Walking Between the Worlds: Samhain, Spirit and Sacred Story

This is a mystical time of year, when the veils between worlds are whisper thin. Secularly called Hallowe'en, in Earth-based traditions the turning of the wheel is known as Samhain (pronounced 'sow-in'), a powerful time to manifest intent.

In the U.S., Hallowe'en is about costumes, trick-or-treating, and occasionally, mischief. On the Celtic calendar, Samhain ushers in winter and the mysteries of the dark. October 31^st precedes Day of the Dead/All Soul's Day on November 1^st, a paean to the ancestors. The dark side — that which is hidden from our view — calls us to remember our transpersonal soulscape.

I've experienced a lot of death in 2014, including my Mom, my literal and actual oldest friend at 101, one of my greatest spiritual teachers, Angeles Arrien, and several acquaintances. This season of dying and release is an excellent moment to explore what is ending or "dying" within our own beings. What do you need to let go of in your life in order to move forward? Samhain and All Soul's Day is an invitation for each of us to embrace personal and planetary transformation.

Visionary activist astrologer Caroline Casey says, "We cannot live through the dead, but we can invite the dead to live through us." What gifts are asking, aching to be brought forth through you, when the entire world is awash in liminal rebirth?

The real treat of Samhain is the opportunity for quantum growth. The trick, perhaps, would be turning our backs on these inner voices beseeching us to shine our brilliance and step fully into our aliveness, passion, purpose and service.

It's time to remove your mask, and become who you came here to be.

Lammas: Now the Dying Must Begin…

August 1-2 marks the mid-point between summer and fall. Known as Lammas, or Lughnasadh (LOO-ne-sah), it's one of the 8 "Cross Quarter Days" on the Wheel of the Year (the others are the Summer and Winter Solstices, Spring and Fall Equinoxes, Candlemas {Feb. 2}, Beltane {May 1} and Hallomas/Samhain {October 31}). Lammas is a celebration of abundance, the time of the harvest, and a potent moment to bring ourselves back into alignment with the natural world. Although it appears to occur at the peak of summer, in truth it's the first day of fall, and a time to embrace the dark.

An evocative description of this turning comes from a comprehensive mythology site with the delightful double-entendre title, Myth*ing Links, an annotated and illustrated collection of worldwide links to mythologies, fairytales and folklore, sacred arts and sacred traditions, loving compiled and updated by Kathleen Jenks, PhD.

"Lammas...is a hot, lazy, delicious time of the year. Bees buzz in the heat of the day, the air is still, and the force of the sun remains strong, even though its sway over the earth is slowly diminishing day by day. In the cooler nighttime, frogs and crickets keep us company. It is here, in the gloaming, when so many rituals begin...

"This is when the powerful gods of the grain harvests are honored. They are in their prime, sometimes generous, sometimes quixotic, and always aware with a bittersweet pleasure that their time will wane, as it always does, and they will die, as they always do, and yet nevertheless they will return to another delicious summer next year, as they always do, and have, and will, for this is the endlessly circling Wheel of the Year, and they ride it proudly.

"Yet there is a darker nuance, one that surprised me, for I had thought that this was a purely masculine god's festival. I learned however of Lugh's touching and loving devotion to his foster-mother, the royal Tailtiu, whose fate may be even more intimately woven into this season than his..."

Jenks quotes Parabola magazine author Mara Freeman on the further genesis of Lammas:

"...Lugh dedicated this festival to his foster-mother, Tailtiu, the last queen of the Fir Bolg, who died from exhaustion after clearing a great forest so that the land could be cultivated. When the men of Ireland gathered at her death- bed, she told them to hold funeral games in her honor. As long as they were held, she prophesied Ireland would not be without song. Tailtiu’s name is from Old Celtic Talantiu, 'The Great One of the Earth,' suggesting she may originally have been a personification of the land itself, like so many Irish goddesses. In fact, Lughnasadh has an older name, Brón Trogain, which refers to the painful labor of childbirth. For at this time of year, the earth gives birth to her first fruits so that her children might live..."

