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An educational guide to sustainability and spiritual well-being
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An Educational Guide to Sustainability and Spiritual Well-being
Vol. 2, No. 7 March 2010
Supplemental Edition
The new ‘American Dream’
Family life in an eco-village 10
‘Power animals’Fetish carvings represent animal spirits thought to reside in stone 6
Volunteers neededJoin spotlighting effort to monitor ferret recovery 9
Page 2 • March 2010 Supplemental Edition EarthOdysseyOnline
Earth Odyssey Contributors
Our MissionTh e mission of Earth Odyssey is to encourage
individuals to develop a sustainable lifestyle and
healthier well-being by providing educational
information needed to make wiser choices. We
envision an extended community of individuals
who care passionately about their environment
and their own spiritual well-being and recognize
the symbiotic relationship between the two.
Magazine StaffPublisher/Editor Ann Haver-Allen
Photographic, Web and PR DirectorPia Wyer
Advertising Art DirectorDistribution Manager Jason Allen
Advertising RepresentativesBill AllenJo Ann JohnsonPia Wyer
Advertising Inquiries928-778-1782
SubscriptionsEarth Odyssey will be published weekly beginning
in April by Pinon Pine Press LLC and will be
available online at EarthOdysseyOnline.com.
To receive Earth Odyssey notifi cations every
Monday, join our mailing list by going to www.
EarthOdysseyOnline.com and entering your
e-mail address in the green box. If you are already
a subscriber, no need to sign up again.
Send comments and suggestions to:
editor@EarthOdysseyOnline.com
Phone: (928) 778-1782
Th e opinions expressed in this publication are not
necessarily those of the publisher or advertisers.
Copyright © 2010. Pinon Pine Press LLC. All
rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in
part, is prohibited without written permission.
For photo reprints, contact Pia Wyer
at pia@animistarts.com.
Printed by
Media Print
4002 N. 36th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 95019
An educational guide to sustainability and spiritual well-being
On The Cover: Rick Valley, land steward for Lost Valley in Oregon, teaches children about creek
restoration. See story on page 10. Photo courtesy of Lost Valley
Lili DeBarbieri is a freelance writer
specializing in travel,
environmental issues
and wildlife. Lili’s
writing and photog-
raphy have appeared
in dozens of publica-
tions in the United
States and abroad,
including Terrain Magazine, Earth Island Journal, Preservation, Alabama Living and
E/The Environmental Magazine. She has
more than five years experience work-
ing, studying, volunteering and travel-
ing extensively throughout Asia, Africa,
Europe, Oceania, the Middle East and
the Americas. Based in Arizona, she is a
frequent contributor to the Tucson Green Times and contributing editor of Ethical Traveler.
Kimberley Patersonis a New Zealand-
based journalist,
author and public re-
lations specialist who
has a deep passion for
stories about visionary
individuals, businesses
and projects and
anything to do with
positive world change. You can read more
about her work on www.soulpr.com and
www.lodestarmedia.co.nz.
William (Wes) Ozi-er is the Camassia
Institute Director.
Originally from De-
troit, Wes is a LEED
accredited profes-
sional. He was the
program administra-
tor for the Arcosanti
Project for four years and the assistant
director for the Ecosa Institute. In addi-
tion to educational and construction
work at both Arcosanti and Ecosa, he
has worked on a strawbale construction
crew building the Mountain Meadows
Permaculture Bio-Shelter, a two-story
greenhouse, as well as four DIY scale
“eco-machines” created by John Todd
and a host of other DIY scale eco-de-
sign projects. He has spoken at Arizona
State University, Northern Arizona
University and Prescott College. If
you have any questions pertaining to
ecological design, sustainability or any
of his past projects, e-mail Wes at wes@
lostvalley.org.
Debra White is a
freelance pet and en-
vironmental writer in
Phoenix. A car acci-
dent on Jan. 6, 1994,
left her with disabling
injuries, thus ending
her social work career.
She reinvented herself
as a pet therapist, animal shelter volunteer
and freelance writer. Debra volunteers
with the Phoenix Animal Care Coali-
tion, Arizona Animal Welfare League and
the Grand Canyon chapter of the Sierra
Club.
Carla Woody found-
ed Kenosis Spirit
Keepers providing
programs that guide
people in life direc-
tion, relationship and
health and embrac-
ing a spiritual path.
She is the author of
the books “Standing Stark: The Willing-
ness to Engage” and “Calling Our Spirits
Home: Gateways to Full Conscious-
ness,” the course Navigating Your Life-path and recording Breath Meditations.
Carla holds a B.A. in communications
from Wright State University and an
M.A. in human relations from the Uni-
versity of Oklahoma. She is certified as
an advanced practitioner of NLP (special
applications to health), hypnotherapist,
conflict mediator and Reiki Master.
EarthOdysseyOnline March 2010 Supplemental Edition • Page 3
EV Solar Products, Inc.2655 N. US Highway 89Chino Valley, AZ 86323
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www.evsolar.com
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This ’N That
By Ann Haver-AllenPublisher/Editor of Earth Odyssey
Important notice
Earth Odyssey fans must read
More changes are
afoot for Earth Odyssey. Begin-
ning in April, Earth Odysseywill publish weekly editions
at www.EarthOdysseyOn-
line.com.
An e-mail spotlighting the
contents of each issue will be
sent to our subscribers.
If you are not already
a subscriber and want to
receive weekly Earth Odys-sey notifications, join our
mailing list by going to www.
EarthOdysseyOnline.com
and entering your e-mail ad-
dress in the green box.
Look for the current edi-
tion of Earth Odyssey to ar-
rive in your e-mail box every
Monday.
Earth Odyssey will continue
to focus on the topics of
sustainability, spiritual well-
being, alternative energy and
nature and the environment.
Two factors lead to our de-
cision to publish online and
to publish more frequently.
EconomyThe economy is the
first—and biggest—factor.
Printing costs are astronomi-
cal, especially when publish-
ing in an environmentally
friendly way.
We thought we had found
the solution to that dilemma
with Signature Offset, but,
as it turns out, they were un-
able to honor their printing
quote.
That news forced us to
rethink our business model.
The truth is, we have
readers who have encouraged
us to move to an electronic
model, which is not only
more affordable, but also is
tree free.
Because I am a life-long
producer and consumer of
print, giving it up was dif-
ficult. I reached this deci-
sion after serious debate and
consideration of all possible
alternatives.
Results from a recent
survey played into that deci-
sion when we learned that
63 percent of Earth Odysseyreaders prefer receiving the
publication electronically.
We will be monitoring
those statistics in the com-
ing months and anticipate a
growing online audience.
ContentContent is the second reason
we have decided to produce
Earth Odyssey electronically.
Each issue will still be
designed and packaged as if
it were a print publication
so that readers can view it as
such, using the magazine view-
ing option on our homepage.
Readers will actually have
three options for viewing
Earth Odyssey online: using
the magazine page-turning
software, reading html or
downloading a PDF.
We will no longer be
limited by page count. We
can print as many—or as
few—pages as are warranted.
Lately, after completion
of each Earth Odyssey issue,
I have had many excellent
stories, which did not fit
because of page constraints.
Electronic production of
Earth Odyssey weekly will
enable us to provide more
information, more frequently
to more readers.
We will continue to up-
hold the same high standards
for our content. The only
change will be that we can
provide more information
than ever before—and on a
more frequent basis.
It’s a win-win situation.
March issueTo ease the transition be-
tween print and electronic
formats, the March issue
is a hybrid production—a
24-page printed issue, with
a supplemental 28-page
issue posted online at www.
EarthOdysseyOnline.com.
The online edition in-
cludes all the columnists that
you have come to know and
love and the puzzle pages.
Be sure to read both edi-
tions to get it all.
Drop an e-mail and let me
know what you think about
the latest changes at Earth Odyssey: editor@EarthOdys-
seyOnline.com.
Join our mailing list at www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com
Enter your e-mail address in the green box
Page 4 • March 2010 Supplemental Edition EarthOdysseyOnline
March 2010Vol. 2, No. 7
Supplemental Edition
6‘Power animals’Fetish carvings represent animal spirits thought to reside in stoneIn Native American traditions, ani-
mal guides provide information not
normally accessible to the physical
senses. Shamans guided people on
special inner journeys to meet their “power animals.”
9Volunteers neededJoin spotlighting effort to monitor ferret recoveryWhile the elusive, nocturnal,
black-footed ferret has established
a foothold in Aubrey Valley, the
Arizona Game and Fish Depart-
ment needs volunteers to help
monitor progress in the recovery
of the endangered animal. As part
of this eff ort, the department will be conducting a spot-
lighting event from March 25-29 and needs volunteer
wildlife enthusiasts to help fi nd the small predators.
10The new ‘American Dream’Family life in an eco-villageMoving out of traditional society
into the social milieu of eco-village
can be a risky endeavor, especially
since many eco-villages are more
or less social experiments and still
fi nding their own way.
26 Puzzle Pages
27 Hubble imagesPluto’s terrain undergoes seasonal changes Th e most detailed and dramatic images ever taken of
the distant dwarf planet Pluto show an icy, mottled,
dark molasses-colored world undergoing seasonal sur-
face color and brightness changes.
15 Music and Awakening
by Martin Klabunde
16 Nature Notes
by Fiona Reid
17 Organized Living
by Tanya Allason
18 Horoscopes
by Dominique Shilling
19 Astrology
by Dominique Shilling
20 Inward Bound
by Sarah McLean
21 Tracks Across Your Horizon
by Bob Matthews
22 Vibrational Realignment
by Michael Davis
23 Yes! You Can Recycle That
by Patricia Melchi
24 The Small, Still Voice
by Judith Pennington
25 E.D.U. Movie Review
by Jason Allen
28 Heirloom Garden
by Stephen and Cindy Scott
Movies that
won’t make
you dumber
MovieReviews
by Jason Allen
By Michael DavisBy Michael Davis
By Sarah McLean
Heirloom Garden Seeds & Storiesby Cindy and Stephen Scott
The Small,
Still Voice
By Judith P
ennington
To receive Earth Odyssey notifi cations every Monday, join our
mailing list by going to www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com and
entering your e-mail address in the green box.
EarthOdysseyOnline March 2010 Supplemental Edition • Page 5
Page 6 • March 2010 Supplemental Edition EarthOdysseyOnline
In Native American traditions,
animal guides provide informa-
tion not normally accessible to the
physical senses. Shamans guided
people on special inner journeys
to meet their “power animals.”
The ceremony included ritual, music
and induced altered states of conscious-
ness. Called a vision quest, seekers made a
sacred connection with the Earth and es-
tablished a special relationship with their
“power animal.” Many Native American
religions teach that animals can act as
messengers to the gods.
Zunis learned to invoke the spirits of
animals through fetishes that look like
animals. Zuni fetishes are small stone ani-
mal carvings that can bring good fortune,
rain and protection from witchcraft and
enemies.
Zuni fetish carvings represent the ani-
mal spirit thought to reside in the stone.
The full context of Zuni fetishes is com-
plex. But here is a simplified summary.
