Why We Feel So Tired

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

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One of my Facebook friends posted this piece by Celia Fenn this morning. It's an older article but it seems very timely. I guess I'm not the only one experiencing a wave of profound fatigue right now.

Many people who are going through the Indigo to Crystal shift find that intense fatigue and tiredness are two of the predominant symptoms of their shift. They feel exhausted all the time, and just want to sleep. And when they do sleep, they sleep deeply and do not want to get up.

So, what is happening, and why do we feel this way.

Archangel Michael explains that there are three different processes that cause the fatigue. These are:

• Emotional Body Clearing
• De-toxification of the Physical and Subtle Bodies
• Full Multi-Dimensional Consciousness

Astrological Trends for May 28-June 3

Here is your energy lookout for the week ahead. Like checking the weather to know how to dress, it makes good sense to check the planetary energy patterns to know how to plan your days. This forecast looks at the current transits of the planets in relation to society as a whole. Your own natal, or birth, chart is also impacted by the current transits, and your own experiences this week will also be affected by your own unique chart pattern. I am available for general readings by phone or text chat at LivePsyche or you can make arrangements for in-depth chart readings here.

Anything seems possible on Friday, May 28th, while the Moon is in enthusiastic Sagittarius. Now that the full Moon energy is waning, you can turn your attention away from endings and look toward new beginnings. Mars in creative Leo and Saturn in perfectionist Virgo are in harmony today and you can use this to tweak something you've been working on and introduce it to others. Added harmony between Mercury in practical Taurus and Venus in nurturing Cancer encourage feelings of well being and you feel supported right now in all that you do. Strong currents between the Sun and Pluto intensify today's good vibrations and you should feel content and satisfied with your accomplishments today and still have energy left over to have an adventure later this evening.

Graham Hancock: Setting History Free

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

I don't know if it's the full moon this week, or the Merc Retrograde that never seems to end even though it went direct ages ago, but I'm blitzed. Seriously. I can't seem to string two thoughts together in a row. So as much I'd like to say about this conversation between Graham Hancock and David Wilcock... I got nothin.' Except, I don't know, listen to it. It's very good. Enjoy!

Cafe

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"Why Shamanism Now?" with Christina Pratt

Transforming Pain

Join us this week as we explore the application of shamanic skills to transform pain, whether it is physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. "In the late 1980's Rusty Berkus said that all earthly pain is our inability to let go of something what wants to be set free. Since I was in a great deal of pain at that time," says host and shaman, Christina Pratt, "I paid attention to these words. Working with them I learned to unravel mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional pain. I really didn't understand this fully until Shamanism showed me that even with the pains a person truly doesn't seem to be holding onto, energetically somewhere something is being held onto, even if it is held by the unresolved energies of the ancestors." Often this is exactly why we need a shaman to go journey for us and find the holding that is in another realm and find the means for release. In the end after the release there is a gift. In all of our suffering, not only is there the thing to be set free, but in that freedom is a gift. And that gift is most often your self.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 11:00 AM Pacific

New Time & New Location
Why Shamanism Now? A Practical Path to Authenticity will have a new home and a new air time. Beginning April 13, 2010 the show will air live on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM Pacific time and be available for download the next day from the Co-Creator Network website. Recorded shows will continue to be available on iTunes. The new url will be http://www.co-creatornetwork.com/hosts/shamanism/host_bio.htm

All episodes are now available in the iTunes Podcast Library.

Drunvalo: Birth of a New Humanity

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

I'm feeling pulled to this video conference. I've been having intimations for weeks now that there is some information I need from Drunvalo. Then I was reminded that this event is happening this Wednesday. So I've registered for it. It's very reasonable at just under a tenner.

Now that we understand the immense changes we are about to undergo in the 2012 period which the Maya call THE END OF TIMES, I shall present some information that is known only to few,” says Drunvalo Melchizedek to his Hungarian fans. “We know from the last broadcast that the Maya, the Hopi, the Kogi and the Arjuaco all say that they are descendants of the lost continent of Atlantis.

Although 200 years ago Plato spoke about this continent, the world does not know what to think of it, since no material evidence of its existence has been found.

During the next broadcast we shall enter the ancient continent of Atlantis, because this is where our story starts. All our problems today originate from here. A long time, over 13 thousand years ago the grids of human consciousness started to collapse and humanity began to lose its higher consciousness. This is what the Bible calls “the Fall”. Something had to be done otherwise humanity would have sunk to the level of animals. As the axis of the Earth shifted and Atlantis sank into the ocean, the Maya, the Kogi and the Arjuaco set off in their ships to find new lands.

For more information on Drunvalo and why I keep coming back to his work see here. If you're interested in registering for this event, the form is here. If you include my referrer number (#53537), you can help me become a VIP. (Oooooh!) It's one of those I told 4 friends and they told 4 friends and they told 4 friends things. Just look at the form. It's all there. Anyhoo, I'm recommending this one sight unseen because I just love this guy. My work with him has been absolutely life changing.

Do Nuns Work for the Vatican?

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

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As discussed here, the Vatican is making the claim that bishops aren't employees. This, they claim, means they are not legally liable for the failure of some bishops to protect children from abusive priests.  It's a claim many find absurd on its face.

"The church isn't some loosely-knit hippie commune with diffuse authority," said Barbara Dorris, outreach director for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. "It's an ancient, rigid, crystal-clear hierarchy in which bishops ordain, transfer and supervise priests and in which the pope selects, transfers and supervises bishops."

The realities in terms of canon law may be more complex than such appearances imply and law and justice sometimes seem little more than distant cousins. It is by no means a given that the courts will decide in favor of abuse survivors attempting to sue the Vatican.

Druids Hired to Reduce Car Accidents

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

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I love this story. I just wish I could find better information on it. It's always a little weird to read about any metaphysical practice that comes through the filter of reporters who don't really understand what they're writing about. But it's fascinating to see the old ways surfacing in "old Europe."

Stone me! Motoroway bosses have hired a full-time team of druids to build a series of mini Stonehenge monuments to drain 'negative energy' from accident blackspots.

The team - which has secretly been working for Austrian authorities for two years - is said to have reduced fatal accidents at one notorious crash site to zero after restoring its "terrestrial radiation."

Chief engineer Harald Dirnbacher from Austria's motorway authority ASFINAG explained: ""We were really sceptical at first and certainly didn't want people to know what we were doing, so we kept it secret."

But now the trial results are so impressive officials are spreading the scheme nationwide.

Astrological Trends for May 21-27, 2010

Here is your energy lookout for the week ahead. Like checking the weather to know how to dress, it makes good sense to check the planetary energy patterns to know how to plan your days. This forecast looks at the current transits of the planets in relation to society as a whole. Your own natal, or birth, chart is also impacted by the current transits, and your own experiences this week will also be affected by your own unique chart pattern. I am available for general readings by phone or text chat at LivePsyche or you can make arrangements for in-depth chart readings here.

This week you will gradually feel your emotions intensify as the Moon waxes fuller with each passing day until it becomes full on Thursday, May 27th. Venus moved into the emotionally sensitive sign of Cancer on May 20th. The Moon is Cancer’s ruler and Venus is the planet of comfort, pleasure, and the affectionate nature, making this week an ideal time for mooning, swooning, and spooning.

The Genie and James Arthur Ray

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

The other night I was watching an old X-Files episode; the one about the genie, or jinniyah, who makes all kinds of trouble by giving people exactly what they wish for. The problem, she finally explains to Mulder, is that people always wish for the wrong things: "Without fail. It's like giving a chimpanzee a revolver." So naturally, I thought of James Arthur Ray.

Remember this sterling bit of wisdom from Ray in The Secret?

As with so much of The Secret, I found the genie comparison disturbingly arrogant. The universe is not here to serve your ego. Your ego is what separates you from the awareness that you are the universe.

The Vatican and the Wages of Sin

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

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In what was arguably the epicenter of the US Catholic sex abuse scandal -- where the Boston Globe broke the story wide in 2002 -- ten churches are officially slated to close.

