By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
Listen to Meditation for Stressed Out Brides

You have been blessed with the gift of love, and you are getting married. Congratulations!

There is nothing holier than two people uniting in the spirit of committed love. It increases the love that exists in the world. And it brings healing to our world.

So how is it that something so magnificent and meaningful can involve the planning of an event that can drive even the sanest and sweetest brides to be to the brink of despair?

It is not unusual to feel exhausted by the sheer amount of labor and emotional negotiating that goes on around planning a wedding. It’s supposed to be the happiest time of your life -- and you want it to be -- yet many brides and grooms feel confused and let down that they are not feeling happy all the time.

Sigh. Today’s wedding culture places the focus on the “event” rather than the “marriage “and many unsuspecting brides and grooms find themselves sucked into the vortex of wedding stress. You might find yourself buried in wedding tasks, overwhelmed rather than overjoyed!

The planning … the people-pleasing … the coordinating … the financing … the family dynamics … and then there are those very natural, yet ornery, fears and concerns about getting hitched. These can all become quite a challenge.

That’s why it is essential that you also make sure you take time out to de-stress, decompress and reconnect to the sacred nature of the journey you are on.

Finding true love and getting married is really is quite a blessing -- if only you have a chance to enjoy it!

When wedding planning sends you inter overdrive, take some time out. It is important to nourish yourself and restore yourself to a state of mindfulness and presence in your relationship and your life. Sometimes you just need a wake up call for your bridal soul … a reminder that what this whole “wedding thing” is truly about is sacred union with your beloved.

Although weddings can be stressful, they can also be very healing. It’s a chance to dress up and party with friends and families … and you should enjoy that! It is also a time of gathering people together in the spirit of love.

Most importantly, your wedding is the sacred threshold to the life you will share as a married couple.

When wedding craziness gets the best of you, leave it behind and do something else. See a movie, take a warm bath, cuddle up with your honey, looking into his eyes, or join me in this meditation to help you release the stressors and remember the sacred:

Click for my free wedding "Meditation for Stressed Out Brides" at Beliefnet.com

Continue reading "Stressed-Out Brides: Relax With Wedding Goddess Meditation" »

Posted May 9, 2008 5:27 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Comments (0)

By Shelley L. Ackerman
For more insights visit karmicrelief.com

Shelley Ackerman's Weekly Horoscope - May 8 to 14

Jupiter Stations Retrograde, Mars Enters Leo - At Last!

Media astrologer Shelley Ackerman of radio and TV brings her astrological insights to Wedlok.com in a weekly horoscope column every Thursday.

Look for a boon to love, romance and relationships in general, as our men will be a lot more motivated to take action.

For more than seven months, fiery Mars, the planet of drive and physical prowess has been back and forth in watery Cancer. On May 9, the God of War enters Leo (through July 1st), a sign in which the red planet is extremely comfortable and able to express himself with greater ease and confidence.

At the same time, Jupiter, planet of plenty, turns retrograde for four months, encouraging us to literally hold our horses before jumping in to anything while providing the opportunity to rethink our financial and relationship philosophies. For example, this is not the time for a quickie marriage in Vegas for couple's who barely know one another!

Amplifying this “measure twice and cut once” energy, is Mercury’s entrance into the pre-retrograde shadow period on May 12. This happens three times a year.

While the retrograde itself doesn’t kick in until Memorial Day (May 26), this slowing down phase is a precursor. During this time, it’s especially wise to be careful with all travel and communication. If it’s your habit to blab on a cell phone in public- do so at your won risk. Someone other than the person on the other end may be listening to your every word.

Continue reading "Mars in Leo: Love and Relationships Enhanced" »

Posted May 8, 2008 1:00 PM by Editor | Comments (0)

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway answers your questions and helps relieve wedding stress. Please e-mail your questions, wedding challenges and column ideas to The Wedding Goddess.

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Although weddings can be stressful, they can also be very healing. Sure, your wedding is a chance to dress up and party with friends and families … and you should enjoy that! It is also a time of gathering people together in the spirit of love.

Most importantly, your wedding is the sacred threshold to the life you will share as a married couple.

