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Out with the old. In with the new.
I love Spring. It’s such an exciting time of year.
The season cycle when Mother Earth begins again is also
a signal for us to resurrect our dreams, hang up our winter
doldrums baggage and step out into the sunshine.
Cold and dark are out/ warmth and light are in. |
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March
is the season when snow and ice are banished because the sun
has triumphed once again over the deathly challenge of starvation—literal
and figurative. Plants peek up out of the ground sensing the
ability to survive and grow, and people from ancient times crept
from their caves to welcome the sun and celebrate another year
of living. In modern times, we’ve named this season Spring.
Some still call it resurrection.
The Spring Equinox is remembered with celebration and ritual
to help you recommit to living life to the fullest, becoming
more enthusiastic, unafraid, and hopeful for the future. The
winter allowed us to hibernate, become quiet, reflect on errors
and mistakes and prepare for Spring when another chance to be
happier, stronger, wiser and richer in all ways would arrive.
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And Spring has arrived. Trees are no longer drab and bare.
Color and new life are bursting forth. And we follow Mother
Earth’s example—sprouting new paradigms of
thought, fertilizing a blossoming vitality and warming
up our courage to personally birth new hopes and dreams.
In the Winter Solstice issue I wrote about 2007 being
the Year of Change.
The Spring Equinox is the perfect season to initiate the
change you wish to see in your life. |
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It’s
up to you and only you to resurrect your dreams, and paint your
life in vivid colors. The time is now. Welcome to The Alchemist
2007 Spring Equinox and Resurrection issue. Journey Well. And
let the fun begin!
"If you want the rainbow you have to put up with the rain."
...Dolly Parton
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Remember
your excitement as a child when you discovered a narrow
path deep in the woods or behind your house or on your
way to school?
Remember being intrigued by its meandering direction,
about who might have walked there, where it went, and
what adventures you would discover if you followed the
path?
That excitement blossomed because that path was a metaphor
for your ancient inner awareness of walking a hills-and-valleys-East-West-North-South
path to empowerment and enlightenment. |
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sages, saints and sinners have tread the path before us seeking
the answers to spiritual growth and oneness with a Higher
Power. They have left clues, and now it’s our turn to
walk the well worn path.
Whether you proclaim it or not, you are on a path—a
journey to find out about your purpose, your gifts, and who
you really are. That’s primarily what this life experience
is about.
The well worn path has many branches including prayer, meditation,
music, dance, drumming, journaling, exercise, knitting, gardening—anything
that encourages you to spend quality time at the temple within
and stop the noise pollution and mesmerizing appeal of physical
and mental pursuits.
The seduction of everydayness is a monster that must be slain
or it will imprison you in the trappings of body and mind,
ignoring spirit and your Highest Self, and hiding your gifts,
talents, purpose and soul journey. The bad news is that the
well worn path comes to an end. But the good news is that
the well worn path comes to an end! The darkness of the unknown
begins.
The ‘unknown’ is the beginning of your trust and
faith in something beyond and yet within yourself. The ‘unknown’
is the realm of creativity and chaos—the kingdom of
possibility. The ‘unknown’ is where we are meant
to carve out our own path. We were never meant to be the puppets
of any religion or evangelical pretender. Mystics have warned
that if we are following the ‘one and only’ way,
we’re looking at the wrong map.
At our peril. And we must start over. |
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Spring
is the perfect occasion to begin again, to resurrect a new journey,
forge ahead with eagerness, excitement and faith that we are
not alone and that we are always guided and guarded on our unique
and perfect way. You are on a pilgrimage to your personal resurrection
and if you are sincere and committed to your Holy Grail journey
your path will lead you home. Remember, knitting is just as
sacred a path as meditation. Dancing, singing, drumming, exercise....
It can all lead to enlightenment. It all depends on your focus.
So follow the well worn path to the end. Then leap into the
unknown. And Fly!
When
you come to the edge of all the light you know
And you are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown
Faith is knowing one of two things will happen;
There will be solid ground for you to stand on.
Or you will be taught to fly!
"Discontent is the secret door to significant and life giving change.."
...Clarissa Pinkola Estes
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Well,
as long as we’re talking about flying, it’s
the perfect moment to review our beliefs about magic,
wishes and wishing.
For
some reason this issue keeps bringing me back to my childhood. |
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| As
I reflect upon my thinking when I was a little girl—a
tomboy—about subjects like color and mysterious paths
and wishes, it becomes clear that most of us were stronger,
spiritually, when we were children than now, as adults, with
all the brainwashing, cynicism and negativity that now inhabits
our brain cells. We now have to try harder than a 6 year old
to believe. |
Most
wishes came true when we were children because we believed!
We were convinced that magic was real, and we were infallible
and so special that we deserved everything we wished for.
And of course, as the latest book The Secret tells us,
believing is the key to achieving. |
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Incidentally,
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne does not reveal a new secret.The
book is another in a long series of books about The Law of Attraction
and how it can change your life.
I’ve written several books about ‘new thought’
and counseled clients for many years using the Law of Attraction.
The list is long with authors who have revealed ‘the secret’
since the early 20th century. The good thing about this latest
The Secret is that it is revealing this truth to a whole new
generation. And that’s a good thing.
Back to wishing, asking, believing, receiving. One of my early
teachers, Rev. Michael Beckwith (now of The Secret fame) always
reminded us that the cliché about seeing and believing
was backward. It should not be ‘I’ll believe it
when I see it....in the Law of Attraction it is “I’ll
see it when I believe it”. When I remember that, all my
wishes come true. |
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So
as an experiment....for a new Spring Equinox exercise....start
wishing again.
One evening next week walk outside and look for the first
star. “Star light, star bright, first star I see
tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I
wish tonight. (State your wish).
Monitor how you feel.
Chances are you’ll feel lighter, happier, hopeful
and you’ll be opening your mind to the innocence
of possibility, magic, and the excitement of the unknown! |
The
universe will respond to the purity of your wish.
(Be careful what you wish for!)
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a
different result."
...Author unknown
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Because
all gemstones are healing and empowering and because I
have so many favorite gemstones, I would like to introduce
you to my newest empowerment fashion statement - the Chakra
Balance Pendant. It consists of all the colors of the
chakras and therefore harmonizes all 7 personal energy
centers as follows:
Red—Root Chakra—Physical
Orange—Emotional—Harmony
Yellow—Mental—Intelligence
Green—Heart Chakra—Love
Blue—Throat Chakra—Expression
Purple—3rd Eye Chakra—Visionary
White—Crown Chakra—Spiritual |
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Although
Sterling Silver is not considered a Chakra energy, I use it
because it is the female metal and inspires feminine instincts
and intuitive wisdom. Silver draws to the power of the moon,
the feminine symbol of wisdom and inspiration.
This Chakra pendant is designed with a large central Quartz
Crystal with many inner fairy shapes and record keeper images,
symbolizing your magical inner truth, the realm of possibility
and opportunity. The other stones on this pendant include Amethyst,
Jade, Mother of Pearl, Yellow Jade, Carnelian. Aquamarine, Kyanite,
Labradorite and Swarovski Crystals.
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When
you’re chakras are healthy and unblocked, you are
operating at your highest levels of vitality and awareness.
Harmony in body and mind enables you to access your inner
wisdom and insight thus understanding your dreams and
your purpose. |
With your inner resources engaged, you enthusiastically pursue
your dreams with every expectation of realizing them.
Remember this: you were never given a dream that you weren’t
meant to realize. When any one of your chakras is blocked, confusion
reigns. As spiritual beings living a human experience we are
charged with becoming our highest and best Self. And we do this,
not be being asleep and following the crowd like sheep, not
by being silent when we must speak out, and certainly not by
ignoring our intuition.
We walk the enlightenment journey by exploring, seeking, awakening
to all manner of spiritual quests, and especially by honoring
our uniqueness. Wearing the energy of Mother Nature amps up
your personal energy and makes all things possible for you and
the global community. The universe needs you now more than ever
and a Talisman will give you that extra edge to be all you can
be, enhancing your inner and outer beauty. Be Beautiful. Be
More. Rock your world!
"An
eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind."
...Gandhi
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Talismans
and Altars are tools for feminine empowerment. These are tools
of such mythical power that they were disguised within the category
of ‘physical beauty’ to downplay their spiritual
priority.
Talismans and Altars are crucial to personal feminine spiritual
enlightenment and awakening.
