A Visit To Houdini's Grave - Was I pushed? You decide!

Houdini, Harry (1874–1926), U.S. magician and escape artist; born in Hungary; born Erik Weiss. In the early 1900s, he became known for his ability to escape from all kinds of bonds and containers, from prison cells to aerially suspended straitjackets.

I have long had a fascination with Houdini as an entertainer, and later, as a man who (rightfully) debunked some very famous so-called “mediums” in the days when spiritualism was all the rage in the parlors of the United States and Europe. I championed him for unmasking so many of those that preyed on the loss and misfortunes of others. And I felt sad for him as I followed his plight to communicate and receive a message from his own mother on the side.

Over the years, I have collected memorabilia and read a great deal about his life, and one thing I always wanted to do was to visit Houdini’s grave. Not because I’m a medium, as I usually stay clear of cemeteries because I know the dead are not there. (But that is another story for another blog). I wanted to go because it held the spiritual energy of another time and place. The Society of Magicians had a beautiful emblem made, along with a statue bust of Houdini to mount on top of it. Just like Jim Morrison’s grave in Paris, the bust has been stolen by zealous (or jealous) fans a couple of times and not replaced.


Houdini and his entire family are buried in MachPelah Cemetery in Jamaica Queens, a desolate area of blocks and blocks of cemeteries. This one has been closed down for over 20 years and it is certainly not a place I would go to alone, not as a medium or a woman. I didn’t know anyone else who was shared my passion. Then along came my friend, Steve. It was during a reading with me that Steve mentioned his own long fascination with the great escape artist. We were amazed to have known each other fourteen years and never once had either of us mentioned Houdini. I told him Houdini was an Aries, like me. We laughed and Steve offered to take me on the visit to Queens.

There were several signs from spirit once we were on our way, one was especially attention getting. In the middle of the ride, the keys literally flew out of the ignition while we were driving and landed between my feet on the passenger’s seat. The vehicle, btw, was still moving!

As we neared the rows of cemeteries with stones that spread out for miles, I could feel myself getting a little queasy, nervous, and excited. We had to pull off of the main street and into a carriage port circa 1800s and I was begging Steve to stop his pick up truck and turn around. It was overwhelming and unnerving and I could feel my head spin. I began to walk around with the video camera too soon. As you will see in the video, Steve comes around to help me. I am talking and trying to make light of how frightened I am by the energy I’m experiencing. As we move into the gravesite, Steve notices Houdini’s mother’s plaque. Not only was Houdini, my sign, but also it turns out that Steve discovered something about himself and Houdini’s mother!

I draw in for a close up with the camera so I can show all of you what Steve and I discovered and all of a sudden I have no control of the camera. As you will see, just before the end of the video clip, I am asking what is going on. Right after that moment, I felt people whispering all round me, close to my ears, and I felt a hand both push and pull me just before I took a nosedive into the monument steps. My fall was almost in slow motion.

I was lucky to escape serious injury and had to see the doctor to make sure. When I look back on the incident, I believe Houdini’s mother was trying to make her presence known to the first medium to visit there in a long time. Much of that cemetery has spirit lingering and it came as no surprise to me that she would reach out. Perhaps what I experienced is the residual energy of a mother who, even long after she is reunited with her son on the other side, still attempts to communicate with him.

Creating A Positive Vibe With Your Energy

Linda Lauren’s Energy Art™ is a reading of the colors of energy of people, places and objects, as it relates to the aura. When certain colors are intuitively combined together with intention, they create a specific energy for a desired result, like healing, harmony or money. Think of an aura photo and its array of colors. Now imagine those colors have a movement and a purpose that is designed to create an uplifting mood. Do you want prosperity? Romance? Good health? Harmony? Peace? You can do that via the vibration and translation of colors that, as a Medium, I read for you and visually express for you.

I have discovered a unique process of breathing life into spirit by way of this new artwork. Each picture is accompanied by a translation to explain what the colors mean to you, as well as the purpose they serve.

Invite prosperity and abundance
Reduce stress
Stimulate creativity
Encourage love and cooperation
Enhance your own energy, and the energy of those around you.
Heal body, mind and spirit
Promote harmony
Stimulate dreaming
Enjoy restful sleep
Embrace peace and love.

Let Color Therapy work for you through my reading of your colors. Call me to learn more about this treat for the spirit!

Note: the artwork above hangs in my Reading Room at our Center in Mountainside, NJ. It is called Making The Connection and it represents my communication with what is above (the other side ) with what is below (this side and the living.) The blue that runs across it denotes communication and the purple and white represent my mission and my work. This piece holds a very spiritual feel when seen up close, in person.

