SHINING LOTUS™ METAPHYSICAL BOOKSTORE NEWSLETTER
The Original Metaphysical Bookstore, since 1972
JULY 2014
2178 South Colorado Blvd, Denver Colorado 80222
303-758-9113
_____________________________________________
in this issue
THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF ANIMALS by Bruce Johnson
PLANETS AND POSSIBILITIES: A LOOK AT THE ASTROLOGY OF JULY by Sally Shotwell
LET’S GET STONED by Meghan Taft
______________________
Happy 238th Birthday America! Celebrate our Independence Day with a July Independence Sale.
From July 5th through the 19th of July (two weeks), we will be celebrating with 25% off everything in the store. This is our biggest sale until Christmas, so take advantage of the savings.
Many Blessings,
The Shining Lotus staff
_______________________________
THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF ANIMALS
by Bruce Johnson
The Ancient Wisdom teaches that members of the Animal Kingdom have souls, are physically and spiritually evolving, and have a right to exist on Earth. Spiritual science recognizes animals at all stages of evolution, from primitive group-soul forms, to those advanced species that have attained individuality, and like humans, survive the death of the physical body. Among domesticated animals, the elephant, horse, dog, and cat are the most progressed. The whale and dolphin are examples of advanced evolution within the marine mammals.
Following their physical death, wild and domestic animals live for a time, sometimes decades, in the spirit world or astral sphere surrounding Earth. This astral sphere contains many planes and sub-planes, including areas that correspond to all the oceans and continents of our planet. One portion of the spirit world commonly referred to by occult writers as the Nature Planes, contains the Happy Hunting Grounds of the Native American. In these Nature Planes wild spirit animals roam freely in natural surroundings, corresponding to the physical environments they knew on Earth. Domesticated spirit animals often continue to live in the afterlife with discarnate humans like they lived physically on Earth. Spirit animals that were pets not only visit former owners still on Earth, but are frequently among those greeting that newly arrived previous owner into the astral world.
Modern psychical research has documented many genuine cases of spirit animal materialization, especially with certain physical phenomena mediums of the early 20th century. At a séance in 1919 with the materialization medium Kluski, a lion materialized out of ectoplasm and walked about the room, even licking some sitters’ hands. Spirit dogs materialized at an Etta Wreidt séance that took place in 1922. The temporarily materialized dogs were seen, touched, and heard barking by all the sitters before dematerializing. Spirit animals that have materialized at séances include the cat, robin, parrot, blackbird, flying squirrel, monkey, and seal.
Animals often demonstrate psychic abilities that surprise humans. Animals can sense impending danger like floods, earthquakes, fire, and tornados and give warning of them. Many animals demonstrate clairvoyance, and are able to see spirits invisible to humans.
Cruelty to animals causes them great suffering, and many animals awake in the spirit world filled with inner pain and terror. Some animal- loving souls in the spirit planes have chosen as their work, the care of these traumatized spirit animals. Eventually the Law of Compensation brings justice to both the animal abuser and the animal.
Bruce Johnson has over 30 years of study in the fields of Ancient Wisdom and occultism. He has taught classes on a wide range of topics, from Atlantis to mediums to Zoroaster. He is also a spiritualist minister, with a background in spiritual astrology. He lives in Colorado with his wife and their cat.
_______________________________
http://www.meetup.com/denver-
_______________________________
PLANETS AND POSSIBILITIES: A LOOK AT THE ASTROLOGY OF JULY
by Sally Shotwell
During the first three weeks in July, we will be experiencing the influence of the Sun (our consciousness) being in sensitive, nurturing Cancer. It is a water sign which is ruled by the mysterious and constantly changing Moon and represents The Mother, both actual and archetypal, in our lives.
Because this is an assertive Cardinal sign, we are able to tap into its energy to guide us in our investigation of patterns established by childhood conditioning which will be cropping up for us all. We may feel like we’ve been searching inwardly ad nauseam, but by getting beyond the stories we’ve automatically accepted to be true about ourselves, new scenarios may be considered. Aiding in this process is communicative Mercury who enter Cancer July 13 and loving Venus July 17. They remind us that as we grow in understanding we must treat ourselves with kindness and no self-criticism. While we all want to be nurturing to others in our lives we must take time to embrace gentle and renewing activities for ourselves. Access to Nature soothes and being with people we care about rejuvenates us. If we’re overbooked schedule-wise, time alone can be a great luxury!