What needs to "die" so that the new can be born in your life?

Canadian astrologer and tarot reader Tara Greene says that Lugh's festival points Southwest, and resonates to the element Air. "Southwest represents the Place of Healing, of the Dreamer and the Dream. It is the place of both your Personal Dream and the Sacred Dream of the Planet. What is your Personal Dream? What is your Sacred Dream? The Sacred Dream is your Highest Spiritual Dream."

This August 1st, especially if you've never honored Lammas before, remember your relationship with the Earth and her cycles. Give thanks for the abundance of beauty, harmony, peace, love, healing, grace and balance you are inviting into your life and into the collective, and image-in your Sacred Dream.

The quintessential song for invoking Gaia's healing Sacred Dream came through John Lennon. Feeling deeply into these words now, there is a cellular resonance I've not been conscious of before, although I've heard the song hundreds of times:

Imagine

Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one.

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope some day you'll join us

And the world will live as one.

How to Receive What You No Longer Want

As we emerge from our extended global gestation, I'm watching people joyfully birth long-term projects from deep inner wellsprings, ready at last to bring their unique gifts to Light. At the same time, I'm also observing how amused surrender allows our heartfelt desires to manifest more easily than ardent invocation — although I've been an advocate of the latter for a very long while.

Radical manifestation means completely feeling the fulfillment of what we want — then dropping all attachment to having it. This sounds paradoxical. However, we must get out of our own way in order to receive what we no longer want. Yearning indicates a lack of faith, which keeps our desire, like the proverbial carrot on a stick, tantalizingly just out of reach. But be all right without it, and Spirit swiftly delivers the goods.

The shift for me is appreciating this awareness from an amused perspective. Before, I'd try to remain detached, but my frustration with delays gave my true feelings away. Now, more and more, I'm living in the wellspring, watching the waters of wonder continuously renew me as I surrender to Source and allow myself to receive.

This is the feminine, attractive principle, here in the yin Year of the Snake, what so many have labeled, "The Law of Attraction": the power of pull rather than push, becoming magnetic to our good and allowing it in, rather than chasing it down, wrestling it to the ground and proclaiming victory.

At this moment of moving into ever-greater wholeness, consider (literally, "with the stars") the Native American Giveaway. In the Giveaway tradition, you offer what you value most to another, with no strings attached (to your offering or to your heart). The gift might take the form of time, talent, food, clothing, etc. If it's precious to you, you allow it to spill over, like a waterfall.

I invite you to consider a Giveaway to bring about greater balance and integration in your life — without, of course, holding that as the goal.

Putting It Into Practice

What do you love so much you'd feel blessed to give it to someone else?

I once lost an earring at the beach from a pair that was special to me for many reasons. I kept its mate in the box. Then I became friendly with a woman who had a single pierced ear. On her birthday, I was inspired to give her my earring because I couldn't imagine buying a gift that meant more to me. She understood immediately when I shared the earring's history, responding, "Oh, it's a Giveaway!"

Your Giveaway might be to the mineral, plant or animal realms: planting seedlings from the beloved tree in your backyard in a barren lot, for example.

Your gift can also be anonymous. In Pronoia: How the Whole World Is Conspiring to Shower You With Blessings, Rob Brezsny shares the story of a woman who donated a kidney to someone she didn't know, then returned to her regular life and clerical job. Three years later she won half a million dollars in the lottery. This does not mean that a Giveaway will net you a reward in kind (or in cash) — simply that doing something you feel called to do, without expectation, puts the Universe on notice that you're living in the flow. That's when synchronicity starts.

For many of us, giving this blessing to ourselves may be the beginning place: you cannot give to others if your own wells are running dry. If you've been giving yourself away for years, perhaps the greatest Giveaway is time spent soaking at a spa, to help gift you back into wholeness.

Feel free to share your Giveaway stories ~ and may you experience waves of amusement along the way.

