PAN International

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284110502008-07-18T11:59:30.571-01:00PAN InternationalFranco Santorohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946152414828161934noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28411050.post-7591088975346375632008-07-18T11:54:00.001-01:002008-07-18T11:59:30.697-01:00PAN International 82<div class="Section1"> <div style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 1pt 4pt; background: rgb(255, 255, 153) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0cm; background: rgb(255, 255, 153) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: center; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center">PAN - Provisional Astroshamanic News<o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0cm; background: rgb(255, 255, 153) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: center; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center">Ezine of the Sacred <st1:street><st1:address>Cone Circle</st1:address></st1:street>, English Edition, <st1:date year="2008" day="21" month="7">21 July 2008</st1:date>, Issue 82<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> Editorial Director: <st1:personname>Franco Santoro</st1:personname>. <st1:place><st1:placename>Cluny</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Hill</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype>College</st1:placetype></st1:place>, <st1:place><st1:city>Forres</st1:city> <st1:postalcode>IV36 2RD</st1:postalcode>, <st1:country-region>Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>. (+44(0)1309-672289. + <a href="mailto:PAN@astroshamanism.org">PAN@astroshamanism.org</a>. Italian Ed.: Anna Luna. Spanish Ed.: Susana Sanz<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> © 2008 <st1:personname>Franco Santoro</st1:personname>. All rights reserved. Permission must be granted by the author for publishing and use on websites. For permissions contact <a href="mailto:PAN@astroshamanism.org">PAN@astroshamanism.org</a><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <a href="http://www.findhorn.info/workshops/resources/astroshamanism.php">What is Astroshamanism?<o:p></o:p></a> <o:p> </o:p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_4cDq8zbHDU4/SICTLTKSy3I/AAAAAAAAABg/ZzNXC5DPEJU/s1600-h/santa+chiara+leone+destra+derek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_4cDq8zbHDU4/SICTLTKSy3I/AAAAAAAAABg/ZzNXC5DPEJU/s320/santa+chiara+leone+destra+derek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224337390081067890" border="0" /></a>Warm blessings on each of you in the Leo’s climax of Summer! <o:p></o:p> This is the time of the year when many people would be entirely content to peacefully sit in a deck-chair under a beach umbrella, licking an ice-cream cone and listening to the buzzing of the cicadas, now and then playfully cuddling and stretching like lion cubs and… enjoying doing absolutely nothing else. <o:p></o:p> If this is what you genuinely pine for, “seek no further” and go for it without ado, regardless of where you physically appear to be. Yes, for this is a most precious opportunity to claim your multidimensional body, placing your power of imagination in charge and experiencing our unconditional birthright: Peace! <o:p></o:p> I have recently swung from 35° to 13° C, which is another way of saying that I have returned to <st1:country-region><st1:place>Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> after a trip in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Yet, I rejoice at the fact that this continues to be the climax of the Sun! The Sun I treasure most is the one that keeps shining at its best no matter where I am. This may also explain why I have chosen to reside in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>, a major training camp for the force of imagination. “Peace begins within the world perceived as different, and leading from this fresh perception to the gate of Heaven and the way beyond.” (ACIM, W200.8:2)<o:p></o:p> I am delighted by the recent opportunity of exploring various Italian sacred places in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbria">Umbria</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marche">Marche</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilia-Romagna">Emilia-Romagna</a>, together with exquisite food and weather, all filled with superb sainthood. As I settle again in my Scottish abode, I am once more struck by this land of wonder. Throughout my return trip from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh">Edinburgh</a> to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forres">Forres</a> I was mesmerised by the radiant greenness of the fields and the chilly, fantastic blue of the sea and rivers, under a theatrical multicoloured sky, all inferring an eerie magical realm right behind the smokescreen of physical reality. It is obvious to understand how the <st1:place>British Isles</st1:place> have always inspired so many effervescent products of the imagination and such fragrant elusive sainthood.<o:p></o:p> Sainthood, similarly to the climax of the Sun, is in truth like a rucksack, which goes with us wherever we go, no matter whether we are aware of it or not. Sainthood is the peaceful treasure concealed behind the tedious façade of everyday reality. Hence to ask for sainthood is to solicit what we already have. And yet, in times of forgetfulness, this asking is vital. Hence, firmly address your request and, in doing so, you can only succeed!<o:p></o:p> Sainthood was one of the main themes during the Astroshamanic Summer Gathering held in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisi">Assisi</a>. Here I mean the quest for liberation and unity we pursue throughout life, our own path of sainthood, rather than of famous saints’. Official saints are purely signposts aimed at cherishing the glorious awareness of our informal sainthood, what the ordinary world is unable to grant for it is beyond such world. And yet this world needs it so desperately. There is nothing else for us to retrieve apart from this veritable sainthood. Unless we seek for misery and pain, there is nothing else for us to find. <o:p></o:p> The interesting thing about saints is that they are recognized as such only after long investigations and always once they are dead. Many of them are even persecuted and ostracised during their life time, ending up in confinement and solitude. And yet, once they are canonised, all their life becomes virtuous and holy, no matter what they did or what was done to them.<o:p></o:p> Whenever I meet fellow seekers on the path I am so touched by the sacredness of their path, by their exquisite sainthood. What I most desire is that we all become aware of how holy and blessed we are. We have all been honoured by moments of revelation, experiences of absolute intimacy with the Divine, events of indescribable love and beauty. This is what we are called to share and be, for this is who we are, the sole veritable nature we have. There are many saints on this planet today. Any of us may be blessed as one of them, if we become aware of the healing purpose of this world. Sainthood appears to take place in glamorous and simple ways, and yet its miraculous nature is always the same. “Miracles as such do not matter. The only thing that matters is their Source, which is far beyond evaluation.” (ACIM, T1.1:2)<o:p></o:p> Blessings on your climax of Summer!<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 1pt 4pt; background: rgb(255, 204, 153) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0cm; background: rgb(255, 204, 153) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 5.65pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">The next astroshamanic workshop at the Findhorn Foundation will be the <a href="http://www.findhorn.info/programmes/programme24.php">Astroshamanic Trance Dance and Drumming</a> week from 2 to <st1:date year="2008" day="9" month="8">9 August 2008</st1:date>. This is the major trance dance event of the year (see more details in the article by Astrid below). <o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0cm; background: rgb(255, 204, 153) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 5.65pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">The following, most unprecedented, workshop will be <a href="http://www.findhorn.org/programmes/programme50.php">Restoring the Fragmented God: A Healing Voyage into Christian Shamanism</a>, from 6 to <st1:date year="2008" day="12" month="12">12 December 2008</st1:date>.<o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0cm; background: rgb(255, 204, 153) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 5.65pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">In <st1:city><st1:place>Edinburgh</st1:place></st1:city> from 30 to 31 August I run The Way of the South: Cancer, Leo, Virgo. <o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0cm; background: rgb(255, 204, 153) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 5.65pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">In <st1:country-region><st1:place>Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region> from 25 to 29 September I hold the long awaited Restoring the Fragmented Heart: The Way of Sacred Relationships. This workshop is held in English and Italian, and is most recommended for those who wish to explore the healing dynamics of love relationships (see details in the calendar).