is making strategic choices without truly understanding their consequences.

Future: Delays, Chaos & the Fiery Fight for Stability (Eight of Wands Reversed, Temperance Reversed, Queen of Clubs)

Looking ahead, the Eight of Wands reversed warns of delays, miscommunication, and stalled progress.

Temperance reversed signals extreme polarization and imbalance—things won’t naturally correct themselves.

But the Queen of clubs aka Queen of wands is charismatic, confident, and fiery – a dynamic energetic figure who embodies personal power, courage, and creativity.   Whether through a key leader (think women in leadership positions especially), economic shifts, or collective action, something—or someone—will work to restore grounded decision-making.

Final Insights

  • The U.S. has moved from a period of secrecy and strategic shifts into a reckless, misinformed present.
  • Both Musk and Trump may be overestimating their influence, facing consequences they didn’t foresee.
  • The future brings instability, but also forces working toward practical solutions.

This reading reminds us: now more than ever, we must sharpen our “discernment” (something I said was a key theme in the 2025 energetic forecasting – click here for podcast episode), stay aware of the forces at play, and recognize that while turbulence is ahead, so is the opportunity to bring wisdom and balance to what unfolds.

More personal empowerment: The Queen of clubs fiery, confident energy encourages standing tall in your power, even when external forces or timing feel off. It’s about embracing inner strength and leading with intuition despite obstacles.

Reframing the delays: Instead of feeling frustrated or helpless (as the eight of wands reversed can make us feel), this influence shifts the perspective towards creative expression, leadership, and embracing your potential even when the path ahead is not entirely clear.

Accelerating Momentum despite the stalls: The Queen of clubs brings the energy of getting things done, not waiting for permission or the perfect timing. Her influence indicates that while external circumstances may seem slow, internally you can accelerate things with courage and conviction.

What do you think?

Do these energies resonate with you?

Share your thoughts and stay tuned for more deep dives into the unseen forces shaping our world.

If you would like to see how these energies are influencing your life and would like to book a reading, click here. 

In the meantime,

Stop.

Pause.

BREATHE.  Create space.

What is the action step?

Above all, practice kindness as love TRUMPS hate.

With love,

Laura

Links

About

Book a session

Linktree link to socials, podcast, books, sacred activist work and more.

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Confusing Stimulation With Transformation

 

I read a post reflecting on the idea of just because you went through a spiritual awakening yourself, does not mean one is qualified to facilitate transformation or healing in others. I sat with this a while and it got me thinking about my own experiences—both personal and professional.

I’ve been doing this work for nearly two decades now—walking alongside people in their deepest pain, untangling the roots of trauma, and helping them reclaim their power. And over the years, I’ve watched trends come and go.
The deluge of overnight shamans or priestesses, Instagram healers, and self-proclaimed “masters” who have never sat in the fire of their own reckoning—never faced themselves fully, never allowed their own illusions to burn away, never surrendered to the depths of their own healing before offering to guide others—has been disturbing to witness. And with it, I see a new addiction on the rise.

 

Not to substances, but to the constant high of spiritual spectacle. The rush of the next ceremony, the next activation, the next dopamine hit of being told you’re “ascending.” Chasing peak experiences instead of integration.

Confusing stimulation with transformation.

What does that mean?
It means they’ve never been cracked open by the weight of their own wounds, forced to confront the uncomfortable truths about themselves, their conditioning, their lineage, and the ways they, too, have contributed to harm.
They’ve never had to navigate the raw, humbling process of breaking down everything they thought they knew—sitting in the discomfort long enough to let it transform them, rather than bypassing it with a new title, a quick certification, or a spiritual persona.

Because true healing isn’t a trend or a title—it’s a lifelong initiation.

Real transformation doesn’t come from collecting tools, hopping from one modality to the next, or curating a perfect aesthetic.
It’s NOT a high-ticket program, a hypnotic sales pitch, or an endless cycle of ceremonies.
It’s the slow, unglamorous, and deeply personal work of undoing illusions, sitting with the discomfort, and learning to hold yourself through it before ever holding space for another.
And yet, I see the harm caused when seekers—earnest, vulnerable, and yearning for real healing—end up in the hands of someone who hasn’t done that deeper work to recognize their own blind spots.
I’ve held those left broken by it, who were promised healing but walked away more fractured than before. Some don’t walk away at all. The cost of this irresponsibility is too high.
For those of us who have dedicated decades—if not lifetimes—to this path, witnessing the rise of surface-level spirituality can be disheartening, if not exhausting.

 

And yet, we don’t do this work for validation, competition, or status. We do it because it’s who we are.

Because truth doesn’t require a spotlight—it simply needs to be embodied.

The depth of this path isn’t measured by popularity but by the integrity with which it’s lived every day.