Each of the six sacred directions (above,
below, north, east, south and west) has
an assigned color (multicolored, black,
yellow, white, red and blue, respectively).
Each direction and color has an associat-
ed animal (Eagle, Mole, Mountain Lion,
Wolf, Badger and Bear).
Badger and Bear in the healing set are
substituted with Bobcat and Coyote,
respectively, in the hunting set.
For maximum benefit, animals must
be carved from stones of the appropriate
color. For example, below is represented
by Mole. The color is black, which means
the fetish must be carved from hematite,
jet, black marble, black onyx, snowflake
obsidian, etc.
True fetishes must be blessed by a
medicine man and are not commercially
traded. Fetishes carved for trade represent
a wide range of animals, including such
fantasy animals as dragons.
Here is a list of Zuni fetishes and their
traditional direction, color and spiritual
property.
BADGER: The badger represents the
southern direction in a healing set and is
often associated with the color red. He
is believed to have knowledge of healing
roots and herbs. Characteristics associated
with badgers include tenaciousness, pas-
sion, control, persistence and earthiness.
Badger can be carved from red jasper, red
agate, pipestone, dolomite, etc.
BEAR: The bear represents the western
direction in a healing set and is associ-
ated with the color blue. He is known for
his curative powers. All bears are healers,
but white bears are particularly power-
ful. Characteristics associated with bears
include strength, courage, adaptability,
healing and spiritual communion. Bear
can be carved from lapis lazuli, turquoise,
sodalite, azurite, etc.
BEAVER: Beaver fetishes represent
home, family and unity. They are revered Fetishes are all from the private collection of
Earth Odyssey photographer Pia Wyer.
‘Power animals’
Fetish carvings spirits thought to
Story Ann Haver-Allen • Photos by Pia Wyer
EarthOdysseyOnline March 2010 Supplemental Edition • Page 7
for their building skills and associated
with water by some northeastern tribes.
In Zuni they are carved by a variety of ar-
tisans some of whom put little tiny twigs
in their mouths.
BOBCAT: The bobcat represents the
southern direction in a hunting set. He
is associated with the color red. He’s
thought to be a clever hunter. Bobcat
can be carved from red jasper, red agate,
pipestone, dolomite, etc.
COYOTE: The coyote represents
the western direction in a hunting set.
He’s associated with the color blue. The
coyote’s characteristics are arrogance and
a sense of self-importance. Despite this,
he can be a great teacher showing us how
our impulsive nature or our self-centered-
ness fails to serve us well. And he can
remind us to recognize those habits that
ultimately make our lives more difficult.
Coyote can be carved from lapis lazuli,
turquoise, sodalite, azurite, etc.
EAGLE: The guardian of the zenith
or sky, the eagle is multi-colored and he
is part of both a healing and a hunting
directional set. He is the messenger to the
gods and associated with power, balance,
dignity and grace. Highly revered in
Zuni, the eagle’s feathers are still used in
sacred ceremonies. Eagle can be carved
from rainbow calsilica, tourmaline, Pi-
casso marble, etc.
FOX: The fox is quick and observant.
He approaches life with amusement and
cleverness and can make himself invisible
when threatened. When in an uncom-
fortable situation, become fox-like. Blend
in, make no quick moves and plan your
escape!
FROG: Frogs are a motif found in
Puebloan art. They are most often as-
sociated with water, prayers for rain and
fertility.
HAWK: Known for their hunting skills
and in keeping rodents away from crops,
hawks are carved in a similar fashion to
eagles. While eagles are the messengers to
the gods, falcons and hawks are the mes-
sengers to people or between animals.
HORSE: Horses are not a traditional
animal of the Zuni, but they carve them
(and probably have for generations) for
other tribes and for herd protection.
Characteristics associated with horses are
power and achieving one’s potential.
MACAW: The macaw is an important
bird in Puebloan cultures. Their carcasses
have been found at Chaco providing
evidence of trade with cultures that lived
much further south. Even today ma-
caw feathers are highly prized and used
ceremonially and in dance costumes. The
macaw plays a part, as does the raven, in
the Zuni story of migration.
MOLE: Moles are the unassuming
guardians of the underworld. They are
also appreciated for keeping the gardens
free of pests. Associated with the color
black, they are often carved of jet or
black marble. Moles remind us to watch
for the subtle things in life. Change is
still change even when made in small
increments! Mole can be carved of jet, he-
Fetishes are all from the private collection of
Earth Odyssey photographer Pia Wyer.
represent animalreside in stone
Page 8 • March 2010 Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com
Above Below North East South West
Eagle Mole Mt. Lion Wolf Badger Bear
Bobcat* Coyote*
Multi- Black Yellow White Red Bluecolored
Zuni fetish carvings represent the animal spirit thought to reside in the stone. The full context of Zuni fetishes is complex. But here is a simplified summary.
*In the hunting set. All others are from the healing set.
Complete Prenatal, Home Birth and Postpartum Care
midwife4az@yahoo.com www.myhomebirth.shutterfly.com
Free Initial Consultation928-776-8033 • 928-710-0146
Fetishes are all from the private collection of
Earth Odyssey photographer Pia Wyer.
matite, black marble, snowflake obsidian,
black onyx, etc.
MOUNTAIN LION: Thought to be
the most powerful hunter, the moun-
tain lion is the guardian of the northern
direction. He is associated with the color
yellow and appears in both hunting and
healing directional sets. The mountain
lion reminds us to persevere, clarify our
goals and move forward to achieving our
dreams. Mountain lion can be carved
from tourmaline, yellow jasper, dolomite,
calcite, etc.
RABBIT: The rabbit is not a tradi-
tional Zuni animal but was likely carved
to satisfy requests from other tribes and,
in more recent times, demands from
collectors. Rabbits are usually the dinner
of predators, so they are often associated
with facing fears and the avoidance of
making them our reality. Due to their
reputation for abundant reproduction
they are also associated with birthing and
fertility.
RAVEN: The raven is not a traditional
fetish but he is carved often, and beauti-
fully, by a number of artists. He is gener-
ally carved of jet or black marble though
he can appear in virtually any stone of
the artist’s choosing. While considered
somewhat of a prankster, he doesn’t have
the negative characteristics associated
with the coyote. The raven can help us
work through failure and shortcomings
by reminding us that anything we have
the courage to face, we have the power to
transform.
TURTLE: The turtle is a symbol of the
earth in most Native American cultures.
He is also associated with self-reliance,
nonviolent defense and being a skillful
navigator through life’s obstacles.
WOLF: Wolf is considered the younger
brother of the bobcat in a hunting di-
rectional set. He is most often associated
with the color white and may be carved
from selenite or white marble, alabaster
or serpentine that is pale in color. Char-
acteristically, he’s thought to be loyal with
strong family ties. Wolf can be carved
from white onyx, selenite, white marble,
howlite, etc.
EarthOdysseyOnline March 2010 Supplemental Edition • Page 9
While the elusive, nocturnal, black-footed fer-
ret has established a foothold in Aubrey Val-
ley, the Arizona Game and Fish Department
needs volunteers to help monitor progress in
the recovery of the endangered animal.
As part of this effort, the department will be conducting a
spotlighting event from March 25-29 and needs volunteer wild-
life enthusiasts to help find the small predators.
“Since this program’s inception, volunteers have played a
critical role in the recovery of this animal,” said Jeff Pebworth,
wildlife program manager at the Game and Fish Kingman office.
“We don’t have the personnel available to fully staff these efforts,
and the program’s continued success depends on people remain-
ing involved.”
Twice thought to be extinct, a small population of black-foot-
ed ferrets was discovered in 1981. A mere 18 were left when cap-
tive breeding efforts began in 1985. In 1996, Arizona’s Aubrey
Valley was selected as a reintroduction site.
The reintroduction of these rare animals in Arizona was pos-
sible because of the state’s Heritage Fund which, when matched
with federal dollars, accounts for the project’s funding. This,
along with the dedication of volunteers, has made Arizona’s rein-
troduction effort a model for other sites to emulate.
Pebworth admitted that without the voter-approved initiative,
which provides money through the Arizona Lottery, this effort
would not have been possible.
“We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished in Arizona,” Peb-
worth said. “We’re restoring an animal that was absent from the
state for about 65 years. It’s gratifying to know we’ve reached a
point with this reintroduction where the population has contin-
ued to improve.”
Spotlighting is not easy, and Pebworth acknowledges that
volunteers earn the right to brag about their participation in the
recovery of this animal.
Volunteers must be able to stay attentive from sunset to sun-
rise, be able to carry up to 30 pounds while backpack-spotlight-
ing for two-hour durations, and they must be willing to learn
how to use a Global Positioning System (GPS).
Individuals can volunteer for one or more dates. A parent or
guardian must accompany any youth under 18.
“This is a unique experience and provides volunteers with
an opportunity to see the amount of effort involved with this
reintroduction,” Pebworth said. “Not to mention the fact that
people will have a chance to see an animal few others have ever
encountered.”
Those wishing to volunteer, or needing more information,
should e-mail azferret@azgfd.gov by March 19 with “March
Photo by Jessie Cohen/Smithsonian’s National Zoo
A 2-month-old black-footed ferret (right) is pictured with its mother at the
National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal. Va.
Join spotlighting effort to monitor ferret recovery
Spotlighting” in the subject line. Individuals should indicate
which night(s) they are available to help; include a first and last
name, a contact number, and if anyone else will be attending
with them.
Additional information will be sent following contact, includ-
ing meeting location and times.
Volunteers should also note any of the following equipment
they can bring: GPS, clipboard, backpack (to carry a 30-pound
battery), headlamp, pen, compass, binoculars, walkie-talkies,
4x4 vehicle (please list passenger capacity), compass, spotlight
(that can plug into a cigarette lighter), or a cordless rechargeable
spotlight. It can be cool during the March event, so individuals
need to dress appropriately.
Photo courtesy AZG&F
Th ose wishing to volunteer to spotlight ferrets should e-mail azferret@
azgfd.gov by March 19 with “March Spotlighting” in the subject line.
Page 10 • March 2010 Supplemental Edition EarthOdysseyOnline
Moving out of tra-
ditional society
into the social
milieu of eco-
village can be a
risky endeavor,
especially since many eco-villages are
more or less social experiments and still
finding their own way.
One of the toughest decisions one
has to make in their life is how to raise
their children. As a parent, you have to
balance what is right for your child, and
that includes balancing what your child
needs right now with how you want
your child to grow up.
For parents out there
who are either living
in eco-villages or try-
ing to decide if an
eco-village is right
for your family, perhaps this article can
help shed a little light on the decision
for you.
I am not a parent, but I have had the
privilege of living at two distinctly dif-
ferent eco-villages: the Arcosanti Project
located in central Arizona, and the Lost
Valley Educational Center located in
Oregon.
The Arcosanti project, started in
1970, is a prototype “Arcology,” an en-
vironment that blends architecture and
ecology together into one comprehensive
design and system.