<o:p></o:p> </div> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: center; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center">IN THIS 82nd ISSUE<o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: center; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><o:p> </o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: center; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><o:p> </o:p> <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: center; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"> by <st1:personname>Franco Santoro</st1:personname><o:p></o:p> <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: center; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><st1:stockticker>PAX</st1:stockticker> et Bonum: <st1:city><st1:place>Assisi</st1:place></st1:city> Summer Gathering by Astrid Gude<o:p></o:p> <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: center; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center">If You Want Your Dreams to Be - Gathing at the Stars – <st1:city><st1:place>Assisi</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: center; text-indent: 5.65pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center">The Astroshamanic Travel Column: <st1:country-region><st1:place>South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region> by Celia McKenna<o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: center; text-indent: 5.65pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center">Astroshamanic Trance Dance: The Path of Ecstasy and Surrender by Astrid Gude<o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: center; text-indent: 5.65pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center">The Quest Perilous or How I Nearly Became a Human Sacrifice by Elaine Silverfire<o:p></o:p> <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: center; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center">The Strength - Leo: An Astroshamanic Voyage into the Tarot by Franco Santoro<o:p></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: center; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center">Upcoming Astroshamanic Events<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> There is no peace except the peace of God,<o:p></o:p> And I am glad and thankful it is so<o:p></o:p> (ACIM, W200.11:8)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Pax et Bonum. <st1:city><st1:place>Assisi</st1:place></st1:city> Summer Gathering, July 2008 by Astrid Gude<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <a href="http://www.emdonline.org/francis.html">Pax et Bonum</a> (Peace and All Good), the traditional Franciscan salutation, was one of the leitmotifs of the astroshamanic summer gathering that took place from 4 to 8 July in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisi">Assisi</a>, the town of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Francis_of_Assisi">St. Francis</a> and host of the interfaith annual <a href="http://www.peacefestival.com/">International Peace Festival</a>. Many of the local houses have ceramic tiles on the walls depicting that motto. It also welcomed us outside the door of our amazingly beautiful venue, <a href="http://www.casafaustina.it/">Casa Faustina</a>, an agriturismo in the mountains of <st1:city><st1:place>Assisi</st1:place></st1:city>. <o:p></o:p> "Distil, You Heavens, from Above!" (Isaiah 45:8) was the title that Franco gave in his invitation for this event. Well, for somebody like me, at the moment just about surviving the cold, rainy summer in Scotland, the sun over Italy sharing its splendour from an immaculate blue sky day after day, alternating with the moon rising as an orange sliver into a sparkling sky, illuminating warm nights, full of fireflies and the nocturnal sounds of the South, were a blessing in itself. I represented the energy of Scorpio during the workshop, but my Taurean nature (my Sun sign) rejoiced when being exposed to the caress of the warm wind, while hearing the humming of the bees in the lavender and rose bushes around the pool, and during the balmy star- filled nights, not to mention the abundance of healthy and very tasty food.<o:p></o:p> <st1:city><st1:place>Assisi</st1:place></st1:city> is located in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbria">Umbria</a>, the heart of <st1:country-region><st1:place>Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region>, its core, and the home of many saints. The sacred sites have an outstanding energy of beauty and simplicity. Franco's invitation in the opening session of the workshop was to connect with these qualities, to invite the presence of the God over and over again and connect with our own sainthood, the innocence and the purity that characterizes saints, receive a vision, then move into the horizontal, sharing what comes from God with others, and in the current season of the South (the body), allow something concrete to arise, do something that can be seen which serves the environment.<o:p></o:p> We did our work inside and outside the official workshop hours, making also meal-times sacred, ritual time. We operated indoors and outdoors, taking the themes related to the Christian tradition of the place together with the astroshamanic circle into the environment on our two outings that took us to the basilicas of St. Francis and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Clare_of_Assisi">St. Claire</a>, representing the solar and the lunar energy, the "Higher World" of the <a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/assisi-eremo-della-carceri.htm">Eremo delle Carceri</a> on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Subasio">Mount Subasio</a> and the "Lower World" of the basilica of <a href="http://www.bellaumbria.net/Assisi/santa-maria-degli-angeli_eng.htm">Santa Maria degli Angeli</a> below Assisi that contains the minuscule church of the <a href="http://www.bellaumbria.net/Assisi/porziuncola_eng.htm">Porziuncola</a>. We worked with the power of the conjunction, the opposition as well as with the square, the trine, the sextile and the directions, interweaving and exploring the energetic connection. Recurrent features were a daily silent meditation of 20 minutes inviting the presence of the Divine and the celebration of the Basic Ritual of the Sacred Cone.<o:p></o:p> Music linked us with the life and work of St. Francis, like his famous <a href="http://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Fac/Adler/Reln481/Francis.htm">Canticle of Creatures</a> and the guidance to build God's house "stone by stone", after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donovan">Donovan</a>’s song If You Want Your Dream to Be (see below), emphasising the patience and determination required on this path.<o:p></o:p> The three stages so characteristic of astroshamanic work were taken to unusual locations. Of particular beauty and relevance for me was the work we did with the sky during the time of transition between day and night. While seated very comfortably in deckchairs around the swimming pool we were asked to identify one place in the sky that represented something familiar, observe it during a longer period of time and then move to another one which represents something new. For me these turned out to be two parts of myself that are both wise and compassionate, feeling loved by the universe, being aware that nothing remains in the world of phenomena (like the clouds constantly shifting their shape, emerging and disappearing), shining from within, yet the one being just a bit too detached and the other just a bit too needy. The third polarity came in the form of a star, that one after the other started to light up the sky, and the empowerment through the interconnection of heaven and earth, eventually finding its material expression in the circle of Letizia Mocheggiani's astroshamanic zodiacal cards laid out under the olive trees. I spent the night in quite an agitated battle between the two first polarities, reaching an opening of the heart towards the morning that took me by surprise. <o:p></o:p> The vision I received a few hours later was on the theme of flying, a continuation of a familiar energetic state. Often I perceive myself as the lonely bird in the sky - free - but if I explore it a bit deeper it is often a freedom from rather than a freedom to. This time it was different. I was not alone in that universe. There were other birds, sometimes dropping things on me from above. There were storms causing turmoil and confusion. I wanted to land on rocks that were already populated. And in spite of diversions, nuisances, distractions there was a pull in a certain direction, like an in innate compass. I would call that destiny and this vision gave me an enormous peace. Flying came up later in the workshop for the whole group when we listened to the song <a href="http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/zucchero/il_volo_-_the_flight.html">Il Volo</a> (Flight) by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zucchero">Zucchero</a> (click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP5nAeh1ih4">here</a> to listen to the song and see a video, for the lyrics in English click <a href="http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/zucchero/il_volo_-_the_flight.html">here</a>), and <a href="http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Fly-lyrics-Hilary-Duff/62C3AFD55689DB3448256EE5000D9EE9">Fly</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilary_Duff">Hilary Duff</a> (click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOQi5bgWYQo">here</a> to listen to the song and see a video, for the lyrics click <a href="http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Fly-lyrics-Hilary-Duff/62C3AFD55689DB3448256EE5000D9EE9">here</a>) also aimed as a reference to FLY-Volo the astroshamanic Google group originated in Italy.