To those who have been burned, who have handed their power over and are now finding their way back: You are not broken. Your intuition is still intact. The right guides, the right spaces, and the real healing are out there. Slow down enough to feel what is true.
And for those of us who have spent years doing this work, who sometimes wonder if it’s worth it: It is. Because even if the noise is loud, even if the illusion is tempting, truth always finds a way.

If this resonates, please let us see you.

Comment below

Let’s keep standing in what is real.

With Appreciation,
– Laura Bonetzky-Joseph
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Out With The Dragon And In With The Snake Reflections And Forecasting

A new year reflection of 2024 and a forecasting of what to expect for 2025.

What a year and a journey it has been for sure in 2024, the Year of the Dragon, did not disappoint. The deeper I sit and reflect, the more profound of a journey I see unfolding depending on which lens I am looking through.

The dualities experienced at the Cairn of Queen Maeve – Maebh – Queen of Connacht. May 2024

As I reflect, it has been a year of transformation—a dance of simultaneous duality which we got to experience firsthand in profound ways during last year’s sacred pilgrimage to Ireland, where grief met grace, endings wove into beginnings, and contraction made way for expansion.

As the wheel of life turns, it feels as though the threads of my past lives and this one have been weaving themselves into a tapestry I never could have imagined – in a good way from pilgrimages to Ireland & Japan, auroras, new collaborations and coalitions, political upsets, births, deaths, births, deaths, ChatGBT, remembering the ancient ways and more…

Ceremonial Fire to kick off the Sacred Pilgrimage to Ireland 2024. (c) Laura Bonetzky-Joseph

Last year began with the quiet whisper of intentions, calling me to step deeper into my path and anchor new seeds in uncertain soil. The echoes of loss reverberated through my heart, teaching me once again how to hold space for grief as an old and familiar teacher.

Letting go became a sacred act of release, honoring what no longer served and opening myself to the unknown.

However, in 2024, we also birthed new collaborations and partnerships that we look forward to expanding in 2025.

Boston, MA 2024

May brought the Aurora Borealis to the shores of Boston—a celestial moment where heaven kissed earth, and I got to bear witness to its power, beauty and energy firsthand for the first time in my many many decades of living here. Standing under its shimmering dance, I felt illuminated not just by the skies but by the possibilities still alive within me. The aurora came two more times in August and October.

It was a divine affirmation: Keep going, keep trusting.

A Sacred pilgrimage to Ireland May 2024 UNpacking religious indoctrination and persecution for reclamation and healing

Shortly after, I began my journey to Ireland on a pilgrimage bringing a small intimate group with me, returning to the sacred soil of my ancestors.

Through ceremony, we called in reclamation, sovereignty, and ancestral wisdom buried by centuries of oppression.

The land whispered secrets, asking us to remember, to rise, and to honor the work that has carried us this far.

The summer was about building relationships and fostering community on a deeper level.

Alchemy and Mastery with Hawa Kasat and Leah Song July 2024

July I listened to the inner whisper to travel once again with a Mastery in Alchemy weekend and I met folks from all over the country of different ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds who spoke my language and walked this earth with the same vision in mind and I felt at home.

In September, we welcomed in a beautiful granddaughter whose parents fought long and hard to bring her into the world and October we welcomed a 60th birthday surprise celebration – Irish style.

at The Jikiden Reiki Institute, Kyoto, Japan with Tadao Yamaguchi and Mari Okasaki

Also, in October, my journey led me to Japan, where I deepened my connection to the roots of Jikiden Reiki with my teacher, Tadao Yamaguchi – whose mother, Chiyoko Yamaguchi studied with Dr. Hayashi who was one of Usui Sensei’s most notable students.

Being in the presence of teachers, lineage holders and elders who are devoted to the path AND open to sharing their wisdom with folks from the West like myself is invaluable medicine for the soul that I will cherish forever as the gift it is and as something I witness as Westerners, we easily to not understand that gift and priviledge.

The energy and spirits at Mount Kurama was like no other. The reputation did NOT disappoint.

After being with my teacher for 10 days, I immersed myself in the teachings by visiting historic sites linked to the origins of Reiki in Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo.

Through honor, respect, ceremony and reflection, I called in a deeper devotion, integrity, and alignment with the healing lineage that has shaped so much of my path.

Immersed in the rich traditions of lineage and culture, I felt the power of these sacred teachings flow through every step.

Mt Kurama, where the founder of Reiki, Usui Sensei had his enlightenment experience.

Both pilgrimages to Ireland and Japan shaped my soul and reminded me of the interconnectedness of everything in ways I am unable to put into words because NO fancy words could ever describe an experience.

Amidst these profound journeys, the culmination of a 19-year fight for justice—the passing of the Coercive Control bill into law in Massachusetts in September 2024 with a celebration —was both a personal and collective victory.