While Arcosanti may not incorporate
many of the social, eco-
nomic and decision-
making processes
that many people
The new ‘American Dream’
Family life in an eco-villageBy William Ozier
EarthOdysseyOnline March 2010 Supplemental Edition • Page 11
infer the word “community” to mean,
the simple facts are that more than 60
people live there, some with children, and
their interactions and lives constitute a
vibrant and socially rich community.
The Lost Valley Educational Center
is a 20-year-old intentional community
and aspiring eco-village with roughly
30 residents. Through my time at both
places, I have had the opportunity to
meet many parents and many children.
For this article, I interviewed them and
let the parents, and the children, speak
for themselves so that we can see this is-
sue through their eyes.
Ivan Fritz, a computer technician
for Skywalker Sound, grew up at the
Arcosanti project where he lived with
his mother. He spent his summers on
the East Coast with his father. Now an
adult, Fritz can give a life-long perspec-
tive of what it was like to be raised in an
eco-village.
“As a kid, I loved living at Arcosanti
because I had free reign to go anywhere I
wanted, and the buildings were so cool to
climb on,” Fritz said. “I remember when I
was 6 or 7 that I spend all day sometimes
‘spying’ on people, just hiding and watch-
ing people work.
Another aspect that made it so nice
for me was that there were always cool
adults around to involve you in artistic
endeavors or games, and there was always
something interesting going on. Arcosanti
was also very special because of the miles
of undeveloped desert that surrounded it
in which I could hike and play.”
As an adult, there are some aspects of it
that Fritz can look back on with criticism,
but he considers the positive experiences
in his memory to outweigh those criti-
cisms.
Considering the importance our child-
hood views have on our lives and rela-
tionships as adults, it makes you wonder.
From Fritz’s perspective, rearing a
child at an eco-village would be almost
ideal for a parent. He believes that
with all of the close knit neighbors and
friends a stone’s throw away (sometimes
literally), someone is always around
who can keep an eye out for your child’s
welfare.
As a child, Fritz felt this support and
care from the many adults in his com-
munity and thinks it helped him to live a
freer and more exciting childhood, which
in turn helped him to become a more
“worldly” adult, in his own words.
Fritz’s perspective is one from a kid
growing up in an eco-village, but do par-
ents in eco-villages share his perspective?
Anna-Lies Amundson, or Ala, is
24-years-old and recently moved to the
Lost Valley Educational Center with her
2-year-old son, ’Io.
Amundson is no stranger to commu-
nity living, having lived in eco-villages in
Lost Valley courtesy photo
Kari celebrates her birthday with friends.
Courtesy photo
Dennisha, Ala and her son Io at Lost Valley.
Page 12 • March 2010 Supplemental Edition EarthOdysseyOnline
Hawaii, where she enjoyed the paradise-
like weather conditions and the camara-
derie of community members.
As a parent, her fondest memory of
living in an eco-village was ’Io’s first
birthday; not only her whole community
but also many neighbors from the local
area came out to celebrate with her and
her child.
In eco-villages Amundson felt most
“herself.” Every parent tries to raise their
children as a reflection of the best part of
themselves, so when Amundson moved
back to the mainland she definitely
wanted to raise her child in the eco-vil-
lage context.
’Io is not yet old enough to interview,
but almost everyday I watch him run
around the lawn after dinner, playing
with another new young addition to our
community, the kitty-cat Sid.
Amundson believes that her son is
already more grounded, both literally
and figuratively, than children reared in
traditional environments.
He runs around barefoot feeling the
Earth beneath his feet. With his range
of freedom, experience and interaction,
Amundson believes that ’Io is getting
the kind of mental, physical and social
stimulation that parents in traditional
environments TRY to achieve by buying
their children plastic toys, televisions,
I-pods and video games.
Her son gets this stimulation, so vital
for healthy development, in free abun-
dance in a way that connects him with
the world and the people around him.
Nature is his life-sized playset, and the
people, animals and living things are his
action figures.
So far Amundson has found no real
drawbacks to rearing her son in an eco-
village, and as a mom she appreciates all
the help she receives from her community
members.
This help keeps her far less stressed
than most young parents, and gives her
the emotional energy and time to pay
attention to herself, enabling her to be a
more complete person, which she feels
makes her a better mom for her child.
From a child’s perspective, it seems
the most common drawback to eco-vil-
lage living is the lack of TV watching
compared to children from traditional
environments.
While many parents may think that is a
benefit, to children missing the latest epi-
sode of Sponge Bob—combined with the
fact that an inordinate number of chil-
dren from eco-villages place into acceler-
ated programs in traditional schools—can
make the children feel somewhat socially
isolated at school.
Aside from a lack of TV, there can be
other drawbacks to rearing a child in an
eco-village.
Many eco-villages are in rural locations,
which can make good schooling hard
to find, and most parents in eco-villages
can’t really afford to send their children to
private schools.
Home schooling is always an option,
but not all parents have the ability or
Photo by Sue Anaya
Nadia Begin and her newborn Sasha Tollas.
EarthOdysseyOnline March 2010 Supplemental Edition • Page 13
Page 14 • March 2010 Supplemental Edition EarthOdysseyOnline
time to home school.
Jim and Kelli Huth moved to the
Arcosanti eco-village and then later had
children, twins, affectionately referred to
as the “Huthlings.”
When their double package of joy
arrived, Jim and Kelli had all the usual
stresses of first-time parents. Actually,
they had double the stresses, but they
had a supportive community of nearby
friends and neighbors to help them
with their own birth pangs as parents.
While they did have plenty of help and
people to look out for the Huthlings,
the children could not be constantly
watched and Arcosanti is constantly
under construction, so safety concerns
were an issue.
Combined with the fact that the
Huthlings extended family lived
thousands of miles away, Jim and Kelli
decided to move so that the children
could be with family and in a safer
environment.
Even though Jim and Kelli moved away
from their eco-village, they still recom-
mend the experience for parents. As a
parent at Arcosanti, Kelli particularly
enjoyed being exposed to parenting styles
from other cultures, and having a more
tolerant and socially safe environment to
learn how to parent.
All-in-all, Kelli considered her experi-
ence at an eco-village as “amazing” and
recommends it for parents, feeling the
unique nature of the experience forms
a gift for your child that you could not
otherwise provide.
Another benefit of eco-village living for
children is that they get exposed to adults
in healthy social ways. Anisa Brooks was
7-years-old when she was at Arcosanti
and says that she enjoyed “The people
and calmness of everything, and how
everyone you pass is like family a member
to you.”
Anisa learned to be comfortable with
people of all ages, not just children.
I’m no child psychologist, but there is a
definite link between cross-generational
interaction and intelligence, social skills
and compassion in children.
This intergenerational contact is a
much different way for a child to be
raised than in traditional environments,
where they are often taught not to talk
to strangers and come straight home and
not play in the street.
Fritz definitely feels that his positive
exposure to adults as a child helped
develop a much greater worldliness than
other children who were raised in tradi-
tional settings.
While Anisa loved her time and
interactions at Arcosanti, when asked
about the drawbacks she admits she
kind of missed not having a backyard
like other kids, and it sometimes both-
ered her that some of the adults took
advantage of having so few rules...a very
insightful and mature observation for a
young child.
Dave Tollas and Nadia Begin met (and
fell in love and got married) at the Ar-
cosanti project. When the stork brought
them Tristan, their first child, Nadia said
she couldn’t think of a better place to
raise her child.
A decision she obviously did not regret,
because when Dave and Nadia discovered
they had a second bundle of joy on the
way, their second son Sasha, they decided
to raise him at Arcosanti as well.
Giving birth to her children in her
home at Arcosanti and feeling the love
and support of her nearby friends and
community members was one of Nadia’s
fondest memories as a parent at an eco-
village.
Dave and Nadia have found many of
the same benefits from raising children
at an eco-village that many other parents
and children I interviewed found: a safe
and supportive environment for both
parent and child, plenty of adults to help
and look out for both the kids and the
parents, a stimulating environment for
the kids to play safely in, and a chance to
raise their children in a way that teaches
a lesson besides consumerism, selfishness
and fear.
Nadia is careful to warn though that it
may not be for everyone. No community
is perfect, just as no place is perfect, and
you have to be there for the right reasons
for yourself first, and then for your child
second.
Nadia believes that “you have to be
ready to work on yourself if you want to
be happy in a community.”
As someone who has lived in com-
munities, one of them with Nadia, I
agree with her advice. While Dave and
Nadia continue to raise their children at
Arcosanti, and advise eco-village living
for parents, they do still miss some of the
access to a greater range of choices, com-
modities and amenities for children, such
as diverse choice of schools and cultural
facilities that typical cities offer.
Amundson advises that parent in
eco-villages should try to get their kids
as involved in their projects as possible.
Depending on your exact form of liveli-
hood at an eco-village, it may be far easier
for you to bring your child to work with
you everyday.
Not only can you spend more time
with your child to watch over them, but
also you can expose them to your intellec-
tual and social activities and role model
right behavior for them from the get go.
While it is true that with kids you have
to curtail some aspects of your social life,
an eco-village offers more opportunity
to involve and engage your children in
healthy ways in your social life.
One of Kelli Huth’s fondest memories
as a parent at Arcosanti was being able to
dance with her children while being sur-
rounded by other happy dancing people.
This ability to include kids in your
work and social life helps to alleviate a lot
of the isolation that parents sometimes
feel, provides more positive stimulus for
the kids, and build a stronger sense of
community for all the residents.
Many people in eco-villages reject the
notion of the “American Dream” due to
its connection with hyper-consumerism,
economic oppression and the degradation
of people and the environment. Some-
times, though, I think we forget that
there are also many positive aspects in the
American Dream that are worth taking
to heart.
The image of the neighborhood with
happy, healthy children running freely,
playing in the streets and connecting
with each other and the adults is also an
iconic and intrinsic part of the American
Dream.
Ironically, in rejecting the American
Dream and moving to eco-villages, some
people may have found a way to make
that idyllic image actually come true for
their families.
Photo by Wes Ozier
Lost Valley land steward Rick Valley is pictured
with his children Althea and Martin.
We have been given
a beautiful gift.
This gift is one
that can allow us to experi-
ence freedom on levels un-
imagined or one that allows
us to think we are free as we
sit in our self-made prison.
This gift can set us free in
any moment if we allow. It
can take us to deeper levels
of awareness, oneness and
unlimited love than we could
ever imagine was possible,
and it can change the core of
how you navigate your life
from the most mundane ac-
tivities to the most important
life changing decisions you
will make.
This gift is our perception;
it is the way we see the world
and our place in it. It is the
way we see our self in rela-
tionship to the world. Are we
looking in from the outside
or are we seeing ourself in
everything?
Perceiving ourself as being
connected to all things will
change the way we navigate
our life. Putting this into
action is beyond the mind,
beyond understanding and
beyond thinking we are
connected. It is an inner
knowing, an inner certainty
that becomes as tangible as
the table I am sitting at in
this moment.
Our perceptions form the
foundation of our thoughts
and actions. We have learned
ideas of what our reality
consists of and we associate
specific actions and reactions
to incoming messages via
our senses that provide us
with feelings and sensations.