Talismans
Many women are asleep and have forgotten that ancient women
of power, beauty, and prestige wore talismans (lucky charms,
power stones) at their throat or over their heart to protect,
guide and enrich their pockets and their status, and to connect
their personal energy with that otherworldly energy and magnetism
of Mother Earth. Then the matriarchal era ceased. Anything associated
with ‘female’ was destroyed and denigrated. Brawn
became key to survival. And here we are with the mess in Iraq.
Many strong and awake women wear jewelry with style and
flair but I have stopped counting how many times I’ve
heard jewelry referred to as ‘silly’ or ‘egotistical’,
‘self-indulgent’, ‘gaudy’ or ‘unnecessary’
(this expression is a favorite from men).
All of those negatives are designed to keep women off
balance, tentative, and ignorant of their power and value.
Think about this...
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When
you wear Mother Earth’s magnetic energy
at your throat chakra (a
piece of Lapis Lazuli for instance), your personal magnetism
is enhanced. You feel encouraged to speak out and speak the
truth, to protect your integrity and your authentic self. That’s
personal empowerment. And I don’t find that ’silly’
or ’gaudy’. To feel the energy of a crystal or a
Sterling Silver Goddess resting on your heart charka and calling
forth the healing power of love and compassion within you does
not strike me as egotistical or unnecessary. It reminds me that
women are a force that must awaken and bring peace back to this
ailing world.
My
recommendations: Wear a talisman. Speak your truth. Listen only
to your Inner Guide. Be Yourself. |
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Altars
Every home benefits from a place to honor and connect
with the power of the universe. Altars may be in any place
inside your home or outside in the garden. (Sometimes
I create an altar at my exhibition booth at Art Fairs
too). |
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Altars
must contain items that inspire you and remind you of who you
are - a spiritual being.
Candles, flowers, symbols, gemstones, rocks, pictures, water,
figurines - all or any of these items will help you remember
to be thankful for who you are and begin to help you understand
why you are. An altar will remind you every time you pass it
that worry, anger, greed and judgment are unacceptable and that
gratitude, kindness, acceptance and awareness are qualities
to strive for. |
My
garden altar has a statue of Artemis, the Huntress and
Protector of women, a large bowl of water with gemstones
in it, flowers, rocks and a plaque that warns, “don’t
piss off the fairies.”
I truly believe a sense of humor is crucial to balanced
and harmonious growth. My altar inside the house contains
a bowl of water, gemstones, a wood labyrinth, candles,
a Buddha, an angel and flowers. |
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I’m
always amazed that just walking by the altar shifts my awareness
and my mood, makes me smile and uplifts my energy to continue
the day with enthusiasm. Sometimes I put my journal on the altar
and the next time I write in it, the most astonishing insights
flow onto the page.
I can’t imagine our house without an altar. My recommendation:
Create your altar in a section of your house or garden that
feels empty or out of balance. Or move it around to the Feng
Shui area that needs a new energy.
"We need
an energy bill that encourages consumption."
...George Bush
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Credit:
Courtney Davis and Amber Lotus Publishing. |
The
Goddesses of every culture, and there are hundreds of
Goddesses, represent the Divine Feminine for women, a
symbol to inspire - psychologically and spiritually -
and one that reminds women that we are one with a Creative
Force.
The exploits, strengths and courage of any of the Goddesses
are the ‘blueprints’ of the seeds of the noble
feminine that dwell within our DNA. |
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To
take the Goddess away is to take away all connection to our
female legacy of spiritual authenticity, nobility and power.
That’s why the return of the Goddess in these last few
years is so significant to our breaking the bonds of patriarchal
thought slavery. For the longest time (and even now) just saying
the word ‘Goddess’ made most women and men uncomfortable,
like they were speaking a forbidden and secret word. That is
changing now that women are reclaiming their connection to their
power and divinity.
The ‘forbidden’ Goddess is alive and well and magic
is afoot! Brigit is a gorgeous Celtic Goddess—a triple
Goddess of creativity, craft and healing. Brigit inspired writers
and poets to bring forth words and ideas capable of moving people
to tears and laughter. She knew of art of herbs and oils as
the goddess of healing and as the goddess of crafts, she brought
forth the craft of tool making to better lives and living.
It’s interesting that I began this issue at the beginning
of February, the feast of Imbolg, Brigit's day of celebration.
