It's not so serious...

An old article, but one I am fond of... 

When I started off pursuing a spiritual life I took it all rather seriously. I believed that opening myself up to the divine, meant holding myself to some hugely holy standards. When writing my latest book I took all the spiritual learning and spiritual ‘rulings’ I had set myself and I attempted to live them. I wanted to explore the reality of living as a soulful human, but one with emotions, faults, flaws and needs. 
I was setting myself up to fail. I would torture myself over the smallest things that I felt did not fit some uber-important spiritual philosophy I had garnered from too many books, too many gurus. So one glass of wine too many and I would feel deeply ashamed, any word spoken out of line and my heart would sink, any touch of gossip I indulged would leave me feeling I had betrayed myself and my soulful world. It was a difficult place to be, an impossible standard was set and one that I came to realize almost negated the very point of me being a human.
Under my spiritual microscope we were all failing quite dramatically. My beloved mentor turned out to have a wickedly bitchy side, another guru I threw my spiritual learning upon, placed his hand a little too low down my married back during a ‘friendly hug’ and I, well I believed I was the worst of them all. No matter how hard I tried, I just kept slipping. It was in this melee of spiritual failure that I realized living spirituality is not so serious after all.
As I have come to learn, ‘serious’ and ‘enlightened’ are not concepts that fit easily together. To be so serious in this mixed bag of human madness, leads only to further madness! It is my conclusion that for all but Monks and Nuns, serious and certifiable enlightenment is pretty much impossible. For me taking spirituality too seriously and believing that enlightenment only comes through self-denial led directly to a pit of misery. 
My spiritual path, when taken too seriously was a danger to my health and that of those around me. As a result I had a good, lengthy year of chaos. There is nothing like taking yourself too seriously, when surrounded by circumstances beyond your control, to realize that something is awry. Car crash followed car crash, followed death of pet chicken, followed severe marital distress and eventually, well eventually you just have to laugh… because goshdarnit, prayers, obsessive tarot readings and mantras only go so far.
In taking my spiritual self too seriously I nearly lost everything. A harsh lesson indeed. And one that informed not only the writing of my book, but the very bones of my life. In my spiritual seriousness I pushed people away and I denied my human self it’s pleasures, it’s fun, it’s stress-relieving love of laughter. I became a shell, one surrounded by a core of self-inflicted dogma, but with very little going on inside. Rather than give up, I decided to reengage my spiritual sensors, alter my spiritual philosophy and live soulfully with my humanity at the heart of my quest.
I made a conscious decision that being spiritual does not mean negating life as we know it. It does mean having a faith and a belief in life happening as it ought too, and whilst I am carried along on that ride, I will be true to myself, kind to those around me, stop trying to understand the ‘divinity’ of every single little thing, and just trust that every single little thing, is in fact more divine than I will ever know.
Spiritual Living is about madcap, zany, laugh a minute happiness. It’s about embracing whatever it is you love, be that theme parks, walks in the park or the occasional cocktail drinking session. It’s about giving up control, releasing your ego and adoring every minute. This is not always easy to do, but it is worth striving for. If a spiritual life is what you seek then it’s so much easier than a trip to India or a dozen tantric yoga positions. I simply advise you to allow your humanity to beat at the heart of your quest. 
Let your spiritual living be urban, gritty and real. We are not on this planet to float off into the ether quite yet. Know that your life, as it is today, is enough. Spiritual living will not protect you from life’s difficulties, so don’t expect it to, allow your divine side to get up to it’s knees in mud and filth and know that your inner faith, love for oneself and yes the occasional meditation session will help to wash your soulful boots clean.

​ALice B Grist

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The Cosmic Mother Tarot Deck - On SALE

£25.00 - £35.00

LAST FEW DECKS REMAINING - No plans for a reprint.

​A beautiful, powerful and unique deck of Tarot Cards inspired by the feminine divine and the inner child, designed and painted by myself spiritual author and artist Alice Grist. I am so excited to birth these cards into the world. 

These cards were painted by me using watercolour and acrylic paints. I had much helps and inspiration from my then 4 year old daughter, Ivy Belle, who designed the beautiful back cover, and a couple of the cards too (Princess of Swords, 4 of Wands)!