I was grateful to have kicked off the celebration with a sound bath where many survivors and advocates experienced this for the FIRST time who thought the 30 minutes we journeyed together was 5 minutes and were craving for more.

TRAC Coalition celebration of the passage of the Coercive Control Bill in Massachusetts on September 6, 2024

I was also a featured speaker who spoke about my near 20-year journey, the struggles, the triumphs and the birth of coalitions I dreamed of.

This milestone affirmed that the work, though exhausting and often thankless, creates ripples of change.

I felt the echoes of every survivor, advocate, and moment of resistance wrap around me like a shield of light and shoot out like a beacon.

Yet, expansion was not without its challenges.

On top of so many births of dragon born babies, we equally saw the countless passings of many others – Births, death and rebirths.

With the deployment of ChatGBT and other AI systems in every place we go, we are also called to UNplug and remember the ways of the ancestors – to access the hidden knowledge and wisdom of the ancients.

Balancing advocacy, healing circles, and the tenderness of my own soul required resilience.  But the roots I’ve grown through years of healing kept me grounded, even as storms raged. The soul journeys, community celebrations, and quiet victories—each carried me forward with a strength born of purpose and an unwavering love for this sacred work.

Winter Solstice 2024 (c) 2024 Laura Bonetzky-Joseph

As the year transitions a new, I feel the paradox of exhaustion and renewal.

Through ceremonies and intentionality, I have called in clarity, compassion, and courage to walk forward into the unknown.

2024 has carved deeper channels within me, allowing more light to flow through.

It has been a sacred alchemy of life and loss, purpose and pain, all conspiring to remind me who I am: a healer, a guide, a voice for the voiceless, and a witness to the beauty and brutality of this human experience.

Looking Ahead to 2025: The Year of the Snake

This is the year of “discernment”. 2025, a numerological 9 year, promises cycles of completion, transformation, and the rise of women’s coalitions.

Do we heed the call? Or do we fall prey to stomping of snakes out of Ireland aka the goddess, feminine sovereignty and power? Or to being cast out of Eden so male dominance can reign over women’s bodies?

Here is what to expect in the coming year:

    • Empowerment & Collaboration: Women uniting to create lasting change.
    • Snake Symbolism: A year of healing, discernment, and reclaiming forgotten wisdom.
    • Surprise Endings: Unfolding mysteries and unexpected resolutions.
    • The Ancients: A return, a deep remembering, and a resurgence.
    • Generational Healing: Healing family lines as a way to heal chronic illness and disease
    • A Reconnection: Desires for ways of living in harmony WITH the great Mother

✨ Stay tuned for the January episode of Triggers in Spiritual Medicine (out Monday, 1/5/25) for psychic insights and 2025 forecasts!

I am here to support you in your journey.

That support can look different for you depending on your needs. It can be

    • a 1:1 reading or healing session,
    • a full day private immersive session,
    • listening to the podcast Triggers and Spiritual Medicine,
    • come to one of the groups or classes offered at the center in Hingham,
    • join us on the six-month journey including an 8-day pilgrimage to Ireland.
    • or read one of the books I authored specifically geared towards healing and sacred activism

For Podcast, Books, Bookings, Sacred Activism, Socials, buy a coffee, etc: https://linktr.ee/HealingWithSpirit

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A Sacred Pilgrimage To Ireland 2025

Is Ireland calling you? Did you know Ireland is the ONLY country named after a Goddess?

We are seeking 2-4 aligned folks for a 6-month journey including an 8-day sacred pilgrimage to Ireland in 2025 where we put alchemy to use …

✨️ healing family lines

✨️ healing ancestral & generational trauma

✨️ reclaim aspects of ourselves lost, forgotten, or stolen by systems of oppression and religious indoctrination and persecution.

✨️ commune with the ancestors and spirits of the magical land of Ireland aka Éire … home of the Goddess Ériu

✨️ Venture to sacred ancient grounds as old as 6,000 years in ceremony

✨️ Be held & supported in a solid rooted small container.

Join us over the course of six months in an immersive experience like no other. This includes eight days for an unforgettable pilgrimage through the mystical lands of Ireland, where ancient history, folklore, mesmerizing landscapes, and spiritual wonders and an intimate transformative adventure await.

Delve into the depths of Irish culture, history and folklore. Connect with the spirits and ancestors and spirits of this land. UNpack cultural conditioning. Heal our hearts & lives. Heal ancestral wounds. Reclaim aspects of ourselves lost, forgotten or stolen from us or our ancestors by systems of oppression and/or religious indoctrination and persecution.

This sacred pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like no other.

We start in February 2025. Will you be starting with us?

Is this calling you? Join us and discover the hidden treasures and spiritual depth that Ireland has to offer supported in a solid rooted container with an experienced supported team.

Book your alignment call TODAY.

https://linktr.ee/HealingWithSpirit

Learn more here: