Nikki Velasquez, The Mountain Top Medium

07/14/2026

Animals come through in readings daily, those both living and passed. Last week, a dog came through to a young woman and said with some annoyance that he was supposed to come to the appointment today, and he should be there. I giggled.

“He tried to get in the van when we left!” She laughed.

“He presents very military like, with an air of great responsibility and respect. He’s very well trained. This is a service dog. I’d put this as a larger dog, like a shepherd or a retriever. But this dog is absolutely all business.”

The young woman explained that he is the service dog she has as a wheelchair user. She also confirmed that he is a retriever.

The dog showed me crossing over to spirit and returning to her. I don’t see this all the time so it gave me chills, like it always does.

“He shows me coming back to you in a different body in this lifetime as your service dog,” I told her. “I also am hearing that he is the same breed and coloring, and looks very much like your previous dog,” I said. “That was intentional on his part.”

“Yes, he does look a lot like my other dog,” she confirmed. “Same breed, too!”

Her dog explained that he loved her beyond words and could never leave her. He explained that he worked in the same capacity to her in his previous body. “I came back to take care of my girl. I had to. She needs me. I’m hers, and she’s mine.”

🐶🤍

Today a dog came through towards the end of a reading and showed me the couple I was reading for as her family. She showed me being very connected to and drawn to the male to provide emotional support and that she took care of him. “He needs me,” she said simply. “I was there to take care of him and them.”

She showed me herself standing on hind legs and laying over him, both paws out like an embrace. She explained always having to be near him, touching or laying on him. A maternal, caregiving sense emanated from her.

“She’s a poodle and sheepdog mix,” her husband added. “Very caring and there to mother us. She’s a herding dog! And she would jump up on me while I was sitting and put her paws on my shoulders like she was giving me a hug.”

“This is my family’s dog,” his wife replied. “She was supposed to live with us but she died first. Her cremains are at my parents house but we have her paw print at our home. We got a new puppy recently.”

The dog perked up with excitement. “They got a new puppy, also a poodle! I came back! They need me! I got a new body! And I came to take care of the kids and my family.” Once again I got chills. I couldn’t believe this was happening again so soon, twice in a week.

“Your dog came back in a new body. You’re gonna see this dog behaving similarly, herding all of you. She’s here to take care of the kids and all of you.” I paused.

“You’re gonna see…sheepdog tendencies.” I laughed. “She might not be a sheepdog this time around but she brought those traits into this life too.”

“We already do see that! She’s very maternal towards the kids and takes care of us. She’s always herding us.”

🐩 🤍

The Mountain Top Medium

07/04/2026

Come support a worthwhile cause this Sunday- the 10th anniversary ALS One Hope Walk in Mountain Top. I have donated readings to this fundraising effort a few times after doing several readings a decade ago for the woman who started it in honor of her sweet husband in spirit. Funds raised go to support 2 local people living with ALS and their families. An individual one hour session with me ($300 valuation) will be available for raffle. Raffle tickets are 25 for $20.

✨❤️

06/25/2026

A Dad/ father in law figure came through to his daughter in law. He explained that he’s not been gone long and wanted to reassure his family he was ok.

He showed me fishing with his son and watching a sunset while fishing. The client acknowledged this as a reference to a photo they have at home, a memory of fishing at sunset.

He excitedly explained how happy he is that he has so much time to fish now. He instructed his son to please take and use his fishing equipment- “it’s too expensive to let it sit there and rot, I’ve got good stuff!” 😊

He showed me cremains and a fishing pole/fish reference on his urn. The woman replied that he has an engraving of a fish on a pole directly
on his cremains.

He then spoke about and showed me a memorial event for him near water with these cremains. Her eyes widened as she reported that this made sense, too.

He followed this up by showing me an old timey GON FISHIN sign made out of wood, the slanted wooden sign nailed up like out of Norman Rockwell.

The woman blinked her eyes in surprise.
“He just passed away recently. His memorial hasn’t even happened yet! It’s actually coming up in two weeks.” Now it was my turn to be impressed. Most people is spirit reference a memorial that has already taken place; here he was announcing his!

