Joy Archives - Shakti Priestess

3 Things I Learned from JLO about Power and Self-Love

February 25, 2017 by Zinnia Sophia Leave a Comment

How is the month of love going for you? I’ve been filling my cup, detoxing winter from my body and home space to make room for spring and enjoying food, music and dance. If you’ve been following me on Facebook or Instagram, then you probably saw what an amazing time I had in Las Vegas at the JLO concert! She was the best Valentine ever!

I danced and felt so good for multiple reasons. 3 reasons in particular that I want to share with you…

1. Living in my power takes me high
When I was a young girl I was in love with life – traveling the world, living in different cities, soaking up cultures, falling in love with new experiences in Greece, Egypt, Europe, Australia, NZ, China, Japan Tibet and India. I was whole, my own woman. After my divorce, my definition of being a woman and my definition of life changed. I let the experience of a divorce and of failure define me. Since 2010 no matter how much life I’ve been living or any amount of re-inventing myself or success has never made me fly as high as I wanted to go because I was carrying the heavy burden and belief that my success depended on being in a successful and lasting relationship with a man.

How did watching JLO change that belief for me? Her show was nothing short of magnificent. She put her heart soul and joy into the dances, lighting, choreography and she brought joy to everyone in the theater. She was a lightning rod channeling power through her!

“I want to feel and look and be doing that,” I said to myself at one moment in the concert.

Yes she’s had a few different husbands, multiple lovers and boyfriends but how many people in safe, comfortable relationships are creating the way she’s creating? She can look back on her life and say, “I lived out my destiny.”

So I’ve changed my belief that no man wants to be with a woman of power. He will come when he comes. And if he doesn’t come that’s cool too. I’m not waiting for it. I’ve got a new inspiring life to live that requires me to be on fire, in my passion, traveling all over the world spreading joy. And until then – yes lovers are welcome!

2. Joy makes me fly
I went to see the JLO experience with my friend from Ibiza. Her mother just passed away and she has been grieving for the last several months When I asked her what she was going to do this year she surprised me. She said, “I want to know what I’m capable of. I’ve just lost everything and death has shown her power. Now I want life to show me her power.” Wow! This girl is 30 and she was kicking some serious wisdom to this 40-year-old priestess. She was flying across the room, in her joy, getting inspired, creating, being unstoppable. And I thought, she’s completely in her joy. And it’s cleansing her. The way it cleansed me when I lost everything and moved to Ibiza and started dancing.

I’ve been a little jaded from New York lately and Sascha made me see that joy was waiting for me if I would just let it in. So we acted like teenagers, hugged, cried, made plans to celebrate life and celebrate women. I booked my tickets to Ibiza with one suitcase in my hand ready to fly from one retreat to another..and another and another! So we begin in April with Feminine Awakening in Ibiza and and I’m sending it out the Universe to keep doing this across Italy, Greece, France, Bali, NYC, Hawaii and anywhere else that needs me!

3. Connecting & creating with love makes me feel alive
JLO is not married. She’s not in a relationship. In social media I see a lot of images and messages around dating, and relationships that feel forced. They reflect people fulfilling society’s expectations of them. Not all those images feel real and authentic, of love and joy coming from the heart.

Where are the lightning rods living their lives on fire? Where are the joy bringers? Where are these templates of power and love?

And how many people are really living in their joy, in complete freedom of what the outside world expects from them? Not many. We need more people living their true passion coming alive to love.

So this year I’m going to experiment with how much I can create and with how many people I can connect with deeply, with how many countries I can dance in and spread joy, with how many women I can teach and train to embody joy, dancing in a waterfall of feminine power and feminine light with them, creating something more beautiful and magical with them than I could ever create on my own!

“The moment you feel you are no longer dependent on anyone, a deep coolness and a deep silence settles inside, a relaxed let-go. It does not mean you stop loving. On the contrary, for the first time you know a new quality, a new dimension of love – a love that is no longer biological, a love that is closer to friendliness than any relationship. That’s why I am not even using the word friendship, because that ‘ship’ has drowned so many people.”
Thanks Osho!

