Barbara Lewis, Reiki Practitioner & co-Founder of Heavenly Healers Cooperative, August Featured Healer

The temperature is already climbing towards 80 degrees as Heavenly Healer’s Co-founder and Reiki Practitioner Barbara Lewis sits on the porch awaiting our interview.  She’s had an early morning as she’s just finished her singing lesson down the road.  Entering the office, Barbara clears her throat several times and I offer her a cup of chamomile tea.

“The singing doesn’t bother me,” she says, “but the vocal exercises sometimes irritate my throat.”  She sips her tea as we talk about her life’s journey that has brought her to this moment in time.

“I lived in New York City for about 25 years while working for AT&T.  Later I moved to Vermont.  I adored the quiet winters, enjoying cross country skiing in the woods.  Vermont was so beautiful and I also spent some time in the Adirondacks.  I feel the pureness and beauty of nature helped my spiritual development.  I had time during the cold season for metaphysical reading and spiritual reflection.  I’ll never forget the beautiful winters.”

About 1997, Barbara moved back to her hometown of Honesdale, Pa.  “I moved back to take care of my Mother who passed away in 2002.  The very next year, my uncle died.  It was a difficult time.”

Barbara started receiving Reiki treatments from Dr. Betty DeMaye Caruth.  This helped her heal energetically and she decided to take the Reiki classes offered by Dr. Betty.  Barbara took Reiki 1 & 2 from the Minerva Educational Center owned by Dr. Betty and received her certification as a Reiki Practitioner.

“About this time, I was inspired to do some retreats at the Himalayan Institute.  I developed a long term connection with the yoga tradition.  I also learned how to give Shirodhara treatments.”

I asked Barbara what Shirodhara is and she replied “It is an Ayurvedic treatment.  Warm sesame oil is gently directed onto the forehead to promote relaxation and spiritual awakening.  It is one of the steps of Pancha Karma (Ayurvedic detoxification treatments).”

Barbara offered Shirodhara treatments at the Himalayan Institute Health Center for four years, from 2008 until 2012.

“In 2011, I re-took Reiki 2 and continued on with Advanced Reiki towards my Mastership, with you.”

I nodded my head in agreement.

“Heavenly Healers is another opportunity to share healing work through Reiki.  I also enjoy being able to introduce people to alternative healing practices.”

Barbara describes her wonderful Reiki healing technique as “Vanilla Reiki” which causes me to giggle.

“I just do plain Reiki, without all the bells and whistles.”  Nothing about Barbara’s loving healing treatments is plain or vanilla.  Her profound love of Reiki pours through her hands, unobstructed by any personal ego, leaving the recipient feeling blessed and refreshed.

“During 911 when the World Trade Center collapsed, I remember watching the news and realized it was not far from where I had lived and worked.  It was a jolting realization.  Instantly, I started sending distance Reiki, to the souls departing from this Earth and to all the men and women helping.  I felt at peace as the Reiki flowed through me because I knew it was going to someone who needed it.  I continued to send Reiki to the departing souls and their families for several days.”

“I know that distance Reiki works as I have sent it to far away friends who call me soon after to tell me they’ve felt my prayers and Reiki.”

Barbara practices Reiki from the home she shares with her partner, Tom Kane in Honesdale, usually donating time to friends and family.  “I am happy to do treatments for those desiring Reiki.”

Visit Barbara Lewis, Reiki Practitioner and Co-Founder of Heavenly Healers Cooperative at our next free energy clinic, Sunday, August 17th 2-5 pm at The Beech Pond Center Bldg., 12 Village Road, Beach Lake, Pa 18405.

For more info on the clinic contact heavenlyhealerscooperative@gmail.com

Article by Cari Branning

Heavenly Healers Announces New Location Starting Sunday July 20th

Map to Heavenly Healers New Beach Lake Location

Heavenly Healers Cooperative founded in December 2013 by Barbara Lewis, Hana Marritz and Cari Branning is happy to announce its move to a new Beach Lake, Pa., location for their free monthly energy healing clinics starting Sunday, July 20th 2-5 pm.

Two of its dedicated Heavenly Healers, Jackie DeSau, Massage Therapist, and Cari Branning, Reiki Teacher, have opened their own space in Beach Lake, thus creating a new venue for the cooperative.