<o:p></o:p> I completed my last day in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region> in front of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_San_Francesco_d%27Assisi">Basilica of Saint Francis</a> overlooking the lawn that has pax/peace written on it by bushes trimmed into the shape of the letters, the place where we had completed our work as a group during our outing. Golden light as the sun was about to set and silence gradually settling over the town - when all of a sudden the doors of the basilica precinct opened and a group of teenagers came out together with monks and nuns. Loud rock music started and one of the monks in full robe gave the sexiest introduction to disco dancing I have seen in a long time, lots of nuns and monks clapping their hands and moving with the rhythm of the music. <st1:city><st1:place>Assisi</st1:place></st1:city>, the city of pilgrims, seems to be reaching out for the next generation. Pax et Bonum. (Astrid Gude)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> If You Want Your Dream To Be<o:p></o:p> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Damiano">San Damiano</a> Song) Lyrics and music by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donovan">Donovan</a><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> If you wish to hear the song and see the portion of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Zeffirelli">Franco Zeffirelli</a>’s movie (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_Sun,_Sister_Moon">Brother Sun, Sister Moon)</a> where it is used then click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKFbB_kqpDI">here</a> <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> If you want your dream to be<o:p></o:p> Build it slow and surely.<o:p></o:p> Small beginnings, greater ends.<o:p></o:p> Heartfelt work grows purely.<o:p></o:p> If you want to live life free,<o:p></o:p> Take your time, go slowly.<o:p></o:p> Do few things, but do them well.<o:p></o:p> Simple joys are holy.<o:p></o:p> Day by day, stone by stone,<o:p></o:p> Build your secret slowly.<o:p></o:p> Day by day, you'll grow, too,<o:p></o:p> You'll know heaven's glory.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> By the way, last night I had a dream in which Donovan told me that he is not the author of the above song. Yet in the dream Donovan was both himself and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Hopkins">Anthony Hopkins</a>, and it is perhaps the latter who told me he is not the author. (F.)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Gazing at the Stars: <o:p></o:p> During the Astroshamanic Summer Gathering in <st1:city><st1:place>Assisi</st1:place></st1:city>, we spend some afternoons doing group healing work in relevant power zones. The <a href="http://www.eremocarceri.it/">Eremo delle Carceri</a>, Francis’ contemplative hermitage caves on the slope of <st1:place><st1:placetype>Mount</st1:placetype> <st1:placename>Subasio</st1:placename></st1:place>, was one of them. There I was drawn by a cluster of bronze statues portraying St Francis and his disciples, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_Leo">Brother Leo</a> and <a href="http://www.stanthonysfo.com/brotherjuniper.htm">Brother Juniper</a>, while they look at the stars. Brother Leo, the most learned among the three, depicts the Large and Small Dipper on the ground, and after having identified other stars, draws a series of complex measurements with his hands and finally finds the Polar Star. Brother Juniper, the “clown monk” of the Order, appears to mock Brother Leo and points at the Polar Star straight away. Right to the side of the two friars there is St Francis, peacefully lying down with his sandals off, his arms behind his neck, gazing at the whole firmament, perhaps listening to the buzz of cicadas, and saintly enjoying the climax of Summer. For a video of these statues and other features at the Eremo click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reBBO6V0BiM&feature=related">here</a>. <o:p></o:p> The previous evenings in our agriturismo (<a href="http://www.casafaustina.com/">Casa Faustina</a>), as a group, we were also involved in gazing at the stars, allowing them to drop down from above and reach our hearts and those of all our beloved ones. “Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.” (Isaiah 45:8).<o:p></o:p> At the <a href="http://www.vivofoundation.net/eng_eremo_delle_grotte.php">Eremo dei Frati Bianchi</a> in Cupramontana, the previous week, during the Astroshamanic Touch of the Earth workshop, we also spent long time gazing at the stars, yet in a more dynamic and celebrating way, dancing and drumming in the fantastic monastery cloister under a spectacular starry sky. (F.)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 1pt 4pt;"> Terra, Terra by Letizia Mocheggiani: and inspired report on the Astroshamanic Summer Gathering in <st1:city><st1:place>Assisi</st1:place></st1:city> (in Italian). Click <a href="http://flyastroshamanichealingnetwork.blogspot.com/2008/07/terra-terra.html">here</a>.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> A Pilgrimage to Assisi by Christine Dreifus: an account of Christine’s adventures on her way to <st1:city><st1:place>Assisi</st1:place></st1:city> and at the Astroshamanic Summer Gathering. Click <a href="http://flyastroshamanichealingnetwork.blogspot.com/2008/07/pilgrimage-to-assisi.html">here</a>.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The Summer Cloister – Il Cortile Estivo dell’Eremo by Luciana Samaritani. A touching report on the night dances held in the cloister of the <a href="http://www.eremo.net/en/home.php">Eremo dei Frati Bianchi</a> (in Italian). Click <a href="http://flyastroshamanichealingnetwork.blogspot.com/2008/07/ll-cortile-estivo-delleremo-di-luciana.html">here</a><o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> .<o:p></o:p> <a href="http://astroshamanictravel.blogspot.com/">The ASTROSHAMANIC Travel Column</a> <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “There is only the voyage. If we are not in the voyage we are not anywhere.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> This column in PAN is an open space for astroshamanic seekers and associates who wish to share about their sacred travel adventures on planet Earth. A sacred travel is regarded as any physical journey that offers significant shamanic and spiritual experiences. A sacred travel does not necessarily involve visiting a traditional sacred site or holy land. A sacred travel is sanctified by God’s presence (please see the endnote <a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=28411050&postID=759108897534637563#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title="">[i]</a> for a clarification about what we mean by God) and by our direct spiritual experience. This is what makes a journey truly sacred no matter when or where it takes place. Please send articles to <a href="mailto:pan@astroshamanism.org">pan@astroshamanism.org</a><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <st1:country-region><st1:place>South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region>: A Journey through the Western and <st1:state><st1:place>Eastern Cape</st1:place></st1:state> by Celia McKenna<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The following are excerpts from the report written by Celia as part of her completion of the Intermediate First Level of the Operative Training in Astroshamanism.