Barefoot Blessings

Basking In The Soul Of Summer

by Marlaina Donato

Summer is a splashy reward after winter wears out its welcome. Spring barely has time to shake blossoms from her hair before we plunge headfirst into summer plans: vacations, barbecues and home improvement. As birds and humans go about their inspired tasks, bees and butterflies dive into their own nectarous agenda. There is no arguing that we all wake up feeling a little bit younger as the days burn longer.

Pulling weeds from the garden, deadheading the zinnias, digging our toes into wet sand and picking up sustenance at the local farmers market bring us back to our primal rhythm. We are more inclined to throw our cares to the wind and lean out of life’s open car window on the way to nowhere in particular. We do not need a plane ticket to exotic shores to find our bliss, only curiosity to explore our own backyards and fall in love with our familiar, well-worn lives.

Timed perfectly, each blossom on the wayside and in the fields has its own hour and medicine. Wildflower wisdom teaches us that we, too, can flourish on seemingly impossible terrain despite fierce opposition from those that do not recognize our value. The blessing of birdsong reminds us that our own survival game can be equally as beautiful when we embody our unique soul-note. Getting up a little earlier can lower our risk of depression and give us a front-row seat to the dew-covered world.

June beckons us to light an outdoor fire on the solstice and watch fireflies fall in love in light codes. At full power, the sun represents the sacred masculine and nature’s resurrection. We are invited to dance with the Green Man, Europe’s ancient symbol of rebirth peering from dappled forests and over church doorways. We are invited to schedule some actual repose into our vacations, even if we just take a holiday at home with a good book under a breezy tree. We are invited to live.

Calendar Of Events

The events described in this section were scheduled to take place at the time we went to press. Please check ahead to confirm their status.

FRIDAY, JUNE 9

Psychic Fair – 5-8pm. Mini-readings with experienced psychics and healers. Services include mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, past-life, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 mins. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com. See ad, page 41.

SUNDAY, JUNE 11

Sound Bath – 4:45-6pm. With Natalie Batty. Relax and recharge yourself through the healing vibrations of 7 crystal singing bowls, Native American flute, drumming, Koshi chimes, singing, toning and more. $35. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com. See ad, page 15.

MONDAY, JUNE 12

AOHMassage Foundation 1: Subtle Body – 9am-5pm. This workshop will be presented Monthly Summer 2023 as well as at the FSMTA Convention June 27. 7 CEs MT’s FL and NCBTMB. $100. Art of Holistic Massage, 3323 Olympic Dr, Ste 721, Naples. 732-266-5276. AOHMassage. com. See news brief, page 9.

TUESDAY, JUNE 13

AOHMassage Foundation 2: Touch – 9am-5pm. Part 2 of the hands-on foundational information that precedes learning the AOHMassage 1 and 2 Protocol. 2 CEs. $150. Art of Holistic Massage, 3323 Olympic Dr, Ste 721, Naples. 732-266-5276. AOHMassage.com.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14

Reflexology – 9am-3pm. This is an experiential workshop. It can be considered an introductory class to reflexology. Learn simple and effective techniques for keeping the body in balance. $100. Art of Holistic Massage, 3323 Olympic Dr, Ste 721, Naples. 732-266-5276. AOHMassage.com.

Herbs for Relaxation – 3-4pm. Presentation on specific herbs for relaxing and sleep. Includes electronic handout. Recipes will be explained. A relaxing lavender sachet provided. $15. Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 15

AOHMassage Protocol – 9am-4pm. Prerequisite to this class: AOHMassage Foundation 1, 2, 3 and/ or Overview. 2nd day available. AOHMassage 1 and 2. $175. Art of Holistic Massage, 3323 Olympic Dr, Ste 721, Naples. 732-266-5276. AOHMassage.com.

Great Bones Book Club & Food Sampling – 1:30-3pm. Looking for answers to help with osteopenia or osteoporosis? Great Bones by Dr. Keith McCormick, 2023, will be our guide to understanding bone loss issues, how to utilize updated testing methods to help your doctor target appropriate treatments and discover how lifestyle changes help preserve and regrow bones. $10. Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2, Ft Myers. Register: 303-929-4972. LotusBlossomClinic.com. See listing, page 45.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17

Psychic Fair – 11am-4pm. Mini-readings with experienced psychics and healers. Services include mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, pastlife, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 min. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 18

Reiki Healing Circle – 5-6pm. Join our amazing facilitators for a reiki healing circle every 3rd Sun. Experience an atmosphere of healing while using reiki energy to remove blockages by balancing the many chakra energy channels. $10. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.