We attach judgment to these
learned ideas that fit within a
collective cultural philosophy
and form a perception based
within our learned belief
system.
It is our perception of any
given situation that provides
us the opportunity to take
action in a specific way or
toward a specific destination.
If we experience anger from
another toward us, then of-
ten times we feel attacked or
threatened and take defensive
position. This position arises
from a perception that we
have something to protect.
Our perception that tells
us that we must protect
ourselves is the source of
our actions and reactions. It
is this perception that can
be changed. Shifting our
perception can allow us to
make decisions that offer
more positive and productive
outcomes.
Changing our perceptions
opens doors that provide
us an existence full of deep
happiness, contentment,
peace and serenity. This
change strengthens our abil-
ity to negotiate life in a more
meaningful and purposeful
way and provides endless
opportunities to be a sincere
servant to our mission with a
deep sense of humility, devo-
tion and passion.
As each moment passes,
we are in the now, the pres-
ent; or are we? We have this
perception that life is moving
so fast. Where did the time
go? I can’t believe it is already
March! 2010 is already here
. . . I thought we would have
hovercrafts by now! My point
is that it is difficult to change
perception when you are liv-
ing in the past or the future.
Many people spend so much
time negotiating the past and
the future, they miss out on
the present moment, where
the doors of perception wait
for them.
So, what are beliefs then?
Beliefs are based in a collec-
tive consciousness that exists
within a specific cultural
paradigm. They are systems
of thought we have learned
that forms the foundation
of our perceptions. Every
thought we experience and
every action we execute has
a foundation in our belief
system. Changing our belief
system provides us the op-
portunity to transform our
perceptions and, in turn,
change our thoughts and
actions.
We in the West have been
trained in linear thinking:
Cause and Effect. Most East-
ern and indigenous cultures
embrace life with circular
concepts that provide a dif-
ferent way of perceiving the
world.
They show us the world
metaphors, anecdotes and
stories. Circular thinking al-
lows us to change our beliefs
and perceptions and unravel
the mysteries of life.
Now . . . Music. What is
it? How does it reach the
deepest part of our soul?
How can we receive inspira-
tion from it? How can it
make us feel deep emotions?
Music resides in a place deep
within us that is protected
from the constructs of the
mind.
Music is a part of the
metaphor, the anecdotes and
the stories. When we listen
to or play music, we become
part of the story. We are free
to leave the mundane world
and allow our spirit to fly.
When we play music we have
the opportunity to write the
story, your story.
We are free to consider,
dream and live the possibili-
ties. Maybe, just maybe, we
will see that the dream is here
and now and that the pos-
sibilities are endless.
Martin Klabunde is a light worker, cosmic walker and dance maker, who has more than 20 years of teaching, performance and class and workshop facilitation. He is the director of The Dambe Project—a Tucson based nonprofit organization that specializes in youth mentorship and uses West African perfor-mance art—and Kalumba—an organization committed to providing opportunities for spiritual awakening to all people. Martin is available to travel to your town to facilitate classes, workshops, ceremonies as well as for concerts and per-formances. For more informa-tion, contact Martin at 520-245-4547, martin@kalumba.org or www.kalumba.org.
Perception, belief and music
Permitting our spirits to fl y
EarthOdysseyOnline March 2010 Supplemental Edition • Page 15
What is it that I
have heard about
February? That
it’s the three months between
January and March? Some-
thing like that. Perhaps that’s
the case for the folks on the
East Coast right now as they
plough feet of snow to either
side of the driveway, as the
snow begins to turn black with
pollution, as skeleton-like de-
ciduous trees poke up toward
the bleak and cloudy sky. Yes,
I know in the countryside
there are many unspoiled acres
where the snow scene is pic-
ture perfect, where everything
is hushed and slow and quiet
except for the swish-swish of
your cross-country skis and the
beat of your heart as it bursts
with the beauty of it all.
There are February days
here when my heart, too,
responds with joy at the sight
of the frost-covered leaves of
the manzanita and scrub oak,
the ever-so-fragile layer of
snowflakes as they balance on
the thinnest of aspen twigs,
and the coniferous forest trees
are decorated with jewels of
frozen water drops as though
challenging us to believe that
today, surely, is Christmas day.
Then, just at the point when
I can hardly believe how such
a sight fills me, I lift my gaze
up to and beyond the tops of
the pines, and the sky is so
indescribably blue and clear it
literally takes my breath away.
It’s too early for any flowers
to poke their little heads up
above the remaining snow.
What would be the point—
there’s nobody around to do
the pollination job that is the
raison d’etre for the flower,
i.e., make seed, be reproduced.
But just because the flowers
aren’t busy blooming doesn’t
mean that something else out
there, almost as colorful, isn’t
busy with growth, and doing
it without leaves, or roots or
flowers!
This time look down,
not up. The world of rocks
and bark and soil and leaves
and old, unwashed cars
and—yes!—even animals (on
the carapace of a Galapagos
land tortoise, or the larva of a
lacewing!) is the world of this
colorful, curly stuff.
Lichens. This is the time of
year to be out lichen-watching,
looking for their bright glori-
ous shapes and colors. Lichens
are nature’s artwork. They are
survivors. They are mini-eco-
systems. And for a long time
they were ignored by botanists,
with even the father of taxono-
my, Carl Linnaeus, referring to
them as “the poor peasants of
the plant kingdom.”
They are wonderfully pecu-
liar. Lichen is, in fact, a pretty
cool partnership between
two organisms—a fungus
and an algae—both needing
each other to survive, one
to provide food the other to
provide structure. A symbiotic
relationship. However, back
in the late 19th century some
scientists thought the fungus
was boss and that the green al-
gae was forced into service like
a slave. They had the picture
right, but the function wrong.
The intricately fine threads
of the fungus, which cannot
provide its own food, weave
themselves around the green
photosynthetic algae cells,
which do provide the food.
One old scientist, as far back
as 1877, likened the fungus
threads twined around the
algae to the meshed web of a
spider, writing “. . . but, whilst
the spider sucks out her prey
and throws it aside when dead,
the Fungus stimulates the Al-
gae, found in its net, to more
lively activity. . .”
In fact, the actual presence
of all those fine fungal threads
does result in the availability of
more than usual sugars from
the algae as, essentially, it is pro-
viding food for two! It seems
like a pretty good partnership
to me—one is the breadwinner,
the other providing a strong
home environment.
The palette of colors
includes bright yellows, reds,
oranges, greens, grays and
blacks. Here’s a challenge for
your next ramble through the
woods: see how many colors
you can find; try to discover
the three growth forms of
lichens—crusty ones tightly
holding on to the base of rock
or soil, foliose or leaf-like ones
with a clear upper and lower
surface and that are almost
always attached to rocks, and
the erect or hanging lichens
(like a beard)—fruticose. And
try to figure out the age of the
beauty—most of our lichens
grow very slowly, as in the
thickness of a Sharpie stroke
a year!
So, who likes lichen? Santa’s
reindeer like to eat it, and so
do our pronghorn and mule
deer. Birds love it inside and
outside of their nests, for
comfort and for camouflage.
People in the arctic make
a dish called “stomach ice
cream”—the partially di-
gested lichen from a caribou’s
stomach, mixed with raw fish
eggs. Yummy! Humans have
benefited from lichens by us-
ing them for food, beer, cloth-
ing and dyes (the Navajo use
lichen dyes in their beautiful
blankets), perfumes (ground
up moss lichens were dusted
into wigs 300 ago to improve
their odor!), internal and
external medicines, decoration,
scientific age dating and so
much more.
Has our human relationship
with lichens been, as would
seem fitting, a symbiotic one?
Hardly. We have buried them
under asphalt, concrete and
buildings. We have so polluted
the atmosphere that some
lichens have died out (they are
bioindicators and can detect,
measure and map pollution).
We have converted old-growth
forest systems to single lumber
crops, thus wiping out the di-
versity of habitats and microcli-
mates in which lichens thrive.
We have introduced foreign
plant species that, by over-
crowding, can affect the light
quality necessary for healthy
lichen growth. And here in
the arid west we have de-
stroyed large tracts of delicate
microbiotic soil crusts by poor
overgrazing practices in the
past, and negligent off-road
vehicle use today continues
the practice. Rock climbing
too, has an impact on rarer
species hidden in the crevices
and cliffs.
It would be interesting, if it
were possible, to see satellite
images of our landmasses in
the past and the present, com-
paring the patterns of lichens
then and now. In the end the
disappearance of lichens may
be the very real indicator of
our human odyssey on Earth.
Fiona Reid, education direc-tor at the Highlands Center for Natural History, is a passionate defender of nature and outdoor time with children.
Nature Notes
Regaling the importance of lichensby Fiona Reid
Page 16 • March 2010 Supplemental Edition EarthOdysseyOnline
EarthOdysseyOnline March 2010 Supplemental Edition • Page 17
Do you have a clutter
crisis? Vast amounts
of people struggle
with an overpowering quan-
tity of paper and possessions.
A professional organizer can
assist you with decreasing the
clutter, setting up a system
that works for you, which in
turn speeds up information
retrieval, minimizes paper
intake and reduces frustra-
tion associated to information
that’s gone astray.
Organized people are hap-
pier people, they tend to be
very calm, have lower stress
and blood pressure levels and
also save time, energy and
money.
S.Y.S.T.E.M. = Saves You Stress, Time,
Energy and Money
No matter where your
papers and files are located,
if left unsupervised, they can
grow extensively without you
realizing it, and then you have
a paper version of Mt. Ever-
est to climb. Overwhelming
paper diminishes productivity
and most often times, reduces
income.
Using green solutions can
decrease the influx of docu-
ments, thus saving paper and
time spent on filing.
Being able to find infor-
mation fast is essential to
your prosperity and sanity.
However, countless hours are
squandered looking for lost or
misplaced papers.
Eco-friendly tipsIf you can, use recycled paper.
Whenever possible, de-
crease the use of your printer.
If you do need to print a
document, use both sides of
the paper.
Send and receive docu-
ments electronically. You can
save paper by reading, scan-
ning and storing documents
on your computer.
Many printers have a scan-
ning function or you can buy
one with that specific pur-
pose. For example, a scanner
from The Neat Company can
scan receipts, business cards
and full-page documents.
It also has its own organiza-
tional system built in so you
can find everything you need
easily and quickly.
Recycle
• Have a bin/container for
paper recycling where you
open your mail.
• Shred important papers and
bills that have already been
paid and do not need to be
kept.
• Re-use paper with one
clean side as scrap paper.
• Convert your bills from
paper to e-mail. There are
many companies who send
e-mails to notify you when
a payment due.
• Instead of writing checks,
sign up for an account with
your bank and pay bills
online electronically.
Everyone can benefit from
being organized; you can
eliminate stress and duplica-
tion.
A professional organizer
can identify problem areas,
work with you to establish
better organization and green
storage solutions.
Reclaim the time you loose
searching for things by creat-
ing easily managed systems
to keep things organized and
accessible. Give yourself more
time to enjoy family, friends
and other fun activities by
getting organized.