How the Jewelry We Wear Can Help Us

A while ago, I had to run an errand to my local pharmacy to pick up a prescription. I headed out in the morning so that I would not have to wait in a long line. I arrived to find only one person ahead of me, a beautiful, middle-aged woman in corporate dress. She was leaning in toward the pharmacist and telling him that she was feeling extremely balanced that day.

“I’m amazed at how grounded I am,” I heard her say. “I just don’t know why today is different.”

As often happens with me, I have an intense desire to furnish people with metaphysical facts and/or helpful information that will clarify questions and guide them in a positive direction. Knowledge is power, no matter what it is or where it stems from. I took a very quick ‘read’ on the jewelry she was wearing and immediately found why she felt so grounded. Dangling from each ear was a Hematite earring. Hematite is a very dark gray stone with a shiny finish and is known for its grounding of our spiritual energy to the reality of our daily routine. It is an excellent stone to keep beside your computer as it draws in radiation.

Every piece of jewelry you wear carries a vibration. That vibration is enhanced by the energetic properties of the stone or mineral it is set into. A diamond ring set in gold would represent innocent power and purity of heart, it will ground us to being powerful on a more practical level. It embraces happiness and clarity. When set in silver it works with that energy and will allow more power in communication and help us feel more hopeful.

Turquoise is a gemstone I often see worn as a necklace or a ring. With an origin seeping in Native American tradition, it is known as a truth stone and a powerful sacred stone. It helps with spiritual healing and communication skills and absorbs negativity.

One of the most useful ways to connect to the energy of what jewelry to wear that would benefit you is to relate it to your birth month. We all have a birthstone, and each metaphysical meaning is explained below. There are several schools of thought: Traditional, Modern and Mystical. For our intents and purposes I am focusing on the Traditional gemstones.

BIRTHSTONES (Traditional)

January is Garnet- all about friendship and trust. When set in a ring and given as a gift it promotes a strong bond between the gift and the giver. Good for those who wish to embrace understanding regarding a single topic.

February is Amethyst – connects you to the intuitive energy within you and accelerates the process of clear thinking. Good stone for writers and for people who are working through addictions.

March – Aquamarine – Back in days of old, this stone was one to guarantee a safe voyage. The serenity of aquamarine can cool off the temper so one remains level headed.

April – Diamond – representative of innocence and power, this gemstone draws abundance in terms of happiness and success in all areas of one's life. The diamond helps with clarity of vision.

May – Emerald- has much to do with rebirth and starting over. It has long been known to carry foresight and good fortune. Good for the immune system and to increase intuitive abilities

June – Pearl- allows you to be in tune with emotion and absorbs thoughts both positive and negative. Though it can be soothing, if you are agitated and negative while wearing a pearl, it will hold that energy until cleansed.

July – Ruby – beneficial to the eyes and to promote blood sugar balance, this is a stone of great joy and love. You will always have physical energy and financial prosperity with this stone.

August – Peridot – used for health and wealth, this gemstone assists us in relationships. Known as a visionary stone, it alleviates depression and anxiety and allows us to discover our purpose.

September – Sapphire – used for, inspiration, spiritual prayer and devotion, It works as an antidepressant and soothes inflammation. It is a very calming gemstone.

October – Opal – creates spontaneity and helps with emotional states. Also stimulates visualization and the imagination and activates dreams.

November - Yellow Topaz- this is a stone of mental clarity, focus, and confidence. Helps mood swings, insomnia, depression and exhaustion, turning them around to create a warm feeling.

December - Blue Topaz – offers creative expression and is fantastic for writers and publishers as it helps to focus on your path. It will help you inspire spiritual compassion.

Remember that all crystals and gemstones carry a vibration, and you want that vibration to emit positive energy to you when you wear them. Before you put your next piece of jewelry on, give yourself a moment to investigate it and why you may be wearing it.

I tell my clients to ask themselves this question: Will the jewelry I’m wearing help me move through the tasks ahead of me for that day? Sit quietly for a few moments after you have your accessories on and let the energy speak to you. Allow yourself some quiet moments to gather a sense of companionship with the pieces you have chosen. If something feels “off,” then remove one piece of jewelry. Perhaps your watch, a ring, or a bracelet is interfering with the energy you want to create for your day. By process of elimination and experience, you will learn to enhance and embrace a personal vibration that makes you feel complete and at peace.