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in this issue:
- Events and Classes in October have been postponed
Staying Positive During Turbulent Times
by Bob Romero
It seems almost apocalyptic these days with forest fires, hurricanes, floods, droughts, civil unrest, and a pandemic going on. Widespread corruption in government, foreign interference in our election, the rise of white supremacy in our nation, and babies being taken from their parents, really push our buttons. This injustice and calamity, makes it hard to stay centered, let alone positive. Yet we must continue on our spiritual path if we are to bring change and hope.
In past articles, I have written about several ways to raise our vibration or to stay centered. Outside activities like walking and gardening are more difficult because of the haze and poor air quality, but being out in nature when possible, keeps us balanced. Visiting family and friends are at a minimum because of the pandemic. Fortunately, Facetime and telephone calls keeps us in contact with loved ones, and Apps like Zoom let us attend yoga classes and church services. Pets may also bring consolation and comfort. Inspirational music and movies will lift our spirits up.
However, we must turn inward now more than ever. Detach yourself from all of the worldly drama and view all of the events as an observer rather than as a participant. Communication with Spirit through meditation and prayer will restore peace and calm to us. Lighting candles will help us focus on staying centered. Being grateful for all of the blessings that we have received, will manifest even more positive benefits in our lives. Be mindful of the present moment. There is a quote by Lao Tzu that says:
“If you are depressed you are living in the past.
If you are anxious you are living in the future.
If you are at peace you are living in the present.”
My spiritual teacher often states that, if there is only one message that you get out of his classes, it would be to chant “Om”. He says that if you want to be fully enlightened, chant “Om” out loud for one hour a day for three months, then whisper it for one hour a day for three months, and then say it to yourself one hour a day for three months. I don’t how many people will actually do this practice, but there is one more thing that we all must do in order to bring hope and change, and that is to VOTE!
Bob Romero has been a diligent student of esoteric spiritual subjects and metaphysics for many years, with a life-long quest for answers. He has submitted new and original articles that focus on life lessons and experiences he wishes to share with our readers and the world.
Love… Just Love
by Mario C. Veo
© 2018 Mario C. Veo – Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter February 2018
I find it ironic that most religions around the world are firmly based on Love… kindness… nurturance… forgiveness – especially those that embrace the teachings of Jesus, the Master – yet seem to find no contradiction in abusing others, taking advantage of their own status and power to exploit and even mistreat those whom they feel to be ‘inferior’ to them… “After all…” “ I am not responsible for your debts / mess you’ve created / missed education / race-gender inequality…” Well, actually you really are… let me put it in the same language you’ve used in the past: “If you’re not part of the solution, you are part of the problem…” And for those of you who truly believe that you can stay ‘neutral’, I refer you to the famous words of Pontius Pilate “I wash my hands of all this… Do with Him what you will”… and so they crucified Christ – not for being a horrible, violent person … but for preaching Love, and kindness, and the Brotherhood of Man.
No, I’m not advocating some kind of political, or even ideological line . All I’m inviting you to do is reflect… truly go within and ask yourself the hard questions… “What do you believe in… and why… what are the principles you live by… and their consequences… and – my most favorite – What kind of Karma are you creating for yourself…”
Don’t just mouth off some superficial platitude about being ‘a good person’, or worse, being a good church goer …just take a good look at your Life and your everyday thoughts and actions… and – if you believe in Heaven-Hell – ask yourself what qualifies you for salvation… and just for a moment, consider – what if all the righteous propaganda you’ve been programmed to accept… turns out to be just that: the simple manipulation of Ego, designed to make you feel ever so superior…
Now what…?!?
All the Spiritual teachings, throughout the ages, have always – clearly – stated that Love is the Energy of Creation… it is that which links us all together… it is that which links us to Spirit-Creator. Only through Love can we find happiness… forgiveness… compassion… Only through Love can we truly call ourselves to be ‘of-the-Light’… to be ‘Enlightened’… and find Oneness with ALL of Creation…
… yes, with our current world consciousness most of us have suffered some kind of heart-wound, some betrayal, abuse, unfairness, injustice… and now we have a choice:- “Do we simply bow down to these negative energies, and allow them to limit and restrict our Life – and the pleasures which rightfully belong to us all… or… can we do something about addressing and redressing this… and if so, what…?!?”
Mario C. Veo is in private practice in Denver where he teaches Spiritual and Metaphysical classes, and guides Seekers on their personal Path of Transformation and Empowerment.
