Seasonal Interviews - Celebrating Beltane with Neel van Lierop
Neel van Lierop is a spiritual motivator and visionary based in Amsterdam and Los Angeles. From early childhood, she felt the calling to hold space for others. Through years of searching and self-analysing, Neel moved through many life lessons and fear to discover a deeper understanding of the human nature of life.
In 2017 she launched the Inner Compass Cards, which are designed to help awaken your own inner compass to see directly what is most valuable to you at any given moment. The deck has been so well received, they are now sold internationally, including on Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop platform, and last year Neel also launched her new deck, the Inner Compass Love cards.
Beltane is a festival that celebrates the fertility of the earth and unions of all kinds. It is a time to celebrate the greenness that has returned after winter and the vibrant energy that can now be found in abundance throughout nature. Many believe this is a time to celebrate our inner goddess and heart chakra, therefore I thought Neel, with her teachings of listening to our inner selves and her championing of love and connection, was the perfect person to interview at this point of the year.
How would you normally celebrate these warmer spring months? And how will you be celebrating this year during the current global situation?
In the last three years, I’ve been fortunate to first smell spring in California before I headed back to the first day of spring in Amsterdam. It’s magical to witness the city waking up after the wet and windy winter days. I happen to celebrate them now even the same as usual: running or cycling through the stunning fields of this flat country, and many moments chilling down the waterfront in front of my apartment.
What is your favourite thing about the beginning of summer?
The blossoming fields, and the smell of rain on a hot road.
Beltane is a festival that honours the greenness of the earth at this time of year and the vibration of the heart chakra. What practices and tools do you use to connect to your heart chakra?
Visualization and breathing are powerful tools for me to connect to my heart.
Also, I ask our Inner Compass cards every day, to speak from my inner voice and follow my heart’s longing.
Which are you be preparing in your kitchen at this time of year?
Currently, it feels good to alkalize my body with either apple cider vinegar or lemon water, and I drink shijalitt daily. It’s a very rich ayurvedic supplement containing over 80 valuable minerals.
This celtic festival celebrates unions of all kinds, how can we use your love cards to guide our relationships?
The love cards are specifically created to guide you through all your relationships. The cards open your eyes to the many ways in which connection is possible, awakening your relationships into healing opportunities to amplify love, growth, and connection.
How do the seasons influence your planning and activity throughout the year?
A lot! I spend as much time outside as possible. I prioritize time in nature over anything else. I guess I should leave Amsterdam to live in the countryside asap ;)
