constellation contemplation

birth announcement

2011-09-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

I am so grateful to be a part of this collaboration with such amazing, beautiful, insightful individuals. It has been churning and crystallizing, and is finally here!

"26 bloggers/writers/artists share their experiences and perspectives on the strange and beautiful universe in which we live."

Featuring writers from: The Sync Whole, Reality Sandwich, Etemenanki, The Mask of God, Labyrinth of the Psychonaut, The Stygian Port, Live From The Logosphere, Star Theory, The Patternist, Gosporn, All The Happy Creatures, Kosmos Idikos, Radio8Ball, Constellation Contemplation, Kozmikon, Accidental Alchemist, Libyan Sibyl, A Few Shots To Shaman, Mercury's Messenger, Synchromysticism Forum

Alan Abbadessa-Green + Goro Adachi + Jason Barrera + Douglas Bolles + Peg Carter + Tommy Fulks + Kevin Halcott + Kyle Hunt + Sibyl Hunter + Stefan Jablonski + Jeremy + Andras Jones + Crystal Kanarr + Jon Kidd + Jake Kotze + Neil Kramer + Rammer Martínez Sánchez + Justin Gray Morgan + Will Morgan + Christopher "C" Myers + Eunus Noe + Jennifer Palmer + Jim Sanders+ Michael Schacht + Toure + Steve Willner

Edited by Alan Abbadessa-Green
Cover Art by Justin Gray Morgan

Since we entered the sign of Virgo in late August, the High Priestess archetype has been all around us. The High Priestess in the Tarot is associated with the Moon (which is the esoteric ruling planet of Virgo).

"The moon reflected on the surface of the water symbolizes the idea that is reflected in the form." ~ The Crowley Tarot

It is all too appropriate that The Sync Book would come to fruition during the Full Harvest Moon (in Pisces), but even more special is that today I realized that the book was conceived on the exact day of the New Moon in Pisces back in March. The new moon corresponds to the time of seeding new ideas, putting our hopes and dreams into the womb of the mother, so that we may start the process of nourishing that which we wish to manifest. The full moon corresponds to the part of the cycle in which the fruit of our hard work has fully formed and ready to be harvested. The sign that the moon is traveling in at these potent parts of the cycle, shows the energetic expression of that which is manifesting. The cycle is always happening, whether we are consciously working with it or not. This book is the perfect example of what inspiration, vision, intention, love and effort can bring!

Pisces is a mystical, intuitive, water sign, resonating with the collective unity of all things, which the subject of the book, synchronicity, continually expresses.

"Pisces, last of the water signs and the completion of the zodiacal cycle, embodies all that is most compassionate, most universal and most deeply connected with that deeper reality which underpins the whole of existence." ~Liz Greene, Mythic Astrology

La Lune/The Moon - the tarot card associated with the sign of PISCES, and the Hebrew letter Qoph

The Sync Book definitely embodies this energy through and through, I have no doubt that you will be inspired and embraced by the words of all of the individuals who put their hearts and minds into its pages.

You can now exchange your energy for your own copy at createspace or amazon.com

I'm feeling such gratitude to the universe, to the co-authors, to all the lovelies that are supporting this book, thank you.

www.thesyncbook.com

https://www.facebook.com/TheSyncBook

http://twitter.com/#!/SyncBook

for what it's worth

2011-07-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

I wrote the following over a year ago and wasn’t quite ready to share it with anyone, it was just a spontaneous outpouring of thoughts and feelings about the state of the world. My thoughts and feelings have continued to develop surrounding this topic since writing this, but for whatever reason, (well I suppose it is all this attention to the collective debt) I am finally ready to share it...although maybe still a little apprehensive, as these issues are hypersensitive. This is basically about humanity’s issue of self worth and the collective need to realize our own inner power and resources. I hope you will find something of value to you here, but please don't mistake me for trying to force my own thoughts or values on anyone else, mainly it was written as an exploration of my own values. I wholeheartedly admit that much of this could seem hypocritical as I obviously still participate in much of the current system. But these are the questions I'm asking, mainly of myself, and I think that is the first step. These days I am trying really hard to stay away from putting all my eggs in one basket and 'believing' in any one thing, but I don't think you can go wrong with questioning everything, arriving at your own conclusions (for that moment) based on the truth within your heart, and attempting to live by that. Anyhow, here it is:

EVERYTHING is Energy. That is an indisputable, scientifically provable fact. In this society, we use money as a symbol for our energy. We trade our energy for money through some form of effort. Then we trade the money for energy, such as food/calories. Whatever we give our money to grows. It is like feeding a plant; fueling, giving energy to an idea, a business, etc. This is basically the same thing as "voting with your money". So shouldn’t we be giving our energy (spending our money) on what we want to grow? We should be doing our research, paying attention to what practices go into the production of what we are energizing. Because the truth of the matter is, if we disagree with how people/animals/the earth/our own bodies are being treated and affected by the production of some material, it WILL shrivel up and die if we don’t give our energy (money) to it. If we don’t water the plant, it dies, and the energy is released and goes elsewhere. On the same note, what we do think is honest, healthy and uplifting WILL flourish with the flow of our energy and intention.

Of course, this should be examined even further. Why do we choose money to represent our energy? When you research the system of money, it really does appear to be close to the root of some very disparaging and horrific things in this world. It makes room for the greedy middle man. If you note the flow of the energy:

Effort, that is, physical and/or mental work (energy) --> money (energy) -->sustenance (energy)-->repeat.

What happened, why can’t it just be: effort (energy) -->sustenance (energy) -->repeat ?

Things are clearly out of balance here. A very small minority is getting large amounts of energy (money) by literally having the idea to produce and allocate said money. And the rest of us are doing a whole lot of work for that money so that we can attempt to gain the energy back that it took to gain that money. No wonder we are so tired, we are working our butts off for that money, and yet the money is decreasing in value, so our self worth is going down along with it. How much do we value ourselves? Why are we letting someone else, whom we deem an authority on us, decide how much our time and energy is worth? Furthermore, why do we deem anyone outside of ourselves an authority? Hey, I’m just asking questions here… If we were working for our own sustenance directly, rather than to sustain a system that rewards a minority, wouldn’t we feel a lot more fulfilled, inspired and energized? And when I’m speaking of sustenance I don’t just mean food, clothing and shelter, but what feeds our soul as well, whether that is music, art, science, philosophy, sport, whatever it is. Most of us don’t even have the time or strength to put energy into what makes us happy. What is the point of that? Why are we working so hard just to barely make enough money to give us the basic energy sustenance that we need? And not to mention the people who don’t have the opportunity or resources to even gain enough money to acquire the most basic material sustenance of food and thus don’t have the energy to put forth.

Additionally, look at our addictions: to food, to alcohol, prescription drugs, illegal drugs, shopping, watching television, sex, etc. It is all to try to FILL us up. We feel void, we feel like we aren’t getting what we need. We feel empty, hungry, tired, uninspired. All symptoms that we aren’t getting enough what? Yes…ENERGY! It is inevitable that we need to expend energy to gain energy, but when we are expending our energy for a symbol or an energy replacement that has an arbitrary value, we aren’t getting what we are giving, some will get more, and most will get far far less.

But we are not just giving away our energy for a return of a faux energy, we actually also give up our freedom of choice as well – because we must show up when someone else tells us to, no matter what our needs may be. Once again, whoever it is that has traded us our time and energy in turn for money is getting the real form of our energy, and what did they have to give in order to get the good stuff from us? Did they give us real energy in return? No they gave us energy replacement (money), which can change in value on a whim. That hardly seems fair. And you might argue that not everything in life is fair. But ask yourself, who decided that?

So the real issue is not actually money, the real underlying issue is our beliefs, which are symptomatically shown through our relationship to money and the people we give power to, that we allow to control the money/energy and thus, control us. It all starts with an honest look at ourselves and what we value. And as I’m sure you have noticed, I have A LOT of questions. Why do we need money? Who ‘owns’ the resources on this planet? What and who are we really working for? Who is the authority? Why are they the authority? And why do we want them to be the authority? Honestly, it appears that most of us don’t want to be an authority, because that would entail personal responsibility, so we place the power outside of ourselves and thus don’t have to look inward when things aren't going smoothly. We’re afraid of the decisions and we’re afraid of the really hard work. It is harder to choose to stop working for something you don’t believe in, and to work toward building something new, than to go along with a system that is already in place, (no matter if that system is working or not).

“Fear of fate is a very understandable phenomenon, for it is incalculable, immeasurable, full of unknown dangers. The perpetual hesitation of the neurotic to launch out into life is readily explained by this desire to stand aside so as not to get involved in the dangerous struggle for existence. But anyone who refuses to experience life must stifle his desire to live – in other words, he must commit partial suicide.” – Carl Jung

"The soft-minded man always fears change. He feels security in the status quo, and he has an almost morbid fear of the new. For him, the greatest pain is the pain of a new idea." - Martin Luther King

However, the real secret is that the hardest work brings the greatest achievements. We’ve always known the real secret, but we forget because it’s so simple that we take it for granted. We squirm at the thought of facing our fears and going through pain, but if we could just muster up the courage to go through it, something really beautiful WILL happen. Transformation. Fulfillment.

“The greater the tension, the greater is the potential. Great energy springs from a correspondingly great tension between opposites.” – Carl Jung

How can we balance the energy? The first step is looking inward, at the "good" and the "bad", the positive and negative, being honest with yourself about your fears. 'Face your fears.' We have heard this so many times that it has almost become cliche. But it is a core truth. The way that we can grow stronger is by digging deep into the nitty-gritty. We can treat ourselves and our community just as we would a garden. Little by little we can grow what we believe in, and starve what we don’t support. It’s all about you. It's all about me. It’s all about us. It’s about what we choose. With the direction of our personal energy, we create what we want to see. It doesn’t always happen immediately in this world, and it definitely doesn’t always happen easily, but effort will ALWAYS bear fruit eventually. All things require effort of some degree. It’s up to you, me, us to decide what kind of fruit we want to create…

I’m dreaming of a world, where everyone is recognized for their talents, where everyone puts their energy and time into what inspires them, and we do it well. How beautiful would it be, to live in a place where everything was created to the full potential? How nice for us all to live harmoniously together, exchanging our energy with each other honestly? Why do so many of us believe that a world like that is an impossibility? Where did we get that idea? Where do we get any of our ideas?

“…people’s beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination, from authorities who have not themselves examined the questions at issue but have taken them at second-hand from other non-examiners, whose opinions about them were not worth a brass farthing.” – Mark Twain

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." Buddha

And then there is the most important question of all...If all the world is symbolic, ("as within, so without") what does the disharmony and energy squandering in the physical world around you represent within yourself? And by 'yourself', I mean 'myself'.

While I was working on this post, I discovered that my husband was leaving this comment at the very same time in a Reddit thread:

"...I give you this oft quoted, AND taken for granted, nugget from Einstein. 'We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.' Albert Einstein

I'm of the Carl Jung influenced persuasion that everything that happens in the outer reality is a direct result of our inner realities. (btw The idea holds up pretty well, when looking through the lens of quantum physics!) You don't have to look far (probably yourself) to find inner dischord among the populace. Until this is emphasized, all the voting, and politicking, and pointing fingers at others will be the equivalent of trying to wash a dirty window with an oily rag. Until WE ALL turn the attention within, THIS is what we are stuck with. The "State" is just a state of mind. A box that we need to start thinking outside of. Because, not only is this system not viable long term, it is spiraling into oblivion exponentially! ......Getting back to quantum physics, it has been widely demonstrated that, essentially, we are all intrinsically interconnected on an energetic level. If you really think about it, every time you help someone, you help yourself. But most importantly, every time you help yourself, you help the rest of us! From there, you could get into conversation on the collective sub-consciousness , and so on, and yadda yadda yadda. So as a step of change in the right direction (nothing is gonna get better over night) we need to shift our value system from one that is only of material wealth to one that recognizes more subtle forms of value. Subtle values which have shown to be absolutely vital to the harmony and order of the universe. Values like learning that the whole is greater than just the sum of its parts, how to learn, to share, to contribute, to love others, but most importantly to love yourself, and to learn to, AND how to, develop yourself (It will be different for each individual). For until each one of us realize that the only genuine sovereign authority is ourselves, there will always be problems with authority. And as long as we keep placing that authority outside ourselves, somebody will be there to usurp the role for us, and we will have nobody to blame but ourselves.." - MK

Guess it's the theme of the household :)

Now I'm pondering: If TIME is MONEY, and MONEY is ENERGY, than TIME is ENERGY...?

It goes even deeper when we realize that no one is truly 'outside' of our Self

hand of healing

2011-05-26T18:13:00.000-07:00

Just a little taste of what's been swirling around...

I've been planning on doing a very large post about all of the recent connections that have been coming together for me, blossoming from attention to Chiron - the astronomical comet/asteroid, the mythological wise, healing centaur, and the astrological wounded healer and unconventional force. But as the connections keep growing it has been quite the task! I hope to give a full update sometime soon, but for now will post another teaser collage. For a little bit o' background, I have written bits and pieces about this subject in these posts over at the MOG:
a new earth.
22's Day

Chiro- means "hand" and the Hebrew letter Yod means "hand" as well.

About 2 weeks ago at the book store I opened a book on symbolism and randomly happened to open to the page directly to the symbolism of the "hand". Then I noticed that the book was on the same shelf as the collection of PALMistry books and while paying for my goods at the register I noticed a book with the last name of PALMer. Then later that evening my husband read me this news story about a guy named Jonathan PALMer:

Way to face your fears, Palmer!

So I got to thinking about Palms - and remembered that there is a Hebrew Letter that means "palm" or "grasping hand", the letter KAPH. This letter is associated with the Wheel of Fortune Card in the Tarot.

"The Egyptians made this letter like a bowl, and the palm of the hand, when cupped, likewise holds something. In the days when the Hebrew alphabet was formed, a bowl was made on a wheel, by the turning of the wheel. It was shaped by the palm of the hand, cupping itself as the wheel spun the clay. The letter has the same idea of spinning, or rotation, and the Law this letter stands for is ROTATION. Number 1 is the beginning of the whirling, and whirling is the basis of all physical manifestation. All forms are something which are spun and number 1 is the first stage of form." ~ The Rabbi's Tarot, Daphna Moore

In April, around the time that we first began to hear of a rise in tornadoes, I was having multiple synchronicities with words, all coming from the root vertere "to turn". I mentioned this in the comments of Alan's awesome big post at Look at All the Happy Creatures:

"..I was particularly blown away with the Taurus/Torus vortex connection as today I was analyzing another recent dream of mine from which I woke up thinking "The Fall of Man was a divorce." Not really that cryptic or anything considering the material we're used to diving into, but I decided to dig into the etymology of the words a bit this morning. "Divorce" being related to "diVERT" which has it's roots in the word vertere = to turn. Versus also comes from that word, or other words meaning "to beFALL", "what befalls one", fate/destiny. And actually just turn comes from tornos which is a lathe, tool for drawing circles. This was all significant to me because of some other things that have been leading me to turning and twisting lately (which, silly me, i hadn't even thought about in relation to the recent tornadoes). Later this afternoon I was talking with someone about the difference between introvert/extrovert and she started talking about the "vert" part and how it meant to turn, which was hilarious considering how i had spent my morning researching that very word! And now your post brings up vortex..."

*I have written a little more about these connections in my part of the forthcoming Sync Book, due to be released this Fall. I am thrilled to be 1 of the 22 bloggers, writers and artists that are contributing thoughts on the mysterious and beautiful universe in The Sync Book. For more information, photos and updates, please visit and "like" the Facebook page!

the rainbow bridge

2011-04-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

A peek down the rabbit hole:

I've got a lot of writing to do! Happy Easter - 'Tis the season for resurrecting!
(more here)

Self seeker (let's get personal)

2011-04-13T14:30:00.000-07:00

(Warning: ego realizations, lots of Me, Myself and I below!).

I am finally starting to see that I have an enormous (and annoying) tendency to edit myself before I have even begun to express myself, thus attempting to perfect something without having ever actually produced something in which to perfect! How completely ridiculous and silly! I have been putting myself in a box, limiting self expression, out of a fear of being put in a box by others. This permeates all areas of my life, socially and creatively. This fear has limited my relationships with others (and ultimately myself) - whether that be the instinct to draw back when others get too close, to completely shut down in the first place, never allowing something to develop, or not fully communicating my point of view because of being afraid that others won't accept me.