These cards were produced in the aftermath of having written my popular book, Dirty and Divine. I was all worded out, four books later and ready for a change... I felt pulled to colour and paint and drawing. The cards started as a bit of fun. Something that my daughter and I could focus on together. In the beginning I had no intention of publishing them... But then they started to take shape, and they brought a lot to my life. So I decided to get a very limited number designed and printed out professionally, so that they may find another life with you! I cant wait to share them with you! 

Cosmic Mother cards will connect you to the innocence, fun and folly of the inner child. They make tarot simple, and accessible, whilst retaining the depth and power necessary for spiritual work. I recommend them to everyone who wants to explore tarot from within their own world, using their life as expert and experience. 

Order yours today to start the Cosmic Mother Journey! 

Price includes postage and packaging. Please provide a valid address in 'note to seller' for your cards to be sent to.

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Spiritual Wake Up Call - Intuitive Session Via Skype

£95.00

Looking for intense spiritual guidance that will help bring you back into happiness and power? Got some questions or goals that have been burning in your heart for too long, and now you require clarity, guidance and brilliant answers? My tarot and meditation sessions, by phone or Skype, allow us to really get to the heart of your current situation. They guide you right onto the path you seek, and that seeks you. They create sanity in the storm of feeling, thinking and confusion.

During your session we get to the deep, divine and dirty details. ​My clients have moved on with their lives in empowering ways as a result of a session with me. We can address whatever you need, be that an addiction, a broken heart, a career change, a relationship worry, or a general feeling of uncertainty, fear or anxiety. I promise that you will leave our session feeling empowered and reborn into your own personal power!

I use a mix of deep healing meditation, tarot and oracle cards to get us to the heart of your situation.

It is so important for me to connect with my clients, and phone / Skype, allows for that. If you love my books, my online free offerings, and my previous tarot work, this is for you. Let's connect and put your world to rights! 

Due to parenting and book writing, I offer only a few sessions week. I work to GMT timelines, so please only book if you can be available 9 - 2 GMT London, UK time. ​Each session lasts an hour.

How do I sign up? Purchase the session online below and I will be in contact within 24 hours to arrange our appointment, and to discuss your intent so that I can craft the perfect session for you. 

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"Alice has been my go-to woman for tarot readings for years now, because her truth, knowledge + wisdom is the REAL DEAL." Lisa Lister, The Sassy She

More about me...

Acclaimed Spiritual Author and Artist

25 Years Practice and study of Tarot, Meditation and Healing

Certificate in Hypnotherapy, NLP and Shamanic Practice - Talking Cures Leicestershire.

Reiki Master

Seichem Reiki Master

Children's Yoga and Mindfulness Practitioner (to be certified soon)

Women's Studies BA Hons - Lancaster University, UK

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Dirty & Divine Halloween Reading - Limited Availability Report

£60.00

A limited edition reading conducted by me, for you, on Halloween 2017.

Tradition states that on Halloween the veil between the worlds is at it's thinnest. So it is the perfect time to connect to the loving and wise guidance of 'the other side', and in particular, the part of you that resides there... Namely, your higher self, alongside the loving inspirations of guides, angels, nature and spirit animals. This reading combines tarot, intuition and third eye psychic visualisations to convey the loving and insightful messages the cosmos needs you to hear.

Guidance will be received from:

Your Spirit Animal. Your spirit animal of this moment (they tend to change) will be divined so you know which four legged or feathers friend has your back. It will also usher in some words of wisdom, direction and guidance.

Nature Spirits. Mother Earth is in our soul, and she has deep messages for her children. What does she wish and want from you? Which of her rhythms and elements are calling to you, how can you emulate them for your highest benefit?

Angel. Guidance will be sought from your angel, and any particular angels or archangels who feel like dropping you some bombs of wisdom. 

Ancestors. Your ancestors will be consulted and their guidance recorded for you. Helping you to move powerfully into the role this life wishes for you. 

​Archetypes. The Tarot will be read and messages from the Major Arcana (the main archetypes of humanity) will be shared. 

Past, Present and Future - what better time to get an overview of your life situation!

You may also ask about one specific question /theme (love, career, health etc). This will be divined with your highest needs in mind. 

As this is an intensive reading, done on a very particular date, numbers are limited. I am issuing ten email readings to begin with. So be sure to book your space immediately to make sure you get this limited offer. This won't be done again till next year! I may release a few more spaces if it books up quickly, but again, numbers will be strictly limited to ensure each reading is given the attention it deserves.

​Book now to reserve your reading! 

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