"I knew of Jackie DeSau, through her work in Transition Honesdale, but did not know her personally until Heavenly Healers began it's free healing clinics in December of 2013.  After interviewing Jackie for the May featured healer, I learned that she was opening a new space for her massage work.  We clicked during the interview and I decided to move my Reiki practice in with her.  I had previously taught and practiced Reiki either out of my home or rented space per class at Mayas Sanctuary of Oils in Honesdale.  I felt it was a blessing to be offered this opportunity to move in with her."

The two Heavenly Healers have opened their doors to host the free monthly clinics starting Sunday, July 20th 2-5 pm.  The new address is 12 Village Road, Beech Pond Center Bldg, Beach Lake, Pa 18405.

Come to the July clinic and celebrate our new space with us, while receiving treatment from all of your favorite heavenly practitioners.

Heavenly Healers free energy clinics meet every third Sunday of a month, from 2-5 pm, offering Reiki, Massage, Aromatherapy, Akashic Readings and guest speakers.

For more information contact heavenlyhealerscooperative@gmail.com


Article by Cari Branning

Sandy Sharp, June Featured Healer

Heavenly Healers twenty-five year old Reiki Master, Sandy Sharp has a thirst for knowledge of all things spiritual.  Her Reiki path began unexpectedly at a Renaissance Faire in New Jersey.

“In 2010, I was in a very high stress job.”  Walking by a booth at the Renaissance Faire, Sandy saw a woman giving Reiki treatments.  Hoping to relieve some of the stress from her job, Sandy sat down for a treatment.  Little did she know, this simple decision would change her life.

“Reiki was offered at a dollar a minute and so I asked for three minutes.  I knew nothing about Reiki and it was a very fast treatment.  I think she worked on my throat chakra and a couple of other areas, and it was by no means a complete body work.  Still, I noticed it made a difference in my body.  After that, I wanted to learn more about Reiki.”

“Back home, I called around looking for a class that I might take to learn more about Reiki, and realized that long time family friend Dr. Betty Caruth taught Reiki classes at her center, the Minerva Educational and Treatment Center, in Honesdale, Pa.  I signed up for a Reiki 1 class in 2011 and kept going until I completed my mastership in September of 2013.”

“To complete my Reiki mastership, I had to give 30 documented treatments to people.  I offered a treatment to a 60 year old man with chronic back pain.  He had suffered from the pain caused by a car accident when he was 20.  This man was a skeptic, but after I finished working on him, he was pleasantly surprised, he felt much pain relief.”

“I feel Reiki has given me direction in my life.  It is by far, the greatest thing I like to do.  It makes me feel connected to higher consciousness and I know that through my Reiki work, I am spreading light into this world.”

Having graduated from Wilkes University with a Sociology degree in 2010, Sandy feels that at some point she may be able to integrate her degree and Reiki into a lifes work.

“I would like to start a practice including mainstream therapy and Reiki.  At this point in my life, I’m not sure how this will happen, but I feel I am meant to do this and so it will come eventually.”

Sandy’s Reiki treatments start with candles placed by the client’s feet.  She uses Reiki to push and transmute energy to the candles.  She does a byosen scan with her hands to find which areas in the body need energy work, then clears the aura with a Selenite wand.  She sometimes uses aromatherapy if requested by her client, and then starts the Reiki treatment.  The time spent working on the client, depends on what she feels the body needs.  

“I work out of Maya’s Sanctuary of Oils on Commercial Street in Honesdale or out of personal homes.”  Sandy also donates her time at the monthly Heavenly Healers energy clinics.

And is Sandy still at her high stress level job?

“No, after I learned Reiki, I decided to apply for a less stressful position within the same company.  I sent Reiki along with the application and got the job!”

“Now, when I attend Renaissance Faires, I keep an eye out for the lady that gave me my first Reiki treatment.  I wish to someday find her and tell her what a wonderful gift she gave me in that 3 minutes she worked on me.  It changed my life forever.”

Sandy Sharp is the featured healer of the June 22nd Heavenly Healers Energy Clinic, where she will give free Reiki treatments. Stop by and start the change in your life.  