The deeper you can feel, love and connect with intimacy – the higher you can fly into bliss, ecstasy and freedom. Joy brings you all of this and more!

This is a moment of rebirth for all of us. For me it will manifest like this…

I want to see Life reflect back my soul’s power, beauty and passion. I’m ready to see myself in my full glory and shine that light out to the world. I’m ready to taste the light of my own ecstasy. I’m ready to walk in total freedom making love to life.

I am a bride walking up to an altar of stars, ready for life to unveil her holy face.

I want to see how high I can feel, how far I can fly and how deep I can connect with love.

I want to celebrate life and I want to celebrate her NOW! Are you with me?

JLO performing “You’re Love Don’t Coat a Thing”

JLO performing “I Hope You Dance, Dance, Dance”

My Top Moments of 2016!

January 24, 2017 by Zinnia Sophia Leave a Comment

Happy New Year everyone! I want to wish you all a wonderful and exciting 2017. I want to celebrate you and the spirit of your dreams, creativity and reassure you that I will be here in 2017 to support and empower you.

Did you know that in 2015, I moved back to the USA from Ibiza, Spain? It was my dream to bring Shakti to the US, especially to New York City and launch the platform including books, print, radio, video and one on one conversations.

And you know what? I did!

Dreaming is the stuff of stardust… It takes so much focus to bring dreams into reality.

With focus, determination, a commitment to your dreams and the belief that you can do it (YES I CAN), you can achieve anything.

Here are some moments I’m incredibly proud of and I would love to celebrate with you!

1 COVER_messages from shakti 1. Messages From Shakti was a #1 Amazon Best-Seller

For years I wrote inspirational posts on Facebook for my community and fans. One day I decided to collect all the messages and put them into a book. And Messages From Shakti was born. After its launch, it reached #1 in Hot New Women’s Releases and in the Women’s Personal growth category.

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2. Attending the 20 Beautiful Women Writer’s Conference

I was invited to this gorgeous writer’s community where I had published my story, Be The Heroine Of Your Life, Not The Victim. I had the chance to network in an intimate setting, celebrate one another’s writing success and listen to how other women were developing their personal brands and careers. It’s important for young women who are emerging leaders to feel supported, loved, cherished and held by community. This is the true power of community.

3. Being a Feminine Expert on Aspire Magazine & Best-Selling Author with Inspired Living Publishing

I love, love, love my publisher Linda Joy of Inspired Living Publishing. She has been a mentor and loving source of support for me. She helped me launch my voice and featured me as an Empowerment Expert in Aspire Magazine as I co-authored 4 books with her. Thank you Linda Joy!

4. Completing my TEDx Talk with Tabby Biddle

I put a lot of time and effort into this. And it kicked my butt! Writing a TEDx style talk is NOT easy. They have a very specific style and format and it’s hard for spiritual writers to break through. Thanks to my mentor, Tabby Biddle, I was able to break through! I’m still revising my talk but it’s in good shape and I’m ready to step on the TEDx stage in 2017. Stay tuned! If you want to take Tabby’s class, Give The TEDx Talk Of Your Dreams, learn more here.

5. Launching the Shakti Power Podcast on iTunes

I wanted to break down Shakti into 10-15 minute teachable bites. So every woman could apply specific techniques to your lives. I learned so much about podcasting including how to create a teaching platform and how to amplify my voice. Thank you Shann Vander Leek, my wonderful producer! If you’re interested in podcasting, check out Shann’s services.

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6. Being Featured with TV Show Host and Self-Love Expert Nitika Chopra

What an honor! I love this woman and what she stands for. Love, self-love and compassion. She opened my heart to running an authentic business and inspired the hell out of me! You can watch the video we did together here, 3 Ways To Manifest More Powerfully.

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7. Delivering My Spotlight Talk As the Keynote Speaker for Nitika Chopra’s Self-Love Celebration

Nitika Chopra is a gorgeous influencer in New York City and she invited me to speak at her Summer Self-Love Celebration event in June. I met so many wonderful entrepreneurs, beauty experts and wellness gurus. Thank you Nitika for teaching me about owning your feminine authority, influence and impact!

