Nadis

In addition to the seven chakras of the subtle body, the Tantras have described a network of subtle channels known as Nadis. According to the tantric treatise Shiva Samhita, there are fourteen principal nadis. Of these, Ida, Pingala and Sushumna are considered the most important. Ida is the left channel. Ida is white, feminine, cold, represents the moon and is associated with the river Ganga (Ganges).

Originating in Muladhara, Ida ends up in the left nostril. Pingala is the right channel. Pingala is red, masculine, hot, represents the sun and is associated with the river Yamuna.

Originating in Muladhara, Pingala ends up in the right nostril. Sushumna is the central channel and is associated with the river Saraswati. Running up the body from just below Muladhara chakra to Sahasrara chakra at the crown of the head

Muladhara is the meeting place of the three main nadis and is known as Yukta Triveni (Yukta : "combined", tri : "three", veni : "streams"). In Muladhara, Shakti, the static unmanifested Kundalini, is symbolized by a serpent coiled into three and a half circles around the central axis Svayambhu-linga at the base of the spine. The serpent lies blocking the entrance to Sushumna, the central channel with his mouth. Sushumna remains closed at its lower end as long as Kundalini is not awakened.

The technique of Kundalini Yoga consists in using Prana (the vital air), guiding its circulatory movement through Ida and Pingala down to the base of the spine into the space where Kundalini lies coiled. Shakti Kundalini will then awaken and rise up Sushumna, energizing the seven chakras (Tantra-Kundalini)

Vision Quest

This is a ritual common among tribes throughout North America, except for those within the southwestern part of the United States, for acquiring a guardian spirit or seeking supernatural guidance. The ritual is most important to people east of the Rocky Mountains and in some parts of the western United States. A vision quest provides the average individual, not just a medicine man, with access to spiritual realms for help.

Usually, sweat-bath purification rites precede the vision quest, or "crying for a vision," as it is occasionally called. The individual goes alone into the wilderness to a sacred place where he fasts, thirsts, smokes tobacco, prays, and meditates for a vision. This vigil can continue for several days and nights. Some Plains tribes practice self-mortification or mutilation, such as cutting off a finger joint. Some tribes use hallucinogenics; small groups in southern California consume a jimson weed drink, and medicine societies along the Missouri River use mescal.

In a true vision quest, the seeker goes into a trance or experiences a vivid dream in which his guardian spirit manifests, or he receives his sought-after advice from the spirit of the Great Spirit.

Vision quests are mostly undertaken by males usually when entering puberty, but sometimes in childhood. They exert a powerful force in the maturation process, providing a focus and sense of purpose, personal strength, and power.

When seeking a guardian spirit, the individual usually asks to be given certain powers, such as for hunting or healing, or luck in warfare, love, gambling, and so on. The guardian spirit usually appears in animal form, but may change to human form. In bestowing powers, it also may prescribe food taboos; teach a song, which is used to reconnect the individual with the spirit at any given time; and given instructions for ornamentation and for the assembly of medicine bundles. All instructions must be followed lest the person will lose the spirit. Ideally, the spirit will leave behind a physical token of the vision, such as a feather or claw. If the spirit that appears is undesirable, its powers are refused, and at a later time another vision quest is attempted.

There are other reasons for which vision quests are undertaken such as in times of war, disease, death, and childbirth (the latter to seek instructions for naming the child). Most Native Americans believe that the vision seeker should abstain from sex for a period prior to his quest. Vision quests are important in the practice of Shamanism. Some tribes, such as the Algonkians and Salish, have vision quest rites for girls, but these quests are not performed after puberty. The Plains warriors traditionally undertook numerous vision quests, and thus acquire many guardian spirits, each having a different function.

Most vision quests are solitary undertakings, but some are done on a collective basis, such as the Sun Dance ceremony

Tarot Card of the Day

The Empress is numbered three and symbolises one half of a perfect polarity - the Emperor being the other side of the balance. From the purity of the High Priestess we move naturally onwards to the Empress' sense of bounty and fertility. She represents the Mother Goddess, fulfilling her part in the eternal cycle of creation.

The Empress holds the power to steadily and determinedly rebuild, renew, nurture and nourish. She has an unquenchable and generous courage, responding instantly when she sees a need to defend. Her realm is built of love, fertility and warmth. When the Empress holds us we are once again in the sure safety of the infant at its mother's breast.

She also represents unconditional love - making no demands and setting no conditions. If we allow her love to flow through us then we too can become a pure spring through which the Universe flows. Only our fears stand between us and the Goddess.

'Just Like Lightnin'

Joe Satriani - Live at The Grove, Anaheim

Let Your Confidence Shine

At some point in our life there may come a time when we feel insecure about ourselves. We might judge our ability to do something or feel self-conscious about the way we look. It does not matter how this feeling manifests in our life, but it is important to be aware of our thoughts and how they impact our view of ourselves. Once we remember that insecurities are a normal part of life for everyone—even those who appear to be extremely self-assured—we may find it easier to step back from the uncertainty that lies within and take a more realistic look at ourselves.

The desire to improve or better ourselves is a natural response that arises when we begin to compare our lives to those of other people. It might seem, for example, that we do not have nearly as much going for us as our neighbor, best friend, or coworker. In truth, what we think we see about another person is usually what they want us to notice. They may be putting on a mask, trying to make things in their lives seem better than they are. If we were to look at their lives a little more closely, we would also realize that they are human, full of glorious imperfections that make them who they are. Recognizing this may take some time at first. Should we, however, feel our uncertainties begin to surface, taking deep breaths while at the same time acknowledging each one of our gifts will help us become more centered. Doing this allows us to see the wonders that lie within and lets our inner beauty shine forth into the world all the more brightly.

When we hold up such a detailed mirror to our lives and weigh ourselves against others, we are not able to see the things that make us truly unique. Giving ourselves permission to appreciate all the universe has given us, however, will make us feel more secure about ourselves and more able to use our gifts to their fullest.

Sri Yantra

Yantras come from the more than 2000 years old tantric tradition.
A yantra is the yogic equivalent of the Buddhist mandala.

Sri yantra is called the mother of all yantras because all other yantras derive from it.

The Sri Yantra is a configuration of nine interlacing triangles centred around the bindu (the central point of the yantra), drawn by the super imposition of five downward pointing triangles, representing Shakti ; the female principle and four upright triangles, representing Shiva ; the male principle.

Man's spiritual journey from the stage of material existence to ultimate enlightenment is mapped on the Sri Yantra. The spiritual journey is taken as a pilgrimage in which every step is an ascent to the center, a movement beyond one's limited existence, and every level is nearer to the goal.

Each of the circuits of the Sri Yantra, from the outer plane to the bindu (the center), corresponds with one of the stages of the spiritual journey.

The goal of contemplating the Sri Yantra is that the adept can rediscover his primordial sources. The circuits symbolically indicate the sucessive phases in the process of becoming.

Avebury

Avebury in Ink
Original Artwork by Matthew James

'Tarot for Tomorrow'

Tarot Casting for Wednesday 5th December 2007
Using Servants of the Light Tarot

Three of Spheres
Seven of Crescents
Six Of Weapons

On a Personal Level:
376 - Successful conclusions to carefully made plans. Try not to look too much at the future ... focus on the now ... and the present day. Be thorough with all negotiations ... Sometimes it is better to appear foolish and humble ... than overconfident. Think slowly and carefully tomorrow .. negotiate


Elsewhere
A good day to look at small print that more thoroughly than normal. Time to focus at the task at hand ... some vital clause or sentence could be overlooked ... and once an official document is signed ... it will become difficult in the future to retrace those steps back. Its better to delay and take a rain check than be forced to make a decision ...

Indigo & Crystal Insights

The Indigo and Crystal Adults are composed of two groups. Firstly, there are those who were born as Indigos and are now making the transition to Crystal.

This means they undergo a spiritual and physical transformation that awakens their "Crystal" consciousness and links them with the Crystal children as part of the evolutionary wave of change.

The second group is those who were born without these qualities, but have acquired or are in the process of acquiring them through their own hard work and the diligent following of a spiritual path. Yes, this means that all of us have the potential to be part of the emerging group of "human angels".

The older children (approximately age 7 through 25), called "indigo Children", share some characteristics with the Crystal Children. Both generations are highly sensitive and psychic, and have important life purposes. The main difference is their temperament. Indigos have a warrior spirit, because their collective purpose is to mash down old systems that no longer serve us. They are here to quash government, educational, and legal systems that lack integrity. To accomplish this end, they need tempers and fiery determination.

Those adults who resist change and who value conformity may misunderstand the Indigos. They are often mislabeled with psychiatric diagnoses of Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Sadly, when they are medicated, the Indigos often lose their beautiful sensitivity, spiritual gifts and warrior energy..........In contrast, the Crystal Children are blissful and even-tempered. Sure, they may have tantrums occasionally, but these children are largely forgiving and easy-going. The Crystals are the generation who benefit from the Indigos trailblazing. First, the Indigo Children lead with a machete, cutting down anything that lacks integrity. Then the Crystal Children follow the cleared path, into a safer and more secure world.

The exciting thing about these evolutionary developments, for ordinary people, is that the Indigo and Crystal beings bring these vibrations to the planet in order to share them with others. By their very presence, they assist others to move into these new vibrations and open up to their full potential as well. The Indigo-crystal gift to the planet is the gift of Evolution and access to our full potential, for every human being on the planet today, if they so choose.

At this point, many people who are allowing this shift or transition within their own auric fields, have moved from their original Third Dimensional state of awareness into the Indigo and then the Crystal states, with the assistance of the children who hold the vibration. These adults are now able to hold the Gold Ray of Evolution in their Eighth chakras, and are helping to create a matrix for the creation of the New Earth. This pulsating Gold light can be clearly seen in their auras by those with clairvoyance and the ability to perceive auric colours. (Starchild)

Tests To Unlock Maddy Mystery

17 human cells could provide a major breakthrough in the Madeleine McCann mystery, it was revealed yesterday.The DNA samples are being examined by scientists in Britain and Portuguese detectives believe the evidence could unlock an investigation which is now in its eighth month.Experts are trying to establish whether the cells match Madeleine’s DNA and so help investigators discover what happened to the youngster.

The samples are being analysed by the Forensic Science Service laboratory in Birmingham which has developed sophisticated techniques not available in Portugal.

The development comes only days after it was revealed that months of painstaking analysis on DNA uncovered in Portugal had so far failed to produce conclusive evidence.

But in a rare public pronouncement on the case, Guilhermino Encarnacao, head of the Policia Judiciaria in the Algarve, said: “We have asked the laboratory to carry out more tests and exhaust every possibility of obtaining conclusive results.” (Daily Express)

Aromatherapy Workout

Aromatherapy has a wide range of known healing uses. But did you know you can make it work for you in the gym or on the track? If you are among those of us who are running, cycling, dancing and panting your way to a better state of well being then you are aware that often we can push ourselves a little too far, resulting in strained muscles or fatigue. Many active people are aware of the ability of essential oils to ease the pain of muscle injury and speed up recovery, but they can also help to enhance you fitness regime by boosting your circulation and preparing your body for a healthy workout. Here's how;

Essential oils can improve your overall performance by increasing blood circulation. You depend on the circulation of blood to transfer energy in the form of oxygen from your lungs, to each individual cell in your body. The blood is also responsible for transporting nutrients from the digestive system to the other organs. Healthy muscles need a good supply of blood to keep them active when working out or playing sports. There are several aromatherapy oils, which can stimulate blood circulation and keep that energy flowing; these include: cypress, eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, juniper, rosemary and lemongrass. Though not as powerful, bergamot, cedar, chamomile and grapefruit oils can help to improve the integrity of your blood vessels.

A massage oil to boost circulation can be easily made by adding 20 drops of essential oil (either a single oil or combination), to 2 ounces of a carrier oils such as sunflower, grape seed or almond oil. A massage oil can take up to an hour to pass through the skin so should be applied with plenty of time to take effect before your workout begins. (More ...)

Path #28 - The Path of Ayin

"in the image of Elohim created He him; male and female created He them."