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I write this surrounded by mist at the edge of a vertical cliff; one side of an ancient tree-filled valley that falls down sharply to the <st1:place>Indian Ocean</st1:place>. A borderland. Each evening as the sun sets and the air cools, the mist rises from the sea, quickly obscuring the opposite side and the bright red halo of the sun, colours dimming to orange and purple hues then white silence. A strange reflection is thrown onto the mist of an angle, perhaps from a hill on the valley beyond this one. And then all is completely still although, after a pause, the birds continue their song for some time as the cicadas join them and other strange, unknown creatures. A fitting place to conclude the journey. I have travelled many days to reach here. And I notice in my journals that new periods of “springing forward” are often precipitated by a journey and that I have quite naturally done this now.<o:p></o:p> “Out of obscurity we come”: words from a particularly powerful, yet half-forgotten shamanic journey. I re-read my journal as though reading a new book by an unfamiliar author. I have forgotten so much. If I have an experience, receive a medicine, then forget…do I still have it? I think the answer is “yes” but I may forget in the same way that I forget to connect with my Guide. But it is all there and waiting for me to Remember. <o:p></o:p> During the journey through the three worlds I frequently got stuck and would descend into despair. Sometimes I felt very separated; so apart that I forgot about unity all together and it sometimes took a long time to connect to the centre again and ask for support. And at other times I wanted to take my time; to read more and explore more. And so it has taken two years to complete this level: as long as was necessary.<o:p></o:p> The focus throughout was on the energy; the signature and the function to transmit this and strengthen the flow towards unity, pulling all in its wake. I see this process vividly in journeys. As I started, I felt drawn to cast aside all that was physical and seen and work only with the underlying energetic forms. I felt tired of all HAC reality and struggled to reach through it all. I started to see people through the energies they transmitted. Everything becomes a swirling motion of energy and when I work with people shamanically or otherwise, I seek ways of trying to facilitate the flow towards the source. […]<o:p></o:p> I come to a deeper realisation of the myths and processes of separation. All stories are the same. And we locate our pain in our personal histories, for these histories are all ones of separation and we need to have a reason and these reasons, these recent accessible events, are there to remind us, to pull us gently or brutally into awareness, depending on our needs. There is only one journey, one destination that can heal.<o:p></o:p> The training was a time of integration, of finding a way of operating in HAC that included as much congruence with my shamanic work as possible. I still move between separate realities, but to a lesser degree. I try to hold the awareness in simultaneous consciousness as often as I can and stay open and receptive. At least until I am distracted again and forget. More people are aware of my involvement with this work. At first I felt very exposed but now feel I can breathe easier and deeper; becoming more myself now, wherever I am or whatever role I am called on to perform. I was guided to accept all invitations, all requests for my services, as these were opportunities to connect Intent to Function. And so I travelled to <st1:country-region><st1:place>Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region> to hold Astroshamanic work in an unknown environment where I felt free to “try” and learned that I only need to commit and channel my passion and the rest will follow. In a strange, almost contradictory way, I pay attention to my HAC environment more, rather than less, receiving events as part of my multi-dimensional work, communications from unity, bridges. I look for opportunities, assuming I am in this place, at this point, with this consciousness for a reason. I have learned that this work can take place anywhere, not just in “holy” environments. And there are many ways. <o:p></o:p> I spent a lot of time exploring how I create my realities and how I utilise people to reflect the unexplored/disowned areas of myself. And worked on acknowledging, witnessing and releasing this whenever I was aware of it. And I also came to a clearer awareness of how I, in turn, may be used by others as their mirror and learned a little to sidestep the “pulls” that result from this, even when they seemed pleasant ones. I feel a little less like a cork on an ocean.<o:p></o:p> I revisited my childhood experiences of organised religion and have worked to heal the separation I experienced at a young age, the apparent betrayal by God the Father through the mortal medium of the Catholic Church. I “came of age”, releasing the old feelings of guilt and unworthiness and embracing the essence of that faith, recalling the authentic connection with spirit I once experienced as a young child.<o:p></o:p> And so I complete my journey through the three worlds and through the 12 sectors at their planetary level and through the cycles of the moon and their work with the sun. My major challenge is still not to get lost. Not to forget. I do this very easily. But I notice that I ask for support much more now. I remember to stay connected, to ask with my head, even if I do not feel connected in my heart. It is the Intent that contains the power. If I say it is so and believe this and commit to this, then it shall be. I picked up a large local woman on the road in <st1:country-region><st1:place>South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region> the other day. She came from Hogsback, my final destination after many days travelling and sat unresponsively, making irritating popping sounds with bubble gum and clutching a large pink and white spotted bag. She put on her seatbelt as I started tentatively up the tortuous mountain road. On a flat stretch I tried to overtake a dust-churning truck. There was a car coming but I thought there was plenty of time. As I overtook, the truck seemed to move towards me, either that or the road got narrower. My front wheel went over the edge of the road that was raised a few inches above the dirt. I was going very fast and lost control of the car. I got past the truck but was veering all over the road; the abyss on one side, an on-coming car on the other. I managed to regain control of the car just before we passed it. I clutched the woman’s arm and asked if she was alright and I found she spoke English very well, after all. I told her when she got home she could tell her family about this white woman who picked her up and almost killed her. She laughed loudly. I asked her if she had prayed. “Oh yes mam!!!” she replied. “So did I.”<o:p></o:p> I have gone on a physical journey, choosing my time in <st1:place>Africa</st1:place> to complete the training. First I visit the Lower World in the form of the amazing <st1:place><st1:placename>Kango</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Caves</st1:placetype></st1:place>. I go on the “adventure tour” as this will take me into deeper, darker places in a smaller group. It works out wonderfully; two people drop out half-way leaving just three of us with the young Guide, a slip of a girl who moves very fast and agilely. I bound after her, close on her heels, leaving the others behind. It is an Aries adventure and besides, she has the torch. I remind her of the others from time to time and she goes back for them, leaving me alone in each new cavern to connect with the ancient rock formations, 100,000 years old. No evidence of human activity was found past the main chamber and the Guide tells us this was because they believed that Spirits dwelled in the far-reaches and were afraid to come here. I think this may be true, but also that this journey was undertaken by the warriors as a rite of passage and no marks were left in respect. Maybe undertaken in complete darkness or with a torch that could extinguish in the thin air. I follow in their footsteps, on a less fearful journey, but trying to imagine how it must have been and connecting my heart with theirs. We move in silent procession as they would have done. We go along “Lumbago” passages bent double and then squeeze through the “Love Tunnel” our bodies squeezed tightly by the undulating walls. It is at Jacob’s Ladder, one woman, who has been struggling with large build and flip-flop shoes, decides not to continue and her partner waits with her in support, although in truth his height and breadth (and flip-flops) also made the going hard for him. But he looked wonderful sitting in the “King’s Throne”- a natural limestone formation. On the Adventure Tour we earn the right to touch everything! Not just look in awe. And the couple left behind are black and the mutual hardship has made communication easy and authentic so I am sorry to leave them behind. I move up the ladder with ease and through the Coffin. I start to recognise the way from a mythical children’s story and realise with amusement the author had been here and