The Vatican has rejected final appeals by 10 parishes closed by the Archdiocese of Boston in the wake of the clergy sex abuse scandal, leaving parishioners to consider fighting the closings in civilian courts, the leader of a parish advocacy group said Monday.

. . .

The archdiocese announced the closings of dozens of churches in 2004, citing falling attendance, a priest shortage and financial problems, but has denied the closings were a direct result of the clergy sex abuse scandal. The closings came a year after the archdiocese settled more than 500 claims for $85 million.

Cafe

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"Why Shamanism Now?" with Christina Pratt

Working Effectively with Spirit (II)

This week host and shaman, Christina Pratt, answers listener's questions about working effectively with spirit. At the core of shamanism is the individual's direct relationship with his or her own helping spirits. While the techniques of shamanic skills are fairly easy, mastery is a life long endeavor. The skills of the shaman, like journeying, that are used to connect more clearly with our helping spirits are designed to enhance our natural human intuitive skills. What this relationship offers that meditation and messages from the Higher Self do not is the ability to ask, "where am I lying to myself?" and "how to I get out of my own way?" Christina explores how we might navigate the interface between traditional practices and our contemporary lives, whether or not we need engage in a battle between dark and light, and the critical importance of working with the spirits of the land where ever we are. In all that we explore this week, the right use of shamanic skills keeps coming back to humility and power. Cultivation of humility and power in equal parts is the hallmark of a mature shamanic practitioner.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 11:00 AM Pacific

New Time & New Location
Why Shamanism Now? A Practical Path to Authenticity will have a new home and a new air time. Beginning April 13, 2010 the show will air live on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM Pacific time and be available for download the next day from the Co-Creator Network website. Recorded shows will continue to be available on iTunes. The new url will be http://www.co-creatornetwork.com/hosts/shamanism/host_bio.htm

All episodes are now available in the iTunes Podcast Library.

Karen Bishop Says Goodbye... Again

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

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I can tell by my stats that people are freaking out about Karen Bishop. Yes, my stats. Hit after hit on Karen Bishop oriented posts; especially this one. Because, once again, Bishop has pulled the plug. I was less surprised this time. Her previous post was rather ominous. But also, I'm right there with her. Something (???) has ended abruptly. I've been describing it as "hitting the wall." For example, I've been wanting to write about her farewell post for two days but I've been too tired. And by tired I don't mean I need some sleep. I mean I'm completely, totally, exhausted on every level, and sleep doesn't help. I mean that I don't have an erg of mental, emotional, or creative energy.

I've also had the sense that a lot of things are ending. I keep feeling like I'm moving but we have no plans to move right now. And that feeling of having the rug pulled out from under -- of having nothing solid to stand on -- is palpable right now. Bishop nailed if for me in her April 30 post.

Sarah Palin on the Ten Commandments

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

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Spurred to bold rhetorical flourishes by the recent Federal Court decision against the National Day of Prayer, Sarah Palin took her "Christian nation" act to The O'Reilly Factor. The ensuing conversation is a study in wrong-headedness.

Palins's advice: "Go back to what our founders and our founding documents meant -- they're quite clear -- that we would create law based on the God of the bible and the ten commandments.

"What in hell scares people about talking about America's foundation of faith?" Palin continued. "It is that world view that involves some people being afraid of being able to discuss our foundation, being able to discuss God in the public square, that's the only thing I can attribute it to."

I'm sure she meant to say "H E Double Hockeysticks," gosh darnit. Her outrage has clearly gotten the better of her.

Astrological Trends for May 14-20, 2010

Here is your energy lookout for the week ahead. Like checking the weather to know how to dress, it makes good sense to check the planetary energy patterns to know how to plan your days. This forecast looks at the current transits of the planets in relation to society as a whole. Your own natal, or birth, chart is also impacted by the current transits, and your own experiences this week will also be affected by your own unique chart pattern. I am available for general readings by phone or text chat at LivePsyche or you can make arrangements for in-depth chart readings here.