Daily Merlin Insight - The Mystery of the 7th Month

TRANSCRIPT
Tuesday 4th December 2007
NZ
10:05pm - 11:15pm

'Insight to make sense of the 7,8,9 ... and the significant event intuited within the 7th month of MM's disappearance (3rd December 2007 - 3rd January 2008) ... '

The two Old Dears stand close. They lead my awareness to a hillside. They look down on a narrow road and several vehicles driving down a road which winds round. It appears to be like a pass. There is one black car in particular. Three cars? A convoy or an escort? A rendezvous in a deserted area perhaps ... where few people are likely to be around especially at that time in the morning. The vehicles pull off the road ... over an unmetalled section ... a gravel road ... they park up. I can hear the sound of car doors slamming.

The Two Old Dears lead my thoughts away ... a secret to remain a secret. Covert meetings take place all over this country. I was aim to sense a feeling of someone European not UK relieved to be relinquishing a role or a responsibility. Money exchanged hands .... perhaps notes or drafts or bonds ... plus a list of names and places ...

I ask the Two Old Dears the obvious questions relating to 'the mystery of the 7th month' ... and they are reluctant to respond. 'Maddy in full view of the Old Fox I hear ... the cunning packhorse mule used by other's cleverer than he. The outside world may see him as astute if they knew which old mule it was ... but this fellow is tired, old and confused. A puppet on strings ... the strings soon to be cut now ... and the new Fox ready to take up the reigns ....' "Think within the business world where deeds and power is to be exchanged and you perhaps will find the Sheriff's Merry Band ... taking from the poor to give to the rich ... especially as dear old Robin was run out of town ...

'Begone', I hear an old man shout willing the Two Old Dears to be quiet. This is one who is of the same kin as MM ... he appears red in the face and angry with it all ... especially as he sees how is female offspring is suffering in the wake of all the lies. He finds it hard to keep his voice under control. He shouts and balls and bangs his fist sharply onto a table. He asks after them all and demands he is genuine. He may have been against me and others like me in life. Belittling family members who did believe over a beer when in life. But now is a different matter he must use any means he can to shout and be heard. This deception has gone on far too long.... he gives me the name of Paul ... very common I know but reasons not stated he prefered to answer to the name of Davey or David ... his hair seems red ... his face seems red ... and he seems to be nursing swollen and painful joints ... a family trait .... on B's side .... this seems a father figure to B ... they must no longer suffer any more. It is time those that know let them know all that they know and put them all out of the misery. M is alive and they do know where it is she is based from time to time. She may currently be absent from that place ... but she is bound to return from overseas ... some time soon he is implying on me ...' Brian Desborough? Or is it Brian who is 'Des's brother?

'What is significant of the 7th month of MM's disappearance? What is to take place in this period of time?'

I hear a group of awarenesses impress on me 'release of the rightful heir'. They must find the key to release their princess. The key to the right door. Someone is playing games with them laying down cryptic clues using the media ... three lawyers stand behind me from the higher realms. Dressed in their dark suits. Looking sullen because they are angry that fellows are acting in such a way. Spreading confusion due to something has undertaken that demands loyalty and sworn silence ... these gentlemen show an image of a whitehall bowler hat man with umbrella and a charmer of the ladies ... who snoops and undertakes surveillance who is doing nothing with what he knows. The name Thomas and also Bowles but they are not linked. This gentleman has been known to be an eavesdropper ... part of some kind of surveillance operation.

One of the Two Old Dears is sick and tired of all the dilly dallying around. Ireland and trees .... parkland beside a lake .... a hiding place for the little princess at one time ... but now that trail has been confused as someone covers their tracks perhaps the final furlong. A Racing consortium ... Green and the Chequered Flag ... flush out the villains all of them and when the last one is caught with his trousers down ... who knows what it is that will be revealed at the front door ... but elsewhere ......{withheld} ... and kept hidden until the coast is clear ...

'Someone significant will learn where the little princess is .... and will finally have to say ... because the cryptic games must come to an end. The summit must be climbed once and more all ...'


In the early days of discerning what Divination spreads were trying to say I heard over and over 'describe what you see' .... I see thus here symbolically ... the King Of Beasts at the centre of the working. At the centre of the issue. Wearing the Antler's horns either because the horns makes him untouchable and unfathomable ... or he is the prey for the wild hunt. He is the one the trail will lead to. I see the Badger behind him awakening from hibernation. The badger symbolic of healing or healer. Or the medical profession. Thus the King Of Beasts is linked to the medical profession. Towards him the Warrior of Beasts ... either his son or someone who is of lesser rank to him ... approaches him from somewhere rural with a gift as a way of an apology or the means to reconcile their differences .... the King of Beasts bears information relating to some research in the medical field which is desired by those who caused the entire situation it seems. They created the whole affair in order to pressure the King Of Beasts to part with what it is he knows perhaps?

The three of Fishes - the affirmation of 'affection' ... relates to some emotional link to the 'three fishes' or the three people link emotionally to the centre of this situation. Some kind of evidence is kept secret perhaps?

The crystal casting depicts some kind of network with another network within that network. Touching on this network is the 'eye stone' and the significance of the eye of MM ... also the mother love pink crystal ... perhaps the means of conception of MM? The white stone of trust indicates the naivety of Gerry & Kate perhaps to conceive MM in this way ... they were so desperate to have their first child ... that their emotions made them overlook their connection to this apparent network perhaps? Somewhere along the lines the King Of Beasts received intelligence relating to the conception methods of MM perhaps? The smoky crystal on the King of Beasts indicates some kind of thinking and something like forward planning ...

The Queen of Birds has been recognised in an early transcript within May 2007 as perhaps being a significator of Kate McCann ... inexplicably she has been perhaps drawn into something which she was not aware of ... involved in situations in which she is out of her depth ???

The 2 of Fishes - the freedom ... and the Page of Serpents ... the 'little serpent' ... the DNA reference ... and maybe the indication of negotiated freedom perhaps? There is a sense here now of playing the waiting game ....

The top three cards ... The Guardian ... The Fool .... and the 4 of Birds (Truce) .... linked I sense to the silent running ... the Guardian thus the protector of that trail now ... there is a glimpse of a teacher and a young mother it seems ... and in the background is seen the winding path which leads eventually to the 'tower of strength' .... the Fool is the start of another chapter ... a fresh page in the book with subtle differences in the 'speculation' to come in future days and weeks ... the four of Birds is the communications relating to the reconciliations between the once opposing sides ... the crystal of trust falls here ... there appears to be some real truth to come in tabloid or forum ... as something of real merit is circulated between now and the 3rd of Jamuary 2008. A glimmer of something ....

'I warned Henri not to drive Di'

HENRI Paul was warned not to drive Princess Di and Dodi Fayed on their last journey, the Diana inquest heard yesterday.

Francois Tendil, night security manager at Paris’s Ritz Hotel said he told Paul – his boss – it was not his job to ferry the couple around.

But Paul, who had hatched an ill-fated plan with Dodi and his bodyguards to evade waiting paparazzi photographers, ignored him. And he climbed behind the wheel of the Mercedes which took the 36-year-old Princess and Dodi, 42, to their deaths.

Mr Tendil said he saw no signs that Paul, the Ritz’s acting head of security, had been boozing. But blood tests after the crash showed he was over the drink-drive limit.

Mr Tendil said Paul became involved due to Dodi’s fury at the paparazzi, who had followed him and Di since they arrived in Paris earlier in the day. It prompted the couple to cancel a restaurant meal and dine at the hotel instead. And Dodi could see a growing crowd of snappers outside, the inquest at the High Court in London heard.

Mr Tendil called Paul, who had gone off duty three hours before, and he agreed to return to the hotel. (The Sun)

Oghams

Oghams are named from the Irish-Celtic deity named Ogma, the god of eloquence and learning. The use of Oghams were primarily used by the Celts just as the Futhark were primarily used by the nordic-germanic people. The "letters" were a systems of strokes on or across a centered line. There was 3 sets of 5 constants and 1 set of 5 vowels. The order of Oghams are under heavy dispute, so in today's reference you may see it as Beth-Luis-Nion (BLN) or as Beth-Luis-Fearn (BLF).

It should be noted that the Oghams were not seen as an alphabet in the beginning but as a way to communicate non verbally. It was to open doors of hidden knowledge by the sound that Oghams invoked. This was commented on by Caesar as written in the book of The Conquest of Gaul "They commit to memory immense amounts of poetry. They consider it improper to commit their studies to writing, lest it should be vulgarised and lest the memory of scholars should be impaired."

Sources of earliest Oghams come from the scholar's Primer from Scotland which was transcribed from the oral tradition in the 17th century. Another source is from O'Flaherty's Ogygia from Ireland which was published in 1793 And The Book of Ballymote written in 14th century and transcribed by George Calder. The more modern reference is from Robert Graves book The White Goddess in 1948.

Oghams are believed to have been first used between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD as very boring and uneventful grave and boundary markers. The evidence of use came from Christian monks who translated Oghams to a more Latin alphabet as a part of a movement in coverting the local community. From this new alphabet, one more set of constants were added so the full alphabet would become 25 letters in all.

Before this, the Oghams were first used only by the learned of the tribe such as chiefs or Priests. With this tool, now only the monks and those of the religious community could dispher and understand Oghams. By making a very ancient custom accessible to the more common man, it became a strong lure to join the church. It is when the monks made laws against the use of Gaelic language and family traditional customs did the Oghams evolve into a more romantic form it is seen today.

With laws in place to prevent native language and culture from being used, it became necessary to find a way of stealth communication. Oghams began to evolve to be used in creating a network of subliminal messages that were left on fence post on the side of the road. If one meets another in a public place, they were used in complex hand signals of touching points on the face, elbow, ear or knee as one would talk about non threatening subjects such as family or weather. This system has grown to be used today in communication between players during a baseball game.

At the peak of the Oghams use, they were carved on wood wands called staves. These Staves were referred to as Taball-Lrog or Poets Staffs and read up and down left to right. The poets staffs were fastened together at the bottom to open into a fan shape and used by Poets to help in reciting tales of heroics such as the Voyage of Bran which is said to be 60 quatrains long.

Because Oghams were written on wooden staves there is very little evidence of these Poets Staffs existing prior to 5th centuries. Only abuot 370 verified inscriptions of Oghams in the form of standing stones called gallan are found in Ireland around this time. There are some artifacts that have been found scattered across Scotland, the isle of Man, South Wales, Devonshire and Silchester (which was the original roman city of Calleva Attrebatum). Even an area once known as Celtiberia which is found in Spain, Portugal and in the United States, West Virginia, have some carvings that look very close like Oghams, but these are under dispute of authenticity.

Learning the Oghams system, the person begins to understand each tree, numbers, deities, animals, bird, colors, minerals, stars, herbs or human principles that are part of the "alphabet." The object of this memory technique is so one can start to grow a grove of information. The structured work of memory and use will eventually bring about a subconscious associations that connects each storage point. This will start to communicate into wisdom that can be used in daily life. Each letter then speaks to the user and becomes an internal form of self divination. To understand and connect with the esoteric self and out side influences.

The magic comes in when signs that are learned come about repeatedly in daily life, giving clues to what should be observed or needed almost like a personal communication with the spirit. This allows you to become a tool of the spirit to help in either your own path or those around you. Because of the responsibility, it is not a wonder that to become "Druid" meant decades of study. Misinterpretations of the signs meant harm to others.

The Oghams divining is read in forms of threes, such as physical, mental and spiritual realms. To use Oghams as divination, each letter is cut into a single stave of about 4 inches long. These staves were thrown on the ground together and interpreted by the way they fell. This method is called colebreni

Tarot Card of the Day

What has traditionally been known as the Sun card is about the self -- who you are and how you cultivate your personality and character. The earth revolves around the sun to make up one year of a person's life, a fact we celebrate on our birthday.

The Sun card could also be titled "Back to Eden." The Sun's radiance is where one's original nature or unconditioned Being can be encountered in health and safety. The limitations of time and space are stripped away; the soul is refreshed and temporarily protected from the chaos outside the garden walls.

Under the light of the Sun, Life reclaims its primordial goodness, truth and beauty. If one person is shown on this card, it is usually signifying a human incarnation of the Divine. When two humans are shown, the image is portraying a resolution of the tension between opposites at all levels. It's as if this card is saying "You can do no wrong -- it's all to the good!"