8. Guest podcasting for women’s leadership platforms and The Goddess Talk Sessions

Empowered women empower women. I met so many beautiful women and got to know their mission and message as they supported spreading my own message. I’m very grateful to all my soul sisters who are waking up and speaking up. We need to hear every woman’s voice! Listen to amazing feminine wisdom from the Goddess Talk Sessions Event.

9. Keynoting and leading WLPN workshops for Ogilvy & Mather

I was invited by the leaders of Ogilvy’s Women’s Leadership Professional Network (WLPN) to speak and create dialogue for women in the workplace. I met an amazing group of women who were interested in motivation and authenticity. Thank you Marla and Monica!

10. Meeting Marianne Williamson!!!

Marianne is a force. She is amazing. When I heard her speak, something in her voice activated me to serve. To write. To speak. For a larger audience of women and to be in service to women in a much deeper way.

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11. Becoming a Featured Founder on IVY: The World’s First Social University

I spoke before about the power of community and how to choose people who lift you up. Well, IVY lifts me up! This national organization of entrepreneurs and professionals has been supporting my work and helping me to spread the message of women’s empowerment. I’m one of their featured members they are spotlighting nationally! See the video here

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12. Speaking at the STEEAMnista Summit at Samsung Accelerator

Founder of FlyTechnista, TeLisa Daughtry had an amazing vision. To bring more women in tech together to support one another, exchange ideas, get funding for their startups, learn leadership skills and celebrate one another’s success! I had so much fun at the Samsung Accelerator working with women in tech and STEM. Thank you TelIsa! Learn more about the STEEAMnista Summit.

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13. Creating my brand platform and women’s lifestyle products

It was a creative year! Team Shakti launched the Goddess Power Cards: Sacred Feminine Oracle with MECU Collective, launching my Desire & Manifest program, kicked off a Webinar series with Reclaim Your Power & Truth, and broadcasted guided meditations for women around the world. You can get the Gorgeous Goddess Power cards here.

14. Attending the Hay House Movers & Shakers Conference

It was my dream to attend the Hay House Movers & Shakers Conference in Boston with CEO Reid Tracy and NY Times Best-Selling Author Cheryl Richardson. They taught me how to go deeper into service, be vulnerable and shift towards teaching on the path of love. Here I am with Hay House CEO Reid Tracy who was so generous with strategies to grow as an author and speaker. So grateful!

What’s next? I am fully committing to developing the next generation of women leaders through new leadership courses, mentoring and coaching.

It takes time to build your brand and platform and get clear on your message. So take your time, learn from other leaders, ask for support, support your sisters and enjoy the journey.

This is also my way of saying thank you to all the women who came into my life to inspire, empower and educate me. This is the Feminine Collaboration Model. We Rise Together!

In 2017, I’m giving back… to YOU and to more women who need love, support, guidance and empowerment.

In 2017 I’m launching…
– New coaching programs including the Feminine Awakening, and Sacred Sensuality Retreats as well as Private Coaching For Aspiring Leaders,
– The Shakti Featured Feminine Leader Series to celebrate emerging leaders
– And my new YouTube Channel Zinnia TV

What inspires you to create?

How can you use your gifts to create a more joyful life? This brings in more light than you know and inspires other people to shine their creative light!

What is one thing you can do now to support another woman?

Please write your comments on the blog! I would love to know what you’re working on and what inspires you. If you have any questions about writing, developing your personal brand and becoming more visible, please let me know if I can support your dreams this year.

Happy creating!

Love,
Zinnia

My Top 6 Self-Love Rituals

February 15, 2016 by Zinnia Sophia 2 Comments

It’s very nourishing to make nurturing rituals for yourself. When change is in the air, and you are entering a cycle of change, growth, transition and transformation – you may not be sure what the change is or what to do about it. It’s usually during this time, you need to nurture yourself the most. This includes not over committing to other people and projects. Allow yourself to cocoon and go internal when you need to. Create a list to nurture yourself. A Juicy List that will inspire with you with daily habits to nurture yourself and “be” in your feminine essence.