On Friday, May 14th, the Moon leaves Taurus and enters social and communicative Gemini. An array of aspects is triggered as the Moon exchanges energy in a helpful way with Mercury, Chiron, Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter, and Pluto. Your tempo will increase as the day goes on and it seems as though everyone you know is calling, texting, or wanting to visit. The Sun is aspecting both Venus and Jupiter, also known as the Lesser and Greater Benefics because they bring goodies, so why not put work aside and be social. If you must work, find a way to make a work activity, like a meeting, an enjoyable social event. It’s a nice time for sharing a sweet treat, like ice cream or watermelon, with friends and talking about your summer plans.

Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee on Dangerous Love

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

This is a brief excerpt of a talk by Sufi scholar Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, whom I referenced recently here. Despite its brevity, it's a surprisingly rich and compelling explanation of the difference between mystical and romantic love and the misinterpretation of mystical poets like Rumi.

Pope Benedict on Sin, Sex Abuse, and the Fatima Prophecy

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

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The Pope is talking like someone who means it with his most forthright and startling statements to date. And he's finally putting responsibility where it belongs: Inside the Catholic Church. In a dramatic turn-about from his letter to the Irish Diocese and apparent rebuke of all the blame-throwing from top officials, Pope Benedict has finally called upon the Church to take full responsibility. This statement follows the resignation of numerous high profile Bishops so this may be the beginning of a serious house-cleaning.

In his most thorough admission of the church's guilt in the clerical sex abuse scandal, Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday the greatest persecution of the institution "is born from the sins within the church," and not from a campaign by outsiders.

The pontiff said the Catholic church has always been tormented by problems of its own making — a tendency that is being witnessed today "in a truly terrifying way."

"The church needs to profoundly relearn penitence, accept purification, learn forgiveness but also justice," he said.

"Forgiveness cannot substitute justice," he said.

Cafe

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"Why Shamanism Now?" with Christina Pratt

Shamanism and Recovery from Addiction

Addiction touches every one of us, particularly in America. If you aren't an addict yourself you love someone who is. Addictions come in all shapes and sizes from the drama of substance abuse to neatly packaged, socially accepted addictions like coffee and sugar. We craft addictions to emotional states, creating the same scenarios in life again and again fueled by the emotion of choice, like anger, adrenaline, or falling in love, to name the more popular today. We can become addicted to any state of being and we do. And they all rob us of our capacity to choose. This limits our creativity and hobbles the experience of true joy. Shamanism with its unique perspective and relationship with the helping spirits allows us to see that our patterns are not us. Join us this week with host and shaman, Christina Pratt, as she explores the power in shamanic process to change the unchangeable. With the helping spirits supporting our Authentic Self, we are able to identify what we are truly after in the heart of the addiction, release the old patterns around that heart, and retrieve what is deeply meaningful to us. With shamanic skills we can free our selves to experience our true unique genius.

New Time & New Location
Why Shamanism Now? A Practical Path to Authenticity will have a new home and a new air time. Beginning April 13, 2010 the show will air live on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM Pacific time and be available for download the next day from the Co-Creator Network website. Recorded shows will continue to be available on iTunes. The new url will be http://www.co-creatornetwork.com/hosts/shamanism/host_bio.htm

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 11:00 AM Pacific

All episodes are now available in the iTunes Podcast Library.

What is Wrong with the World?

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

O Egypt, Egypt, of thy religion nothing will remain but an empty tale, which thine own children in time to come will not believe; nothing will be left but graven words, and only the stones will tell of thy piety. And in that day men will be weary of life, and they will cease to think the universe worthy of reverent wonder and of worship. And so religion, the greatest of all blessings, for there is nothing, nor has been, nor ever shall be, that can be deemed a greater boon, will be threatened with destruction; men will think it a burden, and will come to scorn it. They will no longer love this world around us, this incomparable work of God, this glorious structure which he has built, this sum of good made up of things of many diverse forms, this instrument whereby the will of God operates in that which be has made, ungrudgingly favouring man’s welfare, this combination and accumulation of all the manifold things that can call forth the veneration, praise, and love of the beholder.