Remember, when you start
an organizing project, use
the four Rs: Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle and Redecorate.
For more information on organizing and “How to orga-nize” eBooks, contact Tanya, The Professional Organizer @ tanya@idealsimplicity.com or www.idealsimplicity.com
Complete Auto Service
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Eco-friendly organizing
Paper, paper everywhere
Page 18 • March 2010 Supplemental Edition EarthOdysseyOnline
Read your Sun, Ascending and Moon sign. An astrologer can help you find all of the planets’ places on the day that you were born.
Monthly horoscope from Dominique
Dominique Shilling, MAFA, is a coun-selor and astrologer with a practice in the Valley. For an appointment, contact her at Way to the Light Within, (602) 279-2941 or check out her Web site at www.way-2light.com.
Logic Puzzle Solution: Austria: 8
gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze; Canada: 5
gold, 3 silver and 8 bronze; Finland: 6
gold, 6 silver and 9 bronze; Germany:
4 gold, 4 silver and 9 bronze.
Puzzle Solutions
l Pisces—February 20–March 20
Physical energy and vitality are yours
now. You have an insight about some-
thing that happened in the recent past.
Trust your feelings about a friend. A gift
is given to you. Rearrange or renew some-
thing. The best is yet to come.
a Aries—March 21–April 19
Venus in your sign could bring affection,
admiration and/or a gift. A lot could be
happening in the area of romance for
you. Use your creativity to make some-
thing or to solve a problem. Move for-
ward. You will gain more understanding
about romance within this year and next.
b Taurus—April 20–May 20
You can make a dream come true. Some-
one understands you better than you
think. You get an opportunity to make
things easier. Change in or around your
home is possible in next two months.
Lessons around your work can help you
get farther ahead.
c Gemini—May 22–June 21
Communication used effectively can help
you get what you want. Career-related
change could benefit you in the long run.
New learning or ideas come easy now. A
female friend could bring you luck or be
helpful to you in some way.
d Cancer—June 22–July 23
You gain more money and/or positive
recognition. The key is that you are val-
ued. A loved one communicates or sends
message. Creative thinking is recognized
and rewarded. Take care of yourself. Do
something to improve your health.
e Leo—July 24–August 23
Mars in your sign could have you feeling
more energetic. Lessons learned around
communication help you to attract more.
Is there a mystery to solve? An unknown
or secret could draw your attention. Solve
the mystery by letting it be as is. Doing
so will bring resolution more quickly.
f Virgo—August 24–September 23
Lessons about money help you to im-
prove your value to yourself and others.
Partnerships are highlighted. Transforma-
tion is possible. You could be lucky in
love. Try something new.
g Libra—September 24–October 23
Saturn in your sign could help you to
make improvements or just feel like tor-
ture. Take responsibility and do what you
need to do to get what you want. Be good
to yourself but know when enough is
enough. Unusual happens at home. Work
and health are important now.
h Scorpio—October 24–November 22
Romance and creativity are highlighted.
Doubts about money can be overcome
now. Think positive and you will see
more of the good things in your life.
What you focus on expands. So, do count
all of the good things and the wonderful
people you know.
i Sagittarius—November 23 –December 22
This can be a rewarding time for you.
Work done in past pays off now. Some-
thing that you have been wanting comes
to you. Possible change around home.
You may even want to initiate some of
them yourself. Change is good and the
stars are on your side.
j Capricorn—December 23–January 20
Trust your intuitive knowingness. Stay
away from taking chances with money or
valuables this month. Communication
from one you have not heard from lately is
probable now. Enjoy your home and relax
when you can. Next month will be busier.
k Aquarius—January 21–February 19
Focus on all that is valuable in your life
at this time. What you focus on expands.
More things and situations that bring
those good feelings will come to you. Trust
your feelings. You will not have to look for
the good things. They will find you.
The constellation of
Pisces depicts two fish
separate from each
other and connected by a
chain. This star pattern looks
like a V tilted to one side.
One of the fishes is higher
up than the other. They
both seem to stretch from
each other as if a chain is
hooked to each of their tails.
The place the chains meet
is connected by a great and
beautiful star called the Knot
of the Tails.
This configuration has been
widely associated with female
deities. The ancient Babylo-
nians recognized the Fishes as
the goddesses Anunitum and
Simmah.
The Syrians saw this group
of stars as a representation
of their goddess Ashtarte
and frequently drew it as a
woman’s head upon a fish’s
body.
The Greeks adopted this
identification, suggesting
that the two Fishes represent
Venus and her son Cupid. Ac-
cording to mythology, Venus
and Cupid dived into a river
and transformed themselves
into fishes in order to escape
the evil attack of monstrous
Typhon.
The first century astrologer
Manilius claimed that the
Fishes were celebrated in the
heavens for the transforma-
tion of Venus.
Retrograde planetsMars started its backward mo-
tion on Dec. 20 at 19 degrees
Leo. Its forward motion will
resume again on March 10
at 0 Leo. Saturn is still in ret-
rograde motion. It will move
down from 2 to 0 degrees of
Libra by month end.
Then on April 8, it will
move into Virgo where it will
stay until it starts moving
forward again at 27 Virgo on
May 29.
The following paragraphs are broken down by weeks.On Monday the 1st Mer-
cury goes into Pisces, where
it will stay until the 17th.
Mercury rules the mind and
Pisces enhances creativity and
imagination. The 3rd with
Venus Pisces conjunct Uranus
could have us wanting to get
away from our usual routine.
It would be a good time for
matters of love, and could
also bring unexpected finan-
cial gain. (2-6) Thursday’s
Mercury Pisces sextile Pluto
Capricorn gives power to
communication. It can also
make intuition stronger, as
well as helping us focus on
practical tasks. (3-6)
Venus enters Aries on
Sunday the 7th. It makes a
trine to Mars Leo, which can
be good for romance, dating,
and also boosts physical en-
ergy. This would be a perfect
time to start a physical fitness
program. (6-9) On this same
day we also have Mercury
Pisces conjunct Jupiter. This
positive connection can
enhance ability to think and
make decisions. (7,8) The
9th, with Venus
Aries oppose Saturn
Libra, would not be
the best time for ro-
mance. Many could
also notice a feeling
of wanting to break
tradition or go
against rules. (8-10)
Mars starts moving
forward at 0 Leo
on Wednesday. The
11th with Venus
Aries square Pluto
Capricorn would be
a good time to stick
with the tried and
true. If you want to take risks
or chances, wait for a better
time. (11,12)
The 14th’s Mercury
conjunct Sun Pisces high-
lights communication. This
combination can lend power
to thought. It could also be
expressed as decisiveness and
ability to focus. (13-15)
The month’s new moon
at 25 Pisces occurs at exactly
2:02 p.m. MST. This would
be a good time to start
something new. The Pisces
influence is very good for
healing, or to starting a health
regimen. On the next day,
Mercury conjunct Uranus
Pisces could be helpful for
generating ideas. Also, the
chances of hearing from
someone unexpected are
greater. (15-17) Tuesday’s
Sun conjunct Uranus Pisces
is wonderful for creativity
and independence. The next
day the 17th, Mercury moves
into Aries at 9:12 p.m. Then
it makes a trine to Mars in
Leo. This combination is
about action and creativity.
(17,18) Thursday the 18th’s
Mercury oppose Saturn Libra
tells us to wait for a better
time to start a new venture.
(17-19) Mercury Aries square
Pluto Capricorn on the 20th
could make it seem harder
to concentrate. (19-21) The
Sun enters the constellation of
Aries. (20)
Sunday 21st with Sun trine
Mars, Leo people tend to be
more impulsive, could be en-
ergetic, and/or seem to be in
a hurry. (20-23) We also have
Sun Aries opposite Saturn
Libra, which could have us
noticing limits and delays.
This probably would not
be a good day to have to be
cooped up in a small place
or to have to be restricted.
Find a way to put a new spin
on your daily routine in the
workplace. (19-23)
The next day has Mars in
Leo sextile to Saturn Libra.
This is controllable energy. It
will be easier to use strength
and drive in a practical way.
(19-27) Thursday the 25th
with Sun Aries square Pluto
Capricorn could be experi-
enced as nervous energy or
aggression for some. (24-27)
The 29th’s Venus Aries
sextile Neptune Aquarius is
a great way to start the work
week. Venus in positive aspect
to Neptune is good for inspi-
ration, romance and creative
thinking. (28-30)
On this day we also have
the full moon at 09 Libra.
It will be exact at 7:27 p.m.
MST. Libra energy inspires us
to be more sociable, as well as
drawing us toward harmony,
balance and beauty. This
evening would be perfect for
attending a gathering or other
social event. For couples,
this would be wonderful for
a special outing together.
Partnership and marriage are
ruled by Libra.
Send comments or sugges-
tions to way2light@earth-
link.net.
Dominique’s in-depth look into the stars
EarthOdysseyOnline March 2010 Supplemental Edition • Page 19
Page 20 • March 2010 Supplemental Edition EarthOdysseyOnline
By Sarah McLean
This is that time of
year, time to be in
love, fall in love and
appreciate the love that exists
in your life. I am reminded
of the “Love thy neighbor as
thyself ” commandment.
Being kind and generous to
others is rewarded. It’s even said
in the yoga tradition that the
path of service, or karma yoga,
can lead to enlightenment.
I don’t doubt that, but why
is it that flight attendants
have to remind us to put our
own oxygen mask on in an
emergency before we help
others? Could it be we forget
to take care of ourselves in the
name of service?
Let’s look at this command-
ment more closely: Love thy
neighbor as thyself. Perhaps
we have to start with loving
ourselves. How do you love
yourself?
Sometimes when people
come to learn to meditate we
take a look at how they treat
themselves. Every one of us
has thoughts in meditation
or sometimes drift off in a
daydream, but there are some
students that are so hard on
themselves when this hap-
pens—getting angry or frustrat-
ed with themselves—a habit
they’ve fallen into as a way to
make themselves do it right.
Some people simply believe
they can’t do it at all, or that
there is something inherently
wrong with them. Of course
they can meditate, I remind
them. I’ve never yet met
someone who can’t.
I suggest that they practice
being sweet to themselves, in
and out of meditation. And
by sweet, I don’t mean buying
a new outfit or an ice cream,
I mean actually being kind to
yourself, and paying attention
to yourself.
Maybe you’ve forgotten
your own inner loveliness.
You are wise, you are kind,
you are aware and you know
what is good for you on a very
basic level.
Being unkind to ourselves
can simply be an old habit. It
might come up that someone
stays in a relationship that
isn’t nourishing, or they say
nasty things to themselves
when they look in the mirror,
or don’t take good care of
their body, or don’t listen to
their own inner wisdom.
What if we treated our
neighbor based on the ways
that we sometimes treat (or
loved) ourselves? We’d ignore
them, say nasty things about
them, or not care about them
in some way. You see how
that goes?
How we treat ourselves can
inform everything we say or
do. We have to become aware
of it first, we each have to
expand our awareness. I’ve
written about really listening
to yourself, discovering your
intuition, asking yourself
what you really want, living in
tune with nature, beginning
your meditation practice and
remembering to be grateful.
