We were lucky to catch up with Michael Valoppi recently and have shared our conversation below.
MIchael, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
Michael Valoppi and Victoria Hatfield-Valoppi are the Owners of Blue Feather Healing & Growth Center.
Opening Blue Feather Healing & Growth Center in a rural community was quite a risk and a true leap of faith. We offer a metaphysical healing space providing energy healing, sound baths, massage, Reiki, crystal attunements, astrological, tarot, and medicine card readings. Other services include drum circles, guided meditations, Yoga and Pilates, and workshops and classes focused on deep self-exploration and healing. We also have a full metaphysical store stocked with crystals, incense, journals and books, musical instruments, and other items that support personal spiritual growth.
Edgewood, New Mexico has an above-average number of churches per capita, and as we were creating the space, many warned us to be cautious. Some questioned whether we were prepared for potential backlash from the organized religious community. Victoria and I were determined to move forward with our plan, trusting that it was the right time and place. After weeks of preparation and with the help of friends, we opened the center on June 25, 2024.
We have had some heartfelt conversations with many individuals, who have come into the Center to express their gratitude for opening such a beautiful space for the community to gather, learn, heal, and grow. We have also had interesting interactions with the public, primarily through social media, where some have expressed concerns that we are attracting negative energies. For example, the follow statement was posted in response to our post of upcoming events:
“Respectfully disagree. In no way does — ‘Downloading light codes,’ ‘Ascend into higher consciousness,’ ‘Manifestation…of love,’ ‘Altering systems of consciousness,’ or ‘Construct new, appealing philosophy’—enhance or ‘extend’ Biblical teaching. The Bible does teach us to seek wisdom. However, Jesus also warned, ‘Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.’ (Matthew 7:15). I pray for spiritual discernment for the community!”
Our Response:
Greetings Tonya,
Thank you for your thoughtful response and for expressing your concerns. I appreciate the opportunity to address them with respect and sincerity. You have raised important points about practices and terminology that might seem unfamiliar or concerning from a traditional perspective. Our aim is to engage in spiritual practices that deepen our connection with the Divine and enhance our understanding of God’s creation, rather than to contradict or detract from Biblical teachings.
The Bible does indeed warn us to be vigilant against false teachings and to seek wisdom with discernment (Matthew 7:15; 1 John 4:1). These warnings remind us of the need for discernment in our spiritual practices and beliefs. It is important for us to approach new terminology and concepts thoughtfully and prayerfully to ensure they align with the foundational truths of creation.
Terms like “downloading light codes” and “ascending into higher consciousness” may sound unconventional, but they often reflect attempts to describe spiritual experiences in modern terms. For instance, “ascending into higher consciousness” can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual growth, echoing Romans 12:2’s call to renew our minds. Similarly, “manifesting love” aligns with John 13:34’s commandment to love one another.
In exploring such terminology, we seek to determine whether these practices resonate with core Biblical principles. For example, “ascending into higher consciousness” can be seen as a metaphor for growing in spiritual awareness and aligning more closely with God’s will. This idea mirrors the Biblical call to renew our minds (Romans 12:2) and to seek a deeper relationship with the Divine. Similarly, “manifesting love” can be viewed through the lens of living out the commandment to love one another (John 13:34) and expressing God’s love in practical ways. This aligns with the Biblical emphasis on embodying love and compassion in our daily lives. We approach these concepts with discernment. Our practices, including meditation and energy work, are intended to foster a deeper connection with the Divine and reflect the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
We respect your perspective and appreciate the chance to address these points. We welcome further discussion and appreciate your prayers for discernment. Thank you for engaging with us. May we continue to seek truth and support one another on our spiritual journeys.
Blessings, Love & Light… The Blue Feather Healing & Growth Center Team
On the flip side of those interactions, we have received incredible and overwhelming support from the community—more than we anticipated. Daily, we receive gratitude from those who find us, and we have been told we are becoming new pillars of the community. We have embarked on a journey to bring a new energy of universal understanding to those we share this community with. We decided to dive in wholeheartedly, knowing that our efforts would create ripples of consequence in all directions, both positive and otherwise. We feel blessed to continue the path we have chosen.
MIchael, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
At Blue Feather Healing & Growth Center, we believe in empowering people to overcome adversity and build resilience through self-determination. Our evidence-based services are designed to promote the autonomy of individuals who have experienced trauma or adversity, as well as those seeking clarity and guidance in their own lives. In today’s hectic and chaotic world, it is important to follow your true passion with the ability to control your own life. And while self-determination is an ongoing process with acceptance of changes at many milestones, Blue Feather Healing offers a safe space with the vibe of community support and compassion for all needs and wants.