“Its going to be held right by the water,” she explained. “And the theme is Gone Fishing,” she said, smiling.

“Will you have a sign like that there? He shows me that.” She replied that yes, there was also a sign to go along with the theme.

She followed up after the memorial to send a pic. I loved his multiple examples of detailed evidence to assure his family that he was more than fine—he’s just gone fishin. 🎣

**Special thanks to his family for sending this and allowing me to share the photo from his memorial. 🥰❤️

The Mountain Top Medium

06/09/2026

As a professional healer of 30 years in both clinical and holistic capacity, I need to give a shout out today to all my fellow helpers. All of you good souls doing the work of service during an energetically chaotic time. My medical workers, mental health professionals, clinicians, holistic healers, and support workers of any kind. The souls who came to this earth with the instinct to serve others in any capacity.

We know being amongst the helpers is not easy under the best of circumstances. People have always looked to the helpers for guidance, assistance, and support. A safe place in the storm, and a light to guide the way. And when the storm feels this intense, it can be hard to know where to place our help. It’s needed everywhere, by everyone, all at once.

People are suffering. They are in pain. Physically, emotionally, psychologically. People are fed up with this world and those assigned the task of leading us. Darkness pervades and threatens to steal our light. Our hope.

It’s that last part that gets me. Hope is, as Emily Dickinson wrote, the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, sings the tune without words and never stops. Well put, sis. Truth like a river.

Friends, we can be sad, we can be overwhelmed, we can be afraid. But we cannot ever stop letting hope perch within—singing its song, guiding us forward. It’s what we live on.

This is particularly true for us helpers out here in these streets, doing the work daily. As we take care of others, we must also take care of ourselves. Feed yourself more green things. Drink more water than you want to. Move your body. Nap. Rely on your faith, whatever that looks like to you. Rely on your people. Pets. Nature. Music. Goodness. Kindness. Genuine compassion and love. For others, and to self.

Allow the things that bring light and restoration into yourself, too. Not just to give. Let them feed you, too. Let them guide and restore you as you guide and restore others.

The light and energy of love that animates and guides each of us lives within. It does not matter what you call it. I call it God, I call it Buddha, I call it higher level energy. Call it what resonates with your own spirit. But just call on it. Daily.

Loves, your soul incarnated at this time on earth with purpose and intent. With a blueprint. You came to help others heal. And in doing so, you naturally continue to heal yourself. It’s just the way of things.

All of my love and respect to each of you. We are in this together.

Let love live. Let it guide. Let light in. Let it be our commonality and not be a stranger in our midst.

You are the light in human form. We need you. Keep at it. You are loved, protected and safe. You are not alone. And we are grateful for you.

🙏🏼☀️

05/20/2026

I’m so excited that my work was featured amongst some true Philadelphia legends this past April at the Global Interdependence Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala at the Ritz Carlton in Philadelphia.

After an executive director and her family attended a session at my studio in Mountain Top, she approached me about doing a donation. Little did I know I would be one of a handful featured along both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Phillies, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Museum of the American Revolution, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the College of Central Bankers.

To see one’s work featured alongside mainstream players is a dream I didn’t even know I had.

I know I don’t get to write and post as much as I used to these days but please know it’s only because I am out there doing the work, daily, in studio and virtually. As of last week, I have now read for people in 36 states and 12 countries (Germany was last week).

And I know this because I’m the nerd who keeps track and has for 13 years. And I’m not even a little bit ashamed to admit it!! 😜 It blows my mind in the best way that no advertising and only word of mouth has brought me to this point.

Love you all, my good people. ❤️🙏🏼

03/09/2026

Today I read for a family who traveled in from out of state. As soon at they entered I was aware of a younger male in his late 20s. I told them this as I opened the session, and that this young man was claiming the appointment was made for him. They said yes, it was and I learned I was reading for his former wife, mother in law, mom, brother and son.