Solar Flares and Geo-Magnetic Side Effects

I've been wondering why I've felt dried out the last week or so… as usual, cosmic weather to the rescue! Thanks to Irma Kaye Sawyer for this timely reminder about solar flares and the importance of balancing our inner ecology:

Vata Dosha (Air and Ether) - Astrological signs: Libra, Aquarius and Gemini

Pitta Dosha (Predominantly Fire with a small amount of Water) Astrological signs: Aries, Sagittarius and Leo (minor water dosha influence of Pisces, Scorpio and Cancer.)

Kapha Dosha (Water and Earth) - Astrological signs: Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo, Pisces, Scorpio & Cancer.

For more detailed information on the Doshas and how to determine yours, visit PeacefulMind.com

"Keep in mind that periods of high flare activity are drying to the human body. The Pitta Dosha may be especially susceptible and may experience drier skin, hair, nails and even the eyes may be drier. Investing in a good homeopathic, lubricating eye drop may be needed, along with plenty of HIGH quality water for drinking. Like the Vata Dosha, the Pitta type may feel "hyper" at times and have difficultly getting to sleep and staying asleep when they get there. Pitta types may experience an increase of sinus problems and nasal allergies at this time.

The Vata Dosha is inclined to headaches and a feeling of increased pressure in the head and face. They also may experience mental confusion, forgetfulness, etc. We ALL can experience a bit of forgetfulness in times of high geo-mag/flare activity and that is to be expected. Sleeplessness is also commonly experienced and sleeping through the night may be difficult. It is not uncommon for Vata Dosha types to only sleep 4 hours or so at a time during these periods. They may experieince feeling "hyper" both during the day and nightime hours. Daytime napping may be very helpful to keep fatigue manageable. GROUNDING exercises are important for all types but VITAL for Vata and Pitta, especially. It is important to keep "firey" emotions such as anger, intense passions, etc. under control to keep the body energies balanced and headaches at bay.

The Kapha Dosha will most likely experience more fatigue than the other dosha types. Adequate rest is vital, take naps if you can. Also, be sure to keep your protein and calorie intake at a stable level. It is not uncommon for Kapha types to lose their appetite or even experience nausea. Eat what sounds good to you, but do avoid junk or high calorie/carb "comfort" foods, as they can devitalize even further. Kapha Doshas may be able to avoid the headaches of the other types, but will most likely experience a "foggy head," which can be exacerbated by caffeine, sugar and alcohol. Stimulants and depressants of all types are good to avoid in periods of high level activity. Kaphas may experience intestinal issues at this time such as symptoms of I.B.S, and related issues. A high-fiber supplement is a good thing to have around! It is a good idea to increase light exercise such as yoga, walking, etc. especially if one is a Kapha type that is prone to body pain or has arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.

For ALL types, liberal amounts of high-quality WATER and REST is indicated in periods of high activity. Getting "unplugged" from computers, cell phones, etc. is also helpful."

Timeshifting as the New Earth Rises

Celia Fenn offers an extraordinary discourse on what's happening now, beginning with the total lunar eclipse of June 15th, through Solstice on June 21st and through our November Stargate and into 2012. I highly recommend digesting her entire entry: New Earth Rising: Mastering Time and Embracing the Energy of Love and Support. Here's a summary:

Time in 3rd dimensional reality is only one measurement, and not the most effective, for accelerating consciousness. Celia introduces us to Astronomology, an amalgam of astronomy and astrology that combines the best of both worlds to enhance our perspective.


She writes, "the New Reality Science of Astronomology (is) a new way of viewing the evolution of the Earth and of humanity through the stellar charts of the Heavens, and one that incorporates thirteen houses instead of the twelve of conventional astrology.

"The thirteenth house is called Ophiuchus, and it falls in that area between the end of Scorpio and the beginning of Sagittarius. The name "Ophiucus" simply means "Serpent Holder" and this constellation is identified with healing and the Master Healing Energies, and the Archetypal energies of Aesclepius, Imhotep and the Snake Goddesses!