For more information contact heavenlyhealerscooperative@gmail.com

Article by Cari Branning

Jackie DeSau, May Featured Healer

Neuro-Muscular massage therapist Jackie DeSau sat down with me last Sunday to do the first, Heavenly Healers video interview.  It did not turn out as planned. My college student daughter, had made video taping look easy.  It was new to me.  Jackie and I did a half hour interview, only to discover at the end, I hadn't pressed the record button.  We both got a laugh out of it, then realized we'd have to do it again, since I hadn't taken notes.  

I apologized and thanked Jackie for coming into our HH clinic an hour early to tape.  Jackie smiled and said "Hey, no problem, I got a good laugh out of it."  I immediately liked this woman for her easy going and accepting spirit.

And she was reliable.  From the beginning of Heavenly Healers, Jackie had volunteered her time, energy, brought friends, and once an extra massage therapist, to keep HH clinics moving forward.

During the interview we discussed what had inspired her to become a massage therapist.  She said the desire had begun early in life.

"I was involved in sports, running, doing anything that moved my body and I was always sore.  I can remember as young as 8 years old having horrible headaches.  For birthdays or any other holiday, I asked for massage."

DeSau says she was not always the solid person she is today.

"When I was a kid, I was a different person.  I left school, became a mother at a very early age and thought I'd be okay working various jobs.  But I'm an aggressive type of personality; I like being my own boss."

"I knew by the time I turned 18, that if I wanted to get ahead in life, I'd need to go back to school.  And so my daughter and I moved to Georgia and I enrolled in a holistic massage school, Rising Spirit Institute of Natural Health.  The teachers were fantastic, I learned so much, more than I could have ever learned at a local school back home."

"It was intense though, a years worth of work in 9 months.  The class started out with 15 members and finished with about 8.  Many of the students worked full time and had children.  I just wanted it too much to quit."

"What types of massage do you do?"  I ask.

"Neuro-muscular, Myofascial, and massage for cancer patients."

"Really?  Cancer patients?  I'd think massage would not be recommended for cancer patients."  I say.

"Back in the day, they (massage authorities) did not recommend massage for cancer patients, but recently it's been discovered that the relaxation caused by the massage, helps patients recover from the stress of cancer and chemotherapy."

It makes sense to me.

Jackie talks about her new shop opening in June in Beach Lake, Pennsylvania.  "Avani - Mind, Body, Soul, will be 6 years old in June." Jackie says.

The location is picture perfect with a front porch, small garden area and a river running by outside.  A spacious reception office and two small rooms for energy work, awaits inside.  

"I'd like to get an acupuncturist in here also.  I'm happy to have the front reception area to use as an office, with a small filing cabinet and mini refrigerator over here.  A couch goes over there in case I need an afternoon nap!"  Jackie laughs.

As she describes the curtains and pictures she'll hang on the wall, in my minds eye, I am imagining a zen-like, healing space.  

Besides donating her time with HH clinics, DeSau was also a board member for the Honesdale Transition Town, a sustainable community project.  She grows most of her own organic food.  "I want to start my garden, but the weather is not cooperating at all.  I believe in a sustainable life style.  The earths health concerns me as much as the body."

An afternoon with Jackie DeSau, gives me comfort that there are people out there making a difference, one person at a time.

Jackie DeSau is the featured Heavenly Healer for our Sunday, May 18th clinic, 2-5pm at the Stonework's Learning Center in Honesdale, Pa.

Contact Jackie at her website:  avanimindbodysoul.massagetherapy.com

Article by Cari Branning

Donnalee Tyler, April Featured Healer

As the rain poured outside, I sat down with a cup of tea for a nice chat via telephone with Heavenly Healer's April featured healer, Donnalee Tyler.  Usually, I ask for a written bio by the healer, but Donnalee Tyler is a special case; Donnalee has been battling Hereditary Degenerative Retinal eye disease for many years.

"I had to reinvent myself at 50," says Donnalee.  Now a Massage Therapist and Master of Usui, Karuna, and Violet Flame Reiki, Donnalee tells me it wasn't always so.

"I was an auditor for 12 years at Ceasar's Pocono Resort when one day my boss asked me if I knew I had trouble with my vision.  I said no.  He showed me something I had read incorrectly and all I could say was Oh! After that, it was coming to grips with my failing eyesight."