He showed me a quick passing due to overdose and a history with “getting in trouble” involving police. He told me he’d struggled with addiction for some time and that at the time of his passing hadn’t seen his family in a while. His wife confirmed this.

He turned to his son. “I’m so proud of you, buddy. Proud of all you do but mostly just proud of who you are.” He teared up as he spoke. “You are my greatest accomplishment and the best legacy I could ever leave.” He explained that his son was an old soul, and that he’d been sent to this family to heal people, including him.

He showed me his son playing baseball and that he still goes to every game. He stated that his team excelled this past year, and so did his son individually. “His team won the championships and he was on the all star team!” His mom smiled. He also put hat on his son, a particular baseball hat relating to him. “He almost wore one for him today but didn’t,” his mom replied.

“He wanted you to know he knew that, even if you didn’t wear it,” I explained. “They often bring up conversations you had this morning or things that have just happened in the past day or so to show you they are with you and aware of everything.”

He stopped at one point to “compliment mom’s kicks”, and focused on her sneakers. He showed me he loved collecting them himself and loved a clean, pristine shoe like Jordans. His family laughed that this is true.

He showed me that one of the males present wears his jewelry (brother has his watch), and that they have his cremains in various jewelry pieces. “We have necklaces and one person has a ring,” his mom said. He also indicated that everyone present had some of his cremains, which he loved.

He spoke about his brother both having his first child, a baby boy and that he recently moved to be closer to his wife’s family. He talked about an upcoming trip his mom would be taking to visit them and to not worry “because it’s not that far, mom!” She laughed and touched her son’s shoulder. “That’s what you always say to me!”

“He’s showing me you having a piece of his clothing that has to do with him playing sports, something extra special,” I said to his son. His uncle poked him excitedly as I spoke. His son replied that he now has his father’s Eagles jersey from high school and that eagles are a symbol for him, too.

“I want to thank my ex for loving me despite myself,” he said. “She always took the high road, and was always kind. She’s the kindest person I know.”

“He told my son that before he died. That I was always the kindest person he knew. Talked about how kind I was, and told my son not to tell me.” His former wife smiled with some sadness.

“Having me say that to you is just confirmation from him to you that he knows you know, and his way of saying it to you himself,” I said.

“He shows me bringing him to water after his passing, bringing cremains. A place that was meaningful to him..” His mom explained that she and his dad brought his cremains to a waterfall he used to love visiting to leave some. He explained how this place always brought him tremendous peace, and showed me using nature and birds to show his presence that day while they were there. “He sent us two eagles while we were there,” his mom said.

Told his former wife how much he likes her current husband, that he approves. He said this person was very good for her and their son. “They got along well and actually knew each other,” she said. “He did like him!”

He spoke about coming in dreams to multiple family members. His mother in law confirmed this for herself.

His mom gasped. “His father just had a dream about him last night!”

Her son spoke quietly and with emotion. “I had to do that because he was supposed to come today but didn’t. He’s the one who actually needs it most. We had a tough relationship and he regrets a lot. But so do I! I regret what I said to him, not listening to him. I felt like I could never be good enough for him, and I failed him repeatedly. I never knew he felt the same way.” He paused.

“It’s on me. I was f*cking up, he was trying to help me. That’s it. I didn’t come to talk last night. I came to him to let him know that we are good. We are ok, and hopefully he can be more ok now, too.”

“I just wanted to hug him. Let him know we are good. We have both suffered. My dad is in a lot of pain. He needs to know I came through for him, and I want him to listen to this recording.”

His mom teared up. “That’s the dream he had last night. He said in it, he walked into a room where our son was sitting in a chair just smiling at him. My son didn’t say a word. Just got up, walked up to him and gave him a big hug.”

His son sent a wave of love about his dad as she spoke. “I knew he needed this too. I decided if he wasn’t coming, I was going to do what I could anyway. I want him to start to find peace like I have. We can do it together.”