"Primarily, Ophiuchus is an energy that supports and nourishes and heals. But, it is also interesting that Imhotep was known as a 'Master Builder' and Architect, and in some accounts is credited with the design and building of the Great Pyramid. This is of interest because the Total Lunar Eclipse and the Solstice Alignments will be activating the Stonehenge SuperGalactic Portal, or 'resetting' the clock on the Stonehenge sacred site to align the Earth with the Galactic Center, and this resetting wil be transmitted to all those sacred sites that function as the 'nodes' of the Planetary Supercomputer, including the Pyramid Complex at Giza, and that will ensure that Planet Earth is perfectly aligned on her trajectory towards the 2012 alignment with the New Age of Light, which is also called Ascension.

"What is most important is that Ophiuchus is the energy of healing and support, and the energy of aligning with the Galactic Frequencies. So many people complain of feeling lack of support on so many levels. Yes, probably because you have been living according to one singular calendar or time cycle technology that completely misses out this energy of healing and support. As we shift into an awareness of the Zodiacal Healer and how these energies work with us, we can channel these energies into our lives in ways that are healing and supportive of our changes.

"On the 15th of June 2011, the Full Moon will rise over Stonehenge in Total Lunar Eclipse. The Moon will also be just 3 degrees from the Galactic Center, that is, almost in conjunction. At that moment, powerful Lunar and Galactic Light Codes will recalibrate the Divine Feminine energies of the Snake Goddesses and the Platinum Ray energies of the Shekinah into the Stonehenge Time Code Frequency Cycles. The Energy of the Great Cosmic Mother, Ma'at, will bring the entire Henge back into Cosmic Balance..."

The Mother of All Winter Solstices

Visionary activist astrologer Caroline Casey has been calling it, "The Mother of all Winter Solstices". This December 21st heralds a full moon / total lunar eclipse, making our inner darkness visible. What has been concealed is now revealed, and ready to be healed.

It's a galactic Dark Night of the Soul as we surge down the 2012 corridor into a brand new world, eclipsing millennia of spiritual darkness, says astrologer Allison Rae. She offers one of the more eloquent and inclusive depictions of now, and what it means for each of us. READ MORE

Two no-cost events I'm participating in that are sure to provide groundbreaking guidance and information:

Celia Fenn with Archangel Michael in conversation with Jim Self, Solstice eve webinar from 4-5:30 pm PST

And immediately following, human capacities pioneer / social architect Jean Houston, offering her signature Mystery School as a teleclass.

Join me, and invoke the 2011 you deeply desire and envision.

"Beware the Ides of March!" Does the day signal danger — or opportunity?

Five centuries after the astrologer in Shakespeare's play counseled Julius Caesar, "Beware the Ides of March!" we still shudder at the thought that March 15th might harbor some hidden hazard.

But it's just another day, albeit one that was part of a convoluted calendar. In ancient Rome, each month had an "ides," a mid-month division of the calendar based on phases of the moon; "ides" means, "to divide." In March, May, July and October, the ides fell on the 15th. In the other eight months, the ides fell on the 13th. READ THE REST!

Trickster Council: Remembering Kinship, Composting Dread

Caroline Casey's Visionary Activist Radio Show is one of the best ways to spend an hour I've discovered in many a year. I've been listening to her for over a decade, and now, of course, anyone anywhere can tune in, thanks to the magic of the internet.

Today she dueted with singer/songwriter/storyteller and fellow trickster David Lynn Grimes. The topic? The Age of Aquarius! Coming from an eminent astrologer like CC, I knew it'd be great. If you want to be uplifted and, as always, challenged to expand your thinking, tune in:

The Visionary Activist Show - Trickster Council: Remembering Kinship, Composting Dread - February 19, 2009 at 2:00pm

Click to listen (or download)

1/26: Opening to Power

Monday heralds a rare solar eclipse that will transform the sun into a ring of fire. Unfortunately, it'll only be fully visible to those in the Indian Ocean at the time. That doesn't mean we won't feel the effects, however.