based his story on this experience. And then we come to The Devil’s Chimney and the Guide will not go first for some reason, she needs to stay at the bottom to help us. And this tells me that there is some degree of challenge ahead. So…”Who will go first?” In the silence that follows I realise with some glee that it can be me, that the German man is not going to volunteer. I am scared but actually quite keen to go, keen to experience the fear and triumph of being the first to venture into the unknown. Keen to have this experience that ancient people had before me. And I have some confidence in my ability. I have done “real” caving before, and this route is only for tourists so how hard can it be? I stick my head and body into the chimney and then start to panic when I see what is above- it looks very, very, tight and I remember being stuck on a previous venture in a country with safety equipment and Cave Rescue to rely on. “Go on! “ she urges. “I’m scared!!” I shout back. “I might get stuck!” “No one has ever got stuck!” she replies, a little too quickly. She tells us later about the fat tourist stuck for 11 hours in the “Love Tunnel”. I calm my breathing as best I can and ask for support from my animal guide, the Bear who has always been with me in my darkest, most dangerous times and gives power to my belly and a patient resilience and strength to my movement. <o:p></o:p> There is little air, no ventilation in the cave system and we have been feeling it for some time. This is <st1:place>Africa</st1:place>, not a safety-conscious <st1:country-region><st1:place>UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>. My unprotected head is already battered and my thinly covered back scraped by the rock. My heart is pounding and I am gasping for oxygen as I drag myself up, squeezing and turning my body, trying to free my arms and find leverage with my feet and hands. I imagine the young initiates before me, maybe in complete darkness, alone and afraid they would be trapped forever in this place. A living burial. I take courage with them and the absence of their remains and focus only on each movement, one inch at a time and soon I am free, out into another space. There is a small pool and I bathe my face and press my body against the limestone, feeling the energy of Pluto and the timelessness of what has gone before, reaching through me, the stone, the earth. The others join me, faster than my vanity would have wished, but with much panting and we drop through the “letterbox” one by one. I bring up the rear now, I am emotionally tired and physically shaky and want to linger in the quiet alone, knowing it is over. We reach those who chose not to come and return to the main caves, passing the large tours. Their Guide says “Let them pass- they have just completed the Adventure Tour”, as though we were indeed warriors returning from brave exploits. I am sweating profusely and covered in dirt and still struggling for air and have no energy to laugh, but smile under their gaze as we pass through the channel they make for us. Then we reach the largest cavern again and something beautiful happens. There is a man with a guitar rehearsing some kind of performance and we wait in the cave while our Guide helps him. I am behind the others so am in the very centre on my own as all the lights go out. I raise my hands in the darkness and adopt the position I use to help me connect with my Intent and close my eyes as he begins to play and sing “House of the Rising Sun” in the Xhosa language. Then the formations are lit one by one, the centre of the cave remaining in relative obscurity and I turn slowly towards each, appreciating the beauty and dance in a spiral. There are magnificent pillars and a pipe organ and one not lit: an eagle that for me is the most powerful, yet apparently unseen by the others. It is like being in Roslyn Chapel in all of its intricacy and holiness. And then it is all over and we return upwards into the hot sun.<o:p></o:p> Higher World: I continue on my journey and am presented the next day with an opportunity to ascend into the canopy of the rainforest and journey from the top of one tree to the next on aerial slides, set on the trees with respect for their well-being. No nails, nothing has been done to damage the trees themselves. Some are 250 year old. I go last and spend time connecting with each tree, thanking it for its work and for allowing me to be here in its branches. I see many brightly coloured birds and hear them call to one another. At the top of one I am able to lean back fully supported by two arms of the tree and I feel like I am being held by my Guide. I relax totally and look out across the canopy. But the slides require concentration; it is necessary to brake hard with a leather-gloved hand at the right moment to arrive safely at the next tree. And balanced, conscious awareness to launch in a stable manner so as not to turn uncontrollably mid-flight, but arrive feet first on the platform rushing towards us. After minor mishaps, I realise that I must return fully to HAC awareness to stay safe and do so, releasing my desires to connect with the devas of this forest and settling for the simple pleasures of flight; the rush of air on my body and the flashes of green as I fly through the air.<o:p></o:p> And then to the Middle World or Middle Earth as this place is known. Said to have inspired Tolkien, although some say he never actually saw it. But it could have done if he had. A truly magical, beautiful place. I am staying at a place called the “The Edge” in a cottage called Thunderstone, four meters from the edge of a cliff, with the mountains rising above me on the other side. And here I light a fire and create my sacred space and call the 7 Directions and the 12 Sectors. As the sun sets and the air cools, the mist rises up the valley from the sea and obscures the landscape until dawn. And for that time, there is only this place, for all else is in obscurity, Forgotten, although I retain the memory and know that all else is still there and all I need do is connect with it. And when I listen, I can hear creatures calling to one another. Birds, insects, frogs and monkeys. <o:p></o:p> And there is a large labyrinth and tonight I walk this in the mist, asking for Guidance for the next steps. On the way in, I review the past two years, the beginnings; moments of doubt, anguish, the delays. And then the decision to just do it; to move forward and complete every month; to prioritise the tasks. And in the act of the prioritisation I usually found time to complete everything. I review key moments: the step into the unknown in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region> and other turning points. I reach the centre and stay a while, savouring the peace, but I have a dinner appointment and so I leave, considering what next. I am guided to make no sudden decisions; that all is unfolding as it should. I can follow the course of action I am on and be open to what may develop. I will continue with the Astroshamanic work with Franco, for whom I feel much love and gratitude. And accept whatever new challenges present themselves that are aligned with my Intent. All will be well. <o:p></o:p> And later, I walk back through the mist and the darkness and come again to the labyrinth and I dance across it in the obscurity. I cut across the paths, going where I please in the spirit of Aquarius. But it occurs to me that this randomness and rebellion and power and anarchy can also be another way of Forgetfulness and so I return once more to the Centre before leaving on my own unique path.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Astroshamanic Trance Dance - The Path of Ecstasy and Surrender by Astrid Gude<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> "Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp." (Psalm 149:3)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Since ancient times in cultures all over the world trance and dance have been used as pathways to connect with the Divine and as tools for healing through Spirit. Trance (from the Latin 'transire': to cross over, pass over) opens the gate into non-ordinary reality and dance involves the body and aligns it with the soul, taking the dancer into a state of ecstasy (from Ancient Greek, meaning: to be or stand outside oneself, a removal to elsewhere), of abandon and surrender.<o:p></o:p> Our modern western culture has largely forgotten or suppressed the connection with non-ordinary realities. We find trance elements within the Christian tradition only with the rather marginal Pentecostals and remnants of trance dance in Europe in the ecstatic Tarantella healing dances of southern Italy, whereas in parts of the world that have not cut off to such an extent from ancestral and spiritual traditions we find powerful ritual containers that allow people to collectively enter into a state that provides a direct experience of the Divine through trance and also specifically through dance (for the latter see the movie/<st1:stockticker>DVD</st1:stockticker> <a href="http://www.dancesofecstasy.com/">Dances of Ecstasy</a> with beautiful pictures of the cross-cultural relevance of ecstatic dancing). Shamans have always used dance as one way of inviting Spirit to enter them and allow them to travel the 'axis mundi' up or down to the Three Worlds in order to do their healing work. Often the drum is part of the trance journey, the regular, repetitive drumbeat representing the heartbeat of Mother Earth, and, as science knows today, enhancing a non-ordinary state by making the brain waves move to a higher amplitude and a lower frequency.