Here are some tips for holding it together, relieving wedding stress and staying close:

1. Recognize that it is easy to get sucked into the vortex of wedding planning stress, and overwhelmed by pressure and expectations of those around you.

You’ve got to include stress management, self-nurturing, and time to chill out as an integral part of the wedding planning process. Do things that help you stay centered.

2. Realize that everyone has something to say about your wedding. You’ll be showered with congratulations and gifts, and bombarded with unsolicited advice.

Make an agreement to make decisions together, and back each other up. Support each other!

3. It is a rare family that does not have a “Debbie Downer” who throws a little wrench into your wedding plans.

You have to set clear boundaries, and also learn to deflect the sometimes-negative vibes from well-meaning friends and relatives. You can’t please all the people all of the time… so please yourselves.

4. Getting married can stir up a lot of emotions. The process itself sets forth period of growth and change that can be nerve -wracking. Unresolved emotions may come to the surface to be explored.

Be prepared to do some inner work along with all the external preparations. Honor and address the fears that arise. Trust they are natural.

5. Our culture places a tremendous emphasis on having a great wedding and not enough on having an awesome marriage. It's okay to be temporarily obsessed and yearn for the perfect wedding -- but you have to keep your eye on what's truly important.

Don’t give the wedding day so much power! Step back and realize, the most important part of the day is not the day itself ... but that you leave the altar in the arms of the One you love … the One you look forward to building your life with.

Continue reading "Reduce Wedding Stress, Create Bridal Bliss" »

Posted May 2, 2008 10:01 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Comments (0)

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
Editor, Wedlok.com

Happy Beltane! And if you are marrying today, Blessed Be!

Beltane, also known as “May Day,” is the ancient Celtic fertility holiday that celebrated the rites of spring with much frolicking and fun. It began last night, April 30, at sundown, and lasts all day on May 1.

Beltane signals the beginning of the bright half of the year. It means “Bright Fires,” or “Brilliant Fires.”

In ancient times, two great fires would be lit, made with healing herbs. The light would guide the townspeople through the night, and some would jump skyclad over the flames and or rides their animals between the two fires to be blessed by the sacred smoke.

It is also the holiday of soulful love, a time when we feel called to open our hearts and or connect more deeply with others. It celebrates love, attraction and courtship – and that annual swell of desire we know as "spring fever."

I think in modern terms it’s known as “mating season.” In my life, it’s called “wedding season.”

Continue reading "Beltane and the Sacred Marriage" »

Posted May 1, 2008 3:55 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Comments (0)

By Shelley L. Ackerman
For more insights visit karmicrelief.com

Saturn Stations Direct, Mercury Enters Gemini, and a Cinco de Mayo New Moon in Taurus

Media astrologer Shelley Ackerman of radio and TV brings her astrological insights to Wedlok.com in a weekly horoscope column every Thursday.

Before getting into the meaning of the New Moon in Taurus on May 5th, let’s briefly touch on the significance of the Saturn “station” on May 2nd, and Mercury’s entrance into quixotic Gemini where the Messenger God will “commute” back and forth for ten weeks (including a retrograde from 5/26--6/19), through July 10th!

Since late last December, Saturn, the Lord of Karma and hard work, has been traveling retrograde (in apparent reverse motion) in exacting Virgo. This hasn’t been easy for anyone, and it’s been especially tough on Capricorns, Aquarians, and Virgo: Tasks that are usually accomplished effortlessly have exhausted the heartiest among us.

The economic recession has prompted lots of talk, but no one’s really been able to do much about it. But when on May 2nd Saturn stations (appears to stand still), and begins to slowly go forward once again, some of the stuck energy will start to dissipate and after the New Moon on May 5th we will at least feel some positive mojo and momentum return to our lives! Olé!

Shelley's Weekly Forecast for all 12 Signs:

Continue reading "Shelley Ackerman's Weekly Horoscope - May 1 to 7" »

Posted May 1, 2008 2:38 PM by Editor | Comments (0)

By Shelley L. Ackerman
For more insights visit karmicrelief.com

Venus Completes Stint in Willful Aries, Enters Taurus on April 30

Media astrologer Shelley Ackerman of radio and TV brings her astrological insights to Wedlok.com in a weekly horoscope column every Thursday.