"When I could do the job no longer as auditor, I moved to a position as cook and cleaner for Highlights Retreat Center.  It was a beautiful retreat area with about 20 cabins.  Artists and Illustrators came to the retreat for various workshops offered.  I worked at Highlights for four years until my eyesight got so bad I was cutting my fingers instead of the vegetables.  It was time to leave that job also."

"Occasionally in downtime, I'd massage fellow workers backs to help them relax and it was one of these workers that gave me my next inspiration, she said 'you are so good with your hands, you should be a massage therapist.'  And that is what I decided to do."

"Because of my eyesight, I knew anywhere around here would take me years to complete.  I discovered a place in Sedona, Arizona, the Sedona School of Massage, that would work with my disability, finish within five months and this was doable for me."

"My husband and I moved to Sedona, Arizona for the time I was in school there.  When I went to class the first day, I met a woman who was leaving for the season and offered me her place for $500 a month.  Again, doable."

I ask Donnalee where the apartment was and she tells me "Bell Rock, do you know it?"  Yes, I know it.  I've wanted to go back to Sedona for years now.  Never really done much but a drive-by day trip.  I tell Donnalee what an inspiration she is because most people would have just given up and accepted blindness.

"No, not me.  I just keep going on.  I have to, life never stops for me."

"Consciousness is so different in Sedona."  We talk of how people journey there for the vortexes, spiritual retreats, and beauty.  "I spent some time hiking at Isis Rock.  I remember seeing orchids growing between the rocks."  Lovely.

She tells me that after she graduated from the class she moved back to Pennsylvania and played the waiting game (over a year)  for a Reader to read the massage licensing test because of her eyesight.  She had to make a special request for this and prove she could not see well enough to read the test on her own.  She passed the test for licensing with no trouble and later the Reader, Joe, told her, he had never had a student pass that he had read the exam to.  "I'm so glad he didn't tell me that until later!" she exclaims.

"I've come to understand that if you let go and enjoy the journey, never pushing too hard, everything else slips away, and you'll be okay.  Awareness has to be present in every moment so we don't miss the gifts that are offered to us daily.  If you are where you are supposed to be, things happen easily."

Wow, what a wonderful affirmation.  I thank Donnalee for talking with me and tell her I am so happy we communicated this way instead of email.  I tell her she has inspired me to do something with my life.

"You already have," she laughs.

Donnalee Tyler will be with us at our April HH clinic.  This month it will be on the 4th Sunday of the month, April 27, 2-5 due to Easter.  Donnalee integrates massage, Reiki, and aromatherapy.  She is licensed in deep tissue, Swedish, Cranial Sacral and Ortho Bionomy.

Donnalee works at the Himalayan Institute, the Sanctuary of Oils & privately.

Article written by Cari Branning

Cari Branning, March Featured Healer

Cari Branning began her official energy training 10 years ago, but has been an intuitive healer since childhood. She is a Reiki Master and Crystal Intuitive energy healer.  

Crystal therapy is an ancient art originating in Egypt thousands of years ago.  It employs the laying on of stones over the body, during an energy healing session.  Cari uses stones in connection with the seven major chakras.  Each chakra resonates to a particular color, so by laying a stone of that color on a chakra, the chakra opens. When a chakra is open and balanced, the physical body is able to self heal. Used in conjunction with Reiki and aromatherapy, the healing power of crystals is amplified and expanded.

“Our bodies have a crystalline structure; everything around us is crystalline in nature and although we don't really need them, because we can program our own crystalline bodies as we do crystals, crystals are here to aid us and help us connect to the divine,” explains Cari Branning.

A favorite healing crystal of Cari’s is Selenite, a member of the gypsum family.

Selenite is named after the Greek Moon Goddess, Selene, because of its luminous glow and thus considered a moon stone.  

“Selenite has a wonderful pulsating energy that even the crystal skeptic cannot deny feeling.  If a person can work with only one crystal, Selenite is it.”  

“I start any treatment by clearing the auric field of a client with a Selenite sword.  By running the sword (or wand) down the length of the body, a neutralizing & clearing away of blocked energy is achieved.  Because of this initial clearing, the bodies ability to receive the treatment is facilitated at a deeper level.”

“I’ve recently collaborated with a dear friend and amazing aromatherapist, Maya Minwah on an oil blend infused with Selenite.  I made the request to Maya, but she was the alchemist, infusing the oil with selenite for months and blending other essential oils to create this divine elixir.  I was honored as being the first to try it and indeed, it has the feel of liquid Selenite!”