Darkness will be preferred to light, and death will be thought more profitable than life; no one will raise his eyes to heaven ; the pious will be deemed insane, and the impious wise; the madman will be thought a brave man, and the wicked will be esteemed as good. As to the soul, and the belief that it is immortal by nature, or may hope to attain to immortality, as I have taught you, all this they will mock at, and will even persuade themselves that it is false. No word of reverence or piety, no utterance worthy of heaven and of the gods of heaven, will be heard or believed.

And so the gods will depart from mankind, a grievous thing!, and only evil angels will remain, who will mingle with men, and drive the poor wretches by main force into all manner of reckless crime, into wars, and robberies, and frauds, and all things hostile to the nature of the soul. Then will the earth no longer stand unshaken, and the sea will bear no ships; heaven will not support the stars in their orbits, nor will the stars pursue their constant course in heaven; all voices of the gods will of necessity be silenced and dumb; the fruits of the earth will rot; the soil will turn barren, and the very air will sicken in sullen stagnation. After this manner will old age come upon the world. Religion will be no more; all things will be disordered and awry; all good will disappear.

~ from The Prophecy of Hermes Trismegistus

Hat tip to Andrew Sullivan for his link to this fascinating perspective on world religion. While Stephen Prothero thinks it a mistake to consider all religions as heading in the same basic direction, he defines a common root.

Astrological Trends for May 7 – 13, 2010

Here is your energy lookout for the week ahead. Like checking the weather to know how to dress, it makes good sense to check the planetary energy patterns to know how to plan your days. This forecast looks at the current transits of the planets in relation to society as a whole. Your own natal, or birth, chart is also impacted by the current transits, and your own experiences this week will also be affected by your own unique chart pattern. I am available for general readings by phone or text chat at LivePsyche or you can make arrangements for in-depth chart readings here.

On Friday, May 7th, the Moon moves into the spiritual water sign of Pisces and is blending its energy harmoniously with Neptune, Chiron, Pluto, and Mercury. The connection to the collective is strong today and healing energy can be directed to the planet’s current challenge of crude oil pouring out into the Gulf waters of the United States. Neptune rules both the ocean and oil, Chiron has healing energy, Pluto has the energy of transformation and intensity, and Mercury is the mind and ideas. Let’s all see the ocean waters clean and healthy in our minds, not just in the current area of crisis, but all over our planet. In your own personal life, you may have a dream or insight that brings healing and transformation to your life. The energy is excellent for seeking spiritual advice or healing today.

Hot, hot, hot! Saturday, May 8th, sizzles with potent sexual energy that can stimulate your lower chakras. The Pisces Moon engages the Sun, Mars, and Venus and you may find yourself aware of a heightened physical sensitivity that stimulates all your senses. Looking at the declinations, I see a powerful blending of the Sun, Mars, and Pluto that can best be described as rocket fuel. Whatever you do today physically or creatively, you can now do with more awareness, zeal, and total involvement. It is a day for you to be fully present and to reach for the best and the most in all that you do.

James Arthur Ray: The Check is Not in the Mail

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

Will Open in a New Window

Fresh from the front page of his website, James Arthur Ray wants to thank people for their patience over the "postponed events." What he has graciously avoided mentioning is that many people aren't feeling so patient. In fact, they filed suit over a month ago.

A lawsuit filed late Friday in Maricopa County Superior Court contends James Arthur Ray and his Carlsbad, Calif.-based company, James Ray International, misled plaintiffs during sales pitches for the events and haven't responded to calls or letters requesting refunds.

. . .

The lawsuit accuses Ray of breach of contract, consumer fraud and unjust enrichment. It names three plaintiffs but estimates up to 1,000 people are similarly situated.

Susan Smyser of Las Vegas, paid nearly $8,000 for two events; Patricia Franklin of Mesa paid almost $3,350 for two events; and Kim Wilson of Los Angeles paid more than $12,500 for four events, according to the lawsuit.

