Journey Into the Salt Caves
& Melancholy's Finest Cover Reveal
We’re finally out of Mercury Retrograde and I’m already feeling better. I don’t even care about the shadow period lasting the rest of the month. I’ve been focused on diving deeper into my healing journey and I’m willing to share a piece of it below.
I traveled to my local salt cave, a man-made salt cave mind you, to get some healing and massage. I stumbled across a masseuse who offers something she refers to as the Cotu Method. A mix of traditional massage, reiki, visualizations, and other techniques designed to help you release trauma stored in the physical body.
Salt caves also known as halotherapy have a slew of benefits including clearing toxins and pollutants from your respiratory system, improving your skin, boosting your immune system, relieving stress & anxiety, and getting rid of negative energy. So it was no brainer I should get this healing massage inside the heart of the salt caves.
It started out as a normal massage, getting knots out of my back, but my masseuse is intuitive so she was searching for problem areas. Said my back was pretty tight, which I already knew.
“Not much shame or guilt in the glutes, this part of your body is receptive to my touch, but the area behind your heart chakra is pushing back. Your body is trying to protect itself. There are some deep-seated issues from your childhood that are beginning to manifest itself in your body.”
She continued massaging my back, kneading my flesh in between her knuckles, and searching for other emotional problem areas. I turned over and she said she’ll be starting the reiki session. Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that promotes healing through gentle touch. I’ve received reiki from several different healers in several different countries so this was a normal occurrence for me. (Be careful seeking out healers though, some people have dirty energy and/or trying to scam you)
Placing her hands on my shoulder, she tells me that she’s calling in her higher self, my ancestors, the angelic realm, and a slew of other divine forces to assist in the healing. I was a little stressed because I’m careful about what entities have access to my energy, but my intuition reminded me that I would be safe and I pulled tarot cards before I even scheduled the session, which was fantastic.
“I want you to silently say this mantra in your head…I’m sorry, forgive me, thank you, I love you, and show me the way.”
I said the words silently and I did feel a shift of energy in my chest. I surrendered to the moment and let the energy flow through me.
“Let's invite in safety because I feel like this has been a recurring issue in your childhood.”
It’s crazy how accurate she was being throughout the entire reading/massage. After safety was invited in, I did feel more relaxed and there was less resistance in my body. She pointed out unprocessed grief in relation to my parents in my ribcage and called in a couple archangels to remove any emotional blockages that we couldn’t see.
Then she moved on to my neck muscles which were super tight and said my throat chakra has some issues. That I had issues expressing myself and speaking my truth. I know this might sound crazy considering I’m a writer, but there was a point in my life I was almost mute. Writing has always been one of the few spaces I have felt safe expressing myself without fear of repercussions or physical violence from my dad.
She ended the session, thanked me, and suggested I ground myself by walking on the salt covering the ground. So I followed her instructions and I did feel more relaxed. I felt extremely tired the rest of the day which is normal when it comes to processing energy work/healing and I took a nap, but still felt tired.
What exactly has this work been doing? So I’ve been paying attention and using my intuition. A lot of emotional blocks have been broken down like a hammer taken to a block of concrete, and moving out of my system slowly. I feel like I’ve already become less defensive and more open. More open to the world, people, and possibilities. There have been dramatic shifts in my living situation since the massage and I don’t resonate with it the way I used to. So I will be moving soon, but staying in LA of course.
Art by Blyss Studios & lettering by Tony McMillen
This is the cover for my sixth book Melancholy’s Finest (Book 1 of the Motorpapi Chronicles) coming out June 27th. It’s about to be a hot summer.
You can read the plot synopsis below and get an exclusive look at the back cover designed by Tony McMillen.
I’m getting excited all over again talking about my book. This is another strange yet full circle moment. Little Grant aka Young Grant used to read more science fiction and dark fantasy with horror interspersed so it makes sense that I would write a lofi cyberpunk series.
I’ll be attending Voidcon in Huntington, WV this upcoming October slinging books and repping Broken River Books. David Simmons will co-tabling one of the days too. This is super exciting since I haven’t sold books at a book convention since 2014 I think.
I’m happy to see The Hum of the World making its rounds and connecting with readers.
Also, I’m trying out a new technique for refining my dialogue. I noticed my dialogue is a lot better in screenplays so I’ve taken the liberty of copying and pasting the dialogue from whatever book I’m working on and transferring it onto a separate word document. I put in screenplay format so I can analyze the dialogue in its most pure form and it’s been helping a lot. It is time consuming but worth it for me.
Currently Watching: Love, Death & Robots Season 3 & Lost Season 1 & Yellowjackets Season 2
Currently Reading: Blame! by Tsutomu Nihei & Gleipnir by Sun Takeda & The Train Derails in Boston by Jessica McHugh & Full Throttle by Joe Hill
I read this horror short story by Matt Neill titled “Colder than the Heart Devoid of Love” in the most recent issue of Cosmic Horror Monthly and it’s downright chilling and the prose is pristine. Check it out when you have time.
Currently Smoking: CLSCS Rosin Grapes N Cream Preroll
Listening: Black Tapes Podcast, The Danny Brown Podcast, The Higherside Chats
I used to be iffy on Rico Nasty, but she’s been staying in her own lane and staying true to herself. The energy in “Turn It Up” is unparalleled and abrasive. Rico plays the housekeeper gone mad aesthetic pretty damn well and I’m actually looking forward to what else she cooks up.
The question of what do aging rappers have to rap about is answered incredibly well in Don Trip’s single “RainCheck.” He’s not worried about buying certain cars if he can’t take his kids to school in it, he’s more interested in buying a tourbus for his progeny. This shit’s fire.
“I was born like this, I can only be what I’m going to be/If you want to fall in love, stay the fuck around from me…”
Tony Shhnow’s vulnerability and honesty is admirable. He has clear intimacy issues, but he’s upfront about his shortcomings with ole girl.
Kembe X is probably one of the best underground gems out of Chicago who has brushed shoulders with giants of the game. Pure poetry, a sonic exploration of the ego in the form of venting over a dope beat. I’m rooting for Kembe.
Until next time…
I had some intense healing shit last week too. Weird sync.