I suppose a first step toward expression was starting this blog a year and a half ago, but I want to step it up a notch. I realize now that I haven't been putting my personal story here much, and so in the pursuit of 'knowing thyself' I think I should get a little experimental by trying to just lay out my thoughts without editing or waiting (as I often do) to have a "full grasp". For if I am a Self seeker, in search of the true Self, than how can I see Self if I have limited my participation? "Right" or "wrong" as it may seem. I am really laying it all out here right now, my greatest fear (that I am currently aware of) is to be misunderstood, misinterpreted, "wrong", or shunned for being. It's odd because I have intellectually understood this absurdity for some time, but I've still been holding back, telling myself that I don't know how to change this behavior. Which brings me to a quote that I have long admired and had displayed in plain sight on my wall or fridge for the last 9 years, but just now seems to be seeping in:

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." ~ Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

In the last couple years, as I have really begun to put conscious effort into learning about my Self/the universe, I have desperately been seeking for my purpose. The nuts and berries of truth I've been gathering along the path seem to be showing me that the purpose is to be, to exist, to create and to experience self. How wonderful! It seems as though it should be an easy task, but thus far it has been quite the challenge. If, as 'they' say "admitting you have a problem is the first step", then this is my attempt toward taking that first step, just as the fool steps off the edge of the cliff.

Even though I feel physical apprehension in my body as I write this, out of fear that this post will expose me (I suppose that could also be the caffeine), I'm really feeling a push to be more transparent and honest, to experience what it's like to be vulnerable and open. If the change that I want to see in the world is a departure from dishonesty and manipulation, and recognition of each individual as their own authority, their own king and star, then I need to be that change - realizing these values within to see them without.

I suppose much of these realizations also have come about because I have been dissecting my blog, looking at what it is saying overall and wondering how it can evolve. Although I enjoy the process of creating it and I appreciate that it has been a valuable tool for integrating the things I'm learning and sharing in it with others, it seems that unless I put myself into it, my own personal story, it is ultimately just information that could be found in many other places.

Isn't it strange how a 'self seeking individual' or being 'self concious' are terms of which negative connotations have been applied?

self-seek·ing (slfskng)

adj.

1. Pursuing only one's own ends or interests.

2. Exhibiting concern only with promoting one's own ends or interests: self-seeking maneuvers.

Determined pursuit of one's own ends or interests.

Wikipedia: "Self-consciousness is an acute sense of self-awareness. It is a preoccupation with oneself..."

These terms have new meaning when we realize that every other individual and thing is in fact our Self.

I was giddy to see the word acute in the definition of self-consciousness, as it once again refers to something sharp that can cut. By penetrating into our own experience, we are our own tailors, creating and shaping our Self.

The recent synchronicities to cutting and tailor/taylor has had a special connection for me, as 3 years ago I completed an apparel design program where I had spent 2 intense years learning tailoring and pattern making skills and the process of bringing inspiration into physical form. Only at the time I had no idea that these skills were the foundation of more than just a possible career in the apparel industry. The attention to tailor coincided with my reading about the Four Qabalistic Worlds, and in combination with the subjects of posts past and astrological connections (that I hope to dive into here in the future), this lead me to further awareness that I already possess the tools and know how to create my self, as we are always creating ourselves, now the task is to choose to consciously create. Like the Magician!

I realize that the above "realizations" were probably common knowledge for some from a young age, but that's the beauty of our individual experience, our microcosm in the macrocosm.

"...we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively..." ~ Bill Hicks

I keep coming back to something I was thinking about weeks ago, and wrote a little about in a post at the mask of god blog. "...god has multiple personality dis?order, or perhaps {banana}split personality? A different perspective begets a different experience. What better way to perpetually create than to peer through infinite eyes?"

The experience of being YOU is YOU-nique. Each story is valuable. What are you afraid of? What makes you feel alive? What do you think the universe has to do with you?

Alright, there is more I would love to add, but I best just publish this now, otherwise I may never do it - and that would halt the experiment [yet again]! ;)

yod-eling to the firey break through / this little light of mine

2011-04-03T22:32:00.000-07:00

*Updated 4/7/11

sWords, Knifes and Saws.

I have begun to have a greater appreciation for the connection between the fiery creative energy and nature's law of cutting/dividing.

The Hebrew letter Shin, (representing the element of Fire and Spirit and associated with the Judgment/Aeon card in the tarot) means 'tooth'. Teeth cut through things too! They are tools for cutting and chewing our food in preparation for the transformation of energy. (There are also teeth on a saw).

Hmmm, perhaps this is one reason why in recent weeks the Red Key of the local Key Bank keeps catching my eye in various locations...

Red is the color often associated with fire, and also the color connected to the root chakra.

A key is a tool for separating 2 parts that are locked together, much like a sword, and is symbolic of knowledge, mystery, initiation.

Within the spelling of Shin (ShYN ) is the Yod which means hand, it is an instrument of creation and a flame from which all of the Hebrew letters are born. Yod also represents the sign of Virgo, which is traditionally ruled by MERCURY, and the Hermit card in the tarot.

The other letter within the spelling of Shin is Nun. Nun means fish and like fertilizer is both decay and growth. It symbolizes the sign of Scorpio, and the Death card in the tarot.

So within the letter Shin, is the firey, creative spirit which burns to bring about transformation and growth!

The path of Shin on the Qabalistic Tree of Life connects Kingdom (which is representative of the condensed, earthy physical realm that we are familiar, much like the root chakra) to Splendor (associated with Mercury/Hermes/Thoth).

"'The Splendor of the Material World. Mercury acting through Fire, upon the Cosmic elements.' In other words this path serves to awaken the Intellectual center (Mercury) in the psyche (Cosmic elements) of the initiate using Yod energy."~

Self-Initiation Into the Golden Dawn Traditionby Chic Cicero and Sandra Tabatha Cicero

(*It seems fitting that MERCURY happens to be in the FIRE sign of Aries presently.)

The word Splendor means brilliance, bright and shining. It's interesting that the root of the word Black is also to burn, gleam, shine, flash. What burns (breaks earth down), is flashy and brilliant? Yes indeed, Fire!

Thursday morning when I couldn't sleep I wrote down some thoughts:
Nature creates by dividing. Things must be broken to pieces in order to put them together again in a new way. Our purpose is to create our self. If the point was to arrive at an end point, where we can experience total unity and bliss, free of hardship, than there would be no need to experience, change, evolve, create - for the peaceful loving union is already the primal nature of the universe/god/all/nothing. In order to experience all of the infinite possibilities and facets of our Self, our higher intelligence urges us to seek destruction so that we may have ingredients to play and build with.

On a personal level, what scorches you, beats you up, and breaks you down is most definitely what will lead you to growth, greater understanding, and fuel your creativity. Facing your fear and pain is your initiation, your ignition.

Now I'm finding it interesting to read the first chapter of Genesis with a different view of the word 'saw', as a tool of dividing, which shows us how we see the world in parts rather than a whole. Also interesting is that the inverse of SAW is WAS. It gives new perspective to, "...and God saw that it was good."

spirit/nothing(God) divided(saw) that it could experience/unite/be(was) spirit/everything(good/god)

Just yesterday afternoon I read the following:

The Secret of the Shem-Ha-Mephorash

"God is.

Undivided God is pure potentiality

and realizes Nothing.

God can only realize Itself by becoming Many

and then experiencing all possibilities

through the adventures of Its many parts.

The ultimate purpose for My existence is to

exhaust My individual potentiality.

My Love for God and God's Love for Me springs from

the Great Secret we share.

The Secret is

God and I will achieve Supreme Enlightenment

at the same moment."

~ Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford (aka Lon Milo Duquette in his delightful work, The Chicken Qabalah)

"For I am divided for love's sake, for the chance of union. This is the creation of the world, that the pain of division is as nothing, and the joy of dissolution all." ~ Aiwass, The Book of the Law written by Aleister Crowley

I guess because of being inspired by these connections I have been singing "This Little Light of Mine" lately. Today I looked up the song lyrics to see if they are the same as I remember learning them in Sunday school as a 3 or 4 year old, and in the process was pointed to the clip of Christina Ricci singing the song in the movie Black Snake Moan:

And this prompted me to remember that in that film, Christina plays the character Rae (meaning, 'beam of light'), who is chained to a RADIATOR (fitting with the current radiation crisis happening after the recent devastating quake and tsunami in Japan) by a blues man named Lazarus (the well known name of the dead man brought back to life by Christ. Some have also made the comparison to the Egyptian deity Osiris).

I think I shall have to watch that movie again...

"everything is hotter down south"

serpent fire

*4/10/11 - Sometimes for fun I will click on "Next Blog" at the top of the blogger page. Today it brought me here with these appropriate images:

the mask of god

2011-03-10T11:07:00.000-08:00

the mask of god

http://themaskofgod.blogspot.com/

I invite you all to visit a new blog! I look forward to contributing with fellow explorers and creators of these fine blogs:

Kosmos Idikos

Smelly-love.

Gosporn

Look At All The Happy Creatures

The Libyan Sibyl

From The Belly Of The Whale

An Experience of Being Alive

The Ghost Light

the world is your oyster

2011-02-03T21:07:00.000-08:00

A brew of many previous posts, I am really feeling this within today ~

Your subconscious is not something that is hidden from you, and not something you only encounter in your sleeping dreams. Your subconscious is what you see reflected in the mirror and everything around you. The world you see is a manifestation of the ideas, thoughts, behaviors you have learned to know by heart, that which you enact and practice time and again until it is instinct, your belief of what is true. You have the power to create what you see by changing what is true to you, what YOU choose to tell your heart/mind...and that truth can be whatever you choose! It may just take some serious convincing. ;)

"Why then the world's mine Oyster, which I, with sword will open." ~ Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor

From the Online Etymology Dictionary, Oyster: mid-14c., from O.Fr. oistre, from L. ostrea, pl. or fem. of ostreum "oyster," from Gk. ostreon, from PIE *ost- "bone" (see osseous). Related to Gk. ostrakon "hard shell" and to osteon "bone."

Oyster/Bone is the material, those ideas which have crystallized into form.

As explored in the bird is the word, sword = his word = truth.

The world is my oyster, my bone, the structures I have built with my beliefs - and with my own word, my own vibration, my own truth - I will open/unfold/expand/change/evolve/create. Within the oyster, is a womb of creation/a vulva turning, spiraling, rolling around the pearl of wisdom, knowledge, truth and beauty which I/you hold dear.

"Opening oysters requires skill. The preferred method is to use a special knife..." ~ Wikipedia, Opening Oysters

We are already standing at the pearly gates of heaven.

symbols rule the world

2011-01-31T09:57:00.000-08:00

Understanding symbols is important in the path to understanding ourselves and the world around us, as images are the language of the subconscious mind. Red Ice Creations has been a great source in my quest to become symbol literate, and so I was excited to discover that they have created this excellent Red Ice TV documentary about symbolism. I'm always amazed at how much information they can pack into a 1 hour program and they have done it again! They discuss in detail the logos of major corporations, as well as the ancient history and wide use of some of the most common symbols used today such as the sun, pyramid and vesica piscis. Seeing all of the symbols together gives a clear picture of just how much intention is put into the design of the logos that bombard us in our daily lives, and how influential they really are to us even if we think we are desensitized to them. I really enjoyed the round tables at the pub with notable researchers such as Michael Tsarion, Neil Kramer and many others.

childish context...part two

2010-12-28T18:15:00.000-08:00

In a previous post I mentioned my reemerging love for children's books and highlighted a few of the ones that I have found to be imaginative, inspiring, and full of simple wisdom. This holiday I found a few more goodins to add to the list!

The Dandelion Seed - written by Joseph Anthony, illustrated by Cris Arbo
This story follows the life of a dandelion seed, with a beautiful message about letting go and captivating artwork, this husband and wife team has created a gem of a book. I can't wait to read their other one, titled "In A Nutshell".

On the Day You Were Born - by Debra Frasier
Simply beautiful artwork and a heartwarming message that welcomes the reader and shows our connection to mother earth and all of the other earthlings. Makes you feel honored to be a part of it all.

When the Wind Stops - written by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Stefano Vitale
I love a good story about the cycle of life, and this one is adorable. Written in the style of a young inquiring mind, with the question and answer format of which so many parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and teachers are all too familiar. The illustrations are imaginative and colorful, just like the questions.

Beautiful Oops - by Barney Saltzberg
A book that helps us to realize that sometimes the most beautiful works of art come from what we initially think is a "mistake". Fun, creative, and dimensional!

Appearances: clearings through the masks of our existence - written by Rusty Berkus, illustrated by Christa Wollan
An illustrated book for the older children of the universe (aka teens and adults) in search of our answers. The images are delightfully reminiscent of my '80s upbringing and combined with a beautiful, peaceful, and encouraging message about remembering, loving and being who you are. My mother gave it to me as a gift recently and I read it occasionally for a good dose of nurturing. The author has a number of other books that I hope to check out sometime.

Happy reading!

the bird is the word

2010-10-23T00:45:00.000-07:00

I am apologizing in advance - this is a very long post! AND I CAN'T STOP ADDING TO IT! There have just been so many connections coming together that I couldn't contain them all in a collage. And a lot of the connections have been through looking at the etymology of words, so I feel the need to attempt to explain my thoughts with words as best I can. Okay, here we go...

The other night I spontaneously decided to watch one of my favorite movies from my youth, the movie "Mermaids" starring Cher, Winona Ryder, and Christina Ricci. The entire movie I was thinking about how Christina Ricci as a child looked so much like my niece Meghan when she was small. Christina Ricci is 'the little mermaid' in that film as she is the little sister and is obsessed with all things having to do with swimming.

Looking up tidbits about Christina Ricci, it's interesting to note that she has a number of tattoos, among them is a lion on her back shoulder, a BIRD on her right breast, and a mermaid on her left ankle.

Also interesting to note is that Christina Ricci has an Aquarius Sun. Aquarius as we know is the water bearer and is associated with the Star card in the Tarot. I will talk more about further connections that I see here later, but mermaids could be seen as the combination of Aquarius and Pisces, Uranus and Neptune, the cognition of human (Aquarius), but rooted in the water with the lower half of a fish (Pisces) - representing the unconscious. Mermaids are right-brained, artistic, water spirits. Which is why they are often associated with taverns/drinking alcohol (spirits), aka a mundane way of achieving union with god.

So Christina Ricci as the littlest mermaid, of course reminded me of the Disney movie "The Little Mermaid" about Ariel (which means lion of god). Ariel is the youngest and 7th (crown chakra?) of King Triton's daughters, has the loveliest VOICE, which she ends up using as a bargaining tool with the evil Ursula, in order to achieve love through the use of a pair of legs. Basically, she sells her voice/soul.

Mermaids are also associated with the Sirens of Greek mythology.
Wikipedia on Sirens: In Greek mythology, the Sirens (Greek singular: Σειρήν Seirēn; Greek plural: Σειρῆνες Seirēnes) were three dangerous bird-women, portrayed as seductresses who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting MUSIC and VOICES to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island.

*Isn't it also interesting that the word vocation means 'spiritual CALLING'?

The human voice is a product of the lungs, larynx (also known as the voice box or vocal cords), and articulators (tongue, lips, palate, etc.). Interesting, when I was looking up the makeup of the human voice, I was listening to the music of "Forence &The Machine", because a friend had recently got me on a kick after sending me their music video "Cosmic Love" and realized that the title of their album happens to be "Lungs"!

Well now I have to look up more information about lungs. Lungs are "the light organ" as the word originates from other words meaning LIGHT.
The Online Etymology Dictionary says:

lung: O.E. lungen (pl.), from P.Gmc. *lungw- (cf. O.N. lunge, O.Fris. lungen, M.Du. longhe, Ger. lungethe light organ," from PIE *lengwh- "not heavy, light, easy, agile, nimble" (cf. Rus. lëgkij,lekki "light;" Rus. lëgkoje, Pol. lekkie "lung," Gk. elaphros "light" in weight; see also lever). Cf. Port. leve "lung," from L. levis "light;" Ir. scaman "lungs," from scaman "light;" Welsh ysgyfaint "lungs," from ysgafn "light." See also lights. Lung cancer attested from 1926. "lung"), lit. " Pol.

This makes sense why many schools of wisdom teach that the BREATH and enLIGHTenment are intimately connected. Vibration is everything; energy, light, sound, logos. As a minor side note, as a resident of Seattle, Washington, its interesting that we have the Sound Transit Light Rail transportation system. Hmmmm....

Well I suppose that connection isn't so minor, as transportation is associated with the planet Mercury in astrology. Mercury is associated with transportation because it is related to all things having to do with making connections; COMMUNICATION, thought, mind, etc. Mercury is also known as Hermes in Greek mythology, MESSENGER of the gods. And Mercury/Hermes is known also as Thoth in Egyptian mythology, the god/father of language. Thoth was often depicted with the head of a BIRD.

Wikipedia on Thoth: "He was often considered as the HEART, which, according to the ancient Egyptians, is the seat of intelligence or the MIND, and TONGUE of the sun god Ra; as well as the means by which Ra's will was translated into speech. He had also been related to the LOGOS of Plato and the MIND of God Later in ancient Egyptian history, Thoth became heavily associated with the arbitration of godly disputes, the arts of magic, the system of writing, the development of science, and the judgment of the dead." (see The All). In the Egyptian mythology, he has played many vital and prominent roles in maintaining the universe, including being one of the two deities (the other being Ma'at, who was also his wife) who stood on either side of Ra's boat.

I was talking to my friend one day, and he mentioned the phrase, "The bird is the word." Looking at the above paragraph we can definitely see that the bird is indeed the word. This paragraph was also exciting to me because I have been thinking a lot about the connection between the HEART and the TONGUE.

I have heard Drunvalo Melchiezedek, author of the Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life, say before that in our embryo development that the heart is the first organ to form, and then the tongue grows from the heart. This article about the Kidney Essence, in the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, also refers to the developmental process of the tongue from the heart:

"From the heart sprouts the blood vessels through which the blood circulates, and there develops the tongue which will allow the human to communicate the images of the mind."- by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon
READ MORE HERE.

This also makes me think about SPEAKING IN TONGUES and the TONGUES OF FIRE that descended upon the heads of the biblical disciples. Speaking from the heart?

Speaking from the heart is speaking the TRUTH. In the above paragraph from Wikipedia about Thoth, it mentioned the goddess Maat. Maat is the WINGed goddess of TRUTH who measures the weight of man's HEART against her FEATHER. (We saw the wings before when looking at the Sirens.) More on Maat in a minute!

*Also, I would like to note that the origin of the word "Wing":

wing (n.): late 12c., wenge, from O.N. vængr "wing of a bird, aisle, etc." (cf. Dan., Swed. vinge "wing"), of unknown origin, perhaps from a P.Gmc. *we-ingjaz and ult. from PIE base *we- "blow" (cf. O.E. wawan "to blow;" see wind (n.)). Replaced O.E. feðra (pl.) "wings" (see feather)

Recently, I was reading this post at one of my favorite blogs, The Sync Whole. I encourage you to read it as they make many fascinating connections, this post being primarily about, Libra (the sign of balance and harmony), law, Maat, serpents, it goes on. Well right after I had been reading through that post, I happened upon a random YouTube video, which wasn't anything I would normally watch, it was a video of photos of scenic settings, with serene music and bible verses. One of the first verses shown caught my eye in relation to the above mentioned blog as they had been seeing connections with hair. The verse in the video was:

"Even the very HAIRS on your head are numbered." from Matthew 10:30

So I decided to look up more of that chapter of the bible to see what else it was referring to and this is what I found:

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as SERPENTS, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a SWORD." Matthew 10:34

These verses seem to fit perfectly with the syncs mentioned in the blog post. So it got me thinking about this Matthew guy. "As a disciple, Matthew followed Christ, and was one of the witnesses of the Resurrection and the Ascension." Wikipedia

You may have heard of the four evangelists in the Christian tradition, known as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The symbols of the four evangelists, the Bull, the Lion, the Eagle and the Winged Human/Angel are often depicted in churches, and they happen to fit accordingly with the symbols of the 4 fixed zodiac signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Matthew is the evangelist symbolized by the human/angel/winged man, the symbol also associated with Aquarius. The glyph for Aquarius is two parallel waves/currents (which might also be seen as wavy hair). In the Tarot, the Star card is associated with Aquarius. This card depicts MAAT (also known as Nuit) with her flowing, spiraling locks of hair. The star of Venus is also shown.

So we can see that there is a connection between Matthew and Maat and Truth, both are depicted as humans, often times with wings.

Back to Matthew 10:16 "... be ye therefore wise as SERPENTS."

How wise are serpents/snakes?

The prefix ser- is said to mean 'to line up, join' and pent, 'to go, pass, path, bridge'. If we revisit also the mythological god Mercury/Hermes, we see that he carries a staff, known as a caduceus, which has 2 serpents entwining and spiraling up the staff, symbolic of the rising of the kundalini energy. Snakes are often associated with the coiling, infinity symbol. They shed their skin, symbolic of death and rebirth. So we can see that serpents/snakes are indeed associated with some very wise symbolism. Interesting also, that snakes are also covered in overlapping SCALES. Something they have in common with FISH AND MERMAIDS.

There are many different kinds of scales; the scales mentioned above, as well as the scale used to measure weight (as mentioned in connection to Maat as well as the sign of Libra), a MUSICAL scale, to scale is to climb, and scale in terms of size in relation to another.

It is also relevant that the planet Venus is ruler of the sign Libra, the sign symbolized by the scales of balance and the sign concerned with HARMONY. But Venus is also ruler of the sign Taurus, which in turn rules the area of the THROAT. The throat is the point of the 5th Chakra, and Venus is also associated with the PENTAgram because of its unique orbit. Interesting to note that apples, when sliced in half have the shape of a 5 pointed star, and that the protrusion of a throat is called an Adam's APPLE. Wait...serPENT and an APPLE...where have I heard those things mentioned together before?

*Also, speaking of Venus, I highly recommend the sync video Lady of Fire! The connections that the filmmaker has made are amazing and beautiful.

So we have seen connections between things involving fish, birds, and snakes. What else do these have in common? They are all vertebrates, meaning joint of the spine. They all have back bones, just like us. Spines extend from the base/genitals to the head/crown. (And just now, in looking at the word spine, I notice sPINE, as connected to the pineal gland, which is said to be the third eye).

So, now this part might seem unrelated at first, but it connects too - I have recently been reading the book "Archetypes of the Zodiac" by Kathleen Burt. Great book, but in particular I have been focused on Chapter 11 - the archetype of Aquarius. The author relates the story of Perceval and the search for the Holy Grail to the Aquarian progression. I won't go into detail about this, as it is a lengthy subject which she has already laid out in her book. But amongst the other connections there, while I was reading this chapter, I read a sentence that contained the words 'his word'. And in that moment I saw, hiS WORD. SWORD.

The word sword means 'to cut, the cutting weapon, to hurt, tool to cut with'. To cut can also be to sHEAR, SCORE, sHARP. Interesting I thought that words related to music were within the words associated with sWORD, which connects to the musical SCALES and the VOICE, mentioned earlier. I also think its interesting that SHEAR can be SHARE when the letters are rearranged slightly, and both words mean 'to portion, divide ones own, and give part to others'. I guess this gives meaning to what people are saying when they refer to cutting with words. But words can also be used to SHARE information. (What can take you up can also bring you down).

Also, remember above from Matthew 10:34? "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a SWORD."

The EIGHTH card in the major arcana of the tarot, called Justice or Adjustment, also shows the connection between the scales of balance, the sword, Maat, and the serpent.

Another minor side note, I also think the lowercase letters b, d, p, q can look like swords, as well as musical notes.

In the Tarot, the Ace of Swords has been shown pointing upward to a "crown". The crown is the top of the head, another indication of the higher mind. The sword could be the spine that points to the crown, the path upon which we find the chakra points. And speaking of the mind, this takes us back to Mercury/Hermes/Thoth. Mercury, messenger of the gods, who travels from heaven and into the underworld, is making the connections, sharing/shearing the word/vibration.

I also noticed today, that the modern, futuristic version of a sword, as seen in the Star Wars films, is the LIGHTSABER. It seems our symbol has gotten even more appropriate!

I know there is more and that it could go on, but I'll end here for now. I'm still in the process of synthesizing but I just needed to put it out here to see it all in one place. :) I would love to hear what you are seeing and thinking too! Now I want to go watch the Sound of Music.

*Update 10/24: I was just pondering the word SHARE/SHEAR some more and noticed that it is also SHE-RA - The animated fictional heroine of the 80's. My mom didn't allow me to watch anything "magical" growing up so I haven't seen the cartoons myself, but looking into it now it's interesting to note that She-Ra was first introduced in a movie called "The Secret of the SWORD"!

Also, we have just entered into the sign of Scorpio, one of the symbols of the sign being the scorpion. The word 'scorpion' also has its origins in 'to cut or shear'. The other symbols associated with the astrological sign of Scorpio are the eagle, phoenix and serpent. Symbols associated with death and rebirth; the phoenix rising from the ashes, the snake shedding its skin. I just thought I'd mention this here as its relevant, but it really could be another whole blog post! She-Ra definitely has her phoenix fire power going on.

image found here

aquarian musings

2010-10-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

I've brought some show-and-tell: I used to write all of the time - just jotting down random thoughts automatically, creatively. Somehow I completely forgot about this old pastime until recently when my mom was trying to clear out her space and sent me home with a pile of old notebooks. Here are some thoughts that were flowing through me 10-15 years ago. (Well, these are the ones that weren't rooted in angsty love-lust). I look at them with such new eyes, like a mother amazed at the perceived big word that her toddler speaks. A time capsule: A young, limited experience, innocent - unaware, unconscious of what she did and didn't know. It makes me want to start writing again, in hopes that I may have some fun, inspirational reads to reflect on in another decade. I hope you enjoy, there is definitely a common theme!

(2000-2001)

The only thing I understand in this world is the desire to escape it. And the only thing I desire to excel at is breaking all of these limitations.