But it all comes down to
loving one’s self—which is
often more difficult than
it sounds. That’s why, last
spring, my dear friend and
retreat leader Kathy Zavada
and I developed a retreat that
focuses on cultivating self
love: The Heart Opening
Retreat, held in May in South
Lake Tahoe.
There is a Buddhist medita-
tion practice known as Loving
Kindness (You don’t have
to be Buddhist to do it.) It
has the immediate benefit
of sweetening and changing
old habituated negative pat-
terns of mind. In this simple
practice, begin with truly
experiencing love for yourself,
and from there, meditate on
kindness to others.
It goes like this:
• Sit down and relax your
body.
• Bring your attention to
your heart center, place
your hand there gently if
you’d like.
• Take some time to cultivate
a warm and gentle feeling
for yourself.
• Say some sweet things
to yourself, silently with
a sense of kindness and
warmth (see some examples
below.)
• Notice how your heart and
mind respond. There is no
need to hurry.
• Experience your heart
slowly fill with the warmth
and bliss of your own lov-
ing intention.
After you give yourself the
attention, send the intention
for all beings to be well and
free from suffering.
Take three breaths through
your nose, deeper than
normal, and come back to
yourself and the environment
you are sitting in.
Keep your eyes closed for
a few minutes and enjoy for
a few moments your state of
being.
Here are some intentions I
use, choose one that resonates
with you, or come up with
your own:
• May I be filled with loving
kindness. May I be peaceful
and at ease. May I be free
from suffering. May I be at
peace.
• I am safe. I am cared for. I
am loved and all is well.
• May I become an intimate,
kind and friendly force for
myself and be intimate with
my life and all of life.
• May I be completely pres-
ent in my own life.
• May I know and experience
God fully.
• I accept myself exactly as I
am and as I am not.
• May I remember the univer-
sal kindness that surrounds
me at every moment.
• There is no one on Earth
who is more deserving of
my love than me.
• May I be on my own side
and not betray myself.
• The more I practice Lov-
ing Kindness, the more I
learn to know myself as a
person capable of warmth,
of sweetness, of love and a
peaceful response to life. I
trust myself more and have
more to give. Each act of
kindness to others then
becomes an act of gentle-
ness to myself and to my
own spirit.
Sarah McLean is the director of Sedona Meditation Training & Retreats and is certified and recommended by Dr. Deepak Chopra. She can be reached via e-mail at sarah@sedonamedita-tion.com, phone at 928-204-0067 or fax at 866-654-1705. You can also visit online at www.SedonaMeditation.com.
Learn to love yourself as you love your neighbor
By Bob Matthews
The weekend track-
ing program did not
fill as hoped but had
only two people. So I still
took them to an area that is
remote by any definition.
Two hours driving from
Prescott on paved roads,
then about another hour on
graded forest roads.
Our destination was a creek
at the top end of a spectacular
canyon. The monsoon rains
made it very lush—deep
greens, fungus pushing up
all over—somewhat like
mini ballistic missiles able to
lift four even five inches of
debris.
As with any tracking trip,
the plan stays flexible so as to
make the most of all oppor-
tunities.
My attendees were a former
marine sniper, and his ex-navy
girlfriend, both gun toting
outdoors folks with some
good technical skills. But
soon it became clear that tun-
ing in to what was around us
was the hardest part.
With a few hours of in-
depth skill building, it was
time to start a general recon
going downstream from our
canyon campsite.
The greater number of
tracks were from elk and
mule deer, with the occasional
skunk and raccoon—not too
much of a challenge.
Then came time to look for
bear sign. It is more challeng-
ing than some people think
“hey black bear =big.”
In Arizona black bear rarely
weigh more than 300 pounds.
They do stand up at about 7
feet, if really trying to make
a point.
Black bears are omnivores,
opportunistic, and above all,
surprisingly agile. For bears
there are two cardinal rules:
Try to not surprise one and
try to avoid getting between
mum and cubs.
Another concern has to
do female humans in the
group. Ask if they are on their
period. This is a backcountry
legend that I think makes
more sense than many others
that are taken as gospel truth.
I helped raise a black bear
orphan for the local zoo.
Bears are very perceptive
regarding hormones. Female
bears predate each others’
cubs and male bears predate
cubs.
Some Arizona tribal mem-
bers suggest bear problems are
more likely if a woman is on
her period.
The fourth rule for bears
is to keep looking up because
they use nanny trees to park
cubs during foraging trips.
The fifth and final rule is
to be aware of what the bears
are eating. Bears tend to find
something they like and stay
with it until the next tasty
treat.
The first clue for my little
group was an area the size
of a 7-11 in which nearly
all the rocks were turned or
lifted. Under each rock were
remains of ant colonies. The
sign was about 24-hours-
old, based on dew effect
on the exposed Earth and
the still damp contact lines
from where the rocks were
set in the ground—like ring
around the tub after sports
games.
The interesting challenge
came when the bear moved
across and up the canyon
floor.
This was on quartz, sand-
stone and granite mixed with
some lava rock. Some water
was in the canyon, but the
two sides provided a large dry
area of more than 200 yards
to track on.
Bears are timid. Based on
one rear foot front foot place-
ment, I determined this bear
was a female.
Female bears have a slight
turn out of the foot that is
more pronounced than males.
Also, from seeing other bear
tracks left by a known bear,
we were tracking quite a hefty
lady.
Getting low to the ground,
it was possible to see the trail
she left as she moved across
the canyon floor. She was
graceful avoiding the algae-
filled water.
The trail appeared unclear,
until I looked at it from pan-
oramic view. Then, I noticed
a rock that was moved slightly
and some rocks gently angled
out of their setting.
Moving across the canyon
in no great hurry, the bear
edged up a bank toward can-
yon grapes, which were not
in fruit, but the tendrils kick
butt flavor wise.
Our group took the time
too nibble and look around,
for we had now climbed up to
about 50 feet from the main
canyon floor. It seemed the
track was leading to a den
area. It is my personal rule to
avoid disturbing den areas,
as it can lead other not so be-
nevolent humans to the bear.
We had spent about two
hours on the trail and we had
not set eyes on her. She was
about 20 minutes ahead of us,
knowing this from the damp
ground drying in the Arizona
warmth.
Later, we could hear her
telling us off with gruff
oomph! sound. August is time
to pack on the pounds; play-
ing tag was not a good game.
My two trackers in train-
ing were OK with seeing the
tracks and hearing her. Seeing
her was not vital, although,
of course, it would have been
icing on the cake.
In our tracking process, we
became aware of the subtle
clues as to other bears in the
area.
There was a spot where
elk had stood waiting just
under cover of a pine tree
looking across a well worn elk
highway.
There was bear sign from
about that same time as a
younger bear pushed over this
rock and that rock looking
for ants.
Waiting is a great natural
skill. Tracking requires pa-
tience, waiting and often ac-
cepting rewards as they come,
and not as we would wished.
Bob Matthews likes to spend time out in wild places. Ari-zona is his choice for home and the United States is his choice for country of citizenship. He was born in England. “My planet is yours, but my world is what I try to share.”
Bear tracking in the Mogollon Rim Country of Arizona
EarthOdysseyOnline March 2010 Supplemental Edition • Page 21
Page 22 • March 2010 Supplemental Edition EarthOdysseyOnline
By Michael DavisBy Michael Davis
Millions of us are
familiar with
“A Course in
Miracles.” Channeled from
Christ, it is a life-changing
journey into the teachings
of love and true forgiveness.
Think quantum physics and
modern psychology meet the
“Bible!”
But for many, the writ-
ing of the “Course” is very
challenging and difficult to
understand. The book “The
Way of Mastery” is likewise
channeled through Jeshua
ben Joseph, but it explains
that the “Course” speaks to
the intellectual yearnings
many of us have; “The Way
of Mastery,” however, speaks
to the heart and many will
find that its teachings are
much more accessible.
Both the “Course” and
“The Way of Mastery” are
speaking of the same con-
cepts, of course, the core
teachings in the Sermon on
the Mount, namely forgive-
ness and nonjudgment.
“The Way of Mastery” is
actually a collection of three
books, “The Way of the
Heart,” “The Way of Trans-
formation” and “The Way
of Knowing.” Read together,
they are nothing short of life-
altering. I say this as someone
who was profoundly moved
and influenced by “A Course
in Miracles.”
Indeed, my spiritual heal-
ing work is premised on the
teachings in the Manual for
Teachers. Yet whether you are
familiar with the “Course” or
not, “The Way of Mastery”
will not disappoint. The hu-
mor and humanity of Jeshua
are something to behold.
Jeshua begins with a
reminder of the illusion that
we are physical beings, the
illusion that we are separate.
“I come not to teach you,
but to love you until you
choose from the depth within
your own being to set aside
every illusion you have ever
given credence to, and to re-
member the Truth which alone
is true… In each and every
moment, you abide in perfect
communion with the whole
of creation, since all things are
but temporary modifications
of one fundamental energy
that I have chosen to call the
Christ Mind, the offspring of
the Father… As you become
less and less of what you
thought you were, conversely,
you become more of what
your Father created you to
be—the thought of perfect
Love in form….”
The beauty of the end of
separateness is that we are one
with God.
“Never once think that you
are alone. It is nonsense for you
to think that I am not with
you. You have asked. I have
responded. We are in commu-
nication. That is the way it is.
And that is the way it will be
until the end of all illusion.”
This is one of the main
themes of the “Course,” that
our world is but a projection
of our mind, and it is contin-
ued in “The Way of Mastery.”
“The insanity that you
experience as your pain, as
your suffering, your seeking
and your dramas comes only
from your mistaken choice to
become identified with what
arises in the field of your
awareness…. Nothing that
you experience is caused by
anything outside of you. You
experience only the effects
of your own choice…. You
need to come to the point
where you say to yourself, ‘I
have done this to myself. I
did it; I must correct it. No
one is to blame. The world is
innocent.”
Can you imagine this? Can
you imagine this! You are the
creator or your own world,
your own experience.
“I am created as my Father
created me to be. I am free….
Nothing has an effect upon
me whatsoever, save that
which I choose to allow to
affect me.”
And the next great theme
of the “Course,” forgive-
ness, is likewise echoed here.
For it is through forgiveness
that we end the illusion; it is
through forgiveness that we
end separation.
“For to forgive means to re-
lease another from the percep-
tions you have been project-
ing upon them. It is therefore,
an act of forgiving one’s self of
one’s projections… The oppo-
site of forgiveness is judg-
ment, and judgment always
creates separation and guilt….
When you have judged, you
have moved out of alignment
with what is true…. Forgive-
ness is essential. What has not
been forgiven in others, has
not been forgiven in you. But
not by a God who sits outside
of you, for He never judges.
What you have not forgiven
in another or in the world
is but a reflection of what
you carry within as a burden
that you cannot forgive of
yourself…. Judgment causes
the very cellular structure to
break down. If you could see
this, you would never judge
again…. Beloved friends,
forgive yourself well and you
have forgiven Christ. When
Christ is forgiven, Christ will
arise and make His home in
your heart, in your mind and
even in the cells of your body.