He can be reached at 303-525-7223 / email pathtospirit@gmail.com / website YourPathtoSpirit.com
Planets and Possibilities: A Look At The Astrology Of October 2020
by Sally Shotwell
Right off the bat, the month gives us a lot to process as the Harvest Full Moon (culmination) in assertive Aries pours its powerful energy down upon us. The Sun (our consciousness) is opposite in airy, relationship-oriented Libra, ruled by Venus, Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Money. This yearly polarization always brings up issues regarding our drive to be independent with our longing for harmonious togetherness with partners. This Moon (our emotions) is in fiery, dynamic Aries, which is ruled by the Red Planet Mars, and our desires my seem to be conflicted as to what is best for us at this time – this is not new since we’re dealing with so many confusing changes in our personal and social lives. The new cycles appearing in our lives hold promise, however, as the Sabian Symbol states:
“A teacher gives new symbolic forms to traditional images: Revision of attitude at the beginning of a new cycle…The very concrete emotion-arousing images of the past can now be reinterpreted as ‘symbols’ of meaning… a new dimension of consciousness is discovered, revealing higher possibilities…”
The influence we can pick up from the Libra Sun is to seek balance in our affairs wherever we can. We’re helped out in the venture when lovely Venus herself enters earthy, meticulous Virgo the 2nd and our focus becomes more emotionally restrained as she helps us analyze what’s going on with our affairs, especially zeroing in on how we can serve others.
As we know, retrograde planets have been holding court for a LONG time and our moving forward with our lives has been thwarted. This situation is not over, but, Pluto, Lord of the Underworld, turns Direct October 4, in earthy, strict Capricorn, and we’re able at last to constructively begin to understand, and potentially use, the unconscious material which has been unearthed as he was putting us through a four-month depth psychoanalytic session which we didn’t request. The 7th, mental Mercury, now in Pluto’s home sign of watery, intense Scorpio opposes unpredictable Uranus, in earthy, intractable Taurus, and let’s be prepared to weather a torrent of unexpected information. The good news is that we’re using our coping skills to not over-react and we need them the 9th when combustible MarsRx, in Aries, clashes with ruthless Pluto and a power play ensues. It’s hazardous for us all if we try to force issues right now.
October 10 kind Venus and brilliant Uranus interact and excitement is in the air. The appreciation of beauty is heightened and we’re able appreciate unexpected developments. Let’s not get carried away, however, since the 11th the Sun has to deal with Jupiter, King of the Gods, in Capricorn, whose penchant for expanding everything he touches can lead to too much of a good thing. Things however, look up for this benevolent, belief-oriented giant when it touches base with mystical Neptune in watery Pisces the 12th, and they share their spiritual insights with each other and us. Our psyche being bathed in inspiring waters is soothing as we continue to find balance in our lives. Are we finding time to quiet our minds? Mercury, in watery, psychic Scorpio is courting Venus and the emotional happiness they generate can support our search for meaning amidst chaos.
October 13 Mercury turns Retrograde and, being in mysterious Scorpio, a deepening of communication results since this sign, ruled by Pluto (and Mars traditionally, is all about understanding what’s going on beneath the surface of our daily existence, this includes secrets which need to see the light.) At the same time, the Sun is quarreling with MarsRx and we need to strategize how to handle the energy swirling around this hyper-charged atmosphere. The confrontation between planets in Cardinal signs continues the 15th when Pluto harasses the Sun in a match-up and neither one is inclined to show the other mercy. These energies are to be taken seriously and we need to be centered and grounded.
October 16 the New Moon (new beginnings) is in aesthetic Libra which allows us to expand our appreciation of the beauty to be found in our surroundings and, most importantly, in our associations with meaningful others. We can’t forget that this sign, while associated with diplomacy, is a Cardinal sign and generates power, supporting our evolution. The Symbol is:
“A butterfly with a third wing on its left side: The ability to develop, for inner strengthening, new modes of response to basic life situations… the left side usually refers to the instinctual field of the consciousness, but it also is the heart’s side. A new strength is shown, perhaps as yet unrealized…”
MarsRx is opposite the New Moon and prodding us to persevere.
October 18 the God of War and Jupiter continue their long-term struggle to dominate each other, but let’s concentrate on the good fortune generated by the rendezvous on the 19th between lovely Venus and benevolent Jupiter. They generate good fortune which should captivate our attention as Mercury and Uranus continue shocking us with revealing buried information. We can care about what is transpiring while not surrendering our mental health to the ephemeral. The 21st charming Venus and responsible Pluto contrive to help us stabilize our connections with others and it may even feel like something Karmic is going on.