The worn path will wear you.

I miss being young and free
I miss the feeling of not knowing intoxicated pleasure
but just the moment itself
I will forever need my mothers nourishment,
I now realize
Nourish yourself; her wisdom

What is wholesome?
What is good?
I watch us take each step carefully along the hard, narrow cement after one another
Conformity? Is that good?
All of these gigantic boxes really get into my head sometimes
And I long for the water,
the air that tunnels through trees and passes through my body
awakening my senses and thoughts with each inhale
I long for moments in life where my eyes easily close
without the heaviness of the material world
pressing in on my brain and exhausting my intentions
to try to free myself from the assembly line.

You've always resisted opening your eyes underwater because you're afraid of the sting. But you get used to it, and then you realize how much you were missing, and how many wrong turns you made, just because you feared the discomfort that seeing entailed.

(1997-1998)

This Blank Piece of Paper
This is my bible
Whatever I write
I follow
If I disagree with myself...
I cross it out and rewrite
These words that I have written
This is what I follow
This is what I believe
These are my thoughts, my faith in myself
This Blank Piece of Paper
This is my bible.

What would you say if you bumped into yourself?
Would you say 'excuse me' or would you blow you off?
Swear to your mother or plot to kill your soul
Save you from the cowardly planet
Save you from the dog next door
Save you from the fire in the sky
Save you from the vision of the MAN wearing that weird bow tie.
If you listen closely, you can hear the sound of a man working on the chain...right next to you.
If you watch carefully, you can see that the small print reads
"I wouldn't sign this if I were you, but instead I'm me, and I'm getting paid to sucker you in."

The slope of the shadow along the torso
leads to the nature, the long, since prehistoric obsession
The touch, the smell of living, breathing
It is within only your comprehension that the mystique is uncovered
Your own eyes, your own hands
Your own heart, YOUR OWN
Where we come from
What we search for
Its more than flesh, its more than blood
And although senses mightbe heightened, its not what you'll feel for eternity
In that place between

Go through the maze and reach for the light.

On your mark, get set...go

I feel as though you understand
And that even though you don't know my place of birth,
you know who I am, I am you
You know my passion that remains hidden - and you didn't even have to look.
You're special.
You are on fire.
You feel and your soul is lifted by the steam of your heart.
I love you as a person - you're a true human - you feel.
Hold my hand like the grass is rooted in the earth. Complimentary.

(painting by Gil Gatfield)

pyramid power

2010-10-18T18:32:00.000-07:00

Recently watched the dvd series "The Pyramid Code" with the husband. The documentary series, produced by professor, author, researcher, explorer and filmmaker Carmen Boulter, is amazing and ground breaking! It explores the scientific indications that the pyramids were power sources (not tombs) among many other things.Watch the trailer below. Then watch the full series on YouTube if you like. And visit the website. You also might be interested in taking a listen to this interview on Red Ice Radio.

conception perception

2010-09-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

(In the spirit of double rainbow guy, "what does it meeeeaaaan?")

We often look to visual artwork, movies, commercials, poems, songs, etc., as expressions of ideas with the use of symbolism. But lately I'm thinking about this 3 dimensional realm that we live in, and that literally everything that we see and touch around us is a symbol for an idea, a collective belief that we all have. We create/manifest our thoughts into material existence. Some people reject this idea, thinking that this statement implies that when you think something it instantly appears. Following this line of thinking - seeing as that this obviously doesn't seem to happen for most of us (based on our definition of "instant" in our concept of time), the statement doesn't seem plausible. But who decided that manifestation had to be instantaneous? Every object around us has originated with a thought, something non-material. First came the idea/thought/belief, then came the act of using our tools to build something based on that vision. So we literally do manifest our reality, whether it takes billions of years, or some amount of months, or a 30 minute meal. So I am interested in the part of the physical reality that most of us can't see - the slippery, elusive thought matter behind every thing we have created.

"...We work with being, but nonbeing is what we use." Lao Tzu

While having the stream of thoughts flow through my mind, my eyes focused in on the railing around our porch, which I normally don't even acknowledge or think about. "What does a railing symbolize?" I thought to myself. It signifies our belief that we need a boundary wherever we find a railing, that for whatever reason we believe that we need a reminder that without that boundary we may find or inflict harm or discomfort if we go there (wherever there is). That there is a need to keep something in, or keep something out. The belief that we can separate inner from outer. If we did not have these beliefs, we would not have created railings and fences, for there would be no reason for them, as it would not yet have become our conviction that we needed to attempt to isolate one part from another. In exploring the symbolism of the railing, we can ask:
What would the world be like without boundaries? What was it like before we brought about this symbol of separation? And if we removed such a symbol, would it alter our belief that we need such boundaries?

This of course, is just one example of the symbolism that is all around us. Paying attention to the meaning inherent in every structure gives new perspective and profound meaning to the world. It makes you think about what your beliefs really are, and what you want them to be. If we want to change our collective beliefs, then manifesting a physical structure - or maybe more importantly removing structures and things that aren't relevant anymore, is our task. Of course, this brings us to the realization that there are some groups of individuals that are well versed in shaping the collective belief systems simply by introducing the idea into our physical environment. (One obvious means of doing this is through the use of media). This you probably recognize, also happens to be explored in the movie "Inception".

*update 9/16/10* Today I read this quote which is all too fitting with the subject of this post!
"...everything on the material plane takes on new meaning because it is seen as a symbol for an inner quality or state of being." Liz Greene, from her book Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil

What do we believe? We can see by looking at what objects and symbols we surround ourselves with. And what do we want to believe? What ideas and frameworks still have value, and which ones are outmoded and should be deconstructed to build something new? Hmmmm...
And who knew a porch railing could be so mentally stimulating?

Recommendations:
*The previous post "crystallization" also relates.
*For further exploration of the power of your beliefs, I always highly recommend the work of Dr. Bruce Lipton.
*The work of Michael Tsarion and his study of symbols, words and history has also enriched my life and added perspective.
*The work of the individuals over at the The Sync Whole (and the myriad of other blogs that interweave there), make amazing connections and decipher symbolism through the observation of film, pop culture and more. Their stream of connections is enlightening, but is also just plain fun and inspiring!

open sesame

2010-08-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

This past week I went camping in the rain forest. Although I am fortunate to live in an apartment in the city that is near many trees, it had been years since I had spent continual days in nature - eating, sleeping, laughing, thinking, urinating, being. After my first night's sleep, I awoke with a stirring of energy that I hadn't felt in some time. My dreams were colorful and vivid. And insights rushed in, just from observing the life around me. In particular, on one of our day hikes, I remember looking down at the ground littered with pine cones. I instantly thought about fertility, and how a tree grows and eventually drops thousands of cones, but very few actually result in a new tree. However, the mathematical perfection and beauty of the cone is creativity all its own. I thought to myself, I want to allow myself to BE, like a tree, create my "cones" and let them go - proud of them whether they grow into something else or not. Or perhaps they will grow into something unexpected, like a holiday wreath.

Not knowing much about pine cones, I immediately started researching them when I returned home to my computer. I had no idea that trees had both male and female cones. I must have missed that somewhere along the line in elementary school. The male cones are the small, compact little nubbets (yang) that you may notice everywhere amongst the pine needles on the forest floor, and they contain and release pollen. The female cones are the quintessential larger cones that are so familiar (yin), with their open scales splayed out. These female cones contain ovules, which wait to be penetrated by the wind with the pollen of the male cone. Once fertilized, a seed is created which is then released by the female cone - and provided that conditions in the earth are fertile - a new tree is born. Beautiful. I now understand why the pine cone has been depicted as a symbol of fertility throughout the ages. It is a symbol of how we may cultivate our creativity, simply by being open to receiving the pollen (the messages of the universe). Taoism is about celebrating our inner spaciousness. In Dr. Randine Lewis' book "The Way of the Fertile Soul", she gives this quote from Lao Tzu:

"We join spokes together in a wheel, but it is the center hole that makes the wagon move. We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we desire. We hammer wood for a house, but it is the inner space that makes it livable. We work with being, but nonbeing is what we use."

During that same week after camping, I spent some time with my mom. We were discussing life, as we often do. I can't remember her exact phrasing, but she used the beautiful example of a closed fist - in which nothing can get in, but by unclenching and opening your hand, you have the ability to receive something new. Such powerful examples of how to be are all around us.

