by Dana Taylor
by Dana Taylor
Isn’t synchronicity fun? In 2018 I attended a casual church meeting and found myself chatting with a stranger named David. He said, “I’m reading the most fascinating book. It’s written by a Catholic priest who helps departed souls cross into heaven.” That was how I found my way to Father Nathan Castle’s book, Afterlife Interrupted: Helping Stuck Souls Cross Over, which I found fascinating and reviewed. (See Conversations from the Afterlife.) Father Castle has spent most of his career in college campus ministry. But about once a week, he receives dreams, often of violent or sudden deaths of various people who are now “stuck” in a purgatory level of the afterlife. He later meets with prayer partners and opens himself up to lend his voice to the departed person who is ready to move onto another heavenly realm. The prayer team assists in that process. The book remained in my mind, and I often recommended it to friends.
Fast forward to 2024. I am now working as Assistant to the President, Dr. Yvonne Kason, at Spiritual Awakenings International (SAI) and we are getting ready for the big SAI Conference 2024. Father Castle is on the roster of scheduled speakers. Yvonne assigns me to host Father Castle’s session, which I find very exciting.
I immediately purchase Afterlife Interrupted, Book Two, which I find as thought-provoking as the first book. The plan is I am simply to introduce Father Castle and let him make a presentation. But it turns out, that isn’t really his style. A few minutes in, he asks if Yvonne or I would ask him some questions and turn it into more of conversation. Well, my excitement level skyrockets. This is like asking a 12-year-old girl if she would like to have a conversation with Taylor Swift. Father Nathan exudes a rare combination of joyful spirituality, humility, and wisdom. An impromptu interview ensues between Father Castle and me–which I think went well, but I’ll have to wait for the video to see.
We explored some of the material of Book Two. Through the years, Father Nathan has helped some 500 souls cross over, so curating the stories to include in a book, requires prayerful consideration. The criteria seems to be, what can the living learn from the dead? There’s certainly comfort in discovering that no one dies alone. Everyone has a guardian angel who helps them along, often quickly leaving a violent scene. There are teams of helpers providing aid and care as people adjust to the afterlife. Free will is respected. Everyone is at their own stage of soul development.
One of the stories we discussed concerned, Nadi, an Iraqi man, who died in a sectarian massacre of Muslim against Muslim. Nadi’s lesson seemed be that dogmatic beliefs are small-minded illusions of separation. He comes to see the Oneness of beliefs across the earth. When he is ready to move on, a beautiful flotilla celebration appears for him on a river. His father welcomes him aboard a boat, and they sail away.
All of the stories are moving and relay significant life lessons worth pondering. The final two are tales of suicide, one of a band singer, Bea, from the 1930’s who was sexually exploited by the men in power. Once she becomes pregnant, she “takes matters into her own hands” and ends her life. Rather than being condemned for her decision, she is met by the ineffable Margaret Hamilton, forever-famous as the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz. Hamilton is a sympathetic guide who knew the dark realities of male domination of the entertainment industry. Bea moves to a better reality than she left behind.
We get another glimpse of suicide through the experience of Bob, who leapt to his death during the Depression when life just seemed too difficult. However, Bob’s difficulties didn’t disappear. He brings foggy despair with him to the afterlife and must deal with that before he can move on. He receives patient spiritual and emotional counseling until he is ready for another level. Ultimately, his advice to the living is to not lose hope. It was hopelessness that drove him to suicide, the proverbial “permanent solution to a temporary problem.” He urges people to seek help and rediscover hope.
Afterlife Interrupted, Book Two is a compelling peek into the heavenly realms, offering valuable lessons to the living. Father Nathan Castle continues his work with college students and is often a guest at spiritual conferences and podcasts. He also hosts The Joyful Friar podcast which “explores the soulful, the meaningful, and the mystical.”
I’m so grateful for that casual conversation in 2018 that led me to meeting Father Nathan Castle in 2024. Ah, sweet synchronicity.
Bright blessings, Dana
by Dana Taylor
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Supernal Adventures: Explore the New Normal of Multidimensional Living
Angel Anecdotes Series–
My daughter, Sara, and her husband moved into a lovely 1920’s era home in St. Louis when they got married. From the beginning, we sensed a kindly spirit in the upstairs area. Several of the Supernal Friends picked up similar images of a Victorian era woman. I pictured one with a Gibson girl upswept hair style; others saw her hair long and full.