01/17/2026

I sent this to my daughter this morning after she was fervently wishing for snow yesterday. ❄️🤍 This principle applies to all of us, no matter what we are facing or hoping for. What we want and need doesn’t always come in our time, or in the way we want it to, but God is right on time.

Trust that he knows what you need and anytime we have to wait, it’s because he’s using the situation to grow and refine us. To strengthen us as we walk the road of this life. In a dark time in our world, it’s easy to feel we have been abandoned. We have not. Trust, dearhearts. Be still and know.

From my heart to yours today. 🫶🏼❄️😘

12/22/2025

Today I read for a mom who had her son come through. He explained that he had been waiting awhile for a one on one with just mom.

He spoke about his siblings, and a graduation/grad school transition for one which his mom identified as his sister. He showed me his sister going into a helping field within education. “She’s graduating this year, going on to grad school and will be doing school counseling,” she responded.

He spoke about his brother’s upcoming wedding, and said “of COURSE I’ll be up there front and center!” He showed me he will be standing up in the wedding, and jokingly showed me elbowing his way to the front. His mom explained that this was beautiful to hear, since his brother had opted to not have a best man because it was a spot open for him. “This is his way of acknowledging that,” I explained.

He gave details of using hawks and eagles to show he is present, and that eagles in particular are important. His mom responded that his father got an eagle tattoo and they have seen both birds regularly.

Her son laughed and showed me a still of Maui in the movie Moana, covered in tattoos. “This is basically my dad now,” he laughed.

His mom laughed too. “My husband has gotten a lot of tattoos in his honor, full sleeves and chest! And Moana is one of our favorite movies!” I told her he used that image intentionally since that movie has special meaning to them.

He mentioned using a randomly played and heard song very recently, in the past several days or week, to let her know he is nearby. “Yesterday I randomly heard a song called Christmas in Heaven. I never have heard that one before,” she responded.

“I have to tell you something,” I said. “I never wear sweats to work. But this morning I was dreading putting on clothes! He said “it’s fine, just wear that! I think you look good! So I wore my most comfy Aerie sweats and a hoodie. I have never done that!”

His mom teared up. “Hoodies and sweats are his favorite. They’re his thing. So much so that for his funeral, we instructed people to not dress up because it just wasn’t him. I said to wear to hoodies if they wanted.”

🎄😇 🦅

12/20/2025

Grief at the holidays is a heightened, exaggerated pain. The holidays expect so much from us, and can feel so draining. It can make a person in grief want to isolate as a normal response.

Allow yourself to feel your grief, and move through it knowing that your loved ones are closer than ever. They share all the same nostalgia for the memories you’ve made together. They encircle us in their love, and whisper to us:

“I know you miss me. I know it breaks your heart. But I am right here next to you, and not missing anything. We will be together again, I promise. But for now, live your life. Love the people who are here. Know that I am only just in the next room. I have not left you, and I am not gone from you.
Focus on the present. Look fondly on the past. Remember that it is only a brief moment until we will all be together again, so be present to your life. That is how to move forward, by being present to the people here who love us the most.”

🤍

12/16/2025

It can be easy to lose focus of the stillness and beauty inherent to this season. I’ll be sharing a series of short meditative exercises in the coming days to help. These are also what I do for myself. 🫶🏼

No matter what stress, grief or pain we may be feeling, we can take a quiet moment to sit alone, close our eyes and mindfully acknowledge any emotional discomfort or pain we are carrying. To not push it aside to avoid it but allow ourselves to hold genuine space for it. When we are able to hold and acknowledge our pain, we see it serves as a guide in how to hold ourselves more closely.

You may find as you open yourself to it that you need to cry or grieve. Let it out.

Lovingly give attention and awareness to any emotional or physical discomfort blockages you are carrying. Let it know you are here to clear your energy to receive healing light and the pure essence of what is holy. Breathe that healing in as you exhale what you’ve been holding onto.

This is how we empty the vessel, so to speak, and again open ourselves to the healing and peace of the season. Focus on what really matters, and the rest becomes background noise.

Hold your pain to release it, and make room to let love and joy in more fully.

🤍💫