We are so connected in all things large and small, all energies
past, present and future that it’s breathtaking. To bring
the creative fire of inspiration into your poetry, painting,
song, dance or career, call forth the blessings of Brigit. She
was often symbolized as a beautiful white swan, as illusive
as creativity itself. Wear white, or place a white cloth at
your altar with the tools of your creative trade on it and watch
your creativity and imagination blossom.
"I’m
fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men
to die in." ...George McGovern
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- Women Who Run with the Wolves, Clarissa
Pinkola Estes, PhD
- Book of Secrets, Deepak Chopra,
M.D.
- Walking A Sacred Path, Rediscovering the Labyrinth
-- as
a Spiritual Tool, Dr. Lauren Artress
- Illusions, Richard Bach
- Personal
Alchemy, Elaine Maginn Sonne, PhD
-
The Return of the Ragpicker, Og Mandino
- Crones Don’t Whine, Concentrated Wisdom
for Juicy Women,
---Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D.
- The Seven Daughters of Eve, Bryan
Sykes
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Personal
Alchemy
Elaine Maginn Sonne, Ph.D.
A short excerpt from Personal
Alchemy, my book of short inspirational readings
to help jumpstart your day:
Chaos. Whether we agree or disagree, chaos is a fundamental
impulse in the universe. Science recognizes a Chaos Theory
which tells us that creation emerges out of the unpredictable
events of our life; beneath the frenzy of disorder lies
a pattern, an interconnectedness from which all order
evolves. Seize this truth and explore the challenges you
face with a renewed insight about chance and opportunity
brought forth from chaos. |
Click
Here to Purchase |
"Years teach us more than books."
...B. Auerback
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Circle of Women
Soulmate—How to Get One and Keep One
Ganesha, The Elephant God
(Lord of Success and Destroyer of Blocks)
Bountiful Days (and Nights)
Right Speech
Waking and Sleeping
"Discontent is the secret door to significant and life
giving change."
...Clarissa Pinkola Estes
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I’ve
worn so many hats in my life
it’s hard to know where to begin.
My careers have included:
Editor of Science of Mind magazine, a monthly philosophy
journal started in 1929 by Ernest Holmes. With a subscriber
base of 90,000 readers.
Founding Editor/Designer of Inner
Visions. Publisher/Graphic Designer: SOS Press, which
is still under my ownership. And, a Spiritual Coach for
25 years. |
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My
grandmother taught me to read tea leaves ...practiced to this
day.
For
10 years I bred and showed Lhasa Apsos. Bred the Purina Dog
Chow Top Show Dog of the Year and Best In Show Champion Yojimbo
Orion (my other true love).
Of the 5 books that I have written, one was a bestseller on
Amazon.com
I’ve been married 3 times, once to an abuser, once to
a savior and now to my Soul Mate, John, for 30 years. Together,
we have restored 8 fixer-upper houses, and live in one we can’t
leave - a Craftsman in Los Angeles built in 1910. We owned and
operated a 35’ cruiser named Odyssey, and conducted brunch
cruises to Catalina. I have been blessed with 2 wonderful children
(Karen and Stephen) and 3 great grandchildren (Stephanie, RJ
and Matt).
Drumming is one of my passions on an ancient Celtic drum, the
Bodhran and facilitating several Wise Woman Circles and full
moon drumming. As a Storyteller/Jewelry Designer I design jewelry
that tells stories to motivate and inspire women through beauty.
Born in the Year of the Dragon, I am a Virgo with an Aquarius
Rising Sign ...a Feng Shui consultant with an ‘A’
type personality, who loves
to knit, garden, travel, read and do Sudoku puzzles and Cryptograms.
And, crazy about words, music, ancient wisdom, color, Mother
Nature and animals. John calls me an introverted extrovert.
My genealogy that I am following goes back to Ireland, Germany
and France. Each day I meditate, journal and chant. And I feel
like I'm just getting started!
But wait ...think about it; you’ll see that you
also wear many hats.
Why? Because women are fabulous multi-taskers!
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you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter, click the following
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Visit
my web site: www.AncientDesign.com
You'll love
my new Epona
line of custom made jewelry.
For my latest article, "Wisdom Paths" in Full Moon
Rising Magazine
Click
Here
Copyright
All Stories, Interpretations and Designs, Elaine Maginn Sonne,
PhD., 2007
All rights Reserved.
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