A new understanding is brewing in me about how sacred space is. I am seeing the real error in our attempts to fill the void and hold onto that feeling of fullness. For this spaciousness is where creativity thrives, and whatever we are using to try to fill it up, be it food, drugs, shopping, another person's affection, etc., is creating such a clutter that we can't access our vitality. Clear the memory card, make room for inspiration. Inspire is literally to breath, to receive and then to let go, and repeat.

elemental communion

2010-07-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

*update 9/22/10* I didn't have the words to describe the connections I was seeing when making this collage, but today I read this and it fit perfectly:
"From these three glyphs of circle, semi-circle, and cross the symbols of the astrological planets may be derived...

Mercury. The cross below signifies astral consciousness, desire; the circle in the middle, mental consciousness; the semi-circle above indicates that evolution has been pushed beyond the mental and is reflecting downwards light received from a still higher plane, the buddhic, which dominates all. This symbol may also be interpreted as the caduceus of Hermes, two serpents intertwined round a central rod, referring to the fiery power, kundalini, full control of which makes the practical magician." - Alan Leo in his book Esoteric Astrology (emphasis mine)

time to rise and shine

2010-06-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

"We are the ones we've been waiting for." Hopi Elders

quantum astrology

2010-05-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

Two thumbs up! Check out this video by filmmaker Jay Weidner featuring astrologer Rick Levine, who gives an eloquent and concise introduction to the symbolism and patterns of energy that planetary movements represent. Through looking at the patterns of movement of the stars and planets in the sky, throughout time we can see obvious patterns of events on Earth that correlate with such celestial movements. Giving meaning to the ancient's saying, "As above, so below."

the element of water: a reflection

2010-05-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

"...Water shows us through science that our thoughts have an effect on our external reality. Imagine the possibilities when people realize their own potential for creativity..." Deepak Chopra

We are all, at the very least, partially aware of the pollution and destruction of our most precious resource. And most of us have heard that our body's water content mimics the Earth's own composition. I think most of us learned in elementary school that there is a certain amount of water on our planet and it follows a certain cycle. And we know that all living things on the Earth need some amount of water for survival. These are the basics of water, of which we take for granted most of the time, but there are many other qualities of water that most of us are not conscious of. The documentary Water: The Great Mystery probes the common element further, with insights from researchers and scientists from all over the world who are finding and showing many facets of water that we did not see before. Most intriguing to me is that water has memory, contains information, and it is something that we all share.

Dr. Gabriel Cousens touches on the work of a number of scientific researchers that support the statements of the above mentioned documentary in his book Spiritual Nutrition. In summary he states that "water: (1) can carry both positive and negative information; (2) has a memory; (3) has a memory that can be erased; and (4) can transfer that vibrational information." Dr. Cousens goes on to write about the "Cosmic Meaning of Water":
"In essence, water is like the Divine Presence in living creatures. It vibrates within all life as the blood of Nature that takes on many forms: a glass of water, the vast oceans, turbulent mountain streams, or even the blood in our bodies. Water and life are synonymous. Yet playing different roles, it remains one essence - moving as the play of consciousness. Symbolically, water may be considered the movement of consciousness on the planet. It is the foundation of life on the Earth and resonates in constant harmony with the universe, holding the solar energy of the sun and stars, the lunar energies, and the energies of the Earth. In that process, water changes its properties. Depending on what energies it absorbs and carries, water can be either a benifit or a harm to people, making them well or ill. It can give off positive or negative energy, healing or disease-producing energy."

So what are we doing to the water? It seems to me that the corruption of our water is the most direct attack on ourselves, for if the water is polluted than so are we. What we drink and what we bathe in no doubt has an effect on the health and well being of our body, mind and soul. But now we are seeing that what we think, feel and do has an effect on the water that permeates almost everything in our lives. Which can make one think, what came first, the pollution of our water or the pollution of our mind/heart/soul/desire/intentions?

My previous posts listen to your heart and the heart of the matter also relate here, for as we know, water is related to the Moon, and those posts describe the connections of the Moon to the heart as well. Through the gravitational interaction between the Moon and the Earth we see the tides of the oceans fluctuate, rise and fall. We can see further connections in looking at symbolism as well. In the Tarot, the suit of Cups is associated with the element of water. The cards of this suit describe emotional and intuitive experience, and our unconscious, private self. In astrology, the 12 signs of the zodiac fall under the ruling of one of the four elements, with Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces being the water signs. Each sign also has a ruling planet; Cancer is ruled by the Moon, Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, and Pisces is ruled by Neptune. All of these planets associated with the water signs share some astrological associations such as intuition, emotions, and sort of the hidden undercurrent of everything (pun intended). There are also 12 houses in the astrological natal chart that represent the different realms of experience in life. The houses also have elemental qualities, with the 4th, 8th, and 12th houses being the water houses and thus ruled by Cancer/Moon (4th house), Scorpio/ Pluto (8th house), and Pisces/Neptune (12th house). For more in-depth explanation, Stephen Arroyo's books Chart Interpretation Handbook and Astrology, Psychology and the Four Elements, both serve as great sources for understanding the connections to the elements in astrology. It could take a very long time to explore each of the signs, planets and houses, so let's just take a surface look at the Moon, Cancer, and 4th house in connection to water for now. The Moon represents our past, memories, predisposition, the experiences that have shaped us and imprinted us (a quality we share with water as mentioned above). The sign that we find the Moon in at the time of our birth shows how we express our instincts, and what makes us feel secure - based on our previous experience. The Moon represents the subconscious part of ourselves, the way that we instinctively operate and act without consciously thinking. In connection to the Moon and the sign of Cancer, the 4th house represents the realm of experience in our lives that has to do with our home base, where we are coming from. In our personal birth chart, any planet in this house would show subconscious energies, possibly things that we have formed an attachment to and need to assimilate and let go of. Looking at symbolism helps us to see a direct connection between water, our emotions and our subconscious. Our own tears show us this connection very well. Even if we cannot wrap our minds around the meaning of the connections, we can see that they are definitely there.

If you watched any of the videos or listened to the interviews with Dr. Bruce Lipton in my last post, he talks about how our beliefs create health or disease, not only within us, but everything around us as well. He also speaks of learning to be more conscious, rather than living out of our subconscious. Living out of the subconscious continuously, without thinking, creates more of the same. However we can live with the conscious intention to change ourselves and our environment and eventually, through living out those actions, it will become second nature, creating a whole new reality. It has been scientifically proven that the observer affects the experiment, it seems it is just taking a little while for everyone to accept this as truth, just as it took hundreds of years for people to acknowledge that the Earth wasn't flat. We like to feel secure, so we think and act based on what we "know", but one of the fundamental "laws" of nature is that it is always changing, so what we "know" is not permanent. We need to become more flexible and mutable, to flow harmoniously with nature. However we can only do this through intention and effort, to continuously make conscious choices, balancing and creating. Water is reflecting more than our mere physical image when we gaze into it. The quality of the Earth's water is our subconscious staring back at us, showing us what we are doing to ourselves. The deterioration is a direct result of our patterns of destruction. But the beauty of water is that it has a built in balancing process, and if we can make the conscious effort to change our patterns of behavior, to treat water with respect and love - with the return to the natural state of water, we return to our natural, healthy state as well. And that is empowering. Of course this is something that requires so much more exploration, but it is truly exciting and inspiring.

the biology of belief

2010-05-03T21:47:00.000-07:00

Dr. Bruce Lipton discusses his work with cell biology and the subject of his book The Biology of Belief in the short and sweet videos below. Take your pick! They all pack a punch of empowering information about how genes don't control life as previously believed, but that in fact environment/thoughts/beliefs instruct the genes. The power to heal is within all of us. Listening to his findings and thoughts is inspiring and shows how amazing we really are!

Listen here: This link is audio from an excellent interview that Bruce Lipton did with one of my favorite mind expanding sources Red Ice Creations Radio:

the heart of the matter

2010-04-29T08:22:00.000-07:00

Wow... I am so glad I couldn't sleep this morning, otherwise I might not have stumbled upon this video of a presentation by Frank Chester! This is my introduction to his work and I am so excited to delve deeper into his findings. With his discovery of the 7 sided platonic solid and application of understanding of vortex energy he can back up the statement that the heart is not a pump, which leads to so many other fascinating implications! Some background on platonic solids probably helps to understand this presentation which are described briefly in the series Dimensions of which I have previously posted, or the book The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life Vol 1 by Drunvalo Melchizedek has a part dedicated to explaining these forms, and there are many other good sources as well (*such as the recommended videos by Boatloader in the comments below). Anyhow, the connections that Frank Chester has made with his creative mind are awe inspiring, and I highly recommend watching all 9 videos, by the last video your right and left brain will be singing together as you watch the scientific work merge with art, the mythology of the holy grail, and the philosophies of Rudolf Steiner, unfolding into the possibilities ahead of us and what ancient cultures were speaking of before us. His work is a scientific and creative affirmation of some of what I was feeling and contemplating in my previous post listen to your heart, although now I am inspired and full of so many more thoughts! If you don't want to watch the video, as admittedly it can be hard to follow at times, but you are interested in the information, you can also find a summary of Frank Chester's findings on his website (where the image used above can also be found).

