FCM #78 Dec/Jan 2009

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O n t h e C o v e r

DEC 08 / JAN 09 FOUR CORNERS MAGAZINE 1

serving the progessive communities of the southwest

F o u r C o r n e r s

Interior pages are recycled paper with soy-based ink

The soulful portrait of Yogananada is on our cover this issue Courtesy of Self-RealizationFellowship, Los Angeles, California. Please turn to page 7 for Yogananda’s Christmas Message.

A r t i c l e sSacred Night Allison Rae

A Christmas Message Paramahansa Yogananda

Building the Temple of the Living GoddessMarah Marlette

Finding Calm in the Financial Storm Hale Dwoskin

Interview with Colette Baron-Reid

The Divine Feminine and You John English

Interview with Joan Borysenko Corinne L. Cassazza

Tai Chi for Enlightenment- Interview with Michael Winn Miguel Montoya

Cairo: The Mother of the World Robert G. Bauval

Prophecies & Predictions for 2009 Almine

Astrology Henry Seltzer

Green Scene- Lean and Green: Money and Earth Saving Tips Dana Mayar

Gifts of Spirit Marketplace

For Teens Debra Beck

In Praise of Snow Susun S. Weed

Arts & Entertainment

Yoga- The Secret is Out- A look into Kundalini Yoga Rachel Hollingsworth

Fitness

Healing Retreats & Spas

Profiles

Calendar

Classified

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D e c 0 8 / J a n 0 9

S e c t i o n s

Dear Readers,

I wish to express my most heartfeltgratitude for your tremendous support andkind words this fall as I launched my firstissue as Publisher of Four CornersMagazine. As with every worthwhileendeavor in life, my evolving journey withthe magazine is one of excitement andsurprises, and as this magazine is an entityof its own, every day I glean new and

valuable lessons from it, and from you, our cherished reader. Per your feedback, the October/November issue was a very

popular one and I am happy to say that it reached a larger audiencethan ever before, many whom appeared eager for the informationduring a season of tremendous change. This particular issue alsobrought up some interesting conversations regarding “what doesspirituality look like to you?” I ask you to take a moment and reflectupon this seemingly simple yet complex question. Does one need towear certain colors, dress with a certain style and adorn themselveswith specific pendants in order to be perceived as “spiritual?” Doesspirituality in your eyes transcend differences such as race, sexuality,age and culture? Allow yourself to answer honestly, and you may besurprised at your answers.

Looking forward, please enjoy this very special holiday issue. Youmay notice we’ve added a new look to our pages- we are now allcolor-interior! We have also added four pages of content and arelooking to expand even further. We have some wonderful peopleprofiled in this issue including Joan Borysenko, Colette Baron-Reid,Michael Winn, Hale Dwoskin and Robert Bauval, among others. Aswe enter the holiday season, please remember to take time foryourself and honor the many exciting changes the New Year brings. Itis an invigorating time of year and I wish you a most beautiful seasonfilled with much joy and happiness!

In gratitude and light,

2 FOUR CORNERS MAGAZINE DEC 08 / JAN 09

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P U B L I S H E R / E D I T O R

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F o u r C o r n e r s M a g a z i n e a n d T h e S e d o n a W a v e N e t w o r k

a r e c r e a t i o n s o f F o u r C o r n e r s M e d i a .

A n y o p i n i o n s e x p r e s s e d i nt h i s p u b l i c a t i o n d o n o t

n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e t h ev i e w s o f t h e e d i t o r a n d / o r

s t a f f o f F o u r C o r n e r sM a g a z i n e . W e n e i t h e re n d o r s e n o r g u a r a n t e e

i t e m s / s e r v i c e s d i s p l a y e d i np a i d a d v e r t i s e m e n t o r i n

c o n t r i b u t o r s s u b m i s s i o n s .

Solstice. Stillpoint. Night of creation.

Ancient memories echo from the depthsof this vast womb. Mother Earth sings the

lost songs of humanity. She beckons, calling your name.

Listening, silence fills the soul. Heartbeat ofthe Mother, felt, not heard. This is home.

In our lifetime, the Solstice Sun crosses overthe Galactic Equator each December, usheringin an era of change and opportunity on Earth.We’re emerging into the next world of the Mayaand the Hopi. A Thousand Years of Peace in theIroquois tradition.The Aquarian Age. SatyaYuga, Age of Truth.

In astrology, the movement of the planetsand stars in relation to the Earth sheds light onthe evolutionary path of the individual and thehuman species. The lunar and solar cycles arerelated to seasons and agriculture. Planting,growth and harvest are also cycles of evolutionon a personal level, harmonized with themovement of celestial bodies.

On a galactic level, cosmic cycles on theorder of thousands, millions and billions of yearsare converging now in our lifetime. The 2,000-year Age of Pisces is flowing into the Age ofAquarius. An “Astrological Great Year” of roughly26,000 years is ending as we approach anastrological new year. The 5,125-year Mayancalendar ends in era-2012 as our Sun crosses thegalactic equator at the December Solstice over aperiod of 36 years. In the Hindu or Vedictradition, the darkness of Kali Yuga gives way tothe light of Satya Yuga, the Age of Truth. Thesecycles are based on a 26,000-year cycle knownas the Precession of the Equinoxes, aphenomenon related to how the Earth wobbleson her axis over long periods of time. The ages,or cycles, fit within each other like Russiannesting eggs. One set of cycles is completingnow, and a new set is opening. We live in theplace where two sets of nesting eggs conjoin.

In linear time on Earth, the transition takesat least 36 years and perhaps hundreds orthousands of years. The 36-year window spans1980-2016, which is 18 years prior to and 18years following the Sun’s exact conjunction withthe Galactic Equator in 1998. From a cosmicperspective, this is a shift point, a moment ofquantum potential for accelerated evolution.

The fact that so many cycles are convergingnow suggests that we’re not just on thethreshold of a new world age, but that we’reentering a rare and highly auspicious GoldenAge that promises mind-exploding possibilities– spontaneous spiritual awakening, acceleratedtransformation of the human genome,breakthroughs in alternative science, bursts oftechnological advances and a proliferation inthe creative and healing arts. Together these

Sacred Night Allison Rae

changes contribute to an unprecedented eraof peace and enlightenment on planet Earth.

The human species is poised for aquantum evolutionary leap in the next fewdecades as these cycles converge. This isvast, uncharted terrain. We’re stepping off aprecipice, and the future is unknown. Butchange is the essence of evolution, andevolution is speeding up. There’s nostopping or slowing the process. Weincarnated to experience the journey at thisspecial time.

During this transition, the DecemberSolstice creates a portal connecting us withthe heart of the cosmos as the Sun alignswith the equator of the Milky Way Galaxy,the dense band of stars you can see overheadon a clear night. In many traditions, thisarea of the galaxy symbolizes the GreatMother Goddess. From the darkness of herfertile womb, light returns. Christconsciousness emerges on Earth. Within thevelvet-deep Solstice night, the soul is reborn,breathing with universal forces of creation.

Pause and attune to the forces ofcreation during this gateway, and relish theblessings of the season!

Allison Rae is a Sedona-based author andintuitive astrologer focusing on personal andplanetary evolution within a cosmic context.This article is adapted from her new book,Cosmic Time, available in December 2008.

Allison also offers individual Astro-Shamanismsessions in person and by phone, and training in

spiritual/healing arts. [email protected] 928.202.0912.

www.StarPriestess.com

Honoring YuletideWinter Solstice on December 21 is the shortest day

of the year and the longest night. It’s the pagan sabbatcalled Yule, also known as Yuletide. Christmas is theChristian version. Yule marks the time when the daysbegin to grow longer and the nights shorter. Yule beginson “Mother Night” and ends twelve days later. This isthe origin of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

The holiday hustle, bustle, parties and celebrationscommon in Western culture tend to eclipse the innernature of this sacred time. Even as we gather tocelebrate with community the beginning of a new yearand the return of light to Earth, we’re also called toexplore the inner realms of consciousness, the mysteryof this creation, as we dream a new future into being.

We can attune to the natural flow of creation withSolstice practices that support deep inner work that’s soappropriate at this time of year:

•Honor the Bear Lodge of winter. Welcome thedarkness. Receive incoming cosmic energy through thisgalactic portal with retreat and meditation, yoga,shamanic journeywork.•Review the solar year, Solstice to Solstice. Honor youraccomplishments.•Invite vision and create intentions for the coming year.•Imagine the world we’re co-creating during thistransition period, the Turning of the Ages.•Celebrate in community, with family and friends.Ritualize individual and collective intent. Hold thelight for planet Earth and all beings through prayerand ceremony.

Yule is a solar festival, celebrated traditionally with fireand the Yule log, candles, holly, mistletoe, bayberry,reindeer, pine trees with lights and ornaments, gifts andfestive foods. Bayberry, cedar, pine and rosemary arethe scents and spices of Yule. Traditional candle colorsare gold, green, red and white.


Transformational AstrologyD E C 0 8 / J A N 0 9

Henry Seltzer

The Astrology of December andJanuary is dynamic, and featuresNeptune, Saturn and Uranus. From

the time of the New Moon at the end ofNovember, a Sagittarius line-up of Sun,Moon, Mercury and Mars sets the stage,favoring Jupiter, Sag’s ruler, prominent inthese Winter skies and closely aspected bythe New Moon and Venus. In the first weekof the month there will be an optimistictone to the proceedings generally and forall forms of relationship.

Saturn is finishing up the first pass offive in its oppositional aspect withUranus, an archetypal combination that isfull of surprises and that remains activethroughout this two-month period. Saturnalso begins in December to make aquincunx aspect with numinous Neptune.These two combinations are with usthrough the summer of 2011. Neptunewith Saturn represent a combining ofantithetical archetypes, just as Saturnwith Uranus does, and can eitherrepresent the disappointment of the idealnever quite measuring up to the real,with a cynical and despairing sense ofdefeat, or else the grounding of our vision


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for the future into concrete manifestation. Apowerful example of this latter would be MartinLuther King Jr.’s famous “I have a dream”speech, which has resonated down through thecorridors of time. It was made in 1963, whenNeptune was square Saturn and transiting inclose trine to U.S. Sun.

Then, coming in the middle of the holidayseason, the Full Moon of Friday December 12thforms a Grand Cross in mutable signs with Uranusand Saturn. The new planet Eris also comes intothe picture in trine with the Sun and inconjunctSaturn, so that a Yod configuration is formedbetween Neptune, Eris and Saturn. This brings upthe determination to make a stand for what wetruly believe is possible, in spite of potentialdespair. Indeed, right action that enlists Spirit asour guide-post is called for at this time in theface of contraction and nay-saying. With Saturnopposed to Uranus, the idea is definitely in theair of revolutionary challenge to establishedauthority, together with the resistance to thisnew impulse that is largely unconscious andperhaps a natural response. We will know what itis that we want to accomplish, and there may bea rending of the normal fabric of our lives inorder to achieve it. There will of course also bethe tug of war between ideas of change and

established power in resistance to them,with economic implications for thecountry as a whole. Since Mercury alsoexactly conjuncts Pluto at this Full Moontime, we will be actively seeking to knowthe underlying causes of all politicalevents, and of our own actions as well.

The New Year begins with a bang,with a Capricorn line-up that places itsruler Saturn on the other side of the skyfrom the rest of the planets emphasizinglimitation. There is also an energetic andpotentially violent Mars-Pluto conjunctionat the time of the December 27th NewMoon with Saturn and Uranus still inaspect, and triggered by the New Moonconfiguration. Saturn and Neptune alsoline up quite precisely in quincunx asSaturn stations retrograde, indicating astrong dose of hard-headed realitycoming into the picture, althoughalternatively, the very last week ofJanuary begins with a Solar Eclipse thatrepresents hopeful change and arecognition of spiritual potency.

ARIES (MARCH 20-APRIL 19)This is an amazing and powerful time for insight. You are putting it all togetherin new ways right now, finding the simple path to the complex mental solution,and coming on strong with your dreams for a better world. The only fly in theointment is having to see your high ideals blended with a dose of hard-headedreality, since every part of your situation must stand up and be counted. Inmid-January, the Mercury retrograde period makes you stop and think twiceabout dreams and schemes for a braver and newer world. You can choose tosink into the despair of reality never quite measuring up to your high ideals, orwork even harder. This is the difficulty of this climactic period of time, and thebruised beauty of it as well.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 19)It’s a wild and crazy and yet quite necessary road that you are on these days. Atransformational month of December begins with your spiritual values andends with your participation in the outer world of events and achievement. Youhave wandered far off course lately, exploring different methods of societalalignment and of arriving at the ultimate truth of the matter, but you are alsopassionate and patient about finding the way home. On into the New Year, asyou mightily seek understanding from a deeper perspective, you might insiston idealism over practicality to the point of almost pushing it too far, into thepitfall of illusion. Through all this you are learning to tumble gracefully intodeeper meaning for your life and your beliefs, falling, or perhaps gliding, intothe perfect spot where all along you have needed to land.

GEMINI (MAY 20-JUNE 20)Two heads are definitely better than one for you right now. Partnership withsignificant others in your life is your mantra for this entire period, in a businesssense as well as in terms of a more personal connection. You just can’t see goingit alone these days. Partnership is powerful for you and takes you where youneed to go, which is nothing less than the metamorphosis of your relationshipswith others into a more conscious and concerned act of sharing. By mid-December the transformation of your partnering dynamic leads you into somevery deep and unexpectedly rewarding waters. On into the New Year, personaltransformation and the creation of intimacy with others becomes yourwatchword. You are taking yourself over the waterfall in a controlled act offalling as your own inner world becomes the subject matter and the ultimateobject of your journey.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 20) You are asking not what the universe can do for you right now but what youcan do for the universe. During this first month of December, you are seriouslyconsidering your future path from the standpoint of service. The ascent isdifficult and the road full of unexpected boulders, but the final destination isrewarding, a blend of hard work and spiritual fulfillment that leads you toenlightenment along the way. On into the New Year, partnership is powerful foryou, and life-changing. You can see the light in the strangest of places if youkeep your eyes peeled for it, both energized and a bit dazzled by the presenceof important others in your life. There’s no telling what the outcome mighteventually prove to be, but it will involve Spirit and surprising transformationas well as some form of sacrifice.

LEO (JULY 21-AUG. 21) You are redefining yourself in the light of challenging times, strong on serviceand responding to the call for an idealized worldview, perhaps with the catalystof significant others in your life to spur you on. It’s an energetic action surge allthe way, especially in the ten days after the mid-December Full Moon andleading up to an amazing Winter Solstice. On into the New Year, concepts ofservice to the larger collective play in your inner ear along with the sugar plumvisions. You are headed for an interesting end of month period with the January25th eclipse in your relationship sector that could lead to a turn-around ofsome kind. Through it all you will be tested mightily and also rewarded forhaving the faith to stand tall in the face of dire and revolutionary and ultimatelybeneficial transformation.

VIRGO (AUGUST 21-SEPT. 21)This is a two-month period of looking more deeply behind the scenes of all thatyou say and do. You are delving into home and family as a basis for change,seeking an idealized solution for future activity, and yet fully aware of theobstacles inherent in attempting to achieve the essence of your dreams. In a way,the very setbacks that you encounter serve to define yourself a little better andhelp you to make useful distinctions. You are caught between the naturalholding back of a careful person and the urge for going forward in spite ofeverything. On into the New Year, you are transforming mightily, yet still withinthe orbit of necessity. Over the Mercury retrograde period beginning mid-January, and lasting into February, you will come to a better understanding ofwhere your life is taking you right now.

LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 22-OCT. 22) You are reaching out to others around you right now, as a way of reachingyourself. Communication is a major focus this month all right, but the realquestion is whether what you have to say comes directly from your heart. Oninto the New Year, slowing down and turning to the inside seems to come quitenaturally to you. You are aware of all your starry-eyed idealism even as you shyaway from fully embracing it. You win when you make the best of it and seekthe guidance that is available for you in your interior spaces. This brings youcloser to family and tribe and most importantly to your own inner wisdom,waiting for you to tap into it, all along.

SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23-NOV. 21) You are frivolously engaged in some rather serious business all this first month,combining a serious approach with a series of wild departures from the norm. Itall may seem more than a little odd if you try to pin down what is happeningwith mere logic. Finances are an important focus right now, not so muchbecause of their intrinsic value but for what they have to say to you about whereyou are transforming. You are in the process of re-cataloging your storehouse ofresources and values and there could be money coming in, or perhaps its lackforcing you to acknowledge different paths. On into the New Year,communication is the name of your game, in service to expressing your deepesttruth, to others and ultimately, to yourself.

SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22-DEC. 20) It’s a wild world you are birthing yourself into these days, as you reinventevery aspect of the way that you interact with others in your life and with thesurrounding cosmos. What you wish for work-wise in this first month ofDecember is likely to come true if you trust your impulses. This is a littlescary but it is also quite exhilarating when you get the hang of things andrefrain from looking down. The lights are green for go as long as you treat thegods with respect, so remembering that, step up to the plate and swing away.On into the New Year, finances will be on your mind and a changinglandscape for you. Although the energy is still there for knocking it out of thepark you will automatically take careful aim right now, blending caution withyour starry-eyed idealism.

CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 21-JAN. 19)This is a lucky year for you, whether you know it or not, and your horizon justbecame a bit brighter. There are some stuck places within you that are yieldingright now, and the change has been a long time coming. Granted, it is more thana little scary to let go of ingrained habits. You win right now as long as you takeSpirit firmly into account along with your other forms of deliberation. Newinformation in December paves the way. A tremendous breakthrough is possibleat the time of the Winter Solstice and on into the New Year. Transformationalchange proceeds apace, along with a financial blossoming. Once you get withthe program there is more of an occasion for rejoicing than for mourning thedisappearance of a past that wasn’t really working for you any more.

Transformational Astrology with Henry Seltzer continued on page 6...



Transformational Astrology continued from page 5...

Henry Seltzer, transformational astrologer and creator of the TimePassagesastrology software, is based in Santa Cruz, California. An extended look at thismonth’s star signs is available on his website. Holding degrees from MIT and theUniversity of California-San Diego, Henry is a popular speaker and also offers lifeenhancing private astrological counseling. Call him at 831.425.3686, or visit hiswebsite at www.astrograph.com.

AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20-FEB. 17) It is an interesting period of time that you are engaged in right now.With potential confusion over motivation and in deciding just howcause and effect works its way out in your life, you are moving forwardin spite of being tempted to hold back and rest on previous laurels.New perspectives on your life come daily, and some will not have legs,so that you are beset with uncertainties in the midst of your essentialoptimism. Inner conviction takes you far, no matter what outerappearances may seem to indicate. On into January, after a time ofreflection, you are ready to emerge once more into the fray. If you canmaintain your trust in the universe to guide you, you will find thatthings will work themselves out to your ultimate best advantage.

PISCES (FEBRUARY 18-MARCH 19) Change is in the air for you this month, Pisces. You have beenexploring your options lately, and now in many ways you see yourpath more clearly opening up before you. In moving forward you mustalso exercise caution, because your priorities may shift as Mercurychanges direction on the 15th and once again as it finally regains lostground on the 28th. Ideas for a better future and for making a cleanbreak with the past might have to yield to conflicting practicalconcerns, or perhaps vice-versa. It is good to remember, always, thatwhatever course you decide upon, the universe backs you up onehundred percent once you have come to a decision that aligns withyour own deep intuition.


During this coming Christmasseason, open a new portal ofsublime devotion so that the

Christ Omnipresence will be able tocome anew within your consciousness.Every day, every hour, every goldensecond, Christ has been knocking atyour dark gates of ignorance. Now, inthis august sacred dawn, Christ isespecially coming in answer to yourinner call, to awaken his ChristConsciousness Omnipresence withinyou.

Weave a cradle of tenderperceptions with the threads of yourmeditation and make it commodiousenough to hold the baby Infinitywithin its welcoming vastness. Christ isborn in the viridescent blades; Hisgentleness is cradled in all fragrances.The opalescent sea-decked globe, thestar-spangled savanna of the blue, thecrimsoned love of the self-sacrificingmartyrs and saints, have vied with eachother in offering a dwelling place forthe all-pervading baby Christ.

This Christ of Everywhere issleeping in the breast of Eternity; Heloves to take new birth at any time,anywhere, especially in the warmth ofyour true affection. Though the InfiniteChrist is present in every speck ofspace as the splendor of ever newwisdom and creative expression, youcan never see Him unless He choosesto be seen in the cradle of yourunceasing devotion.

The cozy crib of your heart has fora very long time been small, holdingself-love alone; now you must make itenormous, so that social, national,international, creatural, and CosmicChrist—love may be born there andbecome One Love.

Christmas should be celebrated not

only by appropriate festivities and theexchange of material gifts, but also bydeep, continuous meditation, makingyour consciousness a cosmic cathedralfor Christ. You should offer thereinyour most precious gifts of love,goodwill, and service to uplift yourinimical brothers, as well as yourfriendly brothers—physically, mentally,and spiritually.

The Infinite Christ is everywhere;worship His nativity in Hindu,Buddhist, Christian, Moslem, Jewish,and other true religious temples. Everyexpression of Truth flows from the All-pervading Christ perception, so learnto worship that sacred UniversalIntelligence in every pure religion,belief, and teaching. Since the CosmicChrist dreamed into existence thedivine being that is man, you shouldcelebrate the birth of Christ in yournewly awakened equal love for everynationality and race.

All new-blown blossoms andastral twinklings are images of theInfinite Christ; garland each one withyour love. Behold in your love thebirth of an intoxicating Christ-love foryour parents, fr iends, relatives,neighbors, and all races. In thesanctuary of your soul, invite yourrestless thoughts to assemble and stillthemselves in a service of deepestunited love for Christ.

When the Christmas packages areplaced around the family tree, makeevery thought an altar of Christ, andsaturate the gifts with your goodwill.Worship Christ as born in all creation:in the star, in the leaf, in the blossom,in the nightingale, in the nosegay, andin your velvet devotion. Unite yourheart with all hearts, so that Christmay be born there and remain foreverand forever.

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

A Cradle for the Christ of EverywhereBy Paramahansa Yogananda

This excerpt is from the new

paperback edition of The Second

Coming of Christ by Paramahansa

Yogananda (Copyright © 2008 Self-

Realization Fellowship, Los Angeles.

Reprinted with permission.)

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The autumn air stirs feelings of nostalgia andremembrance for many, myself included, and my dailylife seems to take on a different energy all together. My

senses seem to deepen into the Earth, searching for my familiarroots to wrap myself in, and taking stock of what I’ve gathered sofar for this year.

It has occurred to many that the time for awakening is all-pervasive and not exclusive of anyone ready for the ride. It hasalso occurred to many that the Goddess has made her presencewidely known and She is completely ready for us all toacknowledge Her and invite Her in. “Into where?” you may ask.Into our homes, hearts, minds and very souls, of course. And ifyou happen to be a man reading this article, this includes you aswell. It’s not the same old feely-shmeely, “I need to become morefeminine” type of thing that has run rampant lately. It is time torecognize and honor the Goddess within ourselves, and withinothers. This may seem like old news to some, but is it really?How often do we tell ourselves to “look for the Divine inourselves and in others” in order to better understand each other,and to find compassion and acceptance? Does this Divine everlook specifically Feminine or Masculine? And how often do wekeep searching outside of ourselves? I’ve noticed for myself thatI’ve sort of morphed the idea of “The Divine Within” into onelump-sum; not really noticing there is a lack of a delicate balancebetween two specific energies. Which kind of makes me wonder,am I truly recognizing the Divine within myself or just glossing itall over with generalization? Hmm...

Obviously, I had to investigate this, and in so doing, haverediscovered how deeply the roots run.

There are hundreds of Goddesses from many differenttraditions that are all important and equally desiring ourrecognition. I’ve recently started working with a healer here inSedona which has been a lively, albeit intense part of my journey.Through working with her, I have discovered how much ofmyself I still hide. So far, she has helped me to see the ways thatI hide, and why hiding my true Self does not honor me, or theGoddess, though it appears “safer” to do so. Even though theseinsights get uncomfortable at times, I know she only wants me torecognize who I am and embrace my highest potential.

Bringing the ancient feminine into the modern feminine iskey to bridging the “gap” in Divinity within myself as well aswomen in general. Remembering the sacred rituals for the DivineFeminine, and the way to incorporate them back into our lives,is a big part of what’s missing. Going within to actually see theface of the Goddess inherent in all of us and how that connectsto all of the Goddesses, real and mythical, is a crucial step in ourawakening. Yes, gents, this still includes you, so hang in there.Honoring the Sacred Feminine within you will help in thehealing process between your own Sacred Masculine, and yourSacred Feminine. You will become whole.

It doesn’t require a lot of research to find that these sacredrituals, rites and celebrations all but disappeared after the time ofMary Magdalene. The fear of the Feminine took hold and wasthrust under darkness for millennia. The Shakti energy bestowedupon us was smashed down under the thumbs of the OldParadigm and extinguished for many. The Divine Priestessbecame non-existent; just a figment of someone’s imagination, orworse, made into a common whore and witch; something to

Building the Temple

of the Living Goddess Marah Marlette

hate and never trust. In fact, many Goddesses became figments of someone’s imagination, just stories andmyths. The Divine Feminine was no longer recognized as anything sacred, but as evil. The Power of theDivine Feminine was lost.

As women, we became cut off from our own power and began taking on more masculinity--trying tofulfill ourselves by “doing it all” because nobody else would. This could open a huge Pandora’s Box here,or maybe one of those what-came-first type of conundrums, but here we go: when man decided to fearwoman, woman began to not trust man. This is the catalyst for our imbalance. Not only outwardly, butwithin. It’s really quite that simple. Now, what do we all do with that information? Well, suffice it to say,that will have to be continued as I do more work with the healer I mentioned before. Her name is ZeffiKefala, and yes, there are answers. She has been working with the Sacred Feminine and Sacred Masculinesince 1987.

Learn ing how to honor myse l f in ways I haven’t been awareof i s how I begin to be more authent i ca l ly in my power .


Parts of those answers take us back to the sacred rituals mentioned earlier.Things like meditation and prayer ceremonies; creating sacred spaces. Rememberingour connection to Mother Earth and working again with sacred medicinal oils;healing ourselves with what has always been available and waiting for us toremember. Honoring our Moon Cycles as a time for deep cleansing of any karmataken on. Celebrating sensuality. Honoring our physical bodies as well as ourspiritual and emotional bodies; taking time to cleanse ourselves, be with ourselvesand love ourselves as if we are all there is. I am now learning to honor the DivineMasculine within myself and acknowledging the security, safety and warmth I feelfrom that. Gentlemen, this is where you acknowledge the Divine Feminine withinyourselves, and feel the compassion, forgiveness, and love from that for yourselves.

Isn’t it funny that the lot of us take these stories and rituals of the Goddesses andsimply separate ourselves from the truth? Somewhere we learned long ago that weare not like them, could not be like them. And yet here we are: on the greatprecipice of a world completely changing; our Mother Earth pleading with us to risetogether in sisterhood and brotherhood, and claim our power. To reconnect withwhat, and who, we inherently are.

The things I am learning are nothing short of a complete genetic overhaul itseems, and at times I hardly recognize myself. What can I tell you? Is this where Iconfess I eagerly built a simple altar to the Goddess Lakshmi during Navaratri, andthen to Saraswati, both of whom I’ve not known, ever, but now embrace? Shall I tellyou I just experienced a “come to Jesus” meeting through Kali which brought me tomy knees?

I confess to you that I have heard my messages from the Magdalene, and She hasimplored me to be brave, hopes that I will be brave enough to embrace who I am. Iessentially have heard the prayers of the Goddess for ME to recognize and remembermy own power! Will you please cue supreme humility and complete awe now? Thelineage of the Goddess began with the mythical, like Saraswati and Lakshmi,continued with real-life women, like Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene, and leadsus to here and now. Is there a way I can prove all of this to you? Nope. Just like allthe other “stuff” that’s been written that is now part of a doctrine, a history, or even ascripture. It’s all an account made by a human. No “real” evidence or proof.

What have I learned so far? The most prominent thing I’ve learned recently isthat I have never really thought of myself as a Divine being. Truly. And why would I?How could anyone consider themselves a Divine being with all of today’s societalstandards on top of centuries of suppression and oppression? Why would I everthink of myself as something divinely amazing? Well, consequently, I’ve discoveredthat I am amazing. And, don’t gasp too loudly, I am Divine. We all are. I have startedto learn how to take care of myself in that fashion as well. Some of it is simple, butit’s all very sacred. Learning how to honor myself in ways I haven’t been aware of ishow I begin to be more authentically in my power. Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it’sridiculously tricky. The simplicity of it is just that: being open to the feeling of “girl-it’s time to get some red lipstick!” to the more complex feelings that require quite abit more discernment. Discernment in the form of knowing that trying to find whatI’m looking for in someone else or outside of myself is false. It’s my choice torecognize when something serves me or does not. Until we learn how to heal theUnion between our Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine, we won’t be able to fullyregain our power. Without healing that separation that occurred so long ago, wewon’t find wholeness, no matter how hard we try.

So where does this leave us? Mostly, I think, with daring to believe. With thehope that the truth is coming forth and we can all know it if we try to be open to it.Becoming whole again is not a myth. Finding ways to assist ourselves along the way isperfectly reasonable, and most likely required. Learning about the ways to honoryourself is available. All we have to do is ask, be open and be unafraid.

Zeffi Kefala will be hosting a new workshop here in Sedona in February 2009. She hasbeen on a spiritual journey of discovering the Goddess within herself for the past eighteenyears. Her awareness of the Goddess has deepened, and she is now ready to share this withyou. For the past five years, she has been taking groups to India, and has made the decisionthis year to bring India to Sedona. This workshop will be a seven day retreat, February 6ththrough 13th, called The Temple of the Living Goddess. ancienthealing.org.


No, I'm not going to give youyet another suggestion tochange your light bulbs. I

get that eco-fatigue has some of youwishing you could donate to Bono'scauses or buy those $200 organicsheets, but you just can't afford it.And yet, other greenies will ride theirbike to work no matter which way thewinds of the economy blow. I swingback and forth depending on mymood, cynical one day, optimistic thenext. But whatever my inclination, Ialways love saving green. I love a sale,a deal, and every bargain.

Here's how I'm cutting back onspending and helping Mother Natureat the same time. Feel free to addyour ideas.

Sav i ng Wi t h So l a r For manyyears, adding solar panels was tooexpensive for me to install. But newleasing programs like those offered bySolar City help people with utility billsover $150 save money by switching tosolar. As a penny pincher, I get veryexcited watching the dial spinbackwards on my utility meter. Takethat APS!

Throw in the Towel The averageAmerican has $497 worth of cleaningproducts in their house and only usesthree of them more than once a year.Paper towels and tissue costs go upevery few days. I've given up 80% of

LEAN AND GREEN: Money and Ear th Sav ing T ipsDana Mayar

Give the Gift of Green This Holiday Season!

1. Habitat For Humanity- Not only can you donate $ but you can recycle by donating housingmaterials/building supplies at Habitat ReStores. You can also donate your time by volunteering to help build aproject. habitat.org

2. The Food Bank- This holiday season the food bank has reached out asking for specific items that eachregion needs. No matter what our economic status is, we can all afford to give at least one can of food toothers this month. Search online for a food bank in your area. For Arizona residents: azfoodbanks.org

3. Click to Give: Just a click away (no excuses!) oneclickatatime.org

4. Animal Charities of America- Choose among an extensive list of members on this site, so you can target ananimal organization that strikes a chord with you. animalfunds.org

5. Organic Consumers Association- A Four Corners favorite for receiving green/food news, without the fluff.Subscribe to their e-newsletters to stay on top of the latest developments that impact our world, donate or getinvolved in one of their projects. organicconsumers.org

This book launched thegreen revolution, if you

haven't read it by now,

it's long overdue!

50simplethings.com

New Television Series to Catch:

Whale Wars on Animal Planet

Fridays 9:00pm EST"Only one group stands

between a 750-ton whale-killing machine

and its prey."

Not your average realityshow, this controversial

series documents the SeaShepherd Conservation

Society's efforts at savingthe destruction of the

whales in Antarctica... morespecifically from theJapanese whaling

expeditions.

Four Corners Pick: An oldfavorite, Book: 50 Simple

Things You Can Do to Save the Earth

(there is a kids version too!)

my cleaning products and papertowel use.

Dura-hooked microfiber clothsand hot water can replace chemicalsand cleaners. I didn't believe it untilI tried it, but it cleans better thanabrasive cleaners or fume-filledsprays for most cleanups. As forgetting rid of the unused products, ifI have just a small amount of cleanerleft, I wash or flush it down thedrain with lots of water. For largequantities, I check Earth911.com tosee how to dispose of it.

G i v e i t U p Cutting back onspending for me means less cash todonate to my favorite causes.Instead of feeling guilty, I'm cleaningout closets and clutter to recycleunwanted, unused household itemsthrough Freecycle.org. Artwork thatno longer fits my decor and jewelryI no longer wear goes to the localsilent aution.

I gave up shopping alone andjoined a warehouse club withfriends. BJs, Sam's Club and Costcocan take a big bite out of shoppingexpenses. They also allow member'sto bring a guest. I drive and shopwith my friends for more fun, lessgas, and lower fees. I also pick uptips about coupons and specials andnew items by shopping withsomeone else.

The nearest health food store is20 minutes away from my house bycar. I've cut back on driving bybuying in bulk from Amazon.com.Shipping is free when you sign upfor auto delivery.

C u t t h e P l a q u e Researchmakes a connection between poordental health and heart health.Realizing that keeping your teethclean now might prevent health carecosts in the future, some healthinsurance companies have startedoffering inexpensive dental plans.My husband and I spent $600 onroutine cleanings on our last visit tothe dentist. All of that is covered inour new plan for $10 a month, noco-pays. We have to use the HMOproviders, but there were two greendentists on the list which madegoing HMO easier to swallow.

All Washed Up I switched frommy expensive, organic soaps to Kirk'sbasic bar and saved $4.97 a bar.

Check what food is in seasonlocally and therefore, usually lessexpensive. Lime.com has a map forthe entire US to help you find it.