Cherokee Indians

The Cherokee, (ah-ni-yv-wi-ya) are a people native to North America, who at the time of European contact in the 16th century, inhabited what is now the Eastern United States and Southeastern United States until most were forcefully moved to the Ozark Plateau

The Cherokee Nation was originally located over a broad territory covering much of what is now the southeastern United States. In 1838 under the direction of President Andrew Jackson, the Cherokees were forcibly removed from their lands in what is now remembered as the infamous Trail of Tears.

Cherokees were displaced from their ancestral lands in North Georgia and the Carolinas in a period of rapidly expanding white population, a situation as well as a gold rush around Dahlonega, Georgia in the 1830s. Various official reasons for the removal were given. One was that the Cherokee were not efficiently using their land, and the land should be given to white farmers. Others disputed this, although some contest to this day that President Jackson's intentions toward the Cherokee in this policy was humanitarian. Jackson himself said that the policy was an effort to prevent the Cherokee from facing the fate of "the Mohegan, the Narragansett, and the Delaware" (Wishart 1995, 120). However there is ample evidence that the Cherokee were adapting modern farming techniques, and a modern analysis shows that the area was in general in a state of economic surplus (Wishart 1995).

Despite a Supreme Court ruling in their favor, many in the Cherokee Nation were forcibly relocated West, a migration known as the Trail of Tears or in Cherokee Nunna Daul Tsunny (Cherokee:The Trail Where They Cried). This took place after the Indian Removal Act of 1830, although as of 1883, the Cherokee were the last large southern Indian tribe to be removed. Even so, the harsh treatment the Cherokee received at the hands of white settlers caused some to enroll to emigrate west (Perdue 2000, 565).

Samuel Carter, author of Cherokee Sunset, writes: "Then… there came the reign of terror. From the jagged-walled stockades the troops fanned out across the Nation, invading every hamlet, every cabin, rooting out the inhabitants at bayonet point. The Cherokees hardly had time to realize what was happening as they were prodded like so many sheep toward the concentration camps, threatened with knives and pistols, beaten with rifle butts if they resisted."

Lotus Of Love

The human body, according to ancient Vedic texts, is the seat of a network of cooperating energy fields also known as chakras. At the very center of these fields, unifying and filtering them, lies the heart chakra. This chakra is located over the chest and is often called the heart lotus because its influence radiates outward like the petals of a flower.

The heart chakra is believed by many to be at the core of your emotional being. When balanced, it can be a source of love, confidence, creativity, and inspiration. Discord within the heart chakra can affect all your energy centres, because the fourth chakra is a gate between the upper and lower chakras.

The heart chakra can be visualised as intersecting triangles that are smoky green. It is associated with holly and poppy flowers, malachite and emerald crystals, and the element of air. The heart chakra gives us the ability to love, trust, and feel deep compassion for others.

A balanced heart opens the mind to the radiating warmth of the universe and makes profound relationships possible. But when imbalanced, those same qualities can become twisted, leading us to feel hate, fear, or jealousy. Blockages in the fourth chakra can manifest as immune system and heart maladies because of the chakra's association with the physical heart, the circulatory system, and the blood.

There are numerous means of energising and balancing this chakra. Try sitting up with your back straight, and breathe deeply to center yourself. Rapidly tap your heart centre, located in the middle of your chest, with your fingertips. Gradually increase and then decrease the intensity of your tapping over a three minute period. Jasmine, lavender, and marjoram scents can exert a balancing effect over this chakra.

You can also influence your heart chakra by loving yourself and learning to laugh freely. And while existing without the positive influence of the fourth chakra can leave you feeling disconnected, isolated, and filled with unexpressed emotions, too much heart chakra influence can lead to restlessness, dreaminess, and aimless wandering. The heart chakra is the point of new beginnings. Nurture it, and you will find that contentment will emerge from all aspects of your being.

End of the IVF twins: New restrictions mean only one embryo can be used in fertility treatment

An end to the boom in IVF twins and triplets was sounded yesterday.Under plans that could spell heartache for thousands of childless couples, regulators want to cap the number of multiple births.Clinics are currently permitted to return two or even three embryos to a woman's womb during IVF treatment.

This maximises the chances of at least one of the embryos resulting in a successful pregnancy. But proposals - from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority - aim to limit women to one embryo wherever possible.

The regulator says this will cut the number of multiple births and reduce the health complications associated with them. One in four IVF babies is a twin or triplet. They are more likely to die before or during birth or to be premature, underweight or disabled.

It is estimated that if all IVF children were single births, 126 fewer babies would die each year. (Daily Mail)

Man Utd 2 v 0 Fulham

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Manchester United see off Fulham and move second, closing the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to three points. Carlos Tevez went close twice before Ronaldo netted with a superb volley after Steve Davis failed to clear.

Fulham threatened with two Danny Murphy efforts but Ronaldo headed home John O'Shea's cross to seal United's win. Ronaldo also felt he should have had a penalty but instead he was booked for diving after tumbling over Antti Niemi. (BBC Sport)

Path #14 - The Path of Daleth

"And the earth brought forth grass, herb yielding seed after its kind, and fruit-tree bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after its kind; and Elohim saw that it was good."

Cowan

The original meaning of Cowan described a stone mason who worked without having served an apprenticeship. In later times, it was used by Freemasons to denote a non-initiate who poses as a Mason, or simply a non-initiate.

In Wiccan/Neopagan parlance, a sometimes derogatory term meaning nonbeliever or scoffer. (although "muggle" seems to be fast overtaking this term in common usage) It does not mean "traitor" as is sometimes averred.

Daily Merlin Insight for Monday 3rd December 2007

T R A N S C R I P T
Using Servants of the Light tarot
NZ
10.25pm - 11:05pm

'Insights received using 'The Original Suspect' as the focus of the working. It was intuited as necessary at this time to revisit 'the man with the phone' .... '

I defy anyone who points the finger at RM and says it 'was him. He did it.' Because this is still not what I sense at all. I contemplated the press release of 'the man with the phone' back in the early days ... I've done it again just now ... I cannot sense any participation in an abduction at all.

There are significators of the characters and elements of the mystery around in this working ... which require some intuited 'comprehension' however.