As astrologer Allison Rae observes in the current issue of her ezine, Cosmic Time, "Eclipses break up energy, including long-established patterns that are ripe for removal. Solar eclipses are super-charged new moons signaling major new beginnings.

"In other words, this is a gamma-dose of transformational energy for planet Earth. The January and February eclipses happen in Aquarius-Leo and could easily be interpreted as an entree into the Aquarian Age. Both the New Moon Solar Eclipse on January 26 and Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on February 9 feature five planets in the sign of Aquarius."

It's also the first day of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Ox (no time to be bull-headed!). Mercury is still retrograde (through the end of the month), and Jupiter's in Aquarius all year, expanding unconventional opportunity across the board.

Clearly, this dark moon, total solar eclipse, Chinese New Year gateway is a crossroads call to, as a We'Moon calendar creatrix writes, "come unfurl at the cusp of possibility!"

A Question of Balance

Mayan time cycles maven Li Walter, PhD, says we're entering into a balancing act as we prepare to close out 2008, and it's an opportunity for integration on all levels:

"Coming in the Moon of Balance, this is a journey to find a new balance in our lives and in our society.

With so many planets in Capricorn at the moment, including the New Moon in Capricorn (and Sun in Capricorn) on 1 Skywalker (Saturday, Dec. 27th), this is clearly a journey in fundamentally re-balancing and re-structuring how we live. Mars and Pluto in early Capricorn provide some push, while Jupiter and Mercury in late Capricorn help to pull us toward the possibilities of Aquarius.

On Dec. 31st, Saturn in Virgo goes retrograde until mid-May, so here too we are given the indication that a practical re-working of how we work is in order. Also that night, just after sunset you can see the crescent Moon with Venus in the southwest and Mercury with Jupiter very low in the west.

January 1st falls on a 6 Mirror portal day, so here again is a call to reflect upon balance, and allow more balanced perceptions to lead us into the year to come.

This Skywalking journey toward greater balance manifests on the 10 Wind day on Jan. 3rd as Jupiter moves into Aquarius for the next year. It's time to take a big breath. Jupiter is much more comfortable here, able to go big, take risks, expand into the exploration of innovative possibilities.

And just on the very last day of this Moon, the World-bridger wave connects this new balancing into the attunement of Moon 7 to come. Moving from balance as we bridge different worlds is vital, whether between our personal world and another's, between work and home life, or between this dimension and others."

New Cycles, Sustainability, and Aiming High

Astrologer Dorene A. Carrel offers a wealth of cosmic wisdom for the latter part of November, which includes the major American holiday known as Thanksgiving:

"On November 26, Pluto enters Capricorn, beginning a new 16-year cycle of collective and personal transformation and rebirth, resulting in far-reaching changes in government, business, finances and communications. Capricorn rules our own authority, as well as all of the structures of government and society. The new term 'sustainability' is reflective of this cycle, as we collectively deal with growing climate change issues and limited natural resources.

"The New Moon occurs on November 27 at 6 degrees of Sagittarius, which is also the traditional American Thanksgiving holiday. Sagittarian themes include education, teaching, religion, philosophy, travel and expansion. This lunation aligns with both Mercury and Mars, bringing a fiery energy to our daily activities and communications. There will likely be livelier discussions (or perhaps disputes) at family gatherings. The symbol for Sagittarius is the archer, reminding us to aim higher in our lives, as well as to find and follow our own higher truths."

Adds Mary Jo Wevers, "In the coming years the energy of Pluto in Capricorn will penetrate old rigid and inflexible institutions, exposing arrogant and authoritarian leaders who are severe, aloof and insensitive to the needs of people. We can expect corruption to continue to be uncovered as we see institutions which are obsessed with holding onto power in order to consolidate wealth come under scrutiny.

"The public mood may seem pessimistic, overly cautious, even paranoid as it witnesses the decay and death of old structures that formerly provided some semblance of security. Yet, just as the power of Pluto is degenerative, it is also regenerative. As we eliminate the old structures that are no longer serving humankind, we are opening up new ground and opportunities for new, wiser, more responsible foundations to be laid for the future."

