Sophia's Children

A 'Monk's Manifesto' for In-the-World Mystics & Sensitive Souls

This is a quickie post to share the Monk's Manifesto from Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts.

The seven-facet Monk's Manifesto will speak to in-the-world mystics, creatives, healers, empaths -- the sorts of people who bring great gifts into the world not just through their 'in the world' work, but also their very energy and the gift of their contemplative practices.

As many of us know well from our own experience, it can be a challenge to to be a 'walker between the worlds', having one foot in the 'seen, material world' of Western culture and the other in the unseen from which all of the rest springs.

Take a look at Christine's Monk's Manifesto and see what speaks to you, and don't forget to share it in the comments section here!

Lots of love from your fellow in-the-world mystic and sensitive soul!

Jamie

Image Info: The anchoress, mystic, and writer Julian of Norwich, with her Hermitage Cat.

The Two 'Power Words' You Use All the Time

Words are magic, for better and worse.

Knowing that, there are a lot of ways we can elevate our communication, and really notice (and have!) a positive effect.

We can elevate our internal communication -- our all-powerful 'self talk' -- and we can elevate our communication with others.

Just through our words, we can make someone else's day, and make 'the impossible' possible in our lives.

Let's take a look at a really powerful example.

What two words do you use often without realizing their power?

Find out what the two words are & feel the difference in several examples -- read the full article (and more) in the latest edition of The Wake-Up Juice newsletter.

Lots of love,

Jamie

Leisurely, Sensual Taurus Time

This morning's 'to do' list got set aside for a leisurely walk along the river, soaking up the sun's warmth, surrounded by budding trees, blossoming flowers, and a few sweet, tiny little finches and a petite woodpecker.

That is so very, very Taurean.

And lo! Today is the first day of the Sun's passage through Taurus, an Earth-sign and Venus-ruled archetype.

What's more, Saturday ushers in the New Moon in Taurus.

We've all got Venus and Taurus somewhere in our astro-blueprint. For some of us, like moi, they're 'primary flavors'. Look at your astro natal chart for clues.

And with transiting Venus traveling through Gemini, we're getting activated by two very different kind of energy: body-centered, Earthy, sensual and deep values, meeting Venus-influenced quick-silver thought and communication.

We'll want to weave these together to really flourish with these energies.

(Read this and the Venus in Gemini: Iris the Rainbow Goddess post to get a sense of the two.)

Here's how I see Venus expressing herself Taurus-style:

Venus in her Taurus mood doesn't like to be hurried.

In fact, I'd guess that Venus in Taurus detests being rushed.

When you're in a rush, you simply miss all kinds of sensual delights and messages that are Divinely bestowed and too-often overlooked in the mad-ass rush we've all gotten sucked into.

These are the very things that give life meaning, remind us of our deepest values and worth, and inspire us from the Earth and body outward.

I see Venus in Taurus doing the leisurely stroll thing, finding a perfect patch of lush grass, surrounded by flowers and hummingbirds and butterflies, and enjoying a truly luscious, sensuous picnic.

She appreciates the feast, visual and otherwise -- after all, the Earth produced such bounty, and someone lovingly and creatively prepared it. It would be a sin to not appreciate that and savor each mouth-watering bite!

She might share her luscious picnic and natural oasis with a beloved and similarly sensual, affectionate beau -- one who truly delights in her delight.

Goddess Sophia, so devoted was she to her vision of the Divine human and the Earth-Garden habitat envisioned for them, that she sent a part of her own Divine Spirit to enliven the Earth so she could be just that close to us.

That is Taurus and Venus. The abundant, loving lusciousness of the Divine Feminine, brought to Earth, and respected as such.

It's no coincidence (Divinely speaking) that Earth Day is situated during Sun in Taurus Time, since Taurus is the Earth lover, the Earth Goddess, and the Green Man.

Taureans are sometimes categorized as being 'hard workers'. That's a Puritan-Work-Ethic varnish.