At the time of my previous post I was struggling with the words to describe (and I suppose I still am) the connections between the heart, the whorling nature of the blood, and to both the physical and astrological Moon. The physical Moon being connected to the fluctuation of the tides as well as the menstrual cycle. Astrologically the Moon is the ruling planet of Cancer, which in turn presides over the body part of the chest/heart. In astrology, the Moon represents our subconsious, predisposition, instincts and intuition, based on what we have learned in the past from others and our experiences. Essentially the Moon represents what has shaped us and thus how we will instinctively react and manifest the world around us, as well as what we find makes us feel secure and safe. It is interesting to point out also, that in the Tarot the Chariot card is describing a vehicle, and it also happens to be associated with the Moon...in relation to the subject of reincarnation it kind of makes you think, huh? Which is a connection shown at the end of the video, with the image of the Egyptian art; the "bells" cascading down from the heavens. Additionally, when we are growing in our mother's womb, (motherhood and fertility also being associated with the Moon and the sign of Cancer) the first organ to form is the heart. It is all so amazing. And now, after watching Frank Chester's demonstration, the scope is widening...

childish context

2010-04-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

As we "grow up", many of us forget about how good it feels to be imaginative and creative, and how to be full of wonder as we live in the world. Lately I have been working (and by working i mean playing) to bring back this state of mind in my life, to dive back into the purity and joy of learning, dreaming, dancing, creating and loving. (And I am delighted and inspired to see the expression of the inner child of my friends too, such as the lovely Tanya and the forever youthful miss Jennie). One of the things that I have discovered, is that I still really enjoy reading children's books! My initial reasoning for reading them was because I wanted to find stories for my nieces and nephew that were fun to read and had a positive message about life. As I "researched" books to share with my kindred, I found that I was having just as much fun reading them. Here are 4 of my favorites that I have found so far and I highly recommend:

The Sun in My Belly - written by Sister Susan, illustrated by Sister Tin Nghiem, and introduction by Thich Nhat Hanh
A delightful story about forgiveness, the interweaving of life, and our connection to each other, to the animals, to the food we eat and the earth. And the water color painted pictures are absolutely beautiful!

All I See Is Part of Me - written by Chara M. Curtis, illustrated by Cynthia Aldrich
This story also tells about the universal oneness of everything. A little more poetic and "right brained" than the above book, it is peaceful and full of wonder and the images have a very soft feeling to them. Additionally, it is a recipient of the Body Mind Spirit Magazine Award of Excellence, and everyone likes a winner.

The Land of Smaerd - written by Andrea von Botefuhr, illustrated by Bryn Barnard
Another award winner, this story invites creativity and it has a message of positivity and a reminder that whatever you dream can come true. I especially loved the artwork in this book, it is full of color, imagination and has sacred geometry sprinkled throughout.

Owl's Secret - written by Louise Gallop, illustrated by Shannon Cartwright
This is a cute book, written in a style remindful of the tradition of the Native people. A tale that celebrates the differences in all the creatures of the Arctic, and encourages finding your own talents and strengths. I also like the glossary of flora and fauna in the end of the book.

expanding perspective

2010-04-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to watch the complete series "Dimensions", which can be found in full here. The Spirit of Ma'at website described the series perfectly:
"A group of French film makers got together and created an amazing series of videos that will help anyone who wants to get a feel for the difference between one dimension and another to have a clearer sense of how these things work. "Dimensions" is so well done it covers everything you want to know from the perspective of mathematics and sacred geometry. A truly mind blowing effort; if you're curious about the logistics behind and the connections between the various levels of existence we are sure that you will want to watch this one over and over again."

I think this video, which is part 2 of the series, shows through the use of geometry, a good example, of what Dane Rudhyar was communicating when he said, "No astrologer - and as well no psychoanalyst - can interpret a life and destiny at a level higher than that at which he himself functions."

*And obviously that said goes for the rest of us non-astrologer/psychoanalysts as well. :)

this place that we live is marvelous

2010-04-08T09:46:00.001-07:00

Follow the link below to a short, entrancing video of Earth's beauty.

http://wimp.com/amazingsights/

crystallization

2010-03-31T15:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some excerpts from what I have been reading lately that have inspired me:

“Anthroposophically, bone is considered the hardened state of the first wave of spirit to encounter the realm of matter. Raw soul, entering the force field created by the embryo, is whorled deeper and deeper into the physical dimension until it resembles stone – a fascial cave of dripping lime. In this singular deed of grounding, it remains spirit; it also becomes newly crystalline and electromagnetic, a sacred quartz…at the heart of the body’s manifestation.” – Richard Grossinger, Planet Medicine -Modalities

“…Saturn represents concentrated experience and learning which comes only through life in the physical body, in the material plane. Through the resistance of matter and through the pressure of being incarnate in the physical body, we have the opportunity for developing a greater level of concentrated understanding and greater patience in our attitude toward life itself. Saturn is often said to “rule” the dense material plane. When one incarnates into the physical world, the energy field is constricted and thus concentrated. That is why earthly life is such a good experience, for here we learn through depth of experience, concentrated work, and through seeing the immediate results of our actions. The pain, tension, and pressure of earthly life therefore has an evolutionary and developmental purpose. The material plane is, as the poet T.S. Eliot writes, the point of intersection of the timeless with time. Saturn is the planet of time; and, through the Saturnian experience of living in the material world, where everything moves so slowly and where we have to work so hard to make anything happen or to grow in any way, one can make the greatest spiritual progress. It often seems to go too slowly, and our patience is tested at every point along the way, but persevering through the inert resistance of matter clearly shows us what is enduring and what isn’t, where we meet the tests and where we fail. Saturn’s action clearly shows us the cost of our desires and attachments; it starkly reveals the limitations of our ego; and it shows us that a highly concentrated consciousness and in-depth understanding are the main things we can take from this world when we leave it. It shows us the value of work, for all the wonderful beliefs and ideals ever thought of by human beings are of little value if they are not applied to everyday life through effort. Saturn’s pressure should therefore be taken as a helpful push toward doing the work that we need to do in order to develop at a deep level, rather than as something to dread and to try to escape from.”-Stephen Arroyo, Astrology, Karma & Transformation

*update 9/16/10* "Of all the planets only Saturn appears to have an exclusively material value, but as we have seen, this is deceptive because his function is to demonstrate the relativity of all tangible values. Through Saturn everything on the material plane takes on new meaning because it is seen as a symbol for an inner quality or state of being." -Liz Greene, Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil

Learning about the Tarot has also inspired and made some interesting connections in my mind. The Devil and Heirophant cards in particular describe the archetypal energies that I am referencing in the above collage. You can view insightful interpretations of the cards by Michael Tsarion here:
http://www.taroscopes.com/major/hierophant.html
http://www.taroscopes.com/major/devil.html

listen to your heart

2010-02-13T10:23:00.000-08:00

*I posted this collage on february 13th, after a couple months of the ideas dancing in my head. Today (march 31st) I came across this quote from Edgar Cayce, and I had to update this post to include it because it fits all too perfectly!

"What one thinks continually, they become; what one cherishes in their heart and mind they make a part of the pulsation of their heart, through their own blood cells, and build in their own physical, that which its spirit and soul must feed upon, and that with which it will be possessed, when it passes into the realm for which the other experiences of what it has gained here in the physical plane, must be used."

The Neverending Story

2010-01-26T11:18:00.000-08:00

Viewed the never ending story last night! I hadn't seen it in many years and the part toward the end where the dark/evil/nothing serving wolf is talking to Atreyu, is hitting pretty close to home. I mean come on, there is an agenda to crumble humanity's hopes and dreams, in order for the powers behind the nothing to have control...doesn't that sound a little familiar? But who is behind the nothing? There sure is some heavy psyche delving in this lovely childhood classic... It truly is the neverending story - we are facing the demise of our hopes and dreams, and the only way to stop it is to face our shadow, and to re-unite with our inner child in order to know our true self and to start dreaming once again, and then we can frolic in Fantasia (create the world in which we want to exist). Love it!

in the beginning there was the word (sound)...

2010-01-25T16:40:00.000-08:00

"Vibration is that same energy, same power, ye call God." - Edgar Cayce

Tour Through the Reality

2010-01-10T11:23:00.000-08:00

a beautiful, quick-hitter video of the universe that we are observing.