The User of Weapons (the significator for GM) and The Empress (the significator for KM). The Keeper of Staves (the significator for the former spokesperson of the Unicorn - CM?) ... the Keeper of Crescents and the Giver of Crescents (significators relating to perpetrators of the abduction0 - two of the three I sense to be there at the very heart of the abduction ... and their close tie/link to the media world, hence their secrecy kept intact by someone fully aware of their 'mission' who also has considerable power in the media world to influence the tabloids and also be 'above the law' .... the 4 of Weapons ... and its obvious link to the characters of the Crescents and their insistence to keep pulling RM into the limelight as a way of concealing their own involvements and their own influences ...

The crystal casting has fallen in a not so obvious pattern of the outline of England & Wales ... its border around the 4 of Weapons ... in particular the stone which falls above the female figure in the Giver of Crescents ... geographically that stone appears to be somewhere around Salisbury ... Winchester ... that area inland from Southampton ... what is significant relating to RM there? Perhaps it is nothing at all ... but there is something diversionary about the way the press now focusses once more on RM. Last week it was on his 'girlfriend' ... now it is the original suspect again.

The crystal stones of significance have been described in the working - the pink stone of 'mother love' above the Empress; the black stone of 'secrecy' upon the 4 of Weapons; the 'eye stone' upon the 10 of Spheres and the medical 'granite' stone upon the Keeper of Staves .... all linked it seems to RM. However ... I sense the mother love stone does not relate to Km being linked to RM. I feel it appertains to the mother of RM. I suspect there is something not related specifically to MM which is an undertone to this situation ....

I have always been wary of saying that RM is in truth whiter than white. There is something 'in the region of grey' about this man. The 10 of Spheres and the 6 of Spheres ... RM is involved in something 'covert' .... something appertaining to the 'laws of secrecy' but what it is does not in anyway implicate him with the disappearance of MM. There is contradiction I sense ... but what it relates to I cannot see .. at this point. I dismiss it therefore as irrelevant.

the 6 of Spheres is mention of compensation or 'for someone's troubles' .. a favour or a deed rewarded. Someone seems to be putting someone up to something. There is a sense of a scapegoat status for the sake of the 4 of Weapons perhaps?A deliberate implication within the 'cover story' ... and the chance to clear a great deal of money? A favour? I have a sense of some kind of racketeering in the past.

Previous opportunities prior to 'the eye' ... prior to MM ... RM has involvement in covert operations appertaining to missing children perhaps? A covert operation? His expertise valued by someone? Nobody really knows just what RM is about other than what the media 'have revealed' ...

The 10 of Crescents appears to suggest a genuineness about the original suspect towards the McCanns. It is possible he knew of them prior to this mystery ... but it seems to be nothing sinister ... just an awareness that a group of eminent doctors would be staying at the resort close by to where his mother resides ... someone somewhere has a foreknowledge of RM and a cunningness to pull him into the mystery .... but why and how? More workings may well be required to explore this subject still further perhaps?

Turn To Yourself

We spend a lot of our lives looking for role models, mentors, teachers, and gurus to guide us on our path. There is nothing wrong with this and, in fact, finding the right person at the right time can really help. However, it is important to realize that in the absence of such a figure, we can very safely rely upon ourselves. We carry within us everything we need to know to make progress on our paths to self-realization. The outer world serves as a mirror. Or to use another metaphor, our inner world has a magnetic force that draws to us what we need to evolve to the next level. All we need to do to see that we already have everything we need is to let go of our belief that we need to seek in order to find.

The path of the spirit is often defined as a journey with a goal such as the fabled pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. In this metaphor, a person begins a search for something they want but do not have and then they find it, and there is a happy ending. However, most of us know that getting what we want only makes us happy for a moment, and then the happiness passes until a new object of desire presents itself. Joy is a permanent aspect of our inner selves and is not separate from us at any point. We do not have to travel to find it or imagine that it resides only in the body of another. In fact, what the best teachers will do is point out that this very precious elixir is something we already possess.

So when we find ourselves on our path, not knowing which way to turn and wishing for guidance, we can turn to ourselves. We may not know the right answer rationally or intellectually, but if we simply ask, let go, and wait patiently, an answer will come. The more we practice this and trust this process, the less we will look outside ourselves for teachers and guides for we will have successfully become our own.

'Crisis' As New Bug Sweeps Britain

A VIOLENT stomach bug is sweeping the country and pushing hospitals to breaking point. Some have already turned away patients because they have no beds available.

Last night health campaigners warned of a “meltdown” in hospitals and “unnecessary deaths” this Christmas.

In the past week, the bug has prompted several hospital trusts to issue Black Alerts – the highest state of emergency for the NHS.

The sudden outbreaks of the bug, norovirus, has seen stretched hospital staff forced to keep patients waiting in ambulances outside casualty departments while they try to find beds for them. At other hospitals, wards have had to be closed to new admissions as the bug takes a hold on existing patients – further exacerbating the bed shortage.

The depth of the crisis, which began to worsen about 10 days ago, has been highlighted by a series of leaked memos from hospital managers.

Norovirus led to the closure of wards at 10 hospitals across the country last week, prompting a raft of Black Alerts, with trusts warning of worse to come as the winter months take hold. Hospitals in Aberdeen, Bath, Bury St Edmunds, Bradford, Chichester and Worthing have already been forced to turn away patients because of the crisis. (Daily Express)

Say Something Good

Another from the River City People

'Creative Visualisation'

Learning to use your imagination in a conscious way is a creative tool you can use every day. Imagination is something that (like dreams and co-incidences) are all too easily dismissed as, “Oh, it was just my imagination…..”

Your imagination is incredibly powerful and, when used correctly, can enhance your life by creating what you really want. The old adage ‘Where attention goes, energy flows’ really is true. Pay attention to the thoughts you think. Don’t waste them on worries or doubts… you’ll only create more of them. Look at your life now - both the good bits and all the not-so-good-bits… You are creating it all. Yes… all of it!

Things happen all the time that are beyond your control, but it is how you respond to the situation that counts. You choose. These so-called ‘negative’ experiences or ‘problems’ are excellent opportunities to change the way you think and behave. These experiences are often the things we need most of all for our souls to evolve and grow as spirit incarnate.