More accurately, when the Taurus-Venus in us is soul-centered and Earth-centered (that body wisdom!), she is connected to the deepest of all values. It's more about 'Right Livelihood' -- heartful, soul-infused work that benefits all and is thus a joy.

After all, you can't be in your heart and body wisdom if you're not in your body, yes?

This little snapshot of Venus in Taurus reveals that when she's soul-centered, she has a deep knowing of and appreciation for the truest and deepest of all values.

As Taurus's ruler, Venus in her Taurean mode reminds us that the seeds nest in the dirt of the Earth, incubating and then sprouting and sending their tender yet super-strong tendrils towards the surface to bud and bloom, blossom and beautify.

We follow suit -- going deep within to find those worthy, soul-aligned seeds that, with nourishment and nurturing, find their way into (preferably beautiful) expression in the world.

A perfect Venus-Taurus saying? Stop, and smell the roses.

Feel the warmth on your face. Breathe in the lusciousness of the air. Taste the fruits of the Earth. Listen to the birds and bees and breeze. Be reminded that this is abundance.

And then, having been nourished and reminded of that, bring that earthy inspiration and body wisdom into your communication (Iris the Rainbow Goddess can help with that!).

Love and Lusciousness,

Jamie

Image Credits: Ariadne and My Sweet Rose by John William Waterhouse (1849-1917)

 

Venus in Gemini: Iris the Rainbow Goddess

One of our personal archetypes has just gone Mercurial.

Have you felt it yet? If not, you will.

Read on for tips, so you'll be in the know about working with this energy in your life.

The Timeframe, Energies & Themes

The planet Venus entered Gemini territory in early April for an unusually long stay.

Compared with typical Venus transits of 3 or 4 weeks, we'll all be experiencing our inner-Venus ala Gemini style through early August.

Venus is considered a 'personal' archetype, symbolizing our experiences with harmony (or not), abundance (or not), beauty (or not), and love (or not).

She shifted from grounded, Earthy, sensual Taurus to quick-minded and communicative Gemini. From Earth to Air. Right on time to add to the Zap Zone Energies (see my recent post).

Given that this is a longer-than-usual transit, amidst the backdrop of the much-prophesied 'year of transformation' that is 2012, I wanted to really open to the deeper opportunity offered by Venus in Gemini.

As soon as I asked the question, guess who came to mind ... very appropriately (as you'll see)?

Iris the Rainbow Goddess.

If you haven't met the rainbow Goddess Iris, allow me to introduce you -- you're in for a lovely treat.

And if you'd like to get to know her further, you now have a three-month window of opportunity that makes it easier than usual.

You'll definitely want to make good use of your Iris Time while Venus transits Gemini.

Allow me the luscious honor of introducing you to Iris, the Rainbow Goddess of Hope and High-Vibin' Word.

Iris has a unique place in Greek mythology.

She is said to be the Great Goddess Hera's most trusted messenger, and the Great God Zeus sees Iris in the same way.

Even more unique, Iris is able to easily travel between the realms of Heaven and Earth, air and sea, and even to the Underworld and back, bringing vital information and messages between the gods, and between the gods and humans.

So she's a Shaman's Goddess, and the spirit ally for wordsmiths and communicators, who deal in Word Magic whether for good or ill.

Since we all use words -- and the power of the Word -- that applies to each of us, too.

Iris's name is said to derive from the Greek word eiro, meaning 'messenger' and also 'to join' -- as in a communication bridge that connects.

As I reflect on that, I couldn't help but think of Eris, a goddess associated with disruption, amongst other things. Perhaps she signifies the 'other side' of Iris? More on that below (and in another article as well).

Iris is usually seen with a winged staff or caduceus, and a ceramic pitcher from which she pours out Divine guidance.

She has an angel's wings, and sometimes winged heels as well, allowing her quick, light flight as she travels between the realms.