The plaintiffs contend Ray used prepaid fees to cover past events or fund his own wealth. They also say he lacked the assets or capital to conduct events or refund advanced fees without continued sales and collection of those fees.

The Incredible Creepiness in the Catholic Church

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

"I love the confession game. Tell me your sins."

~ V for Vendetta

After lengthy deliberation, the Vatican has announced that it will take over the scandal-ridden Legionaries of Christ, appointing a special envoy to run the global organization. The decision comes twelve years after decades of abuse were reported directly to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

In its statement Saturday, the Vatican said, "the conduct of P. Marcial Maciel Degollado has caused a series of consequences on the life and structure of the Legion, such to require a way of deep revision.

"The very serious and objectively immoral behaviour of P. Maciel, confirmed by incontrovertible accounts sometimes turned into true crimes. They show a life lacking scruples and authentic religious calling. Of this side of life, a great part of the Legionaries were in the dark -- especially given the system of relationship built by P. Maciel, who very skillfully knew how to create alibis, obtain loyalty, trust and silence from those around him and strengthened his own role as charismatic founder."

There is little doubt that the late Maciel was a sociopath and they can be very convincing liars. But it strains credulity to think that there was so little awareness of the comings and goings of a priest who maintained at least two households with mistresses and children, and about whom multiple allegations of sex abuse had been surfacing for years. A two-part profile of Maciel in the National Catholic Reporter covering his creation of the Legionaries, his gift for conning wealthy widows out of lavish contributions, his seduction of vulnerable women, and rape of children -- including his own -- can be found here and here. It's a fascinating read but it's not for the faint of heart.

Rest in Peace, Lynn Redgrave

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

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Tomorrow night they will dim the lights on Broadway to honor the passing of Lynn Redgrave.

I find myself deeply saddened and somewhat startled at my own sadness. I did not know Lynn Redgrave well, but I spent a good bit of time with her when I handled publicity on her book "This is Living." She was a lovely, gracious, and unpretentious woman. It was that genuine, down-to-earth quality that so distinguished her work as an actress.

I was only a child when I first saw "Georgy Girl" on television. The warmth, vulnerability, and accessibility Redgrave brought to the character of Georgy made the film an instant classic. But that was Lynn Redgrave; sincere, open, and unabashedly honest. She brought that incredible presence and integrity to every project she undertook.

Cafe

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"Why Shamanism Now?" with Christina Pratt

Shamanism and PTSD Recovery

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is the aftermath of a healthy, normal response to threatening, unpredictable, out of control situations. Within the complex inner world of someone suffering from PTSD lies multiple events of soul loss along with other psychoemotional and psychospiritual dynamics. Shamanism, with its expertise in soul retrieval and unraveling the wounds of the soul, is a critical part of the recovery process for PTSD. PTSD is debilitating, leaving people with nightmares and pervasive fear, deep scars and emotional numbness, and often uncontrollable flashbacks to the event. It can be caused by any overwhelming, violent event, whether large scale like war or personal scale like rape. PTSD can affect not only those who experience the traumatic event, but those who witness it, who offer care, who pick up the pieces after, and those who live with a loved one who is experiencing PTSD. We can all look around us and see that we have largely failed to bring healing to those with PTSD in spite of our medical system's best efforts. This week, shaman and host, Christina Pratt explores what PTSD is from a shamanic perspective and what we need to do as care providers and community to heal it. From this unique perspective we can bring not only healing to those with PTSD, but heart, meaning, and hope to this ever growing problem in America.

New Time & New Location
Why Shamanism Now? A Practical Path to Authenticity will have a new home and a new air time. Beginning April 13, 2010 the show will air live on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM Pacific time and be available for download the next day from the Co-Creator Network website. Recorded shows will continue to be available on iTunes. The new url will be http://www.co-creatornetwork.com/hosts/shamanism/host_bio.htm

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 11:00 AM Pacific

All episodes are now available in the iTunes Podcast Library.