You will know what it means
to walk in this world yet not
be of this world.”
“The Way of Mastery”
includes many meditations
and specific practices to help
along this path; it is not an
easy one. For it takes nothing
less than the extension of love
to everyone, at all times, dur-
ing all events.
“While this body lasts, I
will allow it to be a communi-
cation device that extends the
treasure of perfect love, per-
fect safety and perfect peace
for all you enter my house. …
And your house is your field
of energy, the expanse of your
presence.”
(If I have aroused in you a
desire to learn more, please let
me know. I am considering a
study group for “The Way of
Mastery.”)
Michael Davis is CEO of Energy Medicine Foundation and a member of the Mountain Spirit Co-Op in Prescott. He is the creator of Vibrational Re-alignment, a unique approach to spiritual healing, and can be reached at 928-254-0775 or at VibrationalRealignment.com.
‘The Way of Mastery’ speaks to the heart
EarthOdysseyOnline March 2010 Supplemental Edition • Page 23
Here is a creative and inter-
esting way to recycle your
dead light bulbs. I learned
this from a freshman in
Payson High School named
Katelynn. She is 15 years
old.
Take your nonwork-
ing light bulb and with a
simple screwdriver clean
out the area inside the
light bulb. Than knock
the insides onto a paper
towel. Roll up and throw
away. With warm water you
swish around the inside of
the light bulb to remove
the paint. Take an average
size nail and hammer a hole
into each side of the aluminum casing. Run a string through
the holes and tie in a knot. Add colored stones or gravel
from a fish tank. Fill with water and add a plant cutting.
You have a very cute window decoration.
It would be very conve-
nient to know the hours
and times of your local
recycling facilities, as well as
local cleanup events in your
communities.
So over the next few
months, I will be listing those
resources for you. It is an
opportunity to help one step
at a time.
Recycling bins are for
public use.
Here is a great resource to
get dollars—cash for alumi-
num cans, copper and brass.
AZ Environmental recycling
www.azrecycling.com/
1112 W. Birchwood Ave.,
Mesa, AZ. 85210 480-966-
1478 or 602-246-0923
Other “cash for cans” recycle
stations can be found in:
Wickenburg1020 W. Wickenburg Way,
Wickenburg, AZ. 85390
Black Canyon City19101 E. K Field Road,
Black Canyon City, AZ.
85324
Globe240 S. Hill St. Globe, AZ.
85501
MiamiE. US 60 & 100 S. Ragus
Road, Miami, AZ 85539
Ajo1699 N. Ajo Gila Bend
Hwy., Ajo AZ 85539
Hours for the above recycling
centers are Monday through
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 1
p.m. and closed Sundays.
Top Price recycling in Phoe-
nix pays cash for radiators,
lead, copper, brass, batteries
and all precious metals.
They want all grades of
scrap metal, surplus electron-
ics, aluminum and aluminum
cans. They can be reached:
toppricerecycling@yahoo.
com
2600 S. 7th Ave, Phoenix,
AZ. 85007 602-712-9100
Hours are Monday through
Saturday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Closed Sunday.
Recycle your paper, plastics,
cardboard and tires (old pas-
senger tires, limit five per year)
Arizona CityPinal County Recycling
Center, 520-866-6685
12725 Adams Road Flor-
ence, AZ 85132
Hours are Monday through
Friday 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Another waste tire drop off
station can be found in Tuc-
son. The San Miquel transfer
station is located on Ericksons
Road and is open the second
Thursday of every month, 9
a.m. to 3 p.m.
To find locations to take
used oil and filters go www.
earth911.org.
Williams has curbside pick
up for paper and plastics.
Glass can be dropped off in
the bin located outside the
fence at the City Waste Ser-
vices, off Airport Road.
Verde Earthworks in
Sedona provides curbside ser-
vices. For rates, contact Kate
Blevins (owner) at 928-284-
3778) or go to, recycling@
verdeearthworks.com
Sedona Recycles, also
in Sedona, can be reached
at 928-204-1185 or info@
sedonarecycles.org.
Mettera Enterprizes Recycling Inc. operates in
Prescott Valley and Dewey.
Joe Mattera is the owner.
Company headquarters are
in California. Mattera can be
reached at 928 541-9345 or
Joe.mattera@merecycling.net
and az.yard@merecycling.net.
Yavapai Metal Recyclingoperates in Dewey. Owner
Bud Salome can be reached
at ymrecycling@gmail.com or
928-632-5205.
Patricia Melchi is a writer, artist and avid recycler who lives in Strawberry, Ariz. She can be reached via e-mail at patriciamelchi@yahoo.com.
Recycling resources in Arizona
Cool use for old bulbs
Page 24 • March 2010 Supplemental Edition EarthOdysseyOnline
The Small,
Still Voice
By Judith P
ennington
In this Age of Soul, we are coming
to understand that soul speaks to us
in the languages we are best able to
perceive: from within, through insights,
intuition, visions, inner hearing and
dreams, and beyond us, in synchronicity
and the people in our lives.
While many seekers embrace this
concept, I’ve been surprised in recent
workshops to meet people claiming to be
“blocked” from the divine wisdom within
and all around us.
I consulted my still, small voice to gain
insight into this and heard that “blocks”
are only a perception: Nothing stands
in the way of our soul’s communion
with God unless we believe that it does.
If this is our belief, then the anger, fear,
guilt, unforgivingness or lack of self-love
creates resistance to the divine love flow-
ing through us and forms an energetic
obstruction in the bodymind.
We need only perceive its existence,
consciously deny it and release it by af-
firming our health and wholeness.
Blocks are removed just as easily in the
light of meditation. By picturing a block
or illness that we know or sense exists, we
can dialogue with it. First, we ask it to
reveal how long it’s been there and why
it is present; then we ask it to transform
itself into a constructive use that will
benefit our entire being. If it is stubborn
or resistant to change, we can draw upon
the brilliant light of love to cast it out. In
fact, we can bypass all else and draw upon
the light alone to heal anything.
But what if we don’t know what the
block is about? What if we are confused
or ill and don’t know why? Soul will give
us these answers, too, if we listen care-
fully. And so it was for me as I sought
to help others with their “blocks” and
discovered a big one of my own!
My story begins way back, but it
climaxed during a healing session with a
spiritual seeker determined to heal herself
of breast cancer. The insights coming
to us both were about her need to open
her heart and experience the pain and
rage denied by her busy mind, and to
allow her soul to guide her on a healing
journey. As it turned out, my soul was
guiding me to this experience, too.
We did a guided meditation to the Sea
of Spirit, where a black cloud showed up
to frighten my friend, but she recognized
it as fear, and I intuitively stepped onto
the seashore and asked for the assistance
of divine helpers. To my surprise and
delight, I experienced an awesome “pow-
ering up” of electrical energy in my body
and was healed of chronic back pain.
I accepted the healing, and in the com-
ing week, my friend opened up to soul
guidance as to the causes of her illness.
She released these old hurts and the open
wound on her breast cleansed itself and
began to heal.
Since our session, I’ve used affirmations
and denials to stay relaxed in order to
keep my healing. This receptive flow and
a gentle, insightful series of soul writings
revealed the source of the emotional-
physical “blocks” that I’d created; and
synchronicity brought me to a Peacemak-
ers workshop, which taught me how to
mend my heart and relationship.
If you have tried to use joy, laughter
and love to open your heart, yet still feel
blocked, consider using three precious
gifts—more precious than gold, frank-
incense and myrrh—to brighten and
intensify the divine spark in you.
With pen and paper in hand, sit in a
quiet place of contemplation and relax
your body. Set a loving intention for this
meditation, pray if you wish, and picture
your healing prayers filling you, your
loved ones and the world.
Rest in that peace for a few minutes,
then pick up pen and paper and describe
the situations (it’s always people!) chal-
lenging your happiness. When finished,
change the names to he or she and create
a poem out of this litany.
Read it silently or aloud to see what
comes up. Are these people mirrors for
what needs to be looked at in you? If
so, be at peace with the divine order in
your life and use this knowledge to create
peace by releasing any challenges and af-
firming wholeness.
Secondly, list the names of 10 people
you greatly admire—real people or
fantasy figures. Next to each of these
names, list three reasons why you admire
the person or character. After that, circle
the traits that repeat themselves. When
you’ve narrowed them down to seven, list
these on a separate sheet of paper. Here
are your soul gifts and the person you are
meant to be. We are in conflict and tur-
moil when we are not being this soul-self
and developing these gifts.
Remember to be kind to yourself: to
open your heart and hear the gentle,
loving whispers of your soul. Peace be
unto us all, that there may be peace in the
world.
Judith Pennington is a spiritual teacher and author of “The Voice of the Soul: A Journey into Wisdom and the Physics of God.” She has released a meditation CD, “The Illuminated Door: Journeys into Your Soul,” and may be reached at eaglelife.com.
What keeps us from God?
EarthOdysseyOnline March 2010 Supplemental Edition • Page 25
Movies that
won’t make
you dumber
MovieReviews
by Jason AllenThis movie was
brought to my
attention by a
local filmmaker, and it
seemed like a good fit, so
here we are.
“For the Next 7
Generations” is the
story of Jyoti, who called
together 13 Indigenous
Grandmothers from
native cultures all over
the planet. The 13
Grandmothers heard a
vision that our Mother
Earth is in pain and
our standards for “suc-
cess” and “progress” are
counterproductive to the
longevity of our species,
and if we are to see many
more generations, then a
drastic and immediate change
is necessary.
The film takes us and the
Grandmothers across the
globe to their native lands and
shows them participating in
their native holy ceremonies.
This film is not for
“squares;” it’s slow paced and
spiritual in nature. Personally,
I am all for the spiritual stuff,
but I have the problem of be-
ing grounded in this physical
existence, so I respond more to
logical approaches to convey-
ing a spiritual message, because
it really is a logical argument
to make peace with the very
thing that gives us life.
This film has a nice balance
of both, showing spiritual
ceremonies and dances, and
also visiting places that are
doing real work toward a bet-
ter future. The film does try
my patience at times, because
I know that the people who
are responsible for our current
state are not very willing to
give up what makes them
rich in the name of our future
generations.
It will take a lot more than
some isolated ceremonies
and good vibes to affect real
change. I think my prob-
lem is that I understand the
wickedness of this world and
that the wicked don’t even see
the truth as valid. Nothing is
important to them besides the
right now and the cash flow
of right now.
One of the journeys the
Grandmothers embark upon
is to get the Pope to rescind a
Papal Decree of 1493, which
states that all the people of
world should be forcefully
converted to Christianity and
that all their property should
be seized.
Unfortunately, when the
Grandmothers arrived at the
Vatican, their appointment
had been cancelled and they
were nearly kicked out for
performing a “savage” prayer
ceremony on Vatican grounds.
The Dali Lama was much
more accommodating to them
when they went to where he
lives. They spoke with him for
a while. This is exactly
the respective behaviors
I would expect from the
head of a power struc-
ture and the embodi-
ment of peace on Earth.