And she's associated with the rainbow, wearing a rainbow-colored robe and leaving behind a rainbow calling-card: Iris was here (or Iris is here). Sometimes she's thought to actually be the rainbow itself.

So what does this tell us about Iris?

She is a most trusted messenger and herald, respected in all of the realms -- a masterful, trusted, Divinely gifted communicator.

She is adorned with the winged staff or caduceus, so her communications are healing and high-vibration, perhaps even illiminating and enlightening.

She wears the rainbow robe and embodies or leaves her rainbow symbol as her calling card, symbolizing 'the rainbow after the storm' and also the hope and promise of the same.

Her rainbow robe also symbolizes the 'rainbow body' or 'light body' -- our own energy field when it's in its natural Divine vibration.

Even more, she is a spirit ally and messenger of (and to) the Divine Feminine, and the Sacred Masculine as well, generously endowed with the magic of the Word.

Perhaps Iris was the Muse for Dr. Emoto in his work with the effect of high or low-vibration words on water crystals -- and thus on us, too, since we are made mostly of water.

While Venus is in Gemini, Iris the Rainbow Goddess can be a spirit ally in our conversations with the Divine, and she can help us to increase the radiance of our own and others' rainbow-light-bodies through the use of beautiful words and communications.

This relates to our inner-chatter -- the Word-habits we've internalized -- as well as communications with others, and with the Divine.

Of course, her very example hints at the lower-vibration potential of Venus in Gemini -- a misuse of our power of the word by way of chronic negative chatter and gossip, for instance.

This is what made me think of Eris, sometimes called 'the Goddess of Discord'. Might Eris be the effects and energies we see, feel, and experience when we misuse or negatively use the power of the Word?

I'll be writing on this theme very soon (look for 'Lakshmi's Evil Twin' in the subject line!).

Iris the Rainbow Goddess -- and the energies of Venus in Gemini -- remind us that words and images have their unique vibrations, and can either be healing and illuminating or poisonous and harmful.

But if we ask for Iris's help, with gratitude and respect due to her as the most respected Divine messenger, we can elevate our communication, gain some additional understanding and mastery of our Word-power, and maybe even become rainbow-bringers ourselves.

As always, if you have a more prominent Venus or Gemini in your astrology blueprint -- like my own Venus-rising and Gemini moon nearly conjunct my ascendent -- this is an even more important archetype, teacher, and purpose-illuminator for you.

You can see where Iris the asteroid is placed in your chart, too, for additional insight on where her gifts (or shadow) might show up for you.

How do you see Iris the Rainbow Goddess & Divine Word Master working in your life?

Share your thoughts, musings, and questions below (or if you prefer more privacy, send along a direct email -- you'll see the email link in the upper sidebar).

And if you'd like to bring Iris the Rainbow Goddess alive within yourself -- and elevate your communication and 'power of your Word' -- send me an email and schedule an individual session.

In the meanwhile, lots of love and shiny rainbow communications!

Jamie

Image Credits: Iris the Rainbow Goddess on Greek Vase from Theoi.com; Morpheus and Iris, by Pierre-Narcisse Guerin (1811); and Iris the Rainbow Goddess by John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836-1893).

Calming Remedies for Intense Energies

Have you been feeling the amped-up, ZAPified energies this past week or so?

It's not new -- we're officially in the 'Zap Zone is the new normal' kind of time. But some times are zappier than others.

Though things have been a mite quieter on the solar flare CME front -- thanks be for that -- the last week has featured a lot of shifting energies of the Zap variety.

The Zap energies were illuminated and magnified by the beautiful, awe-inspiring full moon in Libra -- a sign (archetypal energy) ruled by Mercury.

Zap.

Plus more zappage from the Uranus-Pluto square -- something that's just starting to ripen. We'll be tasting this tense, transformation-sparking energetic for the next few years. Think 1960s, with a boost.

Add Mercury stationing direct, and Mars stationed direct on April 14th after nearly 3 months retrograde (a more internal focus that seems to slow down forward-momentum).