For me, eco luxury is aboutmaking life easy on me and theplanet, it's not about one or theother, it's both.

ecoluxuryliving.blogspot.com

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Gi f t s o f S p i r i to o

AromaKitsFeaturing Wisdom of the Earth Essences

Exquisite, custom-made kits of essential oils especially selected to enhancevarious aspects of your life. Scent of a Woman, Love is in the Air, Blessed Event(pregnancy & delivery), Manifest!, Ascension, Chakra Balance or the original"Emergency Kit" make the perfect gift... for yourself or someone special! Call Audre Wenzler Gutierrez for information or to order 928.300.5090

Amethyst Springs - Oasis of Well BeingOffers 3 Wonderful Products:

*Amethyst BioMat: Amethyst Crystals, Far Infrared Rays & Negative Ions * Alkal-Life 3000: Hydrating, Alkalizing, Ionizing Water System * Rejuvena: Ionizing Skin Care SystemSessions & gift certificates available 928.203.0653amethystbiomatglobal.com

Uttati Pure Essential Oils for the BelovedRumiHafizRabaaIbn’ArabiBarakaRose Damascena

Celebrate Rumi’s Wedding Day‘08at Sedona Creative Life CenterWednesday, December 17, 7pm

928.282.1277 * gabrielleyoung.com

Christmas Dreams CD

Romantic symphonies, piano,strings, acoustic guitar, flutesand harp tumble gracefully fromthe heavens in this uniqueholiday cd.www.geminisunrecords.com

877-gmnisun

Give the Gift of Home Improvement!

Home repair and remodeling- 20 yearsSedona experience. Licensed, bonded andinsured contractor ready to serve all yourhome repair and building needs, no projecttoo big or small. Free estimates. Bradley Alan Luky llc (roc#235891)

928.300.7275

The Law of GivingOm vardhanam namah

excerpt from The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra

Diné Medicine Wisdom

Give the gift of wisdom! A unique gift package featuringthe teachings of Diné MedicineWoman, Walking Thunder. Giftpack includes a beautiful book,DVD of a healing and aninspirational sandpainting createdby Walking Thunder. For this andmany other "Fair Trade" giftideas, please visit Ringing RocksFoundation, 3190 West Highway89A, at the corner of Dry CreekRoad, in Sedona. 928.282.1298

www.ringingrocks.org

The Dolphin Book

A magical story for young andold alike! Follow your dreams,listen to the voice within you,and let Daniel Dolphin takeyou on the most magicaljourney of all- the quest to

fulfill your own destiny!www.sbambaren.com

M A R K E T P L A C E o

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The Anubis Oracle

A journey into the ShamanicMysteries of Egypt.Includes a 35-card deck and book!A divination tool to connect withguides from the Egyptian Pantheon

www.bearandcompanybooks.com

We’Moon ’09: Gaia Rhythms for Womyn Theme: At the Crossroads

We’Moon‘09, dedicated to The International Council ofThirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, is co-creation of globalwomen’s culture. Each year the We’Moon astrologicaldatebook, wall calendar and cards collect and integratepowerful women’s art and writing from all over the worldinto a gorgeous and useful guide to lunar rhythms,astrological cycles, and multi-cultural, earth-based spirituality. www.wemoon.ws 1.877.693.6666 US 1.541.956.6052 Int’l

Free Gift of Heart Breath is for internal peace

during the busy holidays:Michael James

· Sitting comfortably, either in a chair with your feet flaton the ground and your hands in your lap, palm up; orsitting in your favorite cross-legged position, take a deepbreath and relax into yourself, breathing your eyes closed.

· With your focus still behind the eyes, follow the naturalrhythm of your breath - not trying to control it but allowingyour body to breath fully - until you can feel yourself settleinto and be present with your body.

· Then bring your focus from behind your eyes down intoyour chest, so that you feel your chest rise and fall, yourlungs expand and contract, and becoming aware of yourheart beat. Then focus on breathing in and out of your heartspace until a deep peace expands within you and enfoldsyour entire body.

Earth Cinema Circle Offers Eco-Friendly Gift Bundle

The ECC gift bundle not only entertains, it inspires lessuse of paper bags and plastic water bottles; it’s aperfect way to show you care about the planet! The Earth Cinema Circle gift bundle retails for just $49.95 at www.eccgift.com and includes:

·Earth Cinema Circle’s Premiere Collector’s Edition ·Canvas“Thoughtful”Tote Bag

·Tinted Stainless Steel Water Bottle


A Gift of theSouthwest

Postcards from Americaseries includes fifteencarefully selectedvintage photographsthat depict the historyof tourism at the GrandCanyon. www.arcadiapublishingcom

888.313.2665

Ravenheart CoffeeWest Sedona and Uptown SedonaGifts for the Holidays!

Gift baskets, NEW Ravenheart Coffee T-shirts,mugs and local art for sale. Relax, have a cupof good coffee and shop with us.928.282.5777

oThe universe operates through dynamic exchange… giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe. And in our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives.


What are you doing to stay afloat insuch choppy financial waters? Isyour mind trying to help by

conjuring up fearful images? Are you wantingto figure out what to do? Why is it that somepeople are holding it together just fine whileothers are freaking out and talking aboutleaving the country? The difference, as ourrecent retreat attendees from Sedona, Arizonawill tell you, is The Sedona Method. TheMethod is the “vaccine for emotional turmoil”that allows you to uncover and live as the calmcenter of Beingness that is your true essence, nomatter what is going on around you.

There are many factors in our recenteconomy that may cause people to worry andbecome anxious: increases in gasoline andhome heating prices, volatility in the stockmarket, the worldwide turmoil in the bankingindustry, more companies announcing layoffs,and still others outsourcing jobs overseas. Thefinancial picture can begin to look rather dim.The Sedona Method has been helping peopleremain calm, centered and secure in all types ofcrises for over three decades.

As you probably already know, anxiety,panic, stress and worry do nothing to supportyou in making the right decisions. Instead, themore you can make decisions from a place ofinner calmness, intuitive knowingness andmental clarity, the more likely your decisionswill support your overall financial goals andwell-being, as well as the safety and well-beingof those around you and the planet as a whole.

Welcome Whatever You’reFeeling

The very best thing to do when you findyourself panicking is to allow yourself to

welcome whatever you're feeling about thecurrent world situation and about your currentfinancial situation. Also allow yourself towelcome any wanting to change or control howyou feel. Welcome, too, any sense that any ofthis is personal or about who you are. As youdo this, you will find the stress and tension ofthe moment will dissolve into a calm pool ofcertainty and inner strength.

“I released truckloads of fear and wantingsurvival because of the possible meltdown ofthe world’s financial system.”

-Norm Hall, West Des Moines, IA

Welcoming your feelings may seemcounterintuitive, but it’s a necessary step

in the process of letting go. When you delvedeeper into letting go with The Sedona Method,you’ll find that the more you resist a feeling, thestronger its hold on you becomes. When youwelcome a feeling, however, the resistancedissolves and your ability to let go of the feelinggets stronger. As you open to the presentmoment and welcome what you are feelingfully, the feeling dissolves, revealing thefullness, peace and joy that is always here now.

After welcoming the feeling, ask yourself ifyou could simply let it go as best you can in themoment. By allowing yourself to welcome whatyou feel and then letting go, you will

immediately feel relief. This also helps uncoveryour intuitive knowingness and the clarityrequired for you to weather the storm.

“I came to The Sedona Method Retreat tofind tools for living my life with greaterfreedom, ease and joy. My realization throughreleasing all week was that the freedom, easeand joy were already present. I only needed toremove the thoughts, feelings and emotionsthat were covering them up all this time.”

-Paul Hathaway, Middleton, WI

Let Go of Wanting to Figure it Out

It’s also very helpful to welcome any feelings ofwanting to understand or figure out what to

do. The more you want to figure out what youshould or shouldn't be doing, the moreconfused you’ll be. I’ll tell you a little secretabout wanting to figure it out. The only reasonwe want to understand or figure out ourproblems is because we’re planning to havethem again. When you want to figure it out,you’re looking in the wrong place for theanswer. You’re looking away from your clearreason and intuitive knowing into the memorybanks of what was, which may have nothing todo with what is currently true. Once you havewelcomed the wanting to know, ask yourself,“Could I let go of wanting to figure it out?” Ifthere is any hesitation you can also ask yourself,“Would I rather want to figure it out, or simplyknow what to do and allow myself to do it?” Asyou let go of wanting to figure it out, you’llnaturally and easily know exactly what to do.

Finding Calm IN THE Financial Storm

Hale Dwoskin

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Dear Debra,My daughter i s in 4th grade and she has been making commentsabout be ing too heavy. She i s bu i l t l ike me wi th b igger bones ,but she i s not over weight . I never thought about my body at herage, i t concerns me that a t such a young age she i s worr iedabout her body image. P lease he lp me, he lp her .-Deanna, Bou lder Utah

Dear Deanna, T h e r e a r e s o many t h i ng s t ha t c ou l d be p l a y i ng i n t o you rdaugh t e r hav i ng c on c e r n s abou t h e r body a t s u c h a youngage . He r e a r e a f ew s ugge s t i o n s f o r you , s o you can he l pyou r daugh t e r .

He lp her deve lop se l f -es teem. Pra ise her for the spec ia l th ingsshe does , not jus t how pre t ty she looks . Be carefu l about whatyou say to her about her body, and more impor tant ly watch whatyou say about your own body, even under your breath . Ta lk toher about how they Photoshop the models before you see them inthe magazines and bi l lboards . Check out the Dove Ad Campaignson YouTube, they are great .

He lp her unders tand that we sh ine f rom the ins ide out , that whowe are i s what g ives us beauty , not what we look l ike .

Good Luck, and keep sh inn ing,-Debra

Debra Beck Author of My Feet aren’t Ugly, A Girl’s Guide to Loving Herselffrom the Inside Out is a devoted mentor on the issues facing teenage girls and

women. With 20 plus years experience in self-development, and first-handawareness of just how difficult the teenage years can be, empathy, and a passionfor making a difference, Ms. Beck discovered her life’s work: helping girls and

women of all ages learn how to truly love themselves from the inside out.

Please e-mail Beautiful Feet [email protected] if you have

concerns and comments

Welcome Your Fears and Let Them Go

Another key to unlocking your ability to make the rightfinancial decisions is to first welcome your fears and then let

them go. By doing this you take a step back, reconnect with yourinner knowingness, and then move forward with a sound mind. Atthe same time, letting go helps you remember that, ultimately, youare much more than your finances, and you can exist and behappy no matter what is going on around you --includinguncertainty in the economy or stock market.

“I came here to release fears, but I don’t identify withfears anymore. I gained the stillness I’ve always beenlooking for through meditation, and that grace is here andalways available.”

-Pauper Agnes, Rowen, France

Remember, no matter how your financial situation feels, youare not your bank book or your possessions. The less you identifywith any of the problems that you're experiencing, the more likelyyou are to find the right solution.

Releasing Questions You Can Use

Here are some questions you can ask to help find your center ifyou are feeling anxious:

•Could I allow myself to welcome in this feeling of ________ asbest I can?Check to see if you have any sense of wanting to change or be ridof the feeling. •If so, could I allow myself to welcome that feeling as well?•Would I?•When?Check to see how you feel now.• Do I feel less________? Less anxious? Either way is there morewanting to change it or be rid of it?•If so could I let go of wanting to change it?•Would I if I could?•When?

Repeat this process until you feel lighter and at peace. Theremay be many layers to release, but once you release something, it’sgone for good.

Remember to allow yourself to let go of wanting to figure outwhat to do and to let go of wanting to get the answer from thepast. As you follow your heart as opposed to your head, you’ll findthat right now you have everything you need within you.Abundance and financial security are always available right here,right now.

We have many more releasing processes available on our site.This information is provided at no cost to you. It is our gift to youto help you through this challenging time. Please avail yourself ofthese life-changing processes on our web site at: www.sedona.com.

Hale Dwoskin is the New York Times best-selling author of The SedonaMethod: Your Key to Lasting Happiness, Success, Peace and EmotionalWell-being, and co-author of the best-selling Happiness Is Free: And It’sEasier than You Think. Hale is one of the 24 teachers from the movie,

The Secret and a founding member of the Transformational LeadershipCouncil. He is the CEO and Director of Training of Sedona Training

Associates here in Sedona.

™Winter is myf a v o r i t eseason. And

where I live, winter brings coldand snow. Do you like snow? Ido. I like to play in the snow. Iadmire snow's beauty. I 'mthankful that snow protects theanimals and the plants. But whatimpresses me the most aboutsnow is its country name: "poorperson's fertilizer."

What fun to sled in the snow(screaming), to ski across the snow(silently), to ride a snowboard inthe snow (grinning), to ice skate(laughing), to make snow angels(shivering), to bring a snow personto life (cooperating), to have asnowball fight (competing), tomake snow caves (digging), andsnow forts (lying in wait).

I never fail to thrill at thesight of moonstruck rainbowsglittering off the surfaces of finesnow on a sub-zero night. I lovestanding out in the snow when itis softly falling, watching theflakes shining in my long darkhair, and catching them on mytongue. I cherish the morningswhen I awake to white skies filledwith snow, snow, snow. There'ssnow on the ground, snowtumbling down, nothing butsnow. Even life is canceled for theday. Snow day. It's no day. Noresponsibility day. Hooray. Snow!

Snow is beautiful. Eachsnowflake unique. Each aminiature mandala. Each one aslice of a six-sided crystal. Andevery snowflake, like a quartzcrystal, is vibrant and vibrating.Snow is magic. Everyone feels it.Experiment this winter with usingthe crystalline energy of snow.

When snow falls without wind, it outlines each branchand bud of each tree and shrub. Perhaps it is making theirauras visible. Snow rounds and softens the shapes of nature.Snow connects everything with sweeping strokes. Snow blotsout the details and leaves the big picture.

Snow speaks to our pleasure, and our need, to erase thesmall stuff, to soar wide in imagination, to understand thebig pattern.

Snow lays quietly, covering the ground, covering theplants. Snow provides an insulating blanket that protects theroots of the plants. Without snow cover, the ground heaves.It freezes at night, and expands up. Then it thaws during theday, and sinks down. This seesaw of freezing and thawing,expanding and sinking, pushes up large rocks from beneaththe ground and can uproot plants. A blanket of snow keepsthe ground evenly frozen, preventing frost heaves andprotecting the plants from upheaval.

That blanket of snow provides safe cover for smallanimals, too. They can burrow beneath it, running andforaging safe from the watchful eyes of predators. Snowkeeps little animals warm, too. And they find it easier totunnel through than the frozen earth.

But it is snow's power to bring fertility to the land thatamazes me the most. Snow is water. But snow is so muchmore than water. Each snowflake forms around a mote ofdust. That dust is an iota of soil, a minute amount ofminerals. And as the snow falls to the ground, it brings withit the nourishment of that tiny bit of mineral dust.

This is true of raindrops as well. Each drop of raincoalesces around a mote of dust. I frequently hear peoplerefer to the rain as "cleansing." Fortunately for us all, it is not.Just think what a barren wasteland we would inhabit if,instead of nourishing the soil, rain cleansed it. When rainwashes the dirt away, we call it erosion. And, without dirt,there can be no plants. Rain is not cleansing. Rain isnourishing. And so is snow.

The minerals in snow are absorbed into the soil. And,when the ground thaws, they are taken up by the plants.

The weeds make exceptionally good use of the mineralwealth of snow.

Oats and oatstraw consolidate the snow's magnesium,with 1200 mg in 100 grams of herb. Red raspberry grabsonto the manganese, manifesting 146 mg in 100 grams ofherb. Chickweed loves snow's iron, offering 253 mg in 100grams of herb. Valerian values snow's calcium; Skullcapthrives on snow's copper; hibiscus sops up snow'schromium; catnip goes for snow's selenium; while nettlechampions snow's zinc.

Minerals provide structure and allow communication incells, plants and animals. The healthiest souls are mineral-rich soils. They provide minerals for healthy plants. Andthose plants create healthy bodies. Minerals are the key tooptimum health, for people, plants, and the planet.

That's why I champion the edible weeds such as nettle,oatstraw, dandelion, burdock, lamb's quarters, mallows, andpurslane. They provide optimum nourishment, includingmineral salts in many forms. They heal by nourishing.

When in Switzerland some years back, I visited a cheesefactory and watched a movie about Swiss cheeses. "What makesSwiss cheeses so special?" the movie asked. Then, answering itsown question, it replied: "The special plants our cows eat." Andthere they were, right up on the big screen, the stars of theshow: red clover and dandelion, yellow dock and chickweed,sorrel and plantain, burdock and mustard, nettle and thistle,mineral-rich weeds, fed by the snow.

Weeds are green snow. Minerals that fall as snow, aretaken up by the weeds, and become available to us in formswe can use as food and medicine.

Go out into the snow if you can this winter. Taste it.Savor it. Play with it. Admire it. Open your heart to itsblessings. Open your spirit to its richness. Open yourself toits nourishment. You are a beloved child of the Universe andthe snow is stardust. Green blessings.

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Susun S Weed

Tas te i t . Savor i t . P lay wi th i t . Admire i t . Open your hear t to i t s b less ings . Open your sp i r i t to i t s r i chness .