The Grandmoth-
ers also travel to Santa
Fe, N.M., where James
Jereb setup a ceremonial
star-dreaming circle. The
inspiration for the circle
was a vision that he
had of 13 Grandmoth-
ers many years prior,
where they were each
represented as a stone.
He collected and placed
13 stones on the outside
of the circle to represent
one of each of the Grand-
mothers.
When they arrived, they
were immediately drawn to
their respective stones, which
was quite a thrill for the archi-
tect, and pretty exciting to see
happen as well.
This chapter of the story
really gives validity to this
organization, because their
coming was foretold to this
man and this altar was made
specifically for them.
These 13 Grandmothers
have the best of intentions,
and I wish them all the best
of luck in their endeavors,
but it has been my experience
that the wicked rise to power
and don’t share it, while the
righteous are ignored and
persecuted, which I think is
the point of life.
If you can suffer the whole
way through life and persist
at being a good and peaceful
person, then your rewards will
be beyond physical measure;
at least that’s what I need to
believe.
Carole Hart is the producer
and director of “For the Next
7 Generations,” which can
be purchased online at www.
forthenext7generations.com/
home.php.
Jason Allen is the advertising art director for Earth Odys-
sey. He received his B.F.A. in studio arts from the University of South Carolina. His artwork has been featured in group and solo shows in New Jersey, South Carolina and Arizona. Jason teaches photography at Yavapai College. He is a career artist specializing in found art.
‘For the Next 7 Generations’
13 Grandmothers work for peace
Page 26 • March 2010 Supplemental Edition EarthOdysseyOnline
Austria, Finland, Canada and
Germany were awarded gold (6,
8, 4 and 5), silver (6, 3, 7 and 4),
and bronze (2, 8, 3 and 9) medals.
Figure out how many of each type
of medals were won by each of the four countries.
1. Canada won 16 medals, but received the fewest silver medals.
2. Austria won either four or eight gold medals, more gold med-
als than silver or bronze.
3. Germany won the most bronze medals, finishing with more
bronze medals than silver or gold medals.
4. Germany won either four or seven silver medals.
5. One country won seven silver medals. The same country also
won seven gold medals.
6. One country won an even number of bronze medals and three
silver medals.
8. Germany won three bronze medals in speed skating and two
bronze medals in curling.
9. Finland won a total of 14 medals, including either five or six
gold medals.
10. Austria won either four or seven silver medals.
13. Finland won fewer bronze medals than silver or gold medals.
15. Finland won either two or eight bronze medals.
16. Germany won fewer than seven silver medals.
17. One country won an odd number of bronze medals and four
silver medals.
Sudoku!Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3
box contains numbers 1 through 9. Th e puzzle has only one
solution. Th e solution is on page 18.
EarthOdysseyOnline March 2010 Supplemental Edition • Page 27
The most detailed and
dramatic images ever taken
of the distant dwarf planet
Pluto show an icy, mottled,
dark molasses-colored
world undergoing seasonal surface color
and brightness changes.
Taken by NASA’s Hubble Space
Telescope, the images show that Pluto
has become significantly redder, while its
illuminated northern hemisphere is getting
brighter. These changes are most likely
consequences of surface ice melting on the
sunlit pole and then refreezing on the other
pole, as the dwarf planet heads into the next
phase of its 248-year-long seasonal cycle.
Analysis shows the dramatic change in color
took place from 2000 to 2002.
The Hubble pictures confirm Pluto is
a dynamic world that undergoes dramatic
atmospheric changes not simply a ball
of ice and rock. These dynamic seasonal
changes are as much propelled by the
planet’s 248-year elliptical orbit as by its
axial tilt. Pluto is unlike Earth, where the
planet’s tilt alone drives seasons. Pluto’s
seasons are asymmetric because of its
elliptical orbit. Spring transitions to polar
summer quickly in the northern hemi-
sphere, because Pluto is moving faster
along its orbit when it is closer to the sun.
Ground-based observations, taken in
1988 and 2002 show the mass of the at-
mosphere doubled during that time. This
may be because of warming and melting
nitrogen ice. The new Hubble images are
giving astronomers essential clues about
the seasons on Pluto and the fate of its
atmosphere.
When the Hubble pictures taken in
1994 are compared to those of 2002 and
2003, astronomers see evidence that the
northern polar region has gotten brighter,
while the southern hemisphere darkened.
These changes hint at very complex pro-
cesses affecting the visible surface.
“The Hubble observations are the
key to tying together these other diverse
constraints on Pluto and showing how
it all makes sense by providing a context
based on weather and seasonal changes,
which opens other new lines of investiga-
tion,” said principal investigator Marc
Buie of the Southwest Research Institute
in Boulder, Colo.
Particularly noticeable in the Hubble
images is a bright spot that has been
independently noted to be unusually rich
in carbon monoxide frost.
“Everybody is puzzled by this feature,”
Buie said. The New Horizons probe,
which will flyby Pluto in 2015, will get an
excellent look at the boundary between
this bright feature and a nearby region
covered in pitch-black surface material.
“The Hubble images also will help
New Horizons scientists better calculate
the exposure time for each Pluto snapshot
which is important for taking the most
detailed pictures possible,” Buie said.
With no chance for re-exposures, accurate
models for the surface of Pluto are essen-
tial for properly exposed images.
The Hubble images surface variations
a few hundred miles across that are too
coarse for understanding surface geology.
But in terms of surface color and bright-
ness, Hubble reveals a complex-look-
ing world with white, dark-orange and
charcoal-black terrain. The overall color
is believed to be a result of ultraviolet
radiation from the distant sun breaking
up methane present on Pluto’s surface,
leaving behind a dark and red-carbon-
rich residue.
The Hubble images are a few pixels
wide. Through a technique called dither-
ing, multiple, slightly offset pictures are
combined through computer-image pro-
cessing to synthesize a higher-resolution
view than can be seen in a single exposure.
“This has taken four years and 20
computers operating continuously and
simultaneously to accomplish,” Buie said.
Buie developed the special algorithms to
sharpen the Hubble data.
Image courtesy NASA, ESA, and M. Buie
Th is is the most detailed view to date of the entire surface of the dwarf planet Pluto, as constructed from multiple NASA Hubble Space Telescope photo-
graphs taken from 2002 to 2003. Th e center disk (180 degrees) has a mysterious bright spot that is unusually rich in carbon monoxide frost. Pluto is so
small and distant that the task of resolving the surface is as challenging as trying to see the markings on a soccer ball 40 miles away.
Hubble images
Pluto’s terrain undergoes seasonal changes
Page 28 • March 2010 Supplemental Edition EarthOdysseyOnline
Heirloom Garden Seeds & Storiesby Cindy and Stephen Scott
The story of chiles or as
some call them—pep-
pers—is fascinating. It
starts with the name—chil-
es or peppers? Therein lies
a tale. When Columbus “discovered” the
New World, he was looking for spices.
Among them was black pepper, known as
pimenta, and so valuable it was counted
out peppercorn by peppercorn. When
introduced to the chiles of Española, he
related the spiciness to black pepper, call-
ing it pimento. Thus it has been known
as “pepper” ever since. The Nahuatl word
the Aztecs used was “chiltli,” pronounced
“chilli.” Chil means the chile plant…tli
is a common closure suffix and has no
specific meaning. It was written as it was
pronounced by the Spanish—chilli. Thus,
the different words for the same plant!
The chile’s early evolution and develop-
ment seems to have taken place prior to
human involvement in a “golden triangle”
bordered by northern Argentina and
Paraguay on the south side, Brazil to the
east and Bolivia to the west. Birds are the
commonly accepted disbursement vector,
as they are attracted to the bright colors
and do not taste the heat. When humans
arrived, chiles were abundant. Soon cul-
tivation and trading ensured the spread
of these spicy wonders, to where they are
part of the cuisine for every major and
several minor cultures across the globe.
We present the stories of three unique,
wonderful and tasty chiles.
The Concho Chile is a unique variety
of the New Mexican chile. We had heard
stories of this little known chile for some
time, and eventually met the gentleman
responsible for resurrecting it. It had
almost died out in the small northeastern
town of Concho, Ariz., as it hadn’t been
grown for several years. It is interesting
to see how well the local oral history
of the chile’s tradition meshes with the
written history of the exploration of New
Mexico and Arizona in 1583 by Antonio
de Espejo and Friar Bernardino Beltrán.
de Espejo wrote that he had noticed an
absence of chiles in the Puebloan villages.
Diego Pérez de Luxán documented the
journey in detail, including the trading
of chile seeds with the local Puebloan
Indians.
The flavor is smooth, rich and earthy,
with a medium to hot spiciness. The
unusual thing is the heat subsides quickly,
and does not upset the digestion, which is
much appreciated by the older folk who
still like their chiles. It pairs well with
lamb, pork and beef, being used both
green and red. Used green it is cooked
fresh, while the red chiles were dried,
crushed into flakes and used to flavor and
preserve meats for the winter.
The Pasilla Bajio chile is called Chile
Negro or Chilaca when green. Pasilla
means “little raisin” in Spanish, as the
fully ripe chile has wrinkled, deep brown
dried pods with a raisin-like aroma that
is famous for its role in Mole, a delicious
traditional holiday sauce from central
Mexico. The original Mole had more
than 100 ingredients and took just about
an entire village to prepare. Today, there
are seven traditional Moles from the
Oaxaca region, and many more deriva-
tions. The Pasilla’s rich smoky flavor with
a mild heat add depth and complexity to
the flavors in enchilada sauces and salsas,
as well as being one of the “secret” ingre-
dients in Mole.
The Lemon Drop pepper is known
by several names—Aji Limo, Aji Limon
and Lemon Drop. The first name, Aji
Limo refers to the probable origins of this
fiery little lemon-flavored explosive—the
western slopes of the Andes, not far from
Lima, Peru. The Aji Limon and Lemon
Drop names are easy to understand as
this has quite a bit of citrusy lemon flavor
to go along with its well-known heat. The
combination guarantees richly flavored,
yet piquant dishes, but demands the heat
be taken into account. Like most peppers,
cooking mellows the heat and releases all
sorts of intriguing, subtle flavors. The Aji
Limon has been documented to being
under cultivation in the high Andes since
at least 400 B.C. and was well established
as a cornerstone of Peruvian cuisine when
the Spanish conquest arrived. There is
a famous salsa de aji limon that uses
mango, mustard, ginger, sugar, salt and
limes along with the Aji Limon to create
a wonderful sweet-hot and addictive salsa.
Ever since mankind first discovered
the chile, we have been captivated by it,
and have spread it from a small area in
Central America to the entire world. Try
some new flavors in your garden this year
with a different chile or two!
Stephen and Cindy Scott are the owners of Terroir Seeds LLC, home of Underwood Gardens. They supply the finest heirloom vegetable, flower and herb garden seeds, unique books and great tools. They can be reached at 888-878-5247 or www.under-woodgardens.com.
The story of three chiles
Recommended