Our dedicated team specializes in working with adolescents and adults, guiding them on a transformative journey towards healing and growth. We understand the importance of recognizing personal strengths, interests, and goals in fostering balanced well-being. Through personalized plans, we help our clients develop the skills and confidence necessary to achieve their aspirations. By incorporating activities and practices that promote self-determination, we empower our clients to take ownership of their lives and shape their future. We collaborate closely with families, schools, and community partners to create a supportive environment that nurtures our clients’ autonomy and independence.
Our center provides a safe, compassionate, and inclusive space where everyone can explore their emotions, express themselves, and build meaningful connections with others facing similar challenges. We offer individual, group, and family sessions tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Our team creates ripples in the space-time continuum, assisting clients in shifting future potential realities and helping to reclaim their power to serve their highest and best good while walking upon this planet. We live to alter systems of consciousness and break patterns of perception. Together, we can unlock the potential within each person to help them overcome obstacles and embrace a brighter future.
Empower. Heal. Thrive.
Victoria Hatfield-Valoppi is an extraordinary soul with a profound journey of wisdom and transformation. She holds a Master of Science in Psychology with an emphasis on community, and a degree in business administration. Having come from a traumatic childhood and faced with many challenges throughout her life, Victoria’s main focus is growing self-determination in adolescent and young adults. Afterall, they are our future leaders… We will launch her program this winter, which in part includes drum circles as a mediator to building self-determination, with the ultimate goal of community engagement.
Along with her academic education, Victoria has nearly 20 years of experience reading Tarot cards, which has enhanced her intuitive gifts, providing profound insights and spiritual guidance. She also trained as an astrologer, learning from a psychotherapeutic perspective. Her passion for astrology remains a constant source of inspiration as she explores the cosmic dance of planets and stars. Her ability to weave astrological insights into her Tarot readings creates a tapestry of wisdom that transcends traditional divination methods, offering clients a comprehensive understanding of their life’s journey. Victoria’s knowledge allows her to approach astrology and Tarot with a unique blend of psychological depth and spiritual understanding, fostering a holistic approach to personal growth. Her dedication to understanding the human psyche is a lifelong journey, and her clients experience a deep soul connection that resonates long after a reading.
Michael brings a lifetime of involvement in personal healing work to Blue Feather Healing. With over 25 years as a student, guide, and facilitator of personal growth workshops, classes, and individual sessions, he has developed a deep ability to connect with people from all walks of life and bring peace and harmony to discord and chaos. His intuitive, empathic approach allows him to assist others on their healing paths.
The rhythmic beats of drum circles hold a special place in Michael’s heart. As a drum circle facilitator, he uses the power of collective music to inspire unity and well-being. With gentle compassion and an open heart, he guides individuals toward healing their emotional wounds and embracing self-love. Michael is also a Spiritual Alignment Guide and Minister, delving into universal truths across major religious traditions. His gifts of love and compassion, without judgment, enable him to walk alongside others on their path to self-acceptance, resilience, and the realization of their inherent beauty and power.
Our Blue Feather Healing & Growth Center team includes a dozen healers and alternative health practitioners dedicated to bringing healing and growth to our East Mountain rural community.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Our driving force is to build community in a new light that is not based on hierarchy or competition, but where everyone can succeed together. We foster a community built on resilience and mutual support, rooted in the idea that every being deserves to be seen and heard while creating safe spaces for their stories to be told. By bringing together healers of all kinds to share their gifts with those seeking personal growth and healing, we create a supportive environment. We price our services and products affordably, not for ultimate profit, and we do not turn away individuals for financial reasons.
We believe that for the world to heal, it needs to start with individuals within communities healing misunderstandings and accepting differing perspectives and views. With integrity, accountability, and responsibility, we approach all aspects of our business. We are not “gurus” nor do we try to make people think a certain way. We hold ourselves on the same level as everyone else, working shoulder to shoulder to build a better world for future generations. These principles have greatly contributed to our rapidly growing reputation in the past three months.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The old adage “Word of Mouth” has been the most effective driver of new clients. Many who visit the Center tell us they heard about us from so and so, and that they will return with others. We have filled a niche in this small rural area, providing services and products that align with our clients’ needs, while eliminating the need for them to travel to Albuquerque. Whole families and friends bring others to Blue Feather Healing, and become loyal, returning customers. Social media has also been a significant source of new clients. We have spent very little on advertising but continue to grow through organic engagement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bfhealingagc.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bfhealingagc/
Image Credits
Michael Valoppi, Victoria Hatfield-Valoppi