A word of caution: Never try to manipulate another person’s reality to achieve your goal! This will only backfire on you anyway. All thoughts carry a vibration and, as such, have the potential to harm another. Be mindful of the thoughts you think!

4 Simple Steps To Achieving Your Hearts Desire:

Step 1 – Set Your Goal
Decide what it is that you want. This isn’t as easy as it sounds… Be as specific as possible and focus on one thing at a time.

Step 2 – Create a Clear Mental Picture
Light a candle in a safe place and relax. Light some incense and meditate if you want. Now imagine your hearts desire… go for it!

Step 3 – Give it Energy
Focus your love and intent on your mind's image. It is always important to include the following statement when sending thought energy out into the world: ‘This, or something better, exists for me now - for the highest good of all concerned.’

Step 4 – Let it Go
If you’re holding on to what you want, it will never manifest! Send it out into the Universe with a joyful and loving heart. A wonderful way to do this is to surround your mental picture in a pink balloon or bubble - then let it go. Watch it drift off into the Universe…

Putting pen to paper can also be an effective technique. Write your ideal scenario in the present tense as though you have already achieved what you wanted. Use your imagination to the full here to completely describe how you’re feeling and what you experience.

The Sun Goes Down

'The Sun Goes Down'
Original Artwork by Matthew James

Synesthesia

Synesthesia is an involuntary joining in which the real information of one sense is accompanied by a perception in another sense. In addition to being involuntary, this additional perception is regarded by the synesthete as real, often outside the body, instead of imagined in the mind's eye. It also has some other interesting features that clearly separate it from artistic fancy or purple prose. Its reality and vividness are what make synesthesia so interesting in its violation of conventional perception.

Synesthesia is also fascinating because logically it should not be a product of the human brain, where the evolutionary trend has been for increasing separation of function anatomically.

Healing The Past

Each of us has unresolved issues revolving around our relationships that linger in our souls. People don't always say or do what's right and it can seem impossible to heal that breach, particularly when that person is unresponsive or has passed away. The following fire meditation is a way to release pain and to heal a past or present relationship, or to deal with unresolved interpersonal issues. Through this type of meditation, it becomes possible to seek out reconciliation and forgiveness, as well as to rid yourself of the spiritual baggage that can come when you harbor emotional pain.

During this meditation, it can be helpful to have a partner who reads the instructions to you in a soothing voice. Or, if you prefer to meditate alone, you may want to record yourself reading the instructions and play it back when you are ready to start. Begin by finding a quiet, relaxing space. In choosing, keep in mind that you will want to have your back be as straight as possible, either by laying down on a flat surface or sitting up straight in a chair. Breathe deeply and relax your body and mind.

When you have reached a state of deep relaxation, envision the place where you feel most safe. It needn't be a real location; it can be an isolated private island, a tropical beach, or a mountain sanctuary. It can even be your own bedroom. Take the time to really see and experience your safe place. Smell the air, listen for sounds, and feel the ground under you. When you are relaxed in your surroundings, envision a road. Look down it and watch for the arrival of the person or animal you wish to make peace with. Let them come at their own pace and, when they are in full view, ask if they are willing to heal with you. If their answer is yes, look at first at yourself. How old are you? What are you wearing? How old is your companion and what do they look like?

The next step is to envision a fire. It can be in any form you wish: a camp fire, a ceremonial fire, or a bonfire. As you begin to heal, throw your baggage into the fire and ask for forgiveness or the closure you are seeking. If you wish, you can step into the fire; it will not harm you. Release everything that you no longer desire for yourself or your companion into the fire. In doing so, you may feel your body temperature rise, or you may shake a little. This is normal. Take as much time as you need with your companion. When you are finished, release them, and they will turn and walk back the way they came. Stay in your safe place for as long as you desire. When you feel comfortable, open your eyes and note the great weight that has been lifted from you.

Solution to #5

Word Jumble #5 related to 'Sigil Magick';

The idea is to open the gates of the deeper mind and cause the sigil to be absorbed into it

Sopdet

Sirius (the Dog-Star) was the most important star to ancient Egyptian astronomers because it reappeared in Egypt each year just as the annual Nile flooding began. Sopdet was the goddess of this star. The Greeks called her "Sothis." The "Sothis Rising" coincided with the actual solar year only once every 1460 years. This astronomical event occured during the reign of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius in AD 139. He commemorated it with a special coin. The time period between Sothic risings is called the Sothic Cycle and it is one of the tools Egyptologists use to create a chronology of Egyptian history.

As early as the 1st dynasty, Sopdet was called "the bringer of the New Year and the Nile flood." She was depicted as a human woman with a star on her head. She also guides the king to the afterworld, the Field of Rushes. In a 4th century BC papyrus, The Lamentations of Isis and Nephthys, Isis calls herself Sopdet and states that she will always follow Osiris in heaven.

Sopdet was the consort of Sah (the constellation Orion) and her son was Soped. This triad parallel Osiris, Isis and Horus. Therefore, in the Pyramid Texts, the king (in his Osiris form) copulates with his sister Sopdet, who gives birth to the planet Venus.

Sopdet was occasionally shown as a male, and was associated with Horus. In this form, Sopdet was one of the gods of the four corners of the earth and of the eastern frontier. As part of this duty, Sopdet would hold one of Nut's legs steady as her body arched over the earth.

'What's Wrong With Dreaming?'

Music by The River City People



I'd completely forgotten about this band until today! I'd put some of my 'ancient' compilation tapes into the work's car today ... a change from using the Ipod ... and this song was on one of the tapes .... taken from the 'Say Something Good' ... good memories!

Tarot Card of the Day: The Moon

The Moon is numbered eighteen and depicts a mysterious night-time scene. There is often water in the foreground, a full moon depicting the face of a woman sailing high about the land, flanked by pylons. Sometimes droplets appear to be falling like tears from the Moon, taking the form of Hebraic Yod symbols (considered to be impregnatory seeds). There are also sometimes dogs or wolves baying at the Moon. The Moon card you see here depicts Anubis, the jackal god of the Egyptians. There is also usually a crayfish or scarab.

The crayfish is renowned for its ability to fall in love with, mate and impregnate itself. This suggests some of the Moon's more illusory meanings. The scarab is almost always shown with a solar disk between its claws. This is a symbol of renewal and immortality, showing the Moon's association with natural cycles and rhythms.