<o:p></o:p> In the Findhorn Foundation, where I live, Trance Dance events and yearly Trance Dance workshops have been a recurring element of our communal life and workshop programme since the early 2000s when Franco started to offer Astroshamanic Trance Dance work. Astroshamanism introduces specific elements, like reference to the current constellation of the planets, the zodiacal cycle, the invocation of helping spirits related to this tradition, a unique way of using of sounds and music (often a mixture of recorded and live music) and an underlying structure in three stages that characterizes astroshamanic work on the whole. <o:p></o:p> Before a trance dance a team of assistants prepares and cleanses the space, usually Cluny Ballroom, by smudging it with sage and throughout the dance holds the energy and makes sure that participants, who have the eyes closed while dancing, do not harm themselves or others. Franco, as the leader of the event, may wear ceremonial clothes to signal that with this dance we find ourselves in a ritual context and will cross the threshold that separates ordinary reality from other dimensions.<o:p></o:p> At the beginning, people hold hands around a centrepiece with a candle to connect and attune, as we do in Findhorn. Their everyday identity is acknowledged by everybody speaking their names out aloud, and after a short introduction the sacred space is opened by calling upon the directions, the helping spirits and by connecting with the vertical axis of the three worlds. The music at the beginning is invocative, inviting the dancers to connect with their Intent, their guides, step into the sacred space and open up to the unknown, to the mystery. After a while, new elements of music come in, sometimes dark, threatening, destructive, chaotic, announcing the stage of release, often three layers of music overlapping, at this point forcing the mind to give up control and providing different types of stimuli. Live drumming, coming in later, often brings this stage to a climax. Participants release whatever needs to be released, empty out and open up to receive the new, which happens in the third stage with only gentle, acoustic instruments, full of overtones, like the gong or the Jew's harp, a very ancient shamanic instrument. This leads into a period of complete silence, devoid of any kind of input or further stimulation, so that the inner connection is direct and undisturbed and everybody can pursue their own path and complete their own experience. The completion as a group follows afterwards when participants gather again in a circle around the light, connecting horizontally by passing a sacred tool around and collectively emanating love and light into the world by placing that tool in the centre.<o:p></o:p> For me as a participant Astroshamanic Trance Dances have been an important part of my healing journey over the past six years, teaching me about the power of Intent, opening the field to all kinds of expression that want to arise within a ritually held and protected environment, by-passing the mind, allowing me to move over the years from disentangling stuck inner personal dynamics into entering more consciously into a connection with archetypal forces and the various manifestations of the Divine, becoming the dancer and the dance, re-enacting myths, penetrating the mystery and experiencing sublime moments of oneness with all that is.<o:p></o:p> As a frequent assistant since 2004 in evening Astroshamanic Trance Dances and week-long workshops I never fail to be deeply impressed, sometimes in awe, by the healing power that I perceive. During some parts of the dance participants may seem to be in agony, like undergoing torture, fighting all kinds of demons, finding themselves in a frozen state or just awaking from it, may go into a form of expression that may seem bizarre or even mad, socially unacceptable, in our every-day world - and yet, when the dance comes to a close, after all the apparent chaos, confusion, sometimes strong emotional upheaval, there is a peace, a radiance, a purity within and around them that was buried before, masks having been dropped, defensive layers shed, lost parts retrieved and blocks removed that prevented them from entering this realm of pure energy - now their true light-filled nature shining through.<o:p></o:p> <h1 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></h1> <h1 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 5.65pt;">The Quest Perilous or How I Nearly Became a Human Sacrifice by Elaine Silverfire<o:p></o:p></h1> <o:p> </o:p> It is the Gemini miracle of speech that enables human societies to come together, people talking and listening to each other. We have a ‘twin brain’ thought to have been joined at one time by a communicating gland (the pineal gland). Our two brains (the right and left) are thought to perform different functions, the right governing our imaginative-intuitive mind and the left governing our rational-logical mind. The dual principle running through creation is the process of transformation, of duality from unity, of diversity held within oneness. (Paraphrased from Symbols For Women by Sheila Farrant) <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Symbols For Women: A Matrilineal Zodiac lists a female ruler for each Zodiac sign. The ruler for Gemini is Eurynome, the Dove Goddess. <o:p></o:p> The Original Quest took place in the time of Gemini and there were several ‘twin’ themes running through the workshop. Franco, Keeper of the Inner Mystery, held the inner aspect of the workshop and Sverre Koxvold, Keeper of Cluny Garden, held the outer aspect. We alternated between working outside in the fresh air in the <st1:place><st1:placetype>territory</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename>Cluny</st1:placename></st1:place> Garden and working inside in the sweat lodge of the Sycamore Room. <o:p></o:p> Running through the workshop were the themes of being together in a group and being alone, sound and silence, talking and listening. <o:p></o:p> We all chose to work with one Zodiac Sector of Cluny Garden and I chose to work in the Leo Sector of the territory and I was startled on my first visit to the Sector by the sound of two birds fighting in the tree I had chosen to work with. I stood under the tree looking up at the commotion and saw two doves fighting so hard that their feathers were flying and I caught one of the feathers as it fell onto me. <o:p></o:p> There were two group projects, one for seeking resolution from a past situation and the other for seeking a new direction for the future. The first project involved working collectively with the <st1:street><st1:address>Stone Circle</st1:address></st1:street> of the Medicine Wheel in the Cancer Sector and was a joyful celebration with singing. The other project was in the Virgo Sector and involved creating a bridge from the wilderness area to the cultivated area of the territory with each participant working quietly on his/her own individual artwork. Being a Gemini I made two things, both circular, an ‘outer’ circle of leaves, to my mind a circle of protection, and a separate small circle of pine cones, one cone for each of the ‘inner’ initiates of the workshop.<o:p></o:p> The twin themes built up during the week, climaxing on the Thursday during the day with a wilderness walk with Sverre across the Dava Moor in the icy rain of a Scottish summer’s day, followed by a second climax at night during a very hot and sweaty trance dance with some inspired drumming by Franco.<o:p></o:p> We completed the week by entering the multi-dimensional chamber of the Bodhi Room, crossing the threshold of the inner sanctum in silence one by one and then erupting noisily outside into the garden for a magnificent Midsummer bonfire. Everyone except me jumped over the bonfire for luck. As the bonfire suddenly took light a finger of flame leapt down my cleavage and set my bra on fire and I didn’t want to risk any more burning. I had been much preoccupied during the week by tales of witches being burned on Cluny Hill and had gone to visit the Witches’ Stone, the site of one such burning. Many of these women who were burned would have been healers, herbalists, midwives.