Whenever a planet enters it’s “home sign” (the astrological sign that it rules), there’s a welcomed sense of things being right - at least in one part of the world.

Since Venus rules sweetness, love, and romance, and Taurus is the sign of physical pleasure and sensuality, there’s a lot to look forward to. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to use the fire and drive of Venus in Aries energy productively: Stay out of arguments, and focus on getting things done by the end of the month, so that we can relax into and savor the range of earthly delights that Venus in Taurus has to offer.

Shelley's Weekly Forecast for all 12 Signs:

Continue reading "Shelley Ackerman's Weekly Horoscope April 24-30" »

Posted April 24, 2008 12:03 PM by Editor | Comments (0)

By Shelley L. Ackerman
For more insights visit karmicrelief.com

Mercury and The Sun Enter Taurus, A Scorpio Full Moon, and Earth Day 2008

Media astrologer Shelley Ackerman of radio and TV brings her astrological insights to Wedlok.com in a weekly horoscope column every Thursday.

On Friday April 17, Mercury, the planet of communication and transportation, enters Taurus.

Thoughts slow down and though the words take more time, they are more grounded and literally have more weight. That energy is further amplified when the Sun enters lusty Taurus on April 19th.

This weekend’s Full Moon in Scorpio, and grand trine (a harmonious alliance between planets in the same element) between the Sun/Mercury, Saturn and Pluto provides a rare combination of dramatic and productive energy to get things moving in both our financial and our romantic lives.

How astrologically perfect that Earth Day is always celebrated on April 22 with the Sun in Taurus?

This year however, the Moon is ‘void of course’* in Scorpio till 5:07 pm EDT, so it’s a good idea to lay low, do what you must to get through the day, but not make any major purchases or promises you won’t be able to keep.

Shelley's Weekly Forecast for all 12 Signs:

Continue reading "Shelley Ackerman's Weekly Horoscope for Wedlok.com - April 17 to 23" »

Posted April 17, 2008 6:48 AM by Editor | Comments (0)

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway will answer your questions and help relieve wedding stress. Please e-mail your questions and wedding challenges to The Wedding Goddess.

How do we get our marriage license and how soon can we marry?

Dear Wedding Goddess:

We are a couple from England who are looking to get married in New York next year and though we have visited the Municipal Building website we haven't been able to find the information we require or an email address to contact them, and hope you can help. We will be arriving on the 29/11/09 in New York and will be heading straight to the NYC Marriage Bureau first thing on the Monday 30th November 2009. Can you please help us with the following: Whether we need a special license to get married in New York as we are from England?; Whether we can book our wedding ceremony for the next day once we've obtain our marriage license or do they have waiting lists? Hope you can help and any assistance or advice would be much appreciated. - John and Tracy

Dear John and Tracy -

Congratulations on your decision to wed in New York City. It is actual quite a simple procedure. First thing you want to do is check to make sure they are open on the day your arrive or day after. Hours for the New York City Clerk's Office marriage bureau are typically 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM but they close certain holidays. There is usually no waiting list to marry in the municipal building but you must have your marriage license in hand for 24 hours to do so. For example. If you receive your license at 1:30 PM Monday your could not legally wed until the same time the next day, or later. You do not require a special license on this end, just the appropriate identification, such as a Passport and drivers license. But you will have to register your wedding at home so you should find out how to go about that.

Here is the information I share with the couples I marry in New York City:

The details for getting the license are at this site.

http://nycmarriagebureau.com/

1. You will have to go together to get the license.

2. Make sure you bring proper ID (listed at the url's above and in the info below) and a US money order for $35. They do not take cash, cc, or checks.

3. I suggest you get there on line 45 minutes early to ensure faster processing.

4. You must present a valid, NYState license to me the day of the ceremony. Y

5. You can get it anywhere in New York.

You must bring the license with you the next day in order for the justice of the peace to marry you.

Blessings, Rev. Laurie Sue

Continue reading "Ask the Wedding Goddess" »

Posted April 15, 2008 1:03 PM by Editor | Comments (0)

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway is a leading interfaith and non-denominational wedding officiant, and a widely recognized expert on blended marriages and bridal stress. She reguarly presides over interfaith weddings.