Will, 1 yr
During the time Sara was pregnant with her son, Will, she had the opportunity to receive her Reiki II attunement from Helen (www.rippleoflights.com). Helen told her that Will would also receive the attunement. He is our Reiki Baby. He has been extraordinarily healthy and happy. We also think he may have been watched over by the Victorian woman we sensed. Sara and I received similar names for her–“Lilli” or “Lillian.” Will was often content to stay in his crib and vocalized happily “alone.” Supernal Friend Paula once told me he was learning many things from Lilli.
When I visited their home, I shared Will’s room. One afternoon I closed the door to have some quiet prayer and meditation time. The windows were closed; no fan whirred. I sat in the rocking chair and went through my meditation. After a while, it occurred to me to address Lilli. I said in my mind, “I don’t know if you’re here, Lilli, but if you are I would like to thank you for taking care of Will.” I felt a little silly addressing what could have just been a figment of everyone’s imaginations, but it couldn’t hurt, right?
A couple of minutes later, a piece of paper sailed off the top of the armoire and drifted down to my feet.
Hmm, I guess that was Lilli’s way of saying, “You’re welcome.”
Blessings–
Dana Taylor
When terrible events occur like the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., our faith in a loving Divine Source can get seriously shaken. I’m not going to even begin pondering the Big Questions. Instead, through the holidays I thought I would share some Angel Anecdotes. I don’t have the Whole Picture, but I’ve had enough experiences to know we’re not alone.
My daughter, Cary, keeps her Guardian Angels on their toes. Her name means Strong Woman. She announced by age eight that she was going to be a missionary and is living out her destiny. She’s traveled to Nicaragua, India, Nepal, China, Fiji and Cambodia, with intrepid courage. Whether she’s in a small plane edging over the Himalayas or a rickety bus in Angkor Wat, her Mother is praying her through.
ANGELIC INTERVENTION OF INCOMPETENT PARENTING
No mother is perfect, and neither was I, as these stories clearly reveal:
Incident #1: At 18 months old Cary was already a fearless explorer. Our Oklahoma rent house back yard had a beautiful bush with poisonous, red berries. I’d set up a barrier around the bush to be on the safe side. Cary and I were enjoying a little sunshine. I settled on a chaise lounge; she played nearby. You know how it goes–warm sun shine, soft breeze. My eyes grew drowsy…I wasn’t asleep, but I was heading that direction when I clearly heard–SHE’S ABOUT TO EAT A BERRY.
I sat up in time to see her a few feet away reaching under the make-shift fence for one of those irresistible berries. “No!” I yelled. She sat back and blinked at me, all innocent brown eyes.
Incident #2: At three years old, Cary could paddle around a pool quite well in an inner-tube. My parents’ back yard was our second summer home with its big pool. On this particular day, my friend, Sue, and her two children joined my two girls and me for a play date and lunch. We’d finished eating and were cleaning up. The kids played under the patio. I carried dirty dishes back into the house, turning my back on Sue and the kids. Sue picked up the used napkins and turned her back from the pool for a minute to throw them in the trash can.
That’s when Cary decided it was time to get back in the pool. She picked up her inner tube and placed it over her head, not thinking to stick her arms through the hole also. I had just closed the sliding screen behind me and entered the house when I heard–SHE’S GETTING IN THE POOL.
I turned around just in time to see her head disappear under the swim ring as she walked off the bottom shallow end step. I threw the dishes down, whipped open the screen, dashed across the concrete and jumped in the water. I doubt Cary was under water more than 10 seconds.
Sue and I were horrified that we’d both diverted our attention from the children at the same time. Good thing the Angel was still on watch!
I’m not generally a clairaudient intuitive (hearing messages)–but I guess when a situation is critical enough, a non-physical entity can give a shout-out. Or maybe being a Mother gave me an extra portion of ESP. I don’t know all the forces that came into play, but I am grateful I heard the messages and averted serious consequences to my momentary lapses of attention.
Thank God the Angels are out there. I obviously need all the help I can get! More anecdotes soon…Feel free to share yours.
Enjoy your weekend and hug your kids–
Dana Taylor
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Do you believe in angels? Three stories of angels in various guises.
HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