Green Blessings [email protected] Susun S. Weed, PO Box 64, Woodstock NY 12498 845.246.8081


ooIn Praise of

S n o w


The Heartline Café Fine Food With a Casual Mood...Award Winning Seasonal Cuisine

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Inspiring Short Film Available Free From Spiritual Cinema Circle

As a way of inspiring the world with love and compassion this holiday season,Spiritual Cinema Circle (SCC) is providing a free on-line viewing of the enchantingshort film, VALIDATION (16 minutes). This heart-warming movie tells the story of aparking attendant who gives his customers REAL validation by dispensing both freeparking and free compliments. It’s a great reminder of how we can all create a betterworld, instantly, by sharing a smile and a few kind words. www.watchvalidation.com

Spiritual Cinema Circle, a Gaiam-owned company (www.gaiam.com), is a leader insubscription-based spiritual home entertainment. www.spiritualcinemacircle.com

“THE SACRED S ITES OF THE DALAI LAMAS”

New DVD Offers Rare Gl impse at T ibe t’s Power P laces Rev iew by J i l l Mangino

Mountainfilm in Telluride, America’s premiere showcase of mountain, adventure,cultural and environmental film and video, will celebrate its 31st annual festival

May 22 through 25, 2009 in Telluride, Colorado. Beginning with its MovingMountains Symposium on food, the festival will include gallery exhibits by leadingartists and photographers, presentations and panel discussions by explorers, activistsand opinion-makers, book signings and the very best of independent documentaryfilmmaking from around the world.

Early confirmed special guests include: • Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, who will premiere his latest documentary TheNational Parks, America’s Best Idea. • New York Times columnist Nick Kristof who will discuss his travels around theglobe to some of the toughest and most inhospitable places in the world. • Acclaimed environmental writer, Bill McKibben whose book The End of Nature wasa seminal work on climate change. • Four winners – to be announced – of the Goldman Prize, the world’s topenvironmental prize awarded to ordinary people who, against all odds, produceextraordinary change.

Celebrating indomitable spirit, Mountainfilm has the power to change lives. www.mountainfilm.org.

Arare and fascinating film journey to the power places inCentral Tibet THE SACRED SITES OF THE DALAI LAMAS: A

PILGRIMAGE TO THE ORACLE LAKE (MW Productions/$24.95)explores monasteries, caves and sacred sites where the early DalaiLamas and the founders of Buddhism meditated, taught andachieved enlightenment.

This visually stunning documentary follows the personalspiritual quest of Steve Dancz (composer for National GeographicTV who also narrates and composed the film’s score), led bytranslator Glenn Mullin (Tibetologist and author of over 30 bookson Buddhism), and Khenpo Tashi (a Bhutanese monk) on apilgrimage to many of Tibet’s most holy sites culminating in a trekover 17,000 feet in altitude to the hard to reach mystical OracleLake where every Dalai Lama has had prophetic visions.

This rare look at these sites allows viewers an intimatewindow to some of the most sacred Buddhist rituals, ceremoniesand traditions and despite the on-going conflicts in the region thefilm reflects the warmth, joy and spirit of its people steeped inBuddhist traditions.

For more information about this film please visit: www.mwp.com

VALIDATIONSpir i tua l C inema Circ le F i lm


An avid, talented and prolific artist since a wee lad, Siva has been working asan award-winning, professional tattoo artist for ten years. His work has

been featured internationally in numerous magazines and newspaper articles.Before entering the tattoo profession, Siva worked for eight years as a GraphicDesigner in the silk-screening medium, and for five years as a professionalBodywork practitioner within various healing modalities, including diet,massage and subtle energetics.

Siva has been fortunate to have been able to study with some amazingtattooists (including Guy Aitchison, Luc Zietek, James Kern, Lyle Tuttle andBrian Everett) who gave generously of their experiential knowledge, bothtechnically and artistically. He has taken the cleanliness aspects of tattooing to anew and unique level and has given presentations around the country (fromyouth groups to medical professionals) on all aspects of safe tattoo procedure.

Sacred Fire Tattoos provides high-quality, award-winning custom tattoo art, performedin an ultra clean, relaxing environment. Siva, the artist, is unique in both thecleanliness with which he maintains his shop, as well as the serene, peaceful,

easy atmosphere he helps to provide. -Conde Nast, the leading international travel magazine

• Declared "Cleanest Studio" in Northern Arizona 5 years in a row by theSedona's Department Of Health.

• Winner of the Kudos Reader's Choice Award for best Sedona area tattoo studio.

Hours: 1pm - 5 pm on Mon., Wed., and Fri. 1- 6 on Sat., and 1-3 on Sun.Contact Siva at: 928.203.9799

[email protected] www.myspace.com/sacredfiretattoos

Singing You HomeA CD by Scott Beck“May these songs take you to a place inthe heart that we all share.”www.scottbeckmusic.com • 928.634.3600

Reema- Truth Love Creation CDA unique collaboratio of relaxing andmeditative songs.Part of the proceeds of this cd’s sales willgo to the Usha Yoga Foundation, whichbrings yoga to marginalized communitiesworldwide. www.nutonemusic.com • 323.301.4200

Buddha2 Café CDFeel the vibe and unwind…East meets West in this CosmopolitanElectronica Lounge.www.intencity.com • 714.630.0202

SACRED F IRE TATTOOS: Consc ious Cus tom Tat too ing wi th S iva

Sacred F i re Tat toos i s ce lebrat ing i t s 10 yearanniversary wi th a GREAT sa le ! In addi t ion, ment ion

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Internationally respected intuitive counselor and bestselling HayHouse author sits down with us to talk about her move to theSouthwest and her views on the spirit of the changing times.

Four Corners: Coming from Eastern Canada to Sedona, do you notice adifference in overall consciousness?

Colette Baron-Reid: It’s impossible not to notice a difference! Toronto isnow a mini New York with slightly less people, but a bustling citynonetheless. The busyness served as a huge distraction for me and I feltexhausted all the time. Sedona is slow, quiet and small townish, yetextremely diverse in its interests, with an extraordinary artisticcommunity and unique tolerance for a wide range of spiritual pursuits.For the most part I find this to be an inspired community- and afriendly one too. My husband and I are always surprised when peoplegreet us as they walk by on the street.

FC: What drew you to the desert and how has it effected your work?

CBR: My work as an intuitive became much more public once HayHouse invited me to be a part of their family of authors and speakers. Ifound myself constantly on the road which made it next to impossiblefor me to remain in a city environment. Last year alone I spoke in 33cities, held seminars on 4 cruises and I was desperate for a break. I’ll behonest, I dreamt of moving to the west coast or Hawaii for an oceanretreat. I am a water baby and so I assumed we would move to the sea.Out of the blue I found out I was extremely fortunate to qualify for aspecial NAFTA visa that enabled my husband and I to remain in the USfor 5 years. We could pretty much move anywhere we wanted.

I guess you can say that I called to the ocean and it was the desertthat answered me. I mean there’s an undeniable mystical presence herethat breathes through the trees and echoes through the red rocks thathas spoken to me at such a deep level it’s hard to explain. All I know is

Interview with

Colette Baron-Reid


that my yearning for a deeper connection to nature has been satisfiedhere. When I drive in from the airport it’s as if I’m traveling along thebottom of an ancient sea or a moonscape, and something happens to mewhere I’m able to think more clearly.

There’s a price to pay here though as the desert is a harsh taskmaster.In the city, one’s shadow blends in with everyone else’s as there’s so muchgoing on. As a result it can be slightly numbing and easier to be in denialabout what’s really going on in one’s inner world, at least for me. InSedona I’m only distracted or disturbed by my own shadow because it’sstark and acutely defined against the landscape. I ’m forced toacknowledge this part of myself here with nothing to stand beside it.Everything is in a sacred relationship, so the privilege of observing andcommunicating with Nature here is humbling and immensely gratifying.

One of the most profound changes that shifted the direction of mywriting and caused me to completely rethink and change was the wholepremise of my new book titled Your Partnership With Spirit, Discover theTruth of having it All, which will now be released fall of 2009. The originalbook concept was based on a popular prosperity seminar calledIntentional Wealth which I had taught for over 10 years before the adventof the Secret. Sedona clearly let me know I wasn’t there anymore and thatI was meant to speak about something deeper and in a very different wayabout this concept. I’m part of a small spiritual community here that reada passage every morning about the true nature of ambition and that dailyexposure to some very simple thoughts literally had me calling thepublisher begging for an extension. Messages from Spirit, the ExtraordinaryPower of Oracles Omens and Signs, my second book, became a bestsellerthis past June and so my request was granted.

My husband has equally been inspired here. He’s finished a novel,created an incredible invention for green power and done all kinds ofother creative things- it’s been amazing to watch. As a couple, this placehas been very good for our marriage which was great to start with!

FC: Can you share some of your views on the impact of 2008 and someinsights of what’s to come in 2009?

CBR: No question 2008 was a pivotal year for all of us. I think it’s afascinating and exciting time to be alive and it’s my belief that we all choseto be here now. Let’s use the lens of numerology to look at the influences.The energy of the number 8 generally represents money, infinity anddeath, and brought up all kinds of crazy yet necessary changes in ourglobal financial structures. Many social and economic structures that don’tserve the greater collective will die and are dying, and we’ll see evidenceof the death of these dinosaurs between now and 2012. This is meant tolead us into the more egalitarian, altruistic peaceful Aquarian Age wherethe emphasis is on the group conscience rather than the individual. We’rein the cusp now and seeing the shadow side of Aquarius, which is elitism.Of course the influence of the number 2 resonates with partnerships/relationships and initiates us into the millennium where the self-centered“me” must shift into “we”.

Colette Baron-Reid Interview continued on page 38...


Every moment of every day we are surrounded and nurtured by apresence of unconditional love. That presence is the EarthMother. In reviewing my life I can’t find an experience that has

been as sweet, all encompassing, magnetic and powerful as myawakening to the divine feminine. This experience took place when I wasinitiated into the Q’ero shamanic tradition from Peru. The Q’ero traditionis very feminine in nature and this is one of the reasons I was drawn to it.Eventually I was completely transformed by the power of the feminineand as a result of her influence have committed to realizing my potentialand living my purpose in this lifetime.

One of the first truths I began to work with is that we all have amasculine and feminine principle. This is amazing to realize! Even if youare a man in this lifetime you have a connection to the power of thefeminine within you. I have found that by learning to co-operate with thepower of the women in my life and the power of my own feminineprinciple, I have come into co-operation with my higher self. When I dothis I am exploring my unknown counterpart. Life then takes on abalance and rhythm that can best be described as walking in beauty.

To realize and use the power of the feminine within us we have todevelop a relationship with the feminine. Reaching out to her love andpower can do this. I do this by honoring and connecting with the EarthMother, my wife, daughters and all my female friends. As a person whowalks the medicine way I remember that these women are teaching meabout the feminine and its power. They also remind me to stay in balancewith my masculine and feminine and use my power as a man appropriately.

In addition to the actions I have already described, we can usecontemplation to explore the power of the divine feminine. Contemplation isnot rational thinking, it is more meditative and I like to fashion it as thinkingwith the heart. Feminine power is magnetic. It is the force in the universethat draws all things to it with the magnetic force of unconditional love. It isalso all encompassing - it surrounds what it draws to it with its magnetism.Once it surrounds something, it conceives its purpose and gives birth to it. Ihave found that a person can learn a lot about the divine feminine andmasculine by contemplating a man and woman making love. Masculineenergy is the energy of intention and action. The feminine receives the actionor life force from the masculine, conceives it and gives birth to new life.

So what does all this mean? How can we use this information and turn itinto experience and power on the physical plane? We must own and use thefeminine within each of us - the part of us that receives. It is the part of usthat is irresistibly magnetic. It is the part that is all encompassing. It is thepart of us that can surround something, conceive its purpose and give birthto it. In nature the male has to win the female’s affection before she willconceive and give birth to their young. There is a great teaching here.Feminine power is the steadying force of evolution. For progress to be lifeaffirming instead of destructive it has to pass the test, the test of the divinefeminine. Take a moment now to ponder the impact on our world if wepaused and contemplated all of our actions based on the feminineperspective. An incredible point to ponder, isn’t it? As a result ofcontemplating this I strive at all times to check all action with the feminineinside me and outside of me.

Taking all this into account has brought an extraordinary amount ofbeauty and power into my life. If my action is not bearing fruit, I pause. Ipause to consider the implications of my action. I then consider thatperhaps I am using my masculine principle when I should be using myfeminine. Maybe it is a time for me to receive instead of being in action. If Iam in receiving mode and nothing is happening, I ponder, switching to mymasculine side and embarking on a path of action. Identifying, nurturingand working with these two complimentary opposites within me hasbrought a rhythm to my life that I previously would never have imaginedwas possible.

Today I consciously work with my feminine and masculine principles. Iacknowledge that from the great unknown that is the feminine, mymasculine side will be sparked into being creative. I contemplate if myactions will be life affirming. I realize that it will be the feminine within methat will conceive and give birth to my intention. This means that I mustwork with the fact that there is a time for receiving and a time for action. Ifone of these forces is out of balance in my life, then I am no longer in theflow of the great dance between the feminine and the masculine. I thenpause (become feminine) and receive the adjustments that are necessary frommy spirit and then make them.

If you are in action and that action is not penetrating and bearing fruit,perhaps you need to switch to becoming feminine. If you have been waitingto receive and nothing seems to be happening, perhaps action is requiredbefore the feminine in you can give birth to your purpose. My wish for youand for our world is that we all honor the divine feminine and once againremember we are a part of the cosmic dance between the feminine and themasculine. Both of which are divine.

John English, the modern day shaman, teaches and writes on a variety of subjectsincluding energy medicine, shamanism and the Medicine Wheel. He is the award-

winning author of The Shift: An Awakening, Energetic Tools for an EnergeticUniverse and The Little Book on Relationship. John is the Chairman/Founder of

DreamTime, LLC, and an international speaker. He is available for private sessionsand can be contacted through the websites www.mydreamtimellc.com orwww.NoSpiritLeftBehind.com, he and his family reside in Phoenix, AZ.

The Divine Feminine and You John English

We must own and use thefeminine within each of us -

the part of us that receives.

It is the part of us that isirresistibly magnetic.

It is the part that is allencompassing.

It is the part of us that cansurround something,

conceive its purpose andgive birth to it.



Joan Borysenko is apioneer in integrativemedicine and a world-

renowned expert in themind/body connection. Herfirst New York Times best-seller Minding the Body,Mending the Mind waspublished in 1987 and hassold over 400,000 copies. Shehas written or co-authored 14books, most recently YourSoul’s Compass: What IsSpiritual Guidance? We caught up with Joan and asked her specificallyabout receiving guidance in times of change.

Joan began our conversation by telling me that she was in pain. Shehad ice packs on her eyes and couldn’t see. I immediately asked her ifshe wanted to reschedule. She refused, saying her time is limited.

F o u r C o r n e r s : I’m sorry you’re in pain. What happened?

J o a n B o r y s e n k o : I was multi-tasking: putting on make-up, puttingin my contact lenses and deciding what work to do for the day. I gotexfoliant on my lenses which got into my eyes. I eroded off my corneas.If I had been paying attention this wouldn’t have happened.

F C : Okay, I have to ask, what isthe guidance in that?

J B : We cannot afford to slideinto mindlessness in this timeof change. The Universe istelling me to slow down. Youare not following your soul’scompass when you’re multi-tasking. It takes you out of thepresent moment and puts youin the future.

F C : How do we remember toask for guidance when we are overwhelmed in the moment?

J B : (Laughs). That’s the question isn’t it? People are always moreinterested in being open to guidance when things aren’t going well.When there’s no ground beneath their feet and everything is shifting. Itsomehow doesn’t seem so important when everything is going well. It’sa matter of personal choice whether we decide to be present and opento guidance, or instead hide behind what’s safe and known. However,there are certain characteristics that are common to people who do wellin challenging times.

F C : Can you talk about those?

Five Skills for Finding

Your Soul’s Compass

An Interview with Joan BorysenkoCorinne L. Casazza

We can despair or hide in the known, or we can do our work, walk into thewisdom of uncertainty and emerge transformed.

i n T i m e s o f C h a n g e

J B : Stress hardy people have the 3Cs *in common:1. Challenge – Those who function wellsee challenge not as a threat to the statusquo, but as an opportunity to grow.2 . Control – We must maintain areasonable amount of control over whatwe can; like our health habits, diet andexercise, and let go of what we can’t. I losthalf my retirement in the last three weeks.I wanted to cut back at work when I’m 70;I’ll be 63 next week. I can’t control myfinances completely. I can’t control thestock market, but I can choose to focus onthe things I can control like spending lessand saving more.3. Commitment – toward a larger vision,engaging with that vision and movingtoward it instead of withdrawing anddisengaging. I asked myself what can I doabout the economy in my role as ateacher. I came up with writing a shortbook on how to manage stress in times ofchange by the end of this year.

For Finding Your Soul’s Compass, Joaninterviewed 27 sages about receivingspiritual guidance. Since this is mostdifficult in times of change, Joanexplained the three stages of change.Saying Yes to Change, written with herhusband, Gordon Dveirin, describes thesestages as separation from the known, theliminal period when we’re on the verge ofthe new, but it hasn’t materialized yet, andthe return – return to a new life.

“All of us are always in liminal space,living in the unknown, in some part ofour life. We need skills to emergetransformed from the liminal spaceinstead of withdrawing in despair.”