She is known for her warm, loving and creative approach to blessing couples of all backgrounds, faiths and cultures and for guiding them on their journey to the altar and beyond. She helps interfaith couples explore challenges they face, and unites them in marriage while helping them to blend families and cultures.

She has an active wedding ministry in New York City and serves hundreds of couples each year. She is author of Wedding Goddess: a Guide to Transforming Wedding Stress into Wedding Bliss and Your Perfect Wedding Vows: How to Write, Find and Select the Words that Express What is in Your Heart.

She will be co-officiating The Annual Wedding Goddess Blessing of the Brides and Grooms in Central Park on June 14. Please e-mail her, or contact her at WeddingGoddess.com and 212-631-3520.

The following are excerpts from a recent radio nterview with Rev. Laurie Sue.

What is an interfaith marriage?

People tend to think of "interfaith" as Jewish and Christian but it is actually an umbrella term for many diverse pairings. The combinations are unlimited. When any two people of differing faith and/or cultural backgrounds decide to marry it is considered interfaith. On one end of the spectrum is a Catholic marrying a Lutheran – both are Christians but technically of different faiths. Or it could be a union between a Hindu from Trinidad and an African American Jehovah’s Witness. In that scenario there is a blending of both religions and cultures.

Tell us a little bit about the very interesting couples you've married.

Wow. As an interfaith minister I have had the honor of marrying so many diverse couples, from so many different backgrounds and points of view. I am often called to create ceremonies that weave together different cultures, traditions, faiths, personal values and families. For example, just recently the faith and cultural pairing of some of my couples included:

Christian and Hindu; Hindu and Buddhist-Christian-Jewish groom; American lapsed Catholic and Sri Lankan Buddhist; French Canadian Lebanese and Dominican Republic Catholic; Wiccan and Atheist; Muslin and Hindu; Hindu and Jewish (both from conservative families); Scottish traditional to Church of English British; Catholic of Mexican heritage and religious Jewish; Russian Jewish and Russian Christian; African Christian and American Jewish.

That’s quite a range. Out of over 2 million couples who marry each year, how many are interfaith couples?
The numbers now look to be about 25 percent. NBC recently reported that there are 28 people in interfaith unions in this country.

Do you think the numbers of interfaith marriages are on the rise? Why?

There are a number of factors:
1. First of all, one of the things that most people want in life is to find true love with a devoted partner. In our global community, and our daily lives -- where we live, work and travel in blended communities -- it is so easy to meet and become attracted to someone who may have a different faith, culture, country, skin color.

2. A lot of people today are open-minded enough to opt for LOVE over the "package" that love comes in and in the process they find the package is quite lovely as well.

3. Many people feel disconnected from the religion of their birth so they don't actively seek a mate by religious standards. A recent study showed us that 16 per cent of all Americans do not consider themselves to be on any faith. And 25 per of Americans “switched” faiths at some point of their lives, and some believe this is in part due to interfaith marriage.

Continue reading "Interfaith Weddings: Interview with Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway" »

Posted April 15, 2008 5:32 AM by Editor | Comments (0)

For more information

Few of us enter into a committed relationship or friendship expecting it to fail, and yet sometimes even with the best of intentions, relationships do not work out to our satisfaction.

It often baffles us that someone we were once so drawn to can now get on our nerves so easily or even repel us!

So what is the answer, why does this happen? The one word answer may surprise you….Energy.

This energy surrounds us every minute of every day. We decide if our energy is that of love, kindness and encouragement or whether we emit an energy of arrogance, anger or impatience. Far too many of us have observed a family member talking harshly to another only to answer the phone in the sweetest of friendly voices.

We have the capacity to shift our energy in an instant. Our relationships vary from one to another based on our previous energy exchanges with that individual. So what can we do to shift our energy?

Prayer and meditation are two wonderful ways to get in touch with your current energy state. When we practice meditation we actually shut the mind down and allow a feeling of calmness and peace to enter our energy field. .

Continue reading "Heal Relationships and Life with "Peak Vitality"" »

Posted April 10, 2008 12:34 PM by Editor | Comments (0)