October 22 the Sun enters probing Scorpio where MercuryRx is already there, acting like a personal and social archeologist, making sure we go beneath the surface to release what is draining our energy and ability to move forward. This can be very liberating but, we know, that intensity can morph into obsession. Scorpio is all about digging deep and wanting to take relationships beyond the airy abstractness of Libra to more emotional, intimate level. The meeting on the 24th between Venus and Saturn helps us to proceed in a measured way, pursuing our sincere emotional commitments based on likeminded goals.
October 25 the Sun and MercuryRx are totally in tune but we may find ourselves reflecting more on the past than our immediate situation since they are both in Scorpio. The 27th, the Trickster moves back into Libra and his returning to this airy arena and Venus joins him there. This may release us from some heavy psychic baggage and our communications may become more socially oriented, expressing a desire to get together with others.
October 31 is not only Halloween, the time the veil between different dimensions is considered to be at it most thin, it is also the Full Moon (culmination) in sensuous Taurus. This Hunter’s Moon qualifies as a Blue Moon since it’s the second one this month, and adding to the mystique, it’s opposite passionate Scorpio Sun, the sign of many mysteries. It’s a time of closure which can be a positive development as we move forward but let’s keep in mind that UranusRx is in the picture, always promising surprises. The Symbol’s message is interested in dealing with how we cope with our circumstances.
“A fully decorated Christmas tree: The ability to create inner happiness in dark hours. In northern or mountainous countries where the Christmas tree symbol took form, we find a contrast between the tree OUTSIDE – bare and normally covered with snow- and the tree INSIDE the home…”
The closely united group created a beautiful tree, generating happiness in the home, overcoming “the barrenness of the outside world”, just as we redesign our own terrain to include warmth and kindness while navigating an uncharted course. Congratulations to us for keeping to our commitment to learning and evolving!
Blessings and Happy Halloween!
Sally Shotwell is a life-long student of esoteric spirituality whose focus on studies in Astrology have spanned decades. She has entertained and informed our readers with her articles for a few years now.
The Bright Side Of Luna
by Bruce Johnson
Arcane knowledge concerning the dual nature of the moon, with its bright positive side, and dark negative side was taught to ancient Mystery School Initiates. The moon was known to express a twofold influence as it reflected a creative life-giving solar force, but also radiated a destructive death-dealing lunar force. One of the secrets of Initiation was to learn to separate these completely opposite forces, responding to and using only the positive lunar forces while blocking the destructive ones. Hindu priests drank their sacred magical soma-drink to put themselves in direct rapport with the bright side of the moon, gaining great inspiration and knowledge there from.
One of the moon’s or Luna’s little-known aspects is that she’s a storehouse of concentrated higher intellectual energy and positive solar forces. Accessing these extremely beneficial energies as well as contact with higher spiritual beings is most readily achieved around the time of the full moon every month. The critical portion of the lunar cycle lasts for five days, two days on either side of the full moon day. The ancients used the time of the full moon to participate in divine invocation, Initiations, inspiration and prophecy, healing, and a completion to that which was begun at a previous new moon. As a general rule, when possible try to start important new cycles around the new moon, so they build power with the waxing moon.
The occultist recognizes that all full moons of the year are opportunities for positive spiritual contact with the forces of light. Of the twelve or sometimes thirteen full moons in a year, the full moon of May is the most recognized by spiritual seekers. May is the month of Taurus and the Wesak Festival in the Himalayas where the Buddha acts as an instrument of light, healing and wisdom to humanity. In the future, the full moons of April and June will gain more importance as major full moons in addition to the May full moon. These three full moons combined symbolize the trinity of the three primary ray forces.
Like countless other dead bodies in space, our moon is a decaying shell with no pranic life remaining in its disintegrating physical body. Earth’s moon is an ancient planet’s corpse with only the inherent life contained in matter now existing within it. The moon’s decomposing physical and etheric bodies, together with its negatively energized astral body, radiate a very pernicious influence on all they contact, including human beings. During the full moon, the Earth, Luna, and their astral duplicates , receive more reflected solar light- energy than at any other time. People who are imbalanced, emotionally and astrally polarized, or frequently irrationally impulsive and desirous, can become astrally over stimulated and psychically upset during the time of the full moon. Negative over stimulation combined with imbalanced astral sensitivity is the cause of many lunar-related psychoses, hallucinations and insanities. Full moons are particularly beneficial for balanced spiritually-minded people who are also mentally oriented. They are auspicious times for group contact with great advanced souls, as well as for positive invocation, healing, spiritual revelation, and heart unfoldment in groups around the world. Spiritual initiations of all grades take place during the light half of the lunar cycle, often at the full moon. Additionally, humanity is more able to contact the angel kingdom during the full moon.
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.