Coincidentally or not, the skills todeal with the liminal space are the sameskills used for receiving spiritualguidance. Here is some of what the sagesof Your Soul’s Compass had to say:

Five Skills to ReceiveSpiritual Guidance in

Changing times1 . Take the attitude that you simplydon’t know – surrender to the unknown. Ifyou think you know, this restricts the scopeof possibility. When you notice thesynchronicities of the unknown, you’ll be

more willing to follow and askquestions. Sir Thomas Keating, aCatholic priest and monk thatJoan interviewed for YourSoul’s Compass, said “Life isa journey into theunknown. If you thinkyou know where you’regoing, you’re on thewrong track.” All 27sages who wereinterviewed for thebook said we must becomfortable withmystery.2 . Be present – Ifwe’re not present, wecan miss what’s right infront of us. We need acentering practice to focusthe mind. This can be yoga,chi gong, or even music. Itdoesn’t necessarily have to bemeditation; it’s whatever resonates withyou. Walking in nature can be verymeditative.3 . Cope with strong emotions – Peopleare stressed, not sleeping; they’re afraidof the future, their job security andwhether they can keep their businessafloat. Emotion is a big issue because fearblocks the possibility of hearingguidance. We must welcome fear. Allowourselves to feel it, stay with it until ittransforms. We should listen, tolerateand transform our emotions.4 . Have a sense of humor – this is agreat strategy. Joan has been privilegedenough to spend a good deal of timewith the Dalai Lama. He’s alwayslaughing. He sees the absurdities of lifewith great compassion.5 . Develop Discernment – when youencounter synchronicities do you viewthem as guidance or coincidence? To tellthe difference between ego and guidance,you have to feel into the situation. Is itpeaceful, exciting, compassionate? Doesyour energy feel expanded? Or are youclosing up and feeling tense? Thisrequires the daily practice of noticingyour energy body. Moment by moment wemust know what is going on in ourenergy. Discernment is the ultimatepractice of presence.

Moving ForwardOne of three things can happen to

each of us in this tremendous time ofchange. We can fall into despair andbecome easily depressed. It ’s veryimportant to get professional help if thishappens to you. We can fall intoFundamentalism, seeking refuge in theknown. There are all types offundamentalism – religious, economic,political etc. Hiding in the known doesn’thelp during times of change.

Finally we can be cracked open tohave the shell of our ego break away. Thisis when we are transformed. Jean Houstoncalled it “jump time” when we move intoa higher level of harmony worldwide; getrid of the old and welcome in the new.The choice is ours. We can despair or hidein the known and avert change andevolution, or we can do our work, walkinto the wisdom of uncertainty andemerge transformed in our return to anew life.

* This information is from a study bySuzanne Kobasa and Salvatore Maddi.They studied AT&T executives in themiddle of reorganization to see who couldfunction well and who would fall apart.

Corinne L. Casazza is a freelance writer and author based in Sedona, AZ. Her first novel,Divided We Fall is available locally and online. You can reach Corinne at

[email protected]


Na t u r a l H e a l t h

Vibratory Energy Therapy™

A wonderful way to relieve:· back pain· sinus and neck pain· migraine and headache pain· hip and sciatic pain· wrist and elbow pain· shoulder tension· flexibility problems· sports and training pain

What causes painful muscle spasm?All contracting working muscle burns stored sugar from theliver and produces lactic acid which is a waste product.Normally a muscle gets a rest period, but repetitive action ortrauma can prevent the muscle from resting. No rest means thatthe lactic acid waste is not removed from the muscle. The acidin the muscle interferes with the messages from the muscle tothe brain about the internal tension of the muscle itself and thatis the start of spasm and internal stress.

What does Vibratory Engery™ do?There are feedback nerves on the muscle which tell the brainwhether the muscle needs to be tightened or relaxed to maintainproper muscle tension. When accumulated lactic acid (toxicwaste) sickens the feedback nerves, the signal to the brain aboutmuscle conditions is weakened. The brain, receiving the weaksignal, thinks the muscle is too relaxed and commands it totighten. This is how spasm develops. The cause of the originalproblem is lactic acid, that has been squeezed into the musclefiber, deadening the feedback nerve signal. Vibratory EnergyTherapy™ stimulates and heals the feedback nerves. When thestrength of the signal from the feedback nerve to the brain isincreased, the brain stops telling the muscle to tighten and themuscle releases its spasm. Then, blood vessels open, circulationis increased, lactic acid is carried away to the liver and musclehealth is restored.

Call now to experience total pain relief andrelaxation of Vibratory Energy Therapy™

Dr. John St. John AET/CHT928.274.0139

Feel Relief FastMelt Away Years of Stress • Tension • PainLeading technology for the elimination of stress, tension

and pain caused by muscle spasm

A Unique Way to Relax In SedonaMariko Yamamoto and Reuel Ari, affectionately known as Mari and Ari, owners of

well established Digestive Wellness Center, in Sedona (Arizona) have opened AmethystSprings, Oasis of Well Being, a unique space of profound, deep relaxation and wellness. Itwas founded on the principle that healing occurs in deep states of relaxation.

Amethyst Springs introduces the Amethyst BioMat™, filled to the brim with amethystcrystals, recognized for centuries as Nature’s healing gem. Each session at AmethystSprings is offered on the Amethyst BioMat™, which is gently heated and penetrates thebody with negative ions and far infrared waves. Also offered is pure hydrating alkalized,ionized water before and after each session.

In addition to the Heavenly Amethyst BioMat™ Sessions, Reuel & Mariko areoffering extraordinarily unique healing sessions of“Core Synchronism”and“InfinitePossibility”on the Amethyst BioMat™. Go to AmethystSprings.com for full details.

Amethyst Springs, Oasis of Well Being is conveniently located in West Sedona and isopen by appointment Monday thru Saturday. Please call 928.203.0653

Recently, in the span of a week, I had awoken on two separate occasions toscorpions, with a total of five stings. I remained calm and took a benadryl just in

case I was allergic, and immediately iced the wounds. I also taped the inner pad of aprickly pear cactus to the wounds which diminished the pain and dissolved the markscompletely. Upon waking I felt surprisingly fine and headed off to work. By theafternoon my vision was fuzzy, my words were slurring and my movement perceptionwas affected. To deal with most sting encounters individuals end up in theemergency room to be given several pharmaceutical drugs to”band aid”the poison symptoms. Luckily, I work for our highly skilled localnaturopath, Dr. James Hutton. During each occurrence, he treated mewith an IV protocol from the 1930’s introduced by a doctor who hadextensive training in treating stings. During the 45 minute drip I couldliterally feel the neurotoxins fizzing and breaking up behind my blurringvision. On each occasion, by the end of each treatment, I was functioningnormally again. Apparently, the poison a scorpion admits attacks the nervous systemwhich is why on top of getting sick (depending on the scorpion and the amount ofpoison it injects) it can also affect the operation of basic motor skills.

Working at the medical clinic I have seen many successful patient treatments inthe bite and sting realm as well from first hand experience and can pass along thewisdom and facts that dangerous stings and bites can be naturally, safely, andeffectively treated by Dr. James Hutton.

Scorp ion Queen

For more information on poisonous insect stings, bites, and treatment please contact:

Dr. James Hutton, NMD Medical Clinic of Oak Creek2301 W. Hwy 89A Sedona, AZ 86336 928.203.9013

Testimonial by Harmony Burke



“Energy medicine is the next big frontier in medicine.”-Mehmet Oz, M.D. (on Oprah)

It has been incredible to watch how quickly and eagerly people are learning towork with the energetic dimension of their physical body. Everything shifts as youuse energy techniques that not only keep you healthy but can improve your well-

being in every aspect of your life: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Learningto tune into this neglected dimension of your being empowers you immensely.

Energy Medicine is based on the understanding that any physical, mental, orbehavioral problem has a counterpart in the body’s energies and can be treated at thatlevel. Every conceivable health problem, psychological challenge, or dysfunctionalhabit can be improved, if not overcome, by intelligently shifting the energies in thebody that are maintaining that condition. In the process, you become moreconsciously, intimately, and joyfully involved in the deepest workings of your physicalbody, a journey that extends down to your soul.

One of my first clients, from over two decades ago, showed me the power ofworking with a person’s energies. A woman with ovarian cancer came for a sessionwith the hope that I could help relax her body and prepare it for a surgery that wasscheduled in five days. She had been told to "get her affairs in order" as her immunesystem was so weak that her chances of surviving the surgery were limited. Metastaseswas also suspected.

From looking at her energy, I was certain the cancer had not metastasized. Whileher energy was dim and collapsed close to her body, the only place that looked likecancer to me was in her left ovary. In addition, the texture, vibration and appearance ofthe energy coming up through her ovary was responsive to my work with her. I couldsee and feel it shift, and by the end of the session, the pain that had been with her forweeks was gone.

I told her that her body was so responsive to what I had done that I wonderedabout her plan to have surgery. I was concerned that her immune system was indeedtoo weak, and I was confident that by working with her energy, not only would herimmune system be strengthened, the tumor's growth could be reversed. While I mademy statements with the strong disclaimers required to avoid immediate arrest forpracticing medicine without a license, she responded to the implication that she cancelthe surgery with horror. I suggested she at least delay the operation for two weeks. Shescheduled a session with me for the next day and said she would discuss the surgerywith her husband.

That evening I received a call from her husband. He was outraged and threatening.He called me a "quack." He said I was putting his wife's life in jeopardy by giving herfalse hope, and he told me I would never have another chance to confuse her like this.He made it clear that she would not be coming back. When I began to respond, hehung up. I called back a short while later. She answered. Talking in hushed tones, shewas clearly uncomfortable speaking with me. I said, "Okay, don't postpone the surgery,but please keep your appointment tomorrow. You don't have to pay. You have nothingto lose. I believe in what I am saying, in fact, I want you to bring your husband in withyou. Find a way!" She did not believe he would come in, but the next day, they botharrived for the appointment.

I had her lie down on the massage table. My hope was to find a way to give thistraditional and skeptical man, so poignantly fierce in his protection of his wife, anexperience of healing energy that his senses could not deny. I could see a dark, denseenergy at the site of his wife's left ovary, and it felt like my hand was moving through amuddy swamp. I asked the husband to place his hand a few inches above the area andbegin to circle it, using a motion that tends to draw energy out of the body. To his greatsurprise, not only could he immediately feel that he was moving against something,within two minutes his hand was pulsing with pain. To his utter amazement, his wifereported that her pain diminished as his increased.

By the end of the session she was again pain-free, felt better, and looked better. Ihad also been able to show them both, through the use of "energy testing," that we had

Energy MedicineDonna Eden

Na t u r a l W e l l n e s s

been able to direct healing energies from her immune system to the areaof her cancer. I taught him a set of procedures to use with her every day.They decided to temporarily postpone the surgery and ask for furthermedical tests prior to rescheduling it. After about ten days of these dailytreatments from him and three more sessions with me, she went throughthe additional testing. The tumor was gone.

I have since taught thousands of people how to manage their ownenergy systems. I do not know of a more important skill to develop. Thefirst practitioner of energy medicine is you. We are required today to livein conscious partnership with our body's energy systems if we are to livefully. And it is easier than you might imagine to learn how to mobilizeinner forces that enhance your health, empower your mind, andbrighten your spirit.

DONNA EDEN is among the world’s most sought, most joyous, and mostauthoritative spokespersons for Energy Medicine. Her abilities as a healer arelegendary. Her best-selling book, Energy Medicine, is the classic in its field.Its sequel, Energy Medicine for Women, was the U.S. Book News 2008 Bookof the Year in the women’s health category. Donna Eden will be in Sedona, Az2/6-2/7 2009 for a hands-on experience. Contact Carole Mackler for details:928.634.1000 • [email protected] • www.LearnEnergyMedicine.com

© Je

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Everything shifts as you use energytechniques that not only keep you healthybut can improve your well-being in every

aspect of your life.

Yoga

While the ancient Indian practice of yoga continues to gain popularity throughout the world, even avidHatha Yoga practitioners in the West tend to know very little about Kundalini Yoga. The somewhatmysterious veil surrounding Kundalini Yoga practice is, perhaps, not so surprising, given that it has

only been taught publicly since 1968. Both Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga emerged from India as components of spiritual practice, however, the

evolution of these two distinct styles of yoga in the West is vastly different. Hatha Yoga has spawned manybranches, and has so many students that virtually every style of yoga well-known in the West today has its rootsin Hatha. The many styles include Ashtanga, Bikram, Iyengar, Power, Jivamukti, Yin, and Flow Yoga amongothers. What unites these various styles is an emphasis on asana, or the physical exercises of yoga, which canbuild physical fitness, strength, flexibility, and help to reduce stress, thus improving overall physical health aswell as mental outlook.

“Kundalini is a style of yoga that is clearly presented as a spiritual practice,” says Ruth Hartung, Director of 7Centers Yoga Arts in Sedona, and long-time Kundalini Yoga practitioner and teacher. Rather than focusing on thehealth of the physical body, Kundalini’s focus is on subtle energy channels and charkas. Nearly all Kundaliniclasses in the West follow the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) style, and include chanting mantrasabout the divine in Gurmukhi (a language spoken in Northern India and Pakistan), moving the body’s subtleenergy through breathing techniques, meditation, and physical movements.

3HO was founded by Yogi Bhajan (1929-2004), a Sikh who first visited the United States – Los Angeles – in1968. Embroiled as the country was in various social movements and drug culture among the youth, Bhajandecided that the West needed a health-based yogic practice that would reveal the joy and light he believed wasinherent in each person. He broke Sikh tradition and began teaching Kundalini Yoga, mostly to youth of the 60’s andothers who, while exploring psychedelics had become addicted to drugs. Bhajan helped many people break theirdependence or addiction because the practices he taught helped people have “natural highs” without any drugs.

“Even in one’s first Kundalini Yoga class, one can experience the activation of the third eye – which weassociate with psychic abilities and our intuition. The combination of the signature breath of fire with themovements first activate the energy field and in turn, the chakras,” Hartung says. This is also accompanied by anendorphin release and often by unusual visual experiences, such as seeing vibrant colors, recalling past memoriesvividly, or having spontaneous past-life regression. This is probably why Bhajan was almost immediatelyembraced by the so-called “flower children.”

Once in America, Bhajan formed the American Sikh community, a uniquely Western interpretation ofSikhism, in which Kundalini Yoga is spiritual ritual – similar to a church or temple service. In traditional Indiansociety, Sikhs made up the warrior class – due to their comparatively large size (Bhajan was 6 foot 3). Thisbackground is responsible for the emphasis on strength and stamina in the physical practices of Kundalini Yoga,rather than the flexibility found in Hatha Yoga.

Kundalini and Hatha also differ in their more traditional Indian forms. For example, “hatha yoga” isgenerally translated to mean “union of the sun and moon,” which speaks to the goal of uniting all dualities in thepsyche of the student, revealing the oneness yogis speak of as the true nature of the universe. “Kundalini Yoga,”on the other hand, translates as “union with divine energy.” Kundalini is most often described as a coiled snake,which lies sleeping at the base of the subtle body (the base of the spine), ready to strike upwards. This is notmeant literally, of course, but describes the potential to “wake up” the dormant parts of the human brain, and livelife within “the full realization of our own divine nature,” Hartung says.

As this “atomic energy” moves up the spine from its base, each chakra that is awakened stimulates a certainportion of the brain, manifesting qualities that are typically assigned to superheroes or science fiction, such asclairvoyance, levitation, or clairaudience. In yogic philosophy it is believed that every human being carries thepotential for these supernormal or divine “powers” in the dormant seed state and that the activation andawakening of the kundalini is what releases this. This may be the origin of the most-common fear and mythassociated with Kundalini Yoga – that it will bring about Kundalini awakening, and is therefore dangerous.

In fact, Bhajan’s style of yoga is designed only to strengthen and prepare the body for Kundalini awakening, sothe practices are considered very safe. He felt that an actual awakening should only be attempted in an ashramenvironment, where all food intake and other aspects of daily routine are overseen by the teacher. In other words,techniques for Kundalini awakening are not part of any of the 200+ sets Bhajan’s students now teach.

There is a big difference between chakra activation, which is a common occurrence in Kundalini Yogapractices, and an actual Kundalini awakening in a chakra. According to Hartung, who has over 17 years ofexperience as a Kundalini Yoga teacher, the difference between these two experiences is extreme. As part of aregular Kundalini practice, people can experience “deeply spiritual openings and poetic blissful experiences,” shesays. A Kundalini awakening, however, makes it “impossible to look at things in the same way ever again,because it so profoundly changes the way you experience reality. It is accompanied by physical changes,sensitivities in the body and nervous system and a movement from ‘intellectual knowledge’ to real wisdom”.

The upcoming Kundalini Teacher Training at 7

Centers Yoga Arts in February is one place in

the United States where these more traditional

practices are being taught.

The training is a month-long intensive, where

students agree to abstain from sex,

all drugs (including caffeine and aspirin), and

basically live in an ashram-inspired

environment, with little contact with the outside

world. Because of the advanced nature of the

practices involved, 7 Centers is only accepting

students who meet certain criteria, such as

previous completion of a 200-hour yoga

teacher training, or recommendation from

a Kundalini instructor.

7 Centers Yoga Arts offers daily classes in

both Bhajan’s style of Kundalini and

traditional Hatha Yoga. Check their website

www.7centers.com for a current schedule, or

call 928-203-4400 for details.

