Are you a fellow Heart Explorer?
My Moondancing Weekly Soul Letter is for truth-seekers who follow their own inner compass … and want to feel a bit less alone along the way.
Tell me more
 |
 |
 |
|
|
A daughter's tale of truth, love and letting go |
|
 |
|
|
An addictive spin on awakening, soulmates and past lives |
|
Awards | Free chapters | Buy |
|
Interview with Karen M. Black
- So Karen, share a bit about yourself.
- What was your inspiration for Moondance?
- How would you compare Moondance to other books?
- What kind of people have enjoyed reading Moondance?
- Why some readers don't like the book
- How did you research tarot cards and karmic astrology?
- Do you do karmic astrology sessions?
So Karen, share a bit about yourself.
I'm a Canadian writer and the creator of the inspirational sites The Soulmate Site and Heart Explorations, which share things I've learned on my own awakening journey.
I also offer private karmic astrology sessions.
I also have an MBA from the Rotman School of Management in Toronto and spent 20 years in corporate, before going freelance. At the moment, I still do some independent consulting with firms I’ve known for a while. My specialty is converting technical documents into plain language.
What was your inspiration for Moondance?
The internal battles we face as part of being human and the spiritual awakening symptoms that pursue us are topics that are endlessly fascinating to me!
Moondance explores questions (and arguments) that I had about life in my 30’s. Though Moondance is fiction, it was inspired by being bounced around in the corporate world, having some painful relationship experiences and wondering why my life didn't turn out as I had planned.
I've asked the questions that my main character Althea asks. I've raged at the universe like Althea does, wondering about life's injustices and why things are so easy for some people, and so difficult for others. Like Althea, I’ve ignored neon physical awakening signs in my life guiding me - and warning me too.
Althea’s mind is at war with her heart. She's an MBA in a corporate role who’s used to having it all together, but is struggling. Down deep, she wants love, wants to be happy. But she thinks she can turn her life around with her will – and finds it difficult to balance her strength and vulnerability. When emotional, she tends to deflect, deny or control how she feels.
Althea’s desire for control is a common struggle. It’s as if resisting change is hard-wired in our DNA. Yet paradoxically change is unavoidable in life. There may be times when we can coast in a comfy routine for a while. But then one day, our soul says – okay lazy bones, that’s it! Today’s the day. Change or die.
For astrology buffs out there, you may recognize the dark side of Scorpio in Moondance (death and self-destruction) and its potential (re-birth and healing). Yes indeed – Moondance is a “Scorpion” book. I was studying karmic astrology when I was writing Moondance (more on that below).
How would you compare Moondance to other books?
I'm not sure if there's one book I can compare it to and I had a hard time choosing a genre. But let me give it a shot.
First off Moondance is not traditional genre fiction! It’s a book about a dramatic, modern spiritual awakening and it explores the purpose of heartbreak in our lives.
Moondance moves at the pace of a thriller. It also has shades of:
- Visionary fiction and Metaphysical fiction, set in a modern, professional world
- Magical Realism, intended to challenge Althea’s perceptions of reality
- Psychological thriller, diving deep into Althea’s inner conflict
- Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance or Time-Travel Romance that orchestrates a fated meeting. But can they get over their respective pasts – and see the potential?
I do believe in soulmates by the way, but not in an ungrounded, Hollywood way. You can read more about that on The Soulmate Site. Or you can buy Moondance - Althea learns alot about finding your soulmate.
What kind of people have enjoyed reading Moondance?
Readers are mostly curious, spirit-focused women and men. Some read Moondance to help make sense of their own lives, during times of transition. Other readers have been on a spiritual journey for a while, actively seeking new insights.
Readers often relate to Althea’s (or Michael’s) story in some way. Althea is a single professional, struggling with unhealthy relationships, loss and disappointment. Michael Foster is divorced and has gone through his own share of heartbreak.
Occasionally, readers just like the fast-paced, sexy story that keeps them guessing and skip past the “deep stuff”. Which of course, is just fine too!
Do you have a dream that's requiring you to Trust?
Stay in the flow. Get “Six ways to know instantly if you're off-track (and six secrets to getting back on)” for free. Tell me more
Why some readers don’t like the book
I want Moondance to reach the people who will resonate most with it! So here's more to consider.
Not genre fiction
I made a conscious decision to break the rules of genre because of the topic Moondance explores. The signs of spiritual awakening, self-growth, enlightenment, whatever you want to call it – are not linear and not structured and not predictable. At times, it’s downright confusing and even explosive!
While I've taken some liberty with the structure, I do tie up threads and pull things together in the end though - promise!
Didn’t “get” the astrological and spiritual discussions
If you hate astrology or think spirituality and self-growth is a pile of steaming bunk, then it’s true you might not resonate with Moondance. Nuff said. ☺
However, if your life is frustrating or painful right now and you're open to new ideas, you might want to give it a read. Take what works for you, discard the rest.
If you’re an expert in astrology or have been on a spiritual path for a while, I think you’ll feel right at home with the topics I explore in Moondance.
How did you research tarot cards and karmic astrology?
It was important to me that the tarot card readings and karmic astrology sessions were authentic, because I have learned a lot from both in my life.
In fact, I was studying karmic astrology while writing Moondance. Karmic astrology gives clues about past lives, and your life purpose by the way – it’s a fascinating way to get information about yourself.
The tarot card reader Michelle is based on a woman I knew for twenty years, Yvonne Karkas. Yvonne was wise, compassionate and humorous, kicking me in the butt with love when I needed it. She approved of Michelle and how I put the readings together, but sadly died before Moondance was published.
Ivana, the karmic astrologer in Moondance, is fictional. But I took a four year internship in karmic astrology, so the sessions are true to life.
For the astrologers out there, Althea’s birth information is January 7, 1976 in Toronto, Ontario at 1:25 p.m. She has a Scorpio soul mission in the sixth house.
Do you do karmic astrology sessions?
Yes – I offer blocks of karmic astrology sessions at certain times of the year.
Book a private karmic astrology session now.
How are you doing in your soulmate search?
Find out! Get my popular report “The 10 big mistakes spirit-oriented women make while seeking a soulmate (and how to avoid them)” for free (my sincere gift to you). Tell me more