Please join Cari Branning at the March 16th Heavenly Healers Clinic 2-5 pm. She will give a brief discussion on crystal usage for life enhancement and healing at 2:30 - 3:00 pm.  Join in and ask Cari any questions you may have about crystals.

Cari Branning will also be at The Sanctuary of Oils, 61 Commercial St., Honesdale, Pa, on Saturday, March 22, 2:00-4:30pm offering a class entitled “Selenite Wisdom Circle.”  This class, a collaboration with Maya Minwah, features a class, crystal journey, and an anointed blessing of Selenite Wisdom essential oil.  A 5ml vial of the oil & a Selenite 4” wand is a gift with the class tuition of $55.  Please register early as there is limited space.

Contact Cari Branning @ 570.448.2961 or cari.branning@gmail.com

February Featured Healer, Brenda Seldin, Akashic Readings

Welcome to February, another flourishing month to receive a mini healing session through a Heavenly Healers clinic.  This month, we are fortunate to have Brenda Seldin, reader of the Akashic Records, with us at our February 16th clinic.

Brenda first experienced her channeling and intuitive healing awakening during her time as a NYS licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator in NYC.  From 1993 to 1999, close to 5,000 wildlife patients came through the doors, while she ran the center. It was during those times that she began to receive information intuitively regarding the medical condition of her wildlife patients and what homeopathic remedies were needed.

In 2003, Brenda studied Animal Communication with Animal Communicator Anita Curtis.  "Communication with animals came easily to me, and I found a new way to continue to work with animals," Brenda explains.  "I have been an Animal Communicator since 2004."

In 2012, she was drawn to a book by Linda Howe entitled How to Read the Akashic Records.  After doing the exercises she was able to connect to her own Akashic guides. "I followed the author’s advice and practiced for a month on anyone that wanted a reading.  I noticed that I had people coming back for more readings because the previous ones had been helpful to them."

"While connecting to my Akashic guides, I asked them if this was something I could offer to the public as a service.  They had me practicing another 2 ½ months before giving me the go-ahead.   I feel so blessed to receive the guidance that I do and to be able to be of service to both people and animals."

Come experience an Akashic Reading session with Brenda Seldin at our free energy healing clinic, February 16, 1-4 pm at the Stoneworks Learning Center, 1036 rear Main Street, Honesdale, Pa 18431.

For more information on Brenda, please refer to her website at brendaseldin.com/akashic_readings.html

Article by Cari Branning

Successful Healing Clinic

From left to right, Heavenly Healers, Hana, Sandy, Sue, Cari & Brenda (seated).

Heavenly Healers Cooperative 1st Energy Healing Clinic was an inspirational success!  Held at the Stonework's Learning Center in Honesdale, Pa, the center was infused with healing love and energy by Reiki Practitioners, a Massage Therapist, Akashic Records Reader and a Shaman.  Guests of the event, poured in the moment the doors opened until closing time at 5pm.  Originally, we had planned to end at 4pm, but the time got away from us.

A heartfelt thank you, to all the healers at the event; Brenda, Jackie, Sue and Sandy.  Without you, this event would not have flowed as smoothly as it did.

If you didn't make it to the event, below please find a few beautiful photos courtesy of Eddie Marritz.

Sandy sends Reiki through her healing hands.

Sue facilitates healing with crystals and Reiki.

Hana discusses treatment with her client.

Massage Therapist, Jackie

Cari sends Reiki & love to Jane

If you couldn't be with us at this event, please stop by for a free mini healing, and discussions with various Energy Workers about their healing practices on Sunday, February 16, 1-4pm.

Article by Cari Branning

Welcome to Heavenly Healers Cooperative

Welcome to our quest. We are not sure where the path will take us, but we are willing to venture through.

So glad you found your way here.  We are a new group of old healers; old in the sense of our collective years working separately within our various practices.

We are Shamans, Reiki Masters, Crystal Workers, Meditation Teachers, and Energy Workers of various modalities.  We conspire to teach the community what has taken us years to learn, on these pages and also at live events.

We desire to bring you healing techniques and tools to bring your life into balance.  We hope you enjoy the journey.