Rachel Hollingsworth completed the Hatha Yoga Teacher Training at 7 Centers Yoga Arts in 2006 and hastaught yoga for the past four years inthe US and abroad. Rachel's teaching

experience includes a variety of settings,such as colleges and private homes in

this country & Micronesia, and at 7 Centers Yoga Arts.


The Secre t i s OutA Look In to Kundal in i YogaRachel Hollingsworth

fitness

Tired of spending endlesshours in the gym, doing thesame exercises with little

results? Step up to the Pilateschallenge and take charge of

your physical fitness. In just 10Pilates sessions you will:

• Improve your posture and

recognize body imbalances• Learn to breathe more fully

and efficiently• Develop better core strength,

eliminate low back pain• Strengthen and lengthen

muscles, increase flexibility

Lisa Becksted of Paragon Pilates is a Pilates Method certified

instructor as well as a certified

Personal Trainer.

480.580.1503www.paragonpilatesaz.com

The Pilates Roll-UpLisa Beckstead

One of the best Pilates exercises is the Roll-Up. It utilizes all of the Pilatespriciples: engagement of core muscles, proper form and alignment,articulation or movement of the spine, and most important, effectivebreathing principles to create the movement. Compared to the sit-up, the Roll-Up works muscles deeper in the body and together during all phases of themovement. The best thing is that once properly instructed, this exercise can bedone in your home, a hotel room, or anytime you can’t get to the gym.

To begin, lie on your back with a straight spine, arms extended overhead,legs together with feet flexed. Visualize your spine lengthening from the top ofyour head through the soles of your feet. Inhale to prepare, while scoopingand lifting your abdominals, pulling them back against your spine. Slowlyand purposefully exhale as you draw your arms down in line with yourshoulders, chin reaches toward your chest, shoulder blades draw together anddown to stabilize them on the back. Continue to hollow through theabdominals as you peel your spine off the mat, feeling each vertebra as it liftsoff, coming to a sitting position.

Draw your arms in front of you as you continue to scoop the abdominalsback against your spine. Reach forward, staying lifted through the top of yourspine, like you are reaching for a ball. Inhale into the side and back of your ribs fully as you begin to roll down,continuing to scoop the abdominals, then exhale as you place each vertebra down, visualizing space and length, armsdrawing back overhead. When the back of your hips connect on the mat, feel your pelvis slide underneath you,stretching the hips and low back, then return to a neutral spine with your tailbone lengthened on the mat.

To modify the Roll-Up, you may bend your legs and reach with your arms behind your knees as you roll up anddown. You may also have someone hold your feet or place your feet under a stationary object. To challenge the Roll-Up,place your hands behind your head, elbows in line with your ears as you roll up. Remember to keep your abdominalscoop in all phases of the exercise.

Lisa Becksted is the owner of Paragon Pilates and a certified Pilates instructor and personal trainer. 480.580.1503 or at www.paragonpilatesaz.com

Tough Times = a Tougher You!Kim Hollenback

In these troubled times of economic hardship, sky-high gas prices, newleaders and the possibility of staying in the work force for longer than weoriginally thought, the importance of maintaining good health is higher thanever before. Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease & cancer are on the rise.Overbooked schedules lend themselves to fast food and skipped workouts, anddoing things for ourselves tends to get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.However, if we don’t take care of ourselves, our life force and our vitality, wewon’t be able to take care of anything or anyone. We need stamina and strengthfor the tough times that we are experiencing. Taking care of our health has become an even bigger priority than ever before.

It's time to re-commit to taking care of our bodies this season. Not just the usual New Year’s resolution to get inshape, but a real change in body awareness. Attention must be paid to how we are “fueling the machine” and how wecan add physical activity to our routines. I could write pages and pages of “how to get in shape” but you already knowwhat to do. You know what foods are good for you and which ones aren’t. You know what kind of fitness activities youprefer and which people you enjoy doing them with. The challenge now, as it always has been, is getting the motivationto do it.

I'm going to make it easy for you– make up your mind and just do it! I know it sounds cliché but it’s true. Decide onthe activities and then put them on your calendar or in your day planner and then stick to it. If you had a lunchscheduled with a friend, and something came up, most likely you would keep your appointment with your friend andfind a better time to tend to the other matter. Treat your date with yourself as you would any other date or appointment.Plan it, dress for it, reschedule anything else around it, and just do it. Remember, the to-do list is never finished. Therewill always be more to do, but wouldn't you rather be stronger while you tackle them?

Kim Hollenback owns Solid Rock Fitness, a one-on-one fitness studio in Sedona, AZ and she teaches aerobics at theHilton Spa. Kim has been helping people achieve improved health, vitality & quality of life for 25 years. She can be

reached at 928.301.0209 and after the New Year look for her new website at solidrockfitness.com.



Four Corners: Michael, tell us about your experiences in teaching TaiChi for Enlightenment?

Michael Winn: (Laughs) It’s so magical. By now I’ve taught many thousands ofpeople this form. I just taught a Tai Chi for Enlightenment workshop, and everyonegot it right away… They’re all having incredible energetic experiences. That’s part ofthe whole magic and mystery of this form that really puzzled me at first.

FC: How many years have you been teaching Tai Chi for Enlightenment?

MW: I met Zhu Hui (Joo Wee) in 1997 and began to teach around 1999. Ipracticed for over a year and a half just trying to decode the form. After thirty-five

years you get to know what Qigong forms do and what channels are opening. Thisform totally baffled me because everyday that I practiced it I had a differentexperience. Fortunately I had a background in internal alchemy, which allowed meto recognize and decode Chang San Feng’s Tai Chi for Enlightenment form.

I believe that only a ‘Taoist immortal’ could have designed this form. It’s soingenious – and it’s easy to learn. This Tai Chi for Enlightenment form combinestai chi, feng shui, chi kung (qigong), the 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 branches ofthe Chinese Calendar, and inner alchemy – a powerful form of Taoistmeditation. Energetically, it is the opposite of martial tai chi forms. They emitchi outwardly for self-defense or focus on manipulating an opponent's chi. Tai

Tai Chi for EnlightenmentAncient Taoist Secrets Revealed

to the Masses in Times of Great ChangeINTERVIEW WITH TAI CHI MASTER MICHAEL WINN

So begins the auspicious introduction toa magical form called Tai Chi forEnlightenment, recently unveiled to the

world. Kept secret for over 800 years in theTaoist temples of China and taught sparingly toa select group of monks, this spiritually potenttai chi form has been called “the crown jewel ofChina’s spiritual development.” Its ancientname is wuji qigong, meaning “develops skillsfor entering the supreme mystery.” It takes amere twenty minutes to practice and can belearned in just a few days, yet activates one’senlightenment process in undeniable ways.Practitioners tell of deep soul-centering,spiritual bliss, heart-openings, and uncanny

blessings occurring in theirdaily lives. According toQigong/Tai Chi masterMichael Winn, President ofThe Healing Tao USAQigong Center and author

of numerous classics like Taoist Secrets of Lovewith Mantak Chia, Tai Chi for Enlightenmentcan even change your karma.

Rescued from extinction by a doctor namedZhu Hui, it was a wise 106-year old monknamed Li Tong who passed on the secret formhaving favored Dr. Hui since he became China’snational tai chi sword champion as a youngman. Zhu Hui soon discovered its curiouspowers and later verified its lofty origins whichlink directly to Chang San Feng – the legendary13th century “Taoist Immortal” and founder ofTai Chi Chuan. Mr. Winn boldly stated, “I amsure this is Chang San Feng’s supreme creation– the jewel he left behind on earth… Many of

my students stop or reduce practice of othermartial tai chi forms because they quickly getten times as much energy and spiritual bliss.”

Masters and Elders around the world seemto be responding to the same urgent call – tofully disclose their deepest secrets to enlightenthe masses in these times of great change. Tibet,China, India, and the Indigenous peoples of theAmericas are opening up their storehouses ofwisdom in unprecedented fashion. The sacredtechnique called Kunlun Bliss has escaped fromTibet, Kriya Yoga is more accessible than ever,Indigenous elders and Indian Avatars nowtravel to your town – and the prized Tai Chi forEnlightenment technique can be learned fromthe comfort of your home. This is a rare andblessed time to be alive. As Michael Winn isfond of saying, “Your enlightenment is myenlightenment.” Indeed, how could anyonekeep a “jewel” like this to themselves?

Miguel Montoya

“For 35 years I’ve hunted down the secrets of enlightenment...

I want to share with you the crème de la crème of my discoveries.”

c

Tai Chi for Enlightenment with Master Michael Winn continued on page 39...

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DNA Medicine Wheel in Sedona Opens to the Public

Acrowd of 50+ gathered November 13th to open a magnificent new sacred site–one that is free andwelcoming to all. In addition to the ceremonial tepee at the“steeple house”off of Dry Creek Road,

tour guides, locals, and visitors are invited to visit a new DNA Medicine Wheel. It is a donation from localbusinesses Angels of Enlightenment and Sacred Health. Co-designer Medicine Wolf commented,

“You may enter this medicine wheel whenever you wish to elevate to a higher level of spirituality,consciousness, intelligence, and divine unconditional love. It is our gift. Please use it.”

Designer, psychic Brian Schider says there is nothing else quite like it in the world. Surrounded by a large outerring of massive red rocks, there are also two magnetic rings of metallic rock, and a dug out center hole

with“channeled”symbols painted on every rock, each which Schider says is equivalent to 144,000 prayers.

10 Gideon Road 928.282.1756 Open f rom sunr i se to sunse t . Watch the Opening Ceremony on You Tube!

Search“DNA Medic ine Whee l Sedona”


Cairo is the oldest capital city in the world. Itcan be said to have existed even before the pyramidswere built. In c.3000 BC the first pharaoh of aunited Egypt (known as “The Two Lands” i.e. Upperand Lower Egypt), king Narmer (also called Menes)founded Egypt’s first capital at a location 15kilometers south of today’s modern city of Cairo. Hecalled this city “Ineb Hedj”, the White Wall, butbetter known to history as Memphis. Today ancientMemphis has nearly completely disappeared underthe thick layer of silt brought by the Nile flood everyyear through the centuries and also, perhaps mostly,from its destruction and vandalizing by Christianmobs after the decree of the Byzantine popeTheodosius I (379-95 AD) who ordered the closureof all ‘pagan’ temples in Egypt. The coup-de-gracefinally came after the Arab Invasion in 641 ADunder the military general Amr Ibn el Ass. Visitorstoday will see some vestiges of ancient Memphisnear the modern village of Mitt Rahina datingmostly from the New Kingdom. The mostimpressive remain is a colossal statue of Ramses IIwhich is lying on its back like a sleeping giant. Thequality of this sculpture is so perfect that one almostexpects this giant to wake up and walk away.

In ancient times the city of Memphis wasassociated with the great necropolis of Saqqara,home of the famous Step Pyramid of king Djoser (c.2700 BC) and the many other 5th and 6th dynastiespyramids (c. 2300-2100 BC) and the various NewKingdom and Late Period tombs. At Saqqara is alsothe mysterious Serapeum, a huge labyrinth whichhouses 64 massive sarcophagi of the sacred ApisBulls of Memphis. Also to be found at Saqqara are

the many Mastaba (low, bunker-shaped tombs) ofthe very first kings of ancient Egypt from the 1stand 2nd dynasties (c.3000-2800 BC). Memphis wasalso closely associated with the sacred city of Innu(city of pillars), better known under its Greek nameof Heliopolis, the City of the Sun. Heliopolis isabout 8 kilometers northeast of modern Cairo and,since earliest times, was the seat of the priesthood ofthe sun cult and the stellar religion of the pharaohs.It is these priests that planned the pyramids andalso composed the Pyramid Texts. Heliopolis wasthe very first ‘university’ of the ancient world wheresciences such as astronomy, geometry, medicine,architecture, the arts and writing were taught to theselected neophytes. Until the arrival of the Romansin Egypt in 30 B.C., Heliopolis had hostedillustrious students such as Plato, Pythagoras andEudoxus, who were taught by the Egyptian priests.Legend also has it that the child Jesus was educatedat Heliopolis during his years in Egypt. Next toHeliopolis is the town of Matareya where the HolyFamily is said to have taken refuge after theyescaped from the massacre of the infants in Judea.Today a beautiful church dedicated to the VirginMary stands at the location where the Holy Familyis believed to have lived.

The story of modern Cairo, however, begins in641 A.D. with the Arab Invasion. The Arab generalAmr Ibn el Ass, who conquered the Romans inEgypt, set the boundaries of a new town he calledFustat which today known as ‘Old Cairo.’ Fustatprospered from the heavy taxes levied on Niletransportation and on the trade from the caravans ofgoods coming from the east. But in the 10th century

when the Fatimids from Tunisia arrived in Egyptand became its rulers, they rejected Fustat and setup a new city nearby. Legend goes that theastrologers who cast the horoscope for the new citynoted the rising of the planet Mars, Al Kahir inArabic (“The Victorious”) and thus the city wascalled Al Kahira. The name Al Kahira is still used bythe modern Egyptians but was corrupted by theearly Europeans to “Cairo.” Modern Cairo is now ahuge metropolis claiming a population of over 18million and boasting hundreds of mosques andchurches, as well oriental palaces and the world’sgreatest museum of antiquities as well as the largestoriental bazaars.

After my self-imposed exile from Egypt in 1967,I finally took my first trip back in 1972 to see myfamily who still lived there. And although my familyand, later, my research, took me back to Egyptmany times over the years, it was not until 2004that my wife, Michele, and I decided to move toCairo on a more permanent basis. In the winter of2004 I was offered to rent a splendid apartmentbelonging to my dear friend Mohammad Nazmy, theowner of Quest Travel. Many Italian visitors havealready experienced his savvy and generositythrough the many tours organized with HERAMagazine. The apartment that Nazmy madeavailable to us was in a new block of flats locateddirectly opposite the famous Mena House Hoteland, more spectacularly, about half a kilometer fromthe Pyramids of Giza. From our balcony and largewindows we had a permanent view of these fantasticmonuments, so close that sometimes you felt youcould reach out and touch the Great Pyramid. The

CAIRO: The Mother of the World

Robert G. Bauval

Although Iwas born inthe city of

Alexandria in 1948and lived there tillmy departure fromEgypt in 1967, when I finallyreturned toexperience livingin Egypt again in2004, I chose thecapital city of Cairo.I wanted to see andfeel for myself whatit was like to live inthis metropolis thatthe Arabs call The Mother of the World.

Belly Dance student in Old Cairo


main purpose of coming to Cairo was to write my book, The Egypt Code, on location, and at the same timehave a permanent access to the ancient pyramid and temple sites of Egypt. But it was also to experienceand explore the amazing city of Cairo and its 5000 years of history. Equipped with desktop and laptopcomputers linked to the Internet, and also with my old Mercedes car (called Bucephalus after the famoushorse of Alexander the Great), I made it a point to take rides every day in and around the city after I hadfinished my writing work. Some of the ancient sites were within easy access from my home, and I would beable to walk to the Giza pyramids in just 10 minutes, or drive to the pyramids of Saqqara, Abusir, Dashour andAbu Ruwash a less than one hour. Many sunsets were spent at the Sun Temples of Abu Rowash with friends,and many sunrises at the truncated pyramid of Djedefre (son of Cheops) at Abu Ruwash or just enjoyingbreakfast on my balcony. When my friend the photographer, Sandro Mainardi was in Egypt we visited othermore distant sites such as Meydum, Dashour, Lisht and Hawara to also explore the pyramids and tombs there.

Modern Cairo is a city you can either love and hate… at the same time. Hate it because of its highpollution, its maddening noise, its crazy traffic, its general chaos, but then also love it because of its vibranthumanity, its multi-colored streets, its exotic smells, its amazingly generous and extroverted people, itsmaddening cheerful crowds and its pulsating life. Living near the Giza pyramids, however, has its obviousadvantages but also some disadvantages. Being near the highway towards Alexandria and the Fayoum, thetraffic jams in the early morning and evenings can be seen horrendous, and the accompanying cacophony ofhooting and police sirens like some weird orchestra gone mad. But when this traffic dwindles (but nevercompletely stops!) during the day and in the late evenings, the view from our balcony becomes magical, almostmystical, revealing a landscape of pyramids to our left and fairytale palaces (the Mena House buildings) to ourright, and the cream coloured dunes of the Sahara just beyond. One of the great pleasures of living in this thispart of the world is the weather, always warm and sunny, although it does get quite hot in the summer months.The evenings are truly magnificent, with amazing golden and red sunsets over the pyramids, and pastel pinkdawns filled with the songs of larks and the faraway screech of falcons that inhabit the surrounding gardens.Needless to say, our apartment (which covered nearly 400 square meters, with 4 bedrooms and 3 living rooms!)became a kind of guesthouse for friends and colleagues that came on trips to Egypt. But we never tired of showingthem around the ancient sights as well as taking them to experience the modern city of Cairo.