Changing of the Guard

Astrologers everywhere are talking about it: on Tuesday, November 4th, Saturn (planet of form and structure, symbolic of "the way things are") and Uranus (the irrepressible bolt-from-the-blue, which might best be symbolized by extreme sports!) are in exact opposition, a perfect representation of just what this historic U.S. election is bringing to the fore worldwide.

We also complete the latest round of the 260-day Mayan sacred calendar tomorrow. Mayan timekeeper Li Walter explains succinctly:

"With Saturn in Virgo exactly opposing Uranus in Pisces, it's the old guard and the new-approach in opposition, so there's both change and resistance happening. This is the story of the concrete meeting the energetic to work out their relationship. Saturn in Virgo conjoins two earth-oriented, time-conscious, practical doers. While Uranus, which brings forth stormy, electrical energies, and is associated with timing and the sudden or unexpected, will be in the vast, mystical, non-local realms of Pisces. Storm and Earth engaged. Coming in the Moon of Form, within us there is a struggle between old forms and structures and innovative new approaches, and this dynamic is showing up in the political arena as well. There will be five passes of this Saturn/Uranus opposition between now and July 2010, so this change will be worked through again and again, deepening each time."

And Jeff Jawer observes, "The long-term struggle between preserving the past and creating a new future will continue, on and off, until July 10 of next year. Each of us is likely to be pulled between these apparently contradictory forces, wondering whether to hold tight to the limits of current reality or to venture forth to invent a new one. Political and personal polarization can be expected, but the good news is that this process can also provide a chance to meet responsibilities (Saturn) in new and different ways (Uranus) and to provide a solid foundation (Saturn) to support fresh concepts (Uranus). It's easy to fall into the trap of feeling that you must choose between sides when, in fact, the real work is to build bridges between these seemingly opposing forces."

So let's grow with the flow, dear ones! For more on this theme, read my November newsletter about the role of the color purple in our lives at this exceptional time: State of Our Union.

NASA Promotes Astrology!

Well, not exactly, but close: the venerable space exploration organization sent out a bulletin alerting celebrating Americans that on July 4th (Independence Day in the U.S.), the planets Saturn and Mars will align with the crescent Moon. And by July 10th, Saturn and Mars will be kissin' close: as snuggly as they'll be for the next 14 years. Saturn is the planet of form and structure; Mars is fiery action-oriented energy. Does this herald an exciting new direction for us all, held in a more conscious container?

Astrologer Allison Rae has a slightly different take on the celestial connections during this same period: as we enter the "dog days of summer", our Sun aligns with Sirius, the Dog Star, "creating an initiation portal linked to the Great Pyramid at Giza, the Egyptian goddess Isis and the all-seeing, all-knowing Eye of Cosmic Wisdom. The rising of Sirius with the Sun near the Summer Solstice marks the beginning of the Egyptian New Year and heralds the annual flooding of the Nile, replenishing the physical and spiritual fertility of the motherland. The brightest star in our sky, Sirius streams the cosmic frequencies of Love-Wisdom to Earth.

"Freedom and illumination are themes of this celestial gateway. The United States and Canada both celebrate their independence from England under this alignment. Bastille Day, the French Independence Day, is July 14. In an intriguing twist, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was born under this configuration, as was U.S. President George W. Bush (both born on July 6)."

Which just goes to show that there's more to astrology than one's Sun sign. Then again, are H.H. and GWB simply flip sides of the same coin?

Cosmic Conjunction Cafe

Canadian astrologer Tara Greene has a way with words ~ and images ~ that makes her celestial wisdom servings especially tasty. Today's treat is no exception: check out her Big Pizza Pie delight concerning today's Aquarian Moon conjunct Chiron (the archetypal wounded healer) and Neptune, planet of dreams and visions. As an Aquarian born with Chiron conjunct my sun, I can attest to the accuracy of Tara's words; last night's dreamscape was one deep cleaning, contrary, wild ride!