<o:p></o:p> My Intent for the workshop was to find out how I could be of service on a multi-dimensional level. So what was the result of my Quest? How can I be of service? On recapitulating all that happened during what seemed to be a very long week the most powerful moment for me stood out clearly. While doing partner work with another Elaine, for there were two Elaines in the workshop, I had the experience of being midwife to a midwife. This gives me a clue as to how I can be of service. As someone who has gone through the Quest myself I can act as midwife for others on their Quest. <o:p></o:p> I am a teenager, growing up fast, reaching for the Sun.<o:p></o:p> My sister plant is lusher and greener than me, contented.<o:p></o:p> I don’t want contentment.<o:p></o:p> Don’t put me in a shadier place like my sister.<o:p></o:p> I want to fly to the Sun like Icarus.<o:p></o:p> Let the Sun scorch me.<o:p></o:p> Let the Sun melt my wings.<o:p></o:p> Let me crash and burn. (Communication from the Leo Sector) <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 1pt 4pt; background: rgb(204, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; margin-left: 5.65pt; margin-right: 0cm;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0cm; background: rgb(204, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: justify; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">Educational Opportunities Protected by Angels: The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Educational_Supplement">Times Educational Supplement</a> (TES), published on 4 July 2008, features an article titled “Protected by Angel” about the Findhorn Foundation and its educational opportunities. “The Findhorn Foundation near Forres is a spiritual community, eco-village and international centre for holistic education. It is known around the globe for its sustainable living and its legendary vegetable gardens….” Click <a href="http://www.tes.co.uk/2641415">here</a> to read the entire article.<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Strength - Leo: An Astroshamanic Voyage into the Tarot by <st1:personname>Franco Santoro</st1:personname><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Following the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emperor">Emperor</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hierophant">Hierophant</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lovers">Lovers</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chariot_%28Tarot_card%29">The Chariot</a> this introductory voyage through the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Arcana">Major Arcana</a> reaches <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strength_%28Tarot_card%29">Strength</a>, which according to the esoteric system of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetic_Order_of_the_Golden_Dawn">Golden Dawn</a> is associated with the sign of Leo. <o:p></o:p> In the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rider_waite_tarot">Rider Waite Tarot</a> the trump of Strength shows a blond woman, with the symbol of infinity hovering over her head, in the act of taming a lion by gently, almost playfully, yet firmly, closing its jaws. She also uses a chain of flowers as a yoke to lead the lion, which further adds to the overall lightness and power of the card, suggesting Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.”<o:p></o:p> This trump is a gateway into the esoteric nature of Strength. Most human beings appear to burden themselves with futile expressions of potency. They rely on their own strength, caring for the volume of their muscles, wealth and prestige, and strenuously competing in pursuit of power and security. So they live on the brink of the grave, struggling to ignore their unalterable date of expiry, which will inevitably wipe away all their tokens of strength. And it is this subtle awareness of impermanence that brings all the unceasing tension and anxiety that characterises our reality. “If you are trusting in your own strength, you have every reason to be apprehensive, anxious and fearful. What can you predict or control? What is there in you that can be counted on? (ACIM, W47.1). In a blink of an eye all our resources and comforts can fall apart. “In a moment everything can change” sings <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilary_Duff">Hilary Duff</a> in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EQMVTTW1Sk">Fly</a>.<o:p></o:p> The Strength described by this trump is the true call of the Gospel, the invitation not to labour in vain and to receive Christ’s gift of loving peace and rest which is available whenever we choose to let go of our strive for personal strength. “The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” (Exodus 15:2) What underlies this choice stands as the gateway to the mystery of Strength, a fortitude stemming from a true surrender to God’s will and the capacity to accept It as one’s sole source of refuge. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalms 73:26) Yet this is not viable through our rational mind and can only be accessed if we are willing to face our unconscious fears and desires. True strength is not the result of repression and denial, nor is it based on control over threats to individual security, as well as to collective ideas and spiritual beliefs. The admission to the mystery is granted when we let go of the arbitrary strength of this separated world and decide to face the unknown strength of our multidimensional nature. <o:p></o:p> The Lion represents all the energies, emotions and feelings that have been expelled from our <a href="http://epicofthesacredcone.blogspot.com/">Human Arbitrary Configuration</a> (HAC) in order to produce the separated ego, with which most human beings identify. The first step for moving beyond this bogus identity involves the decision “to shoulder Christ’s yoke” and address one’s veritable source of Strength. This is tantamount to connecting with the Spirit Guide or, as in the first stage of the <a href="http://epicofthesacredcone.blogspot.com/">Basic Ritual of the Sacred Cone</a>, aligning with one’s Intent connected with the Function. The resolution that “God is the strength in which I trust” (ACIM, W47) is the first step, which allows a second and most fundamental stride to emerge.<o:p></o:p> With this stride, as with the second stage of the Basic Ritual, the ego identity crumbles like a Pandora box and all previously suppressed energies are released. This shatters any forlorn attachment to our human arbitrary configuration, while also providing the required force that allows moving beyond. This unveils the goal of our original intention, which emerges in the third stage. Situations of fear and anxiety are unveiled, so as to be dismissed one by one, as we slide past each of them, reaching down to our place of real strength. “You will recognize that you have reached it if you feel a sense of deep peace, however briefly. Let go all the trivial things that churn and bubble on the surface of your mind, and reach down and below them to the <st1:place><st1:placetype>Kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename>Heaven</st1:placename></st1:place>. There is a place in you where there is perfect peace. There is a place in you where nothing is impossible. There is a place in you where the strength of God abides.” (ACIM, W47.7:2-6)<o:p></o:p> In the final stage separation is released, disclosing our nature as holy multidimensional beings and leaving our previous self as a clean channel through which the strength of God can replace all the absurdities that were there before. “God is indeed your strength, and what He gives is truly given. This means that you can receive it any time and anywhere, wherever you are, and in whatever circumstance you find yourself. Your passage through time and space is not at random. You cannot but be in the right place at the right time. Such is the strength of God. Such are His gifts.” (ACIM, W42.2-5)<o:p></o:p> The third step is the result of the joyous implementation of the preceding two stages, exemplified by the peaceful and gentle interaction between the woman and the lion. Here Strength is not based upon the capacity to endure sacrifice and sufferance. It is not a tug of war between higher and lower self, good and evil, purity and sin. It is not a crucifixion, martyrdom or any other cruel markers of the desolate madness induced by the Human Arbitrary Configuration. Strength is a peaceful and graceful process, and can never be attained unless we embrace the unbiased spirit of innocent childhood. Letting go of stubborn self-righteousness and joyfully opening up to God’s wonder are the doorway into the mystery of veritable strength. “‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (Matthew 11:25-30)<o:p></o:p> Here there are some questions I propose to your awareness: <o:p></o:p> How do you feel when you read about things being hidden from the learned and the clever and revealed to mere children? Do you immediately see yourself as one of those clever and rational ones? Do you see yourself instead as one of those children to whom hidden things have been revealed? Or do you perhaps see yourself as both, forgetting or giving up the inner knowing of your heart, embracing other people’s ideas and begging for guidance, and then, from time to time, remembering your true source of wisdom and opening up to your Strength? What things have been revealed to you since you were a child, and whenever you have allowed yourself to be a child? Where does your true Strength lie? What do you have to say about all this? And what does your Strength have to say?