Here are a few of my favorite rituals that help me relax, enjoy my body and melt into sacred space. A sparkly swim, a delicious essential oil massage, inspirational reading, witnessing a sunset, listening to music, practicing yin yoga, cooking a warm meal, writing in my journal, creating a Goddess altar, smelling pink peonies. I have collected my top 6 self-love rituals during the month of love and hope they inspire you to nourish and adore yourself!

1 Cocoon
Sometimes we need to retreat from the outer world and fill our inner world with relaxation and safety. Less noise. More soul. When you feel frazzled, frustrated or irritated, this is a perfect time to envelop or surround yourself in a protective or comforting way. Retreat from the stressful conditions of public life into the cozy private world of your sacred sanctuary. Light incense and circle it around your body. Light a candle. Touch the flame over your third-eye. Play soothing music. Spend the whole day being, doing nothing. Cook yourself a heart-warming meal. Frame your favorite photo of friends and family. Bring out your crayons and your playful inner child and color. Relax on your sofa and wrap yourself in a warm blanket. If its summer or warm outside, wrap yourself in silk after a refreshing shower, make some hibiscus tea with ice, a slice of lemon and fresh mint leaves. Listen to sumptuous sounds, ambient music, the lapping waves of the ocean in soft, guided meditations that melt you into your body. Soothe yourself. You deserve it.

2 Inspirational reading
Nourish and lavish with beautiful words of inspiration, warmth and encouragement. I love the poetry of Mary Oliver and the deeply, rich visual images of Diane Frank. My favorite poetry collections from Diane, who is also my poetry mentor, are Isis, The Winter Life of Shooting Stars, Rhododendron Shedding Its Skin and Swan Light. Both these visionary women have light, feminine voices with deep, delicious wisdom. Let them wisp you away to their magical landscapes where you can get lost, wonder and wander.

3 The Desire Ceremony
Create a sacred space. First, prepare like a Goddess. Bathe with luscious oils and gorgeous smelling body wash or taking a bubble bath. Emerge from your senses and wrap a silk robe around. Go to your dresser or small table and create a Goddess altar. Place a silk scarf or sarong on the surface of the table. Place fresh-cut red and pink flowers. Red and pink represent passion and desire. Then place a statue or photo of your favorite Goddess on the altar. Turn on some inspiring music form a sound track. I love the music from Braveheart and Enya’s Orinoco Flow. Spray perfume on your skin and richly smooth it over with rose, lavender or jasmine lotion. Get yourself a warm cup of tea if you are doing this in the morning or a sensual glass of wine for evening time. Start writing in a fresh, newly opened journal. Begin your sacred self-discovery and exploration. You have opened the door. Go, walk gently. Discover the magic of your desires.

4 Journal, Connect and Reflect
I love this activity! Journal about your deepest longings and desires. Write down all the possibilities. Buy a tarot deck and do a reading for yourself. Feel into the images that resonate with you and feel right to you. Draw and sketch the beauty that surrounds you. Take long meditative walks in nature or spend time meditating on your desires. In other words, connect with yourself.

Journal on the topic, “My Life, My Creation”. Many of us have had the attitude that life is something that happens to us and that all we can do is make the best of it. This is a victim’s position, giving power to people and things outside of ourselves. When we realize that the power rests in us, that we can choose to create our life the way we want it to be. This is the power of DESIRE. And the best way to experience this power is feeling your way through it. Fall in love with the passion, the vision, and the beauty of your goal. As yourself the 3 most important questions:

What do I want to EXPERIENCE? How do I want to GROW? What do I want to CONTRIBUTE? This journalizing exercise will change the way you plan your life and see your goals. It’ll change the way you see your career, mission, and life purpose unfolding. Answer these 3 questions, and you’ve come up with the most powerful framework of setting goals for your life.