In medieval times Cairo was a walled city with several gates. Bab Zawayla is the oldest of these gates, and providesone of the most spectacular view in the Middle East. Right in the very heart of Old Cairo, to get there one has to walkfrom the Khan Khalili bazaar through crowded alleys vibrant with the merchants, the street sellers and the beggars toreach the ancient gate that is flanked by two very tall minarets. For a nominal entrance fee of 2 Euros you can climb tothe top of the minarets and witness the best view that any Arab city can offer. It is like being on a flying carpet glidingover the many hundreds of minarets and palaces of a fairylike landscape reminiscent of images from Omar Khayam’s AThousand and One Nights. After such a visit, then a stroll in the huge Khan Khalili bazaar must follow, and finally a stopat the world-famous Fishawi cafeteria to sip mint-tea and smoke a Shisha (waterpipe) amidst the well-to-do Egyptiansthat frequent this very picturesque oriental place. On one special occasion I took a friend walking through the so-called City of the Dead which is nearby. This is a sprawling area full of medieval tombs (mausoleums actually) whichhave been converted into living quarters by the poor population of Cairo. It is said that nearly 2 million people livehere, mostly Zabalins (Egypt’s version of garbage collectors) who have developed a kind of special culture of theirown. In the northern Arab cemetery, which is rarely visited by foreigners, is the tomb of the great Swiss explorerJohann Ludwig Burckhardt who discovered the great temple of Abu Simbel in Nubia in 1813, and also Petra inJordan. Burkhardt converted to Islam and changed his name to Sheikh Abdullah Ibrahim. It was not easy to find histomb in the vast Muslim cemetery, and luckily I was escorted by the local Sheikh who took me to the right place afterroaming through the many narrow alleys between the rows of tombs. Another favorite haunt of mine, and where I liketo take my guests, is at the magnificent Citadel of Saladin overlooking Old Cairo. There is, too, the ancient Coptic areawith its old Christian churches, some dating to the 5th century AD. I can attest that when you visit all those placesyou feel like you traveled back into the past in a time-machine. Even the people who inhabit those places look from along gone era. On one occasion I took Sandro Mainardi to the Moqqatam hills near the Citadel which is where thepyramid builders quarried some of the blocks for building their monuments. From there you have a splendid view ofthe Citadel and other minarets of Old Cairo, giving you the sensation that you are on the outskirts not of a modernmetropolis but an ancient medieval city full of promise of romance and adventure. I can really understand why somany Europeans in the 18th and 19th century, especially after Napoleon Bonaparte invasion of Egypt in 1798, werelured to this city and its mysteries.

I could go on and on about my experiences in Cairo that could fill not just one article but a whole book. I couldtalk about the amazing Antiquities Museum with its endless treasures and artifacts; I could talk about the chaotic yetcolorful and vibrant bazaars and the thousands of street cafés where on one can sip Turkish coffee and oriental tea,smoke the Shisha or play domino and trictrac (Egyptian backgammon) with the locals. I could also speak of thesplendid and luxurious palaces you can visit and even sleep in (some are converted into 5-star hotels) or the manyrestaurants serving tasty Egyptian food and rosewater flavored cakes. I could talk about all that, but I won’t. I willleave you to discover all this by yourself (or escorted by me if you want to join my organized tours.) and leave you tellthe stories yourself to your friends and family back home.

As we say in Egypt: Itfadal fi Masr. Welcome to Egypt!

Robert Bauval at the eastern gate of Old Cairo

View of the Giza Pyramids from the Mena house hotel

A special visit on Spring Equinox Day at the Sphinx

Robert Bauval was born in Egypt in 1948. A construction engineer, his interest in Egyptology is long standing having lived in Egypt andthe Middle East for much of his life. He is the co-author of two international best-sellers: The Orion Mystery and Keeper of Genisis.

Robert will be leading a tour in Egypt along with Archaeoastronomer, Thomas Brophy called "A Gathering of Souls" March 19-30,2009. Contact Laura Pennington for complete itinerary at Sanctum Journeys:www.SanctumJourneys.com • 928.300.1080


Renowned Intuitive Colette Baron-Reid offers a5-day Intensive WorkshopTo Discover Partnership

with Your Spirit

As a new generation of giftedintuitives emerge, Colette

Baron-Reid stands out among therest. Changing the way peopleunderstand the “sixth sense,”Colette shares her gift while

teaching others how to harness their own. This February 18th - 22nd, HayHouse will offer an extraordinary 5-day experiential spiritual intensive inScottsdale, Arizona with internationally acclaimed intuitive Colette Baron-Reid.

Have you received a message just when you needed it most—maybe in adream or the words of a stranger—and you knew it came from a power beyondthis realm? Do you want to learn how you can actually engage in an activedialog with Spirit to experience a heightened sense of magic, miracles and well-being? Do you want to experience how your partnership with Spirit has thepower to change your life?

Your Partnership With Spirit… Discovering the Truth of Having It ALLis a 5-day intensive about a Quantum Shift in perception. Through readings,the use of oracle cards, meditations, and more, Colette will teach you how tounlock your partnership with Spirit, learn to deliver and receive messages fromSpirit, meet your Spirit, discover the power and intention of your Spirit, andfinally, how to embrace your Spirit.

Colette Baron-Reid is an internationally acclaimed intuitive counselor witha client base spanning 29 countries. She has facilitated hundreds of her popularseminars and workshops on developing intuition and the art of creating realityworldwide. She has shared the stage with authors Sylvia Browne, JohnHolland, Caroline Myss, and many others. For more information or to register: www.hayhouse.com • 800.654.5126

Access Energy Trans format ionIn Sedona wi th Aus t ra l ian born Joanna Gi les

"What's right about me I'm not getting?"FREE TALK ON ACCESS - JANUARY 7

Learn what it takes to live in the question. When you make a decision does itfeel light or heavy? What if every choice was just a choice, no form, no

structure, no judgment and no significance? There are an infinite amount ofchoices available to you now, in this moment. What would it be like to choose foryou and have fun doing it?

BARS CLASS - JANUARY 8 Learn the Hands on process known as “Bars” and receive it. Activating these points by lightly touching them and by allowing the energy to

flow through these Bars releases the electrical charge that holds all considerations,judgements thoughts, beliefs, decisions, emotions or attitudes you have ever storedor decided were important in any lifetime.

There are 32 points or ‘Bars’ on the head including: Healing, Body, Sexuality,Money, Control, Aging, Hope and Dreams, Creativity, Power, Creating Life Forms,etc. After a Bars session the worst that can happen is, you feel like you had a greatmassage, the best thing that can happen is it can change your whole life.

Foundation and Level One of Access: January 9-13 in Sedona, venue T.B.A. $200. www.accessconsciousness.com

Please contact Joanna Giles: [email protected] or phone AUS: 61.414.517630 or US: 928.274.4119

Angels of En l igh tenment’s N.U.A.H.N. Heal ing Workshops

Nuahn is an acronym for Neural, Universal,Awareness, Healing, Network. Nuahn is

an educational program that consists of twelvelearning levels of mastery. Level one mastery isabout self enlightenment.

Many teachings align people with theirnatural ability to heal and balance otherpeople. In Nuahn, the goal of the teachings isto heal and balance yourself.The first level of Nuahn teaches conscious

control of the neural brain patterns and the electromagnetic field surrounding thephysical body. One of the most difficult lessons is: self control of thought. Nuahn alsoteaches one to connect to powerful healing energies of the Universal Self.

What qualifies a person to seek this teaching? How can it benefit the student?And most of all, how can it help humanity? Nuahn teaches how to overcome life’sroadblocks and our own self-defeating thoughts. It teaches how to perceive ourinner beauty and accept our divine right as creators on this planet. Nuahnteaches how to see through deception, and discern self-illusion. Level one is morethan an introductory class, level one’s teachings guarantee results when followedand applied to one‘s life.

For Nuahn to have any result, practice is essential! Nuahn only requires 15minutes a day of practice. Of course, if a person gives Nuahn 30 minutes or morea day, the results will be faster.

N.U.A.H.N. Level 1 is about 6 hours and approximately 1 day long. Thisteaching will consist of a series of activations, meditation exercises, & energyexpansion techniques. The activations will include: dual soul merging withharmonic akashic alignment. This workshop is also designed to give thestudent personal attention while working in a group dynamic. One ofNuahn’s main teaching philosophy is everyone learns and no one is left out.

www.angelsofenlightenment.com

2009 Pilgrimages to Southern France

MAY 16-26 AND SEPTEMBER 15-25

Join us for a magical journey usingthe transforming power of sound:

Mary Magdalene, Templar and Grailsites, Cathar-Troubadour castles,

beautiful Mediterranean coast, Druidwoods, rivers and ancient springs.

SPRING: Song of the Grail andThree Maries

AUTUMN: Song of Isis-Path of Initiation

Led by harpist-chantressAni Williams

with special guest-Grail legend Henry Lincoln

Space is limited so register early:www.aniwilliams.com or

928.204.1124

Crystal & Brian, Nuahn Instructors


Over seventy years ago Gandhi stated: “An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.”

Our world has arrived at its moment of truth. That criticalpoint of reckoning that clearly demonstrates that structures

based upon models of antiquity are releasing and new paradigmsare coming forward. This brings forward a challenge to those of uswho are navigating the planet during this time. Are we ready to fullyembrace our truth?

Now take a breath, for to anchor in the truth that is now before us is to fullyrecognize the higher order of all prophecy. As we race toward 2012 the abundanceof prophecy that is being circulated and speculated upon is literally dizzying! Ifone engages this information at the level of information only, the commonresponse is confusion, fear and distortion.

What if the higher order of prophecy is to bring us back to awareness that weare the masters of our experience and need not surrender to the interpretations ofothers! What if prophecy helps us to recognize that we are capable of co-creatingANY OUTCOME that aligns with our soul’s evolution? In a time of truth, thiswould manifest as the ability to go beyond the existing paradigms that have heldprophesies in consciousness. We can now demonstrate that we have indeed growninto our spiritual maturity!

There are many energies that are bringing forward deeper levels of truthwithout the energy of judgment wrapped around it AND there are many energiespresent that are indeed stimulating both judgment and fear. How we navigatethese energies directly contributes to the manifestation we are now co-creating onour planet.

Let’s look at the examples that are recently before us. The United States justwent through a dynamic and lengthy election process. For close to two years theenergy of change, frustration and fear have been bombarding the public in theattempt to influence those who seek power. People were afraid of the existingadministration; people were afraid of one or both of the proposed candidates ortheir running mates and hope was at all times connected to a fear that thingsmight get worse! Regardless of where your vote or non-vote was cast, the energy offear swelled to an all time high as a means to stimulate action on many levels.

When we empower fear-based activism through our focus and our dollars, wesubsequently empower the very energy we are trying to release. This process is anextraordinarily effective way to actually keep us from energizing our true freedom; thebirthright of us all. Judgment fuels traditional activism, which has at its core the energyof “my way is right”, and therefore “your way is flawed”. Even when the apparent causeis seen as being righteous and fair, there is still a core energy of polarization. The goodnews is that for many, it is through this process they fully awaken.

As we embrace and grow into our spiritual maturity we easily put aside thejudgments that fuel anger and polarization and smile that ALL of these energieshave lovingly brought us to this momentous time on our planet. This is a greatpart of the truth claiming process. To recognize that all of our experiences,prophecies, judgements and interactions are and were the gift that brought us tothis moment of conscious expansion. This is the process under way in our countryand across the globe. Many people are working through activism and others are

The Quantum Leap: C la iming Our Tru th!By Wisdom Teacher Sr i Ram Kaa

and Ange l i c Orac le Ki ra Raa

popping into a Unity-based Awareness.We have been honored to share many moments in Guatemala during 2007

and 2008 with High Priests of the Maya. Sharing sacred energies and insights,one of the most powerful discernments that we have witnessed consistently isthat the Mayans are confident and prepared for an imminent shift into the Age ofLight. They smile that so many are interpreting their calendar with fear andjudgment, AND they recognize that perhaps that fear energy is what is necessaryby those who seek to awaken.

In truth, reunification of the Eagle and the Condor re-creates the bridge oflight anchored by the heart and sustained by releasing all doubt of ourselves, alldoubt of our world, and all doubt of our universe. As we fully enter this age oflight we transcend the old paradigms, we literally become this unified energy. Wejoyously discover that words are no longer necessary for our Beingness ‘speaks’clearly. Our mere presence frees others to release their doubts and do the same.

Only as we embrace all paths and burst forth from the chaos do we open thedoorway to unified presence. We have discovered that the mystical revelationsfrom the Mayan High Priests in the highlands of Guatemala offer reassurance,while the Divine Universal Wisdom of the Archangelic realm offers guidance. Trueharmony results when Wisdom and Love unite in heart-centered action. As weunlock the keys to navigating these times, each becomes free to live their truth!

This truth comes forward by freeing our minds, anchoring our hearts, andliving authentically without doubt or fear for our future! The truth becomesanchored each time we walk through fear and discover that it has no power at all.

The extraordinary events that are unveiling themselves all around us areindeed inviting us to claim an Anchored Presence. Each event can serve to helpus re-member why we are on this planet at this very moment in history. Then,we can walk our soul’s journey without any self-doubt.

It is the time to stop talking and start BEING… 2012 is already here! Theenergy of Awakening has enveloped our planet and continues its crescendo tostimulate consciousness. To celebrate this acceleration and Awakening, on March13, 2009, (yes, it is a Friday the 13th), energies are converging to support apowerful moment in our history. A moment to fully discover how powerful youare and how important your presence is for our collective future. On thatweekend hundreds of people are gathering in Los Angeles to celebrate that we arestill here, that we are ready to claim our truth, that we are ready to release fearand that we are ready to move forward in true freedom!

We encourage you to stop talking about our future, to resist engaging inpessimistic options and to allow yourself the gift of joining us IN PERSON tofully anchor this presence for yourself and our world. The 2012 Quantum LeapCelebration brings together extraordinary synergies to fully anchor this truth,through art, music and awareness. Go to www.2012QuantumLeap.com tofurther reveal the many gifts waiting for you to claim.

With each breath may you know that the moment of your true freedom ishere! With each moment may you embrace your truth with spaciousness and joy.With each heartbeat may you know that you are a Divine Co-creator and thatyour presence matters!

Wisdom Teacher Sri Ram Kaa and Angelic Oracle Kira Raa, have come to theforefront of the Higher Consciousness movement in recent years through thequality of information and inspiration they provide to their rapidly growinginternational audience. Bestselling authors, 2012 Visionaries, TV and Radiopersonalities, Sri and Kira see this moment in history as an opportunity for Self-Ascension; the process by which the sense of self transcends the limited egoicmind to reunite with the Soul at the heart of Creation. Together they havefounded that TOSA Center for Enlightened Living, The 2012 One HeartFoundation, and the Avesa Quantum Healing Institute.

Learn more at www.SelfAscension.com andwww.2012QuantumLeap.com


Colette Baron-Reid Interview continued from page 23...

The idea of manifesting through intention was mademainstream by the Secret but had a lot of evident flaws. Forthe most part the concept still catered to the individual wantsrather than the needs of the collective. That said this has beena great learning curve for everyone. If we think about only the“self” and what it wants, there will inevitably be a fallout andwe’re seeing the evidence of that now. The manner of usingthese spiritual truths to “get what you want” as if the universewas a vending machine is flawed if the desiring only serves thesmall self and is applied to a consumerist view of happiness.Through intention you can manifest “what you want” but we’renow evolving into a time where our intentions need to be“getting what you want/need for the highest good of all.” That’swhere we need to be focused- intention partnered with Spiriton behalf of the Self/ collective. You can still be prosperous andcreate wealth without creating poverty for others.

Global economies are reflecting this evolving consciousnessthat “what happens tome happens to themany” and that “my”decisions have animpact on others. Thisis now becomingevident everywhere andexponentially whichbrings me to thecompound number of2008 which is a 10,magnifying everything.2009 still holds theprimary influence ofthis number but bringsthings to a completion through the number 9, which is thesignal for endings and the herald of new beginnings. No doubtthe new American president is fated to usher in a new eraglobally not just for the USA. His acceptance of leadership ismeant to restore America back to its essence of being the landof opportunity, where the American Dream is not onlypossible, but real for all people regardless of color. This is thetruth behind the “audacity of hope” that can restore America’sreputation as a strong nation and one to be respected by therest of the world. Like Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King,John F Kennedy, president elect Barack Obama will take hisplace in history as a leader who changed the course of history.Notice all these men were martyred and so one can only hopeand pray that this part of history will not be repeated and thatchange we all need will not be accompanied with this kind oftragedy and loss. The election of Barack Obama to thepresidency is a reflection of the tipping point of the collectiveintention for a new world peace, prosperity and purpose. Theenergy palpably shifted the minute he was declared presidentelect. And the eloquent and gracious concession speech ofJohn McCain ushered in a call for true partnership in thisunprecedented moment in history, not just in America but thewhole world.

The compound number of 2009 is 11, which is considereda Master Number and relates to the 2 pillars of spirit andmatter, and is a signal for the emerging consciousness whereintuition and divine guidance will play a large role in themanner in which we live our lives, and consciously create newstructures of “reality.” The main theme of 2009 is the initiationperiod of rebuilding of our social and economic structures toreflect these 2 pillars “as above, so below” and saying good-bye to the old outdated ways of being in the world. 2009invites us all to consciously co-create our world and find thetrue meaning of unity and prosperity. The double zeroes givethe sense that Spirit is watching over us as all eyes are seeingall that transpires. We can and must find the true meaning ofprosperity despite the temporary instability of conditions an 11year will bring.