Spinning Clerical Sex Abuse

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

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I heard the legendary Howard Rubenstein speak many years ago at a Publishers Publicity Association luncheon. Rubenstein pretty much invented PR. He's brilliant, charming, and a compelling speaker in his own right. At that luncheon he mentioned that he had handled some of the PR for the Catholic Church. His agreement with them was that he wouldn't flack anything to do with the abortion issue because he was staunchly pro-choice. It just made me like him all the more. Something tells me Rubenstein was not retained by the Vatican to handle its response to this recent eruption of the sex abuse scandal. His fingerprints are definitely not all over this one. From a PR perspective, this has been a disaster.

When I asked John L Allen, the American Catholic commentator on the Vatican, why its media strategy was failing, he responded:

"As soon as I see that they have a strategy, I will answer you! The fact is, they don't have one, and that is where they are going wrong."

Indeed, the absence of a coherent media strategy is evident, as a variety of Vatican personalities take it upon themselves to respond publicly to the accusations.

They often do it in a defensive or denial mode, shooting the messenger, or denouncing a conspiracy against the Pope and the Catholic Church because of its moral stances on life, the family and bioethics.

Eleven Thousand Turn Out for Beltane Fire Festival

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

Ritual meets performance art in Edinburgh, Scotland where the ancient holiday of Beltane has been resurrected for modern pagans and entertainment seekers.

Organisers estimated that 11,000 people flocked to the hill for the pagan-inspired celebration last night, watching 350 performers in costumes and body paint dance and drum the hours away.

. . .

The spectacular climaxed with the final tableau, when the pounding drums accompanied the defeat and resurrection of the Green Man.

A bonfire was lit as the semi-naked red dancers built a human pyramid, and the entertainment closed with Japanese Taiko drummers from the Mugen Taiko Dojo centre in Lanarkshire.

It is said that at this time of year, like Samhain in the fall, the veil between the worlds is thin. All I know is that I had a night of extremely weird dreams and it's left me really shagged out.

Happy Beltane everybody!

Astrological Trends for April 30 – May 6, 2010

Here is your energy lookout for the week ahead. Like checking the weather to know how to dress, it makes good sense to check the planetary energy patterns to know how to plan your days. This forecast looks at the current transits of the planets in relation to society as a whole. Your own natal, or birth, chart is also impacted by the current transits, and your own experiences this week will also be affected by your own unique chart pattern. I am available for general readings by phone or text chat at LivePsyche or you can make arrangements for in-depth chart readings here.

On Friday the 30th, the last day of April, you may be chomping at the bit to punch that time card and run wild due to an adventurous Sagittarian Moon in cahoots with Mercury. The long-term Saturn/Uranus opposition swings in favor of Uranus and the urge for freedom takes over now. A Sun/Mars square can send you off looking for some action or some trouble, depending on how much stress you have allowed to accumulate over the waning full Moon energy of the last two days. A short-lived Moon/Venus opposition will be adding some spice to the longer-acting Venus/Pluto quincunx, creating energy both attractive and repulsive, affecting you in several possible ways. If you are meeting dates or possible partners for the first time, you may find yourself attracted to the “bad boy” or “bad girl” types. Your naughty factor is high right now, but remember that any attraction you feel tonight is strongly physical and unstable. If you are already in a relationship, you and your mate may fight for the sake of fighting so you can get to the “kiss and make up” part. If you are thinking of taking in a show tonight, make it an action adventure film – not a chick flick.

Saturday, May 1st, loses the emotional edge somewhat and the day can be spent in pleasurable pursuits. All outdoor activities and sports are favored now, especially competitive sports or group activities. The planetary aspects indicate that you will be keen to push yourself physically and you may want to break your own performance records. While Mercury is being supported by Pluto and Venus, you have the optimism to succeed in any endeavor, whether physical or mental. In all physical activities, the Sun in Taurus square to Mars in Leo advises that you should avoid overtaxing your muscles and circulatory system. It is possible for you to be so active that you forget to eat or drink! Today is also Beltane, an important day for those who honor and celebrate the “old” holidays. Whether you observe Beltane or not, tonight is an excellent time to gather with friends around a fire or have a backyard cookout.