5 Create a Goddess Altar
I love this ritual. I love to honor the sacred feminine energy flowing through my body and the world by bowing to it every morning and every afternoon. These are ancient Vedic rituals called Anjali and Arati. If you have a dresser or a small table, you can clean it first with a soft towel and soap. Then spray it with rose water or swirl incense smoke over it to cleanse and bless the space. Next, lay a scarf, sarong or silk cloth on the surface. Buy a statue of a Goddess who resonate with or frame her picture. You can buy photos on Etsy or simply go to Google images and print out a color copy. Place a white candle votive and incense holder. I love Nag Champa. Put some jewelry on your altar that is precious to you and ask for inner beauty. Put some cash and coins in a little bowl and ask for blessings of wealth and prosperity. Finally, you can put fresh flowers in a vase, a glass of water, and fruit as your first offering to the Goddess. Remember, she is you. You too, are a Goddess. Honor yourself.

6 Make a Juicy List
Appreciation is also super important. It’s about getting your joy and love vitamins! And we are the ones who can know what truly makes us feel joyful and loved. In your journal, write down all the things you love and appreciate about yourself every day for 21 days or as long as you want. You’ll feel yummy and delicious!

I like myself because _________________________
The thing I do best is _________________________
My best quality is __________________________
My special talent is __________________________
I feel proud when __________________________
The most important thing to know about me is __________________________
What makes me unique is __________________________
Thee thing I like best about myself is __________________________
Thee Universe loves me because ________________________
If I was introduced to someone now, the first great thing they would notice about me is __________

I hope you enjoyed these tips on bringing more self-love, beauty and sacred ritual into your life this month. As you probably guessed by now, it’s all about surrendering to the flow, letting go, tuning in and going slow. Stay tuned for more tips during the month of love!

Awaken Your Enchantress

December 15, 2015 by Zinnia Sophia Leave a Comment

The Enchantress within us evokes emotion, feeling and sensuality. She opens us to our senses–touch, taste, smell, hear, and sight–or in other words. She experiences life’s possibilities in her fullness.

When you tap into your Enchantress energy, you have access to your creative power. You feel alive and connected to the world. You become a vessel of love from which emotions, dance, joy and sensuality flow. You are a fountain of energy and can channels it to create art, beauty, inspiration and leave cultural and artistic legacies.

Becoming whole means embracing your enchantress – the sensual artist and creator inside of you.

The Enchantress awakens your inner Muse. She gives us flashes of inspiration or sparks of creativity. A woman developing this energy will be deeply receptive and inspired by beauty. In history she is symbolized by the courtesan, enchantress, temptress, harlot, prostitute and wild woman. When this energy is repressed, we lose our natural feminine energy to inspire, desire and create. We lose our ability to feel joy.

Opening to life’s pleasures and channeling her senses allows a woman to feel, inspire and create joy for the world.

The Enchantress is so alive and sensual, she enjoys all of life’s pleasures. She has a unique relationship to the other three archetypes of mature femininity. While Enchantress energy seeks freedom, the Queen, Warrior, and Magician archetypes provide a woman with structure and discipline. The Enchantress’s passion fuels and powers these three life forces, and in turn, they channel and harness the Enchantress’s energy in a healthy way, with a focus on worthy goals.

An emotionally mature woman develops attitudes and behaviors which lift her past reckless romance and sex. Your inner Enchantress is a dancer, a dreamer, a wild-hearted child, a singer, a musician. Let her out and play. Let her create. Let her dance her heart out for you. Your inner Enchantress understands that for a woman to be truly free, she needs to have a deep emotional life; and a little wilderness to rest, rejuvenate her spirit and express all that joy.

Here are some of the characteristics of a joyous woman, artist, muse and creator:

Constantly curious about her path and the world.
Explores life’s pleasure’s- beauty, art, education, learning, dance, music and literature.
Has a passionate sense of excitement and spirit of adventure.
Channels her creativity from a place of self-love and self-expression.
Develops a relationship with her inner muse.
Is rejuvenated by Nature.
Shares her joy with family, friends community and audiences.
Is always creating and teaches others how to create.
Open to the language of her senses and of her body.
Feels many different levels of love – self love, romantic love, platonic love, passionate love, unconditional love, intimate love.

Read Zinnia’s story of how she awakened her Enchantress in the story, “Dancing with Joy” from the book Inspiration For A Woman’s Soul: Cultivating Joy.