The Sabian Symbol for the Full Moon(culmination) in responsible Capricorn July 12, alludes to another outlet which can contribute to our wellbeing and lead to growth. “A relay race; the value of competition in developing group-consciousness” points to the benefits gained by joining into cooperative efforts with congenial people. These contacts enhance our talents and abilities.
What interests and skills are revealing themselves that we should pursue?
Where do we find the resources to do so?
In focusing on this Moon it’s good to keep in mind that three of the planets active during the Grand Cardinal Cross, April 23 will be back in action (Pluto, Uranus, Mars) and harassing her. It is fortuitous that we’ve been honing our coping skills for months now and have consciously adjusted our attitudes to transcend weird stuff. However, to be on the safe side, let’s keep the Rescue Remedy handy.
As a reward for our navigating through rough waters, optimistic Jupiter enters exuberant Leo July 16 to boost our self-confidence and supply the fiery energy we’ll need to tackle future ventures. The Sun enters the sign it rules July 22 and amplifies our feelings of self-empowerment. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are still retrograde but Leo’s enthusiasm is contagious and encourages us to strategize our next moves. Fire inspires and we can access great insights through observing the world around us and our reactions to it.
The image associated with the New Moon(beginnings) in Leo July 26 harkens back to a time when adventurers went big game hunting and were anxious to prove their skills to one another. An elderly man formally dressed stands near trophies he brought back which validates his performing the ancient traditional power rituals. He is recognized for his achievements which contributes to the bonding between him and his peers.
Now a days, it’s a lot more difficult for us to commit time and resources in the pursuit of expertise to the point that we become a part of a select group united by excellence. This requires a passion for our calling. Where is our passion?
The important connection is that of fellowship and a sense of sharing. This reinforces and compliments the message of the July 12 Full Moon which is cooperation and healthy inter-dependency. We really are in this together!!!
Blessings!
Sally Shotwell is a life-long student of esoteric spirituality with a super-natural curiosity and an undying thirst for knowledge. Her focus on studies in Astrology have spanned decades, and have included studying with Mario C. Veo, John Joseph, Mark Husson and C. A. Brooks.
_______________________________
_______________________________
LET’S GET STONED
with Meghan Taft
Alright everyone, it’s time again, I have chosen the next 3 stones from my magic box of rocks! This month we are going to go over Apatite, Charoite, and Aragonite. All three are a wonderful trio of uniquely formed gems. Apatite is a gemmy translucent stone that forms in various colors, feel free to bring any color form of Apatite with you if you have it. Charoite is an opaque stone that can have some veins of quartz running through it, it is purple mottled with black and sometimes white from the quartz. And Aragonite can form in quite a few different formations, depending on the area in which it formed, feel free to bring any one of these forms if you have them. These are some interesting stones and we will have fun discussing them at the meetup on Wednesday, so come on out to Shining Lotus, and Let’s Get Stoned! Call Meghan at 303-789-0646 extension 47 to register for the group.
Second Wednesday. 7 – 8:30 pm. $5.
LET’S GET STONED…or ‘The Art of Being Distracted by Shiny Things’, is a guide for working with gemstones to help you balance your life. Doing so helps you heal yourself, manifest positive changes, and develop your psychic abilities. There are many gemstones to work with, and many different things they can do for you! We will go over the basic of the basics about gemstiones and how you can woek with them. Also, if you have any stones that you can’t identify, bring them with you and I can help you to learn how to identify your stones! We are going to have a lot of fun and I look forward to seeing you there, so come on and Let’s Get Stoned!
Meghan Taft has been studying geology and working with gemstones for 14 years. She works with gemstones by setting up grids in houses and businesses and does gemstone readings.
Please contact Meghan Taft at 303-789-0646 and ask for ext 47 to sign up for the group, admission is $5, we will go over a different set of stones each month and you will be emailed the updated info for each group.
_______________________________