<o:p></o:p> The Lion traditionally shines as the major emblem of regal power and of alchemical gold. It depicts the qualities of the Sun, yet this is not the bogus sun that comes and goes, drastically changing its effects on human beings according to seasonal or daily shifts. It is the Christ, the radiant power of God and the Light of the World. The true Sun bestows generous gifts at all times. It belongs to a world of which our human arbitrary is merely the palest and most depleted imitation, preceded by many other realms. These domains, though still separate, stand out as far more real than our mock world. Their gifts are attainable only by those who have eyes to see beyond the shadowlands of human ordinary experience. And yet these realms also exist within our human arbitrary configuration itself. Although this configuration is based on separation it is still the by-product of other realities and cannot exist without them, just as shadows owe their survival to objects lying between their surface and a light source. <o:p></o:p> What we perceive as reality is merely a shadowy copy of other worlds soon to emerge if we can let go of our victim’s attachment to consensus reality. The integrity of the spiritual seeker is based upon attaining a direct encounter with God, finding the truth no matter where or what it is, and despite all collective fears and prejudices regarding such truth. Here Strength is not the capacity to succeed in our competitive world and to prove one’s superiority over others. It is the power to fully embrace our adventurous spirit and joyfully engage with God as innocently as playful children. “For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.” (1 Cor <st1:time minute="25" hour="1">1:25</st1:time>) <o:p></o:p> It is during their games that the four children in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Narnia">The Chronicles of Narnia</a> move out of ordinary reality and reach a world where they finally encounter <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aslan">Aslan</a>, the Great Lion. As their adventures expand they uncover more worlds within worlds. “The further up and further in you go, the bigger everything gets. The inside is larger than the outside” <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_Tumnus">Mr Tumnus</a> (the faun) explains to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Pevensie">Lucy Pevensie</a> (the youngest of the four children) in the seventh and final Narnia book <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Battle">The Last Battle</a>. Lucy begins to see more and more clearly. She realises that the garden is not a garden but an entire new world, with rivers and forests, mountains and waterfalls. And yet this is not at all weird, for she knew this already. “I see,” she says, “this is still Narnia, and more real and more beautiful than the Narnia down below, just as it was more real and more beautiful than the Narnia outside the Stable door. I see...world within world, Narnia within Narnia.” “Yes,” says Mr. Tumnus, “like an onion: except that as you continue to go in and in, each circle is larger than the last.” And Lucy comments “in our world, too, a Stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.” Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)<o:p></o:p> In the Rider-Waite deck Strength is the eighth card of the Major Arcana. This is controversial since in later decks the same position is held by Justice, while Strength is number 11. Arthur Waite and other authors influenced by the esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn switched the two cards, placing Strength right after the Chariot. This emphasises the polarity between Cancer (Chariot) and Leo (Strength), Moon and Sun, yet in a way in which their conventional attributes appear to be reversed and Cancer stands for yoga, control, rationality, attack and the male, while Leo represents tantra, release, emotionality, surrender and the female. Number 7 also belongs to male magic, while 8 to female. “Esoteric theory considers sexual energy as a manifestation of the energy principles underlying the entire universe, male and female being similar to the positive and negative poles of electro-magnetism. Through manipulation of this bipolar energy, ‘magic’ power results. The occultists considers these principles a science, no more, and no less, mysterious than the modern scientist’s manipulation of atomic energy.” (Rachel Pollack, <a href="http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/books/78-degrees-of-wisdom/">78 Degrees of Wisdom</a>, p. 68)<o:p></o:p> In Robert Places’ <a href="http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/tarot-of-the-saints/">Tarot of the Saints</a>, Strength is associated with St. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome">Jerome</a>, a 4th-century doctor of the Church traditionally depicted with a lion (see image), due to a legend described in <a href="http://www.pgil-eirdata.org/html/pgil_datasets/authors/w/Waddell,H/life.htm">Helen Waddell</a>’s <a href="http://www.antiqbook.co.uk/boox/bkf/38351.shtml">Beast and Saints</a>. One evening <st1:city><st1:place>St. Jerome</st1:place></st1:city> sat with his monastery with other monks when a strong lion came in limping on three paws and holding the fourth caught up. While all the monks panicked, Jerome went out to meet the lion, greeting him as a guest. The lion offered Jerome his wounded paw. The saint noticed that it had been pierced by thorns, which he removed. The lion healed and became as peaceful as any domestic animal, going in and out of the cloister, and also offering services to the monks. <o:p></o:p> In the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoth_tarot_deck">Alesteir Crowley’s deck</a> Strength is restored to the eleventh stage, though it is renamed Lust. Here the emphasis is on the release and direction of the energy tied up in our strongest feelings, which is esoterically embodied by the mysteries of sacred sexuality.<o:p></o:p> Strength stands at a crucial cross-road on the path of initiation, heralding the emergence of a novel setting. This implies releasing our controlling attitude and embarking on the path of passion, tapping into the power of one’s deep desires, yet without succumbing to them. It is about letting go of the role played in stories set up by others and entering one’s authentic story, finally riding the Lion.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <h4 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 5.65pt;">Forthcoming Astroshamanic Events <o:p></o:p></h4> <o:p></o:p> Please be aware that new events may be added with short notice. For further details or information please contact Franco <a href="mailto:info@astroshamanism.org">info@astroshamanism.org</a> or alternatively go to <a href="http://www.astroshamanism.org/">www.astroshamanism.org</a><o:p></o:p> To book Findhorn Foundation workshops, please contact <a href="mailto:bookings@findhorn.org">bookings@findhorn.org</a> or Bookings, The Park, <st1:place><st1:city>Findhorn</st1:city> <st1:postalcode>IV36 3TZ</st1:postalcode>, <st1:country-region>Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Tel. +44(0)1309/691653. To book other workshops please contact the addresses given below.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Findhorn Foundation, 2-9 August 2008, <a href="http://www.findhorn.info/programmes/programme24.php">Astroshamanic Trance Dance and Drumming </a> with Franco. <a href="http://www.findhorn.info/programmes/programme24.php">Read more…</a><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <st1:city><st1:place>Edinburgh</st1:place></st1:city>, 30-31 August 2008, The Way of the South: Cancer, Leo, Virgo, with Franco. <a href="http://eventful.com/events/E0-001-004805073-2">One Year Basic Course in Astroshamanism and Experiential Astrology</a>. Cost: £ 99 (conc. £ 79). Bookings: Foundation for Planetary Healing, 288 Portobello High <st1:place>St.</st1:place>, <st1:city><st1:place>Edinburgh</st1:place></st1:city>. Tel: 0131-6575680 E-mail: <a href="http://astroshamanism.org/en/programs/shamanic@planetaryhealing.co.uk">info@planetaryhealing.co.uk</a><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Cupramontana (<st1:place><st1:city>Ancona</st1:city>, <st1:country-region>Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>) 20-21 September 2008, Multidimensional Portal of the Senses - One Year Course in Astroshamanic Healing Touch: The Touch of Water (in Italian/English), with Franco. Info: Letizia +39-0731206687 or <a href="mailto:zone25@tele2.it">zone25@tele2.it</a>. <span style="font-family:Arial;"&