FC: What can people do to align themselves with this new energyas we move through theyear’s transitions?

CBR: December holds themoment of greatestdarkness, so a solsticeritual is a powerful way toacknowledge what hastranspired this past year,while celebrating what isleaving us, and blessingall that has brought us tothis point. A meditationand a gratitude ceremonyis powerful and enables

you to recognize the deeper meaning in personal adversity andthe humility in the “good times.” Create a list that highlightsthe more difficult experiences you’ve had throughout the yearand bless them all one by one. Find a hidden jewel and alesson you can name so that you can find freedom throughacceptance of what has transpired. Then release each one. Dothe same for the experiences you judge as “positive” andrelease those also. Bless your journey as good and affirm theShadow’s lessons that serve to beckon in the Light.Acknowledge your commitment to being a custodian andsteward of the environment.

Above all, affirm the powers of gratitude, love andforgiveness. This is a powerful ceremony to do in a group anda great way to affirm one’s deeper sense of community.

Usher in the Light with a song or dance or joyful prayerasking only for inspiration to follow the Light and find yourauthentic path to service. Most of all, celebrate these times!Hope is a real and tangible energy. It’s up to all of us to keep italive. Be the change you want to see in the world anddeliberately intend to have the peace and prosperity you desire.Whenever you falter remember the power of change alreadymade real with these simple words… “Yes We Can.”

I think it’s a fascinatingand exciting time to bealive and it’s my beliefthat we all chose to behere now.

Colette Baron-Reid is an internationally acclaimed intuitive counselor with a client base spanning 29 countries, as wellas a best-selling Hay House Author. She has facilitated hundreds of her popular seminars and workshops on developingintuition and the art of creating reality worldwide. She has shared the stage with authors Sylvia Browne, John Holland,Caroline Myss, and many others. Her latest works include Messages from Spirit: The Extraordinary Power of Oracles,Omens, and Signs, Journey Through the Chakras CD, Wisdom of Avalon Oracle Cards, and her compelling biography,Remembering the Future. She will release Your Partnership with Spirit in October 2009.


The Dif f iculty with ProphecyMultiple factors conspire for the first time in the history of the Earth to make it

virtually impossible for reliable prophecies to be given. It is not that the futurecannot be seen at any given moment, but in most cases it simply cannot beaccurate for the following reasons:• Our Calendars are Incorrect. Much mileage is given to the issue of 2012, a datewe passed in 2005 during the month of October. The planetary ascension that beganin earnest in February 2005 moved us up through higher and higher realms. Weconsequently experienced a tremendous acceleration of time, rendering our calendarsobsolete. My own prophecies became either void overnight or fulfilled in ways thatcould not have been anticipated. (See The Ring of Truth for ways in which theprophecies of the Book of Revelation were fulfilled.)• During Ascension, possibilities become sublimated. Let us suppose that an ill-intentioned conspiracy is predicted for tomorrow. Today, however, the cosmic andplanetary ascension moves us up in frequency and light. The conspiracy nowbecomes a collaboration to do life-enhancing work. Another shift could produce ahuge cooperative effort for good. These vertical shifts in consciousness cannot be calculated nor foreseen even bybeings who are being channeled. The strong suit of the beings from the hiddenrealms is to tell us what is known. It is, in fact, in the physical where thepreviously unknowable meets the known. Man is the entity most likely to see whatis coming. The reading of signs in his dreamtime and environment could, to someextent, predict the immediate future.• Growth is now exponential. Due to massive cosmic events, growth is nolonger the linear, slow process that inches its way forward, hurdle by hurdle. If Ichange by growing in perception in the moment, the effects ricochet back andforth throughout the cosmos. That change will affect a being in the Pleiades,whose change will in turn affect me and I grow again.

Like the vertical ascension, this ‘growth through grace’ changes any linearpredictions moment by moment.

What can be PredictedTrends that depend for their fruition on higher consciousness are good

candidates for predictions. When predictions concern broader trends rather thandates and specifics, they are called prophecy. Psychics work with predictions. Seerswork with trends. Channeling could produce either, but the accuracy inprophesying trends depends on asking the correct questions and the level of thebeing who is being channeled.

Trends for 2009• Expect the unexpected. The walls of the self-made and society-produced boxeshumans have lived in are breaking apart in a life-enhancing way.• Major religions will loose their grip. People will opt for individual spirituality. • The impact of media. Mass media outlets such as YouTube, iTunes, blogs andother Internet units will herald in a huge paradigm shift, making planned attemptsto control populations less effective. • Lightworkers will mature. They will take more responsibility for theirenvironment. If we want child abuse to cease, we must stop neglecting our owninner child. If we want financial stability, we live abundantly – giving ourselvesabundant rest, abundant self-nurturing and fun.• Financial markets will shift and rock. But will not tumble.• More Earth awareness and Goddess tradition will rise.

It would seem that all trends are positive. Why would that be? What about thedisrupted weather patterns and other discomforting events? All that can bepredicted are the positive trends! Everything else is being changed through thegreat blessing of being part of an Earthly Ascension.

Almine is endorsed and described as one of the greatest mystics of our time by worldleaders and scientists alike. While other way-showers gather more and more students, shehelps create more and more masters. Her work represents the cutting edge of mysticism;that place where the physical and the non-physical meet and new realities are born. It ishere where change is rapid and insight comes quickly to wash away years of stagnation.

View her work online at: www.spiritualjourneys.com

Chi for Enlightenment gradually dissolves all the physical and karmic layers oftension in both your physical and Energy Body. It ultimately opens up aprofound inner space inside your body, where your Original Spirit, the ‘faceof your soul before you were born,’ can reveal itself.

FC: How does this form help people on a practical day-to-day level?

MW: In the process of living we get scattered and we lose our center. It’s likethe story of Humpty Dumpty who fell off the wall and couldn’t be put backtogether again. Well, this form puts you back together. So people who havebeen traumatized and injured, the light at the center of themselves opens backup – and that’s really incredible, that a ceremony can do that for somebody.

FC: How does the form work its magic?

MW: The form itself is alchemical – you could basically consider this form tobe a mandala. It's an embodied, living Sacred Geometry and we are doing asacred dance within that mandala. The energetic pathway that’s already beencreated by previous masters practicing this form, combine to empower thatpattern. Since this form also embodies the Chinese calendar, we are doing asacred dance with Time. By dancing the cycles of heaven and earth you’rebasically unfolding your essence more rapidly. This is why Zhu Hui told methat this is the only form he’s found that actually changes your karma. MostQigong forms sort of change your energy field, but this form actually changesyour karma. Zhu Hui told me that this is how he got through the CulturalRevolution – he said everybody else around him was suffering terribly and werestarving. He said he did this form and he was just able to move through all thepain and struggle and collective storms that the Chinese went through.

FC: How else might one experience their karma changing byregularly doing this form?

MW: It has to do with the five elements. In the Chinese system the fiveelements are fire, water, wood, gold, and earth. Everyone has a unique blend ofthose elements, so when you practice the form, your five elements interact withthe five elements of earth, and the five elements of heaven in a totally uniqueway. That’s how it speeds up your karma and changes your psychicinfrastructure. It’s that all these astrological and geomantic earth forces areconcentrated and they change your relationship between the five elementswithin yourself.

FC: Why is the experience different each day you do the form?

MW: You are aligning yourself with the calendar and the calendar ischanging every day. If you do the form today on October 20th, and then dothe form next year on October 20th, the subtle energies are in totallydifferent alignment, the planets and stars are in different positions, and youhave a totally unique experience.

FC: Why were such liberating techniques like this kept secret fromthe public?

MW: The Chinese are very secretive. A lot of it comes from clans andfamilies and they think other people will corrupt or pollute whatever theyhave, or will not treasure it properly. I feel that this form was just simmering– being held for the right time. Now is the time when it was meant to comeout on a large scale.

FC: And was Zhu Hui aware of this ‘right time’ as well?

MW: You know, I think he was because I met him when he was 81 years oldand he taught me the form. I met him again when he was 84 and he diednot long after that. By then he felt like he had successfully ‘passed it on.’ Ifelt as though I wanted to make a video of him and so I included a shortinterview on the Tai Chi for Enlightenment DVD. I had the book he wrote onthis form translated but have not yet published it. I’m currently collectingother people’s experiences and my own perspective on it.

But I think that the form is coming out now because it’s time for it toshine – it’ll have its big impact now.

Please check Michael Winn’s website: www.taichi-enlightenment.com orwww.healingtaousa.com to preview upcoming Qigong and Tai Chi Retreat programs.

Miguel Montoya has been actively researching health and nutrition for ten years. Heoffers holistic wellness sessions, meditation, relaxation, tai chi and fitness principles.

Tai Chi for Enlightenment continued from page 32...

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f o r 2 0 0 9 Almine

Prophecies & Predictions

© R

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in Sedona!

December12/5 Art by Pamela Becker Holiday sale at the

Sedona Rouge Spa Open House- 6 pm at 2250 W Highway 89A, West Sedona 928.203.4842 PamelaBeckerCreations.com

12/12-12/14 The Buddh a’s Relics in Sedona- You are invited to an exhibition of sacred relics of Shakyamuni Buddhaand other Buddhist Masters. Throughout the event, blessing ceremonies, with the relics, will be held for visitors. (Pets blessed Saturday and Sunday) Free of Charge. [email protected] · www.maitreyaproject.org928.634.0583

12/13 The Evolving Human- with Pepper Lewis and Peggy

Phoenix Dubro. Share your day with two powerful women asinternationally recognized channels, teachers and evolving humans, Peggyand Pepper will share their insights and inspirational ideas in an intimateand personal setting. 928.284.3703 · www.emfworldwide.com

January1/7 Free Talk: All about living in the [email protected]

1/9-1/11 Third Annual Finding the Gift in Shift

Conference- Featuring Gregg Braden, Gary Renard, Bert Janssen, Dr.J. Dunn and more! Located at the Radisson Poco Diablo Resort and Spa,Sedona. www.stellarproductionslive.com · 928.282.2450

1/19-1/25 The Four Winds Society Expeditions- Yucatan

Expedition. Also join them for a Peru Via Illuminata Expedition, 6/27-7/8and Lake Titicaca, 7/8-7/13. www.thefourwinds.com888.437.4077/435.647.5988

1/31 TeenSpace: A day-long retreat from 8:30-4:30- This

is an opportunity for teens to explore how to live their lives with self-awareness, self-care, wisdom and presence. Debra Beck, Maura Mark andSarah Mclean will be incorporating yoga, meditation and life-skills intothis wonderful day for teens and their parents. Sedona Creative LifeCenter. Contact: 928.204.0579 · [email protected]

1/31 Abandoned Minds Improv Show- Old Town Center for

the Arts, Cottonwood. 7:00pm · www.abandonedminds.com

Dec 08


May I love thee as saints love thee

O Heavenly Father, fill me daily with the love andthanksgiving that overwhelm the heart of a newlyawakened saint. Give me the fervor known to alldevotees who have ever loved and found Thee.-Yogananda from Whispers from Eternity

February2/5-2/15 Trip to Guatemala-with trip extensions for those who would like to spend more timeinAntigua and Lake Atitlan. Travel with Luminous and Mayan Elders for 11days. Visit Tikal, Copan, Lake Atitlan, Antigua, Quirigua, Guatemala Cityand Central America's larget native market at Chichicastenango. Contact [email protected] · 928.274.2265www.sedonaspiritualservices.com/guatemala_hondouras.html

2/18-2/22 Relationship with Spirit-Join Colette Baron-Reid in Scottsdale to explore your relationship withSpirit in a 5-day Intensive that will change your life forever. Space islimited-reserve today. Visit www.hayhouseevents.com

2/26-3/1 The Awakening Conference Series- Austin/SanMarcos, Texas. The Awakening Conference in Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona will

be held 5/15-5/17. Featuring Dan Millman, Marianne Williamson, Rhonda

Britten, Don Miguel Ruiz and more! www.theawakeningconference.com

March3/13-3/15 2012 Quantum Leap Conference- We can

prepare for what we cannot imagine! World class presenters include: EdBegly Jr., Len Horowitz, Tulku Karma Rinpoche, Sri and Kira amongothers! 877.421.6805 · www.2012quantumleap.com

3/17-3/21 Almine Comes to Sedona- Join Almine in a 5-

day life transforming class where hearts are expanded and perceptionsstretched. Preparing the leadership for a Golden Age about to be birthedon Earth, Almine helps her classes understand they can choose to claimmastery as their constant reality and still remain functional in society. Thisremarkable mystic provides an unparalleled transfiguring experience!Contact Joann Hamilton928.239.5104 · [email protected] · www.alminesedona.com

Jan 09

Hopi child by John Running

OngoingThe Ascension Teachings with the Munay-Ki Nine Rites of

the Initiation workshops- are available on an ongoing basis inSedona, Scottsdale, and Prescott. Contact Munay-Ki Initiator Susan Shahidi forschedules and additional information: 928.204.1619 or www.AscensionTeachings.com

Calendar Listings discount rate:$.50/word

The stars are always shining, even when we don’t see them in the sky. It is in this same fashionthat our inner galaxies operate. Sometimes we see the light within us shining bright, and atother times, the clouds of inner turmoil can obscure our vision. Moments like these call for us

to use our inner visionary skills to see the White Whole in the center of the Universe. The path to thegreat vista on the top of world is not always easy. That is why climbers bring guides with them to showthem the way.

Allow Swami Santananda to be your humble guide on a journey to the center of your Self. First weneed to have the correct equipment for our odyssey. We will all need acompass, but not an ordinary compass. Our compass will allow us to seeinto the eleventh dimension. This is the dimension of peace and love,where all suffering has ceased.

We will also need food for our journey, and our food will be theteachings of all the great spiritual masters: Christ, Buddha, Mohammed,Babaji, Lao Tse, and anyone else who has said, "All we are saying, is givepeace a chance."

Next we need recreational materials to entertain us when we need toenjoy our Selves. For this, everyone will be issued an Ipod with all yourfavorite songs.

Now we are ready to embark. Our first base camp, marked with ared dot on your map, is the plane of desire, WalMart. There, we willview survival-based reality in all its splendor. We will learn that thingsare necessary, but we can’t bring all of them with us to the summit ofour quest.

Our next base camp is called "Green Meadows". Here we willlearn that conserving our energy is vital on planet earth, where wemake our home. Even in the eleventh dimension the previous onesmust be respected.

Next on our ascent we will reach "Blue Waters Café". Here we will sipchocolate-bliss smoothies, with a special secret ingredient that will helpeveryone adjust to the higher attitude that lies before us.

Our last stop before we reach the summit of our dreams-come-trueis the "Violet Flame Campground." We will sing songs around thecampfire and listen to a performance by the Illuminated Masters Choir,which is definitely out of this world.

We are now ready to climb aboard the Om-agination express andbreathe into your truly joyous self. You are made of stars, so let your Selfshine. You are the present, so open your Self up and see what’s inside.

Feel the gift of you. Laugh at the gift that’s you, touch the gift that’syou. Cry with the gift that’s you. Hug the gift that’s you. See the gift that’syou. Be the gift that’s you.

You are all the presents that ever were and ever will be, all rolled intoone. You are a being, here and now. You are a star in the galaxy of thehuman race.

Happy Wholly Dazeand remember"All we are saying is Give Peace a Chance!"

Swami Santananda, aka Tony Carito, is a resident traveler at the Sedonaschool of red rock higher learning.

Swami Santananda’s

Gift of You

...on the Lighter Side

Tony Carito

PEAC

E


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Hidden away, throughout thelandscape of America, are theReservations of the Indigenous People

of our land, mostly unknown or forgottenby the mainstream culture of the dominantU.S. society.

Few Americans know anything aboutthe people that live on these reservationsand fewer still know or comprehend theunconscionable conditions present onmany of them.

• Infant mortality rate 300% higher thanU.S. National average• Diabetes and Tuberculosis rates 800%higher than the U.S. National average• Elderly die each winter fromhypothermia (freezing)• At least 60% of the homes are severelysubstandard, without water, electricity,adequate insulation, heat, and sewagesystems• It is reported that at least 60% of thehomes on the Pine Ridge Reservation areinfested with Black Mold, Stachybotrys.This infestation causes an often-fatalcondition with infants, children, elderlyand those with damaged immune systems.

For more information on how you canhelp, for a list of items that are needed, orif you can drive to South Dakota to delivergoods, please contact myself or RacquelLittle Thunder.

It is my long term vision to replacethese dilapidated trailers. It is myimmediate prayer to assist them throughthe long, harsh winter. Weather is extremeon the Reservation and winters bring bittercold with temperatures that can reach -50degrees below zero. If your heart feelsmoved to save a life, to give a child aChristmas present, and to give hope -Please give a tax deductible donation.

Native American Sacred Hoop 501© 3 non profitP.O. Box 1214 Rimrock, AZ 86335928.592.0588 [email protected] To Send physical items to:Raquel Little Thunder220 Cluster Housing Dr.Wanblee, SD 57577605.454.1485 lakotarose_82yahoo.com

Pilamaya (Thank you)Wankan Tanka Kici Un (May God Bless You)

Aho, Healing Wolf

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Lakota Aid- Urgent Plea for Assistance!

Documents

FCM #78 Dec/Jan 2009