We have a close affinity with the Moon. The lunar cycle affects oceans and all natural tides. We say that people are more psychotic when the Moon is full, calling them "lunatics". The Moon affects our emotions because they come from the inner hidden part of us, where dreams also reside.

The Moon indicates a voyage to the centre of the Self. We will not be revealed as something weak and unlovable. We will be able to release our psychic and intuitive abilities. Important secrets are revealed when we dare to bring back what is deep inside.

The Moon often comes up to indicate deception, or deceit. And on a day ruled by this card, we need to be alert for this kind of problem coming up around us. On this day, we are best served by testing everything against our own inner senses, and attempting to discover how we feel at a deep intuitive level about what happens.

You'll find that your intuition is probably somewhat heightened, because another of the Moon's influences touches on psychism, internal development and ease of inner communication.

There's another thing you need to keep your eyes open for, with this card - not only does it indicate out-and-out deceit, but it also shows us where there is illusion or uncertainty. In moonlight, you notice that things look very different indeed than they do in daylight. The Moon has a habit of casting things and experiences in a different light. Things are not quite how they seem.

Six cracks in Murat's alibi as witnesses line up to cast doubt on original Madeleine suspec

Detectives searching for Madeleine McCann raised "serious questions" about suspect Robert Murat's alibi yesterday after two new witnesses came forward. Six people now claim to have seen the British expat outside Kate and Gerry McCann's holiday apartment on the night the girl vanished.

The two new witnesses, who were tourists, have just made contact with the private detective agency Metodo 3.Their accounts directly co ntradict Mr Murat's alibi that he was inside the villa he shares with his mother on the night of May 3 and that he did not learn of the disappearance until the next morning.

Metodo 3 have also spoken to a nanny at the resort in Praia da Luz, Charlotte Pennington, who says she saw Mr Murat hanging around reception shortly after Mrs McCann raised the alarm. In a statement to the agency Miss Pennington, 20, said she saw him at midnight. But he denied this when she confronted him the next day, as he was translating her statement to police.

Miss Pennington, of Leatherhead, Surrey, told police she had seen him at the Ocean Club complex the night before, and said he replied: "No, I wasn't here." In her written statement to Metodo 3 the nanny said she thought his answer was strange because she was "certain" she had seen him.

Miss Pennington said Mr Murat, 34, also translated the statements given to police by her two friends and gave one of them his mobile number, telling her:

"When you see something strange, contact me."

She said he was "constantly in the resort" in the days after the disappearance.

Mr Murat was reported to police by journalists who found his behaviour and extreme interest in the case bizarre. He was named as an official suspect on May 14. (Daily Mail)

'Pyramid Power'

'Pyramid Power'
Original Artwork by Matthew James

This was actually a commissioned piece undertaken for a Reiki Healer over here in New Zealand. The artwork has reputed strong healing properties to it ... spend a few moments of quiet contemplation taking in the colours and the patterns within the image. Gaze deep into the image to 'see what isn't there' ... and find yourself feeling more relaxed than before ....

Daily Merlin Insight for Sunday 2nd December 2007

T R A N S C R I P T
Using Servants of the Light Tarot
NZ
10:25pm - 11:05pm

'Insights tonight are based on an open channel ... the focus is the 7,8,9 number sequence which had reoccurred in several insights in recent weeks. It is also the number sequence linked to the 'seven' clairaudient voice which was experienced in the recent past ...'

Seven stones in the working ... there is no such thing as coincidence in magick. The seven is indeed relevant it seems. Five stones run horizontally beneath the line made by the 6 of Staves and the User of Weapons. The sad statistic of 6 months away from her family for MM becomes 7 months on 3rd December 2007. We enter the 7 of the 7,8, 9 sequence ... this is seen clearly by this pattern ... and again there is no coincidence ... this is way the stones randomly fell. I cease to wonder at the synchronicity of this 'portal' to the higher mind ... the message is clear ... the White 7 th stone is on the arm of the User of Weapons ... one of the significators for Gerry McCann ... again the synchronicity is clear ... it is now time for someone to 'trust the arm or the actions of Gerry McCann after the 3rd December 2007' .... it appears it is now within his powers to attain the accomplishments epitomised by the 10 of Crescents ... that message is explicitly clear here.

The 7th month of Madeleine's disappearance will be of great significance ... there are seemingly 'eyes' observing boats on the open seas or in a harbour ; all in readiness for MM's boat coming home.

The 6 of Staves hints at the fact that a significant milestone or pre-destined marker has been reached in the workings behind the scenes of this mystery. The 4 of Crescents is the moves under the table ... the secret negotiations and investigation which is a seperate entity to the investigations seemingly reported on by the media ... there has been something crucial on the eve of 6th month threshold perhaps? This is where we are poised as of now ... the silent running which was indicated a couple of nights ago ...

The World has different meanings to each and every mystic who finds it appearing in a working ... a read it in one context in this working ... and one only .... it is the #21 which is the triple 7 number ... three 7's ... of some relevance somewhere it seems still ... the Giver of Spheres and the Maker of Crescents side by side ... together in the same 'team' ... one an interested party in genetics or methods of research in the field of birth/conception and the other someone involved in the media world and the ways of spin and 'swaying the attention of the general public' ... something has been devised to hide something profound with something else equally as profound ... the Maker of Crescents is someone well versed in the tactics of influencing the opinions of the general public through media speculation and tabloid trails ... there is something very profound about what this entails. Like there has been the need to sway the public over hill and vale ... to make them more accepting of a situation or premise through the tempering of their emotions ... much like the malleability of a metal involves heating it and then cooling it to ensure it bends to the shape that is required ... first we had the victim who became the 'foe' who is now back to being the innocent victim once more ... it has been a necessary trend for someone influential ... there is the dissatisfaction' of red tape and 'red faced' higher echelons here ... behind the tapestry of it all ... gauging the public reaction before acceptance ... before knowing exactly what to do ... It seems a point has been reached which most probably had to be attained in order for maximum publicity and assured safety ....

This is a strong feeling surrounding this working. There is a huge sigh of relief in some quarter .... but where and why?