I've found that Mercury plus Uranus = mega zap. Any of the other energy influences just add to the Zap Fest.

And right now, we've got Mercury and Uranus aplenty (see the Venus in Gemini blog entry for more).

I used to describe this vibe as 'feeling like I've been electrocuted', but I like the very witty Mystic Medusa's use of the phrase Zap Zone. It's definitely appropos.

If you're even moderately sensitive to subtle energies, you'd be feeling the zap energies: restless, amped up, anxious, interrupted sleep, mood-waves, heightened sensitivities to other people's energies and thought-waves, and/or fatigue, among other 'symptoms'.

And since these have not been so subtle energetics, you might have been feeling the Zap even if you aren't usually energy sensitive.

The energetics along with the big changes and stress-provoking challenges so many of us are experiencing -- including moi -- it's really, really important to tend to the self-care practices.

This will become more and more an issue as we continue to progress through 2012, and extra-true when you add solar flare CME blasts to the mix.

The snapshot? Uber-zapped nervous systems and energy fields need soothing and grounding.

Here are a few energy & vibrational healing practices from my own 'Zap-Zone Survival Kit' that I find helpful:

• Lavender essential oil -- used for millennia to sooth the nerves and mind.

I use Young Living's lavender essential oil (let me know if you'd like to order some). Dab it on the back of your neck, beneath your ear lobes, on your upper heart, and inner wrist, and breathe it in.

• Flower Essences -- If you're feeling freak-out zapped, try Bach's Rescue Remedy or FES Five Flower Blend. I find Walnut, Honeysuckle, Olive, and Mustard handy options for change-times, too. If you're in the Fear Zone, it's Mimulus or Aspen for you. Mind chatter gone crazy? White Chestnut.

• Breathing -- No joke. When we're freaked, or zapped, our breathing tends to go shallow and our bodies contract. Breathe deeply and gently. Full breaths, so your belly fills out. A couple of simple full breaths can work wonders. For a special breathing practice (and treat), see Bee Breath below.

• Mantra -- I returned to a daily mantra practice last Summer, and feel sincerely grateful for it daily. Why?

Because some of the crappola that's popped up over the last six months would have not too long ago had me icy cold with fear, up most of the night, and puking from the stress.

Despite a few 'trigger moments', I've felt relatively centered, present, and even kind of calm. The daily mantras -- powerful vibrational and sacred sound -- have made the difference.

You pick a mantra, or several, for the vibration, based on what you might be experiencing or feeling. Sometimes you pair it with a mudra (see the Ta'Nit and 'No Fear' entry just before this one!) or kriya (movement), and sometimes you do a specific type of breathing or 'pranayama'.

It all adds up to calming, centering, balancing, shifting your vibe and ultimately shifting those ingrained fear-habits.

• Bee Breathing -- this is a specific 'pranayama' exercise that vibrates the upper heart or thymus area -- one of those areas where you're likely to feel the zap, fear, or anxiety in your body.

The proper name for this is Bhramari pranayama, which means Bee Breath.

I call it an 'inner OM', because as you exhale your breath, you're vibrating Ohhhmmmm without opening your mouth.

It's called 'Bee Breath' or Bhramari Pranayam because you're making a buzzing sound that vibrates your heart center.

It's fun, and doing it for a few minutes seems to really notch down anxiety and relax the muscles around the chest. Try it for yourself and see.

Here's a good summary of the Bee Breath and benefits, and here's a good video from Quick Fix Yoga that shows the technique.

• Take a 'Beer Bath'. If you're feeling frazzled and stressed, you've got to try this. Serious soothe fest.This is actually a post-shamanic-session remedy to neutralize nasty energies in your field as well as calm your nerves and body.

Pour yourself a hot bath (your ideal 'hot' temperature). As the water is running, add 1/4 of a cup epsom salts and three bottles of beer (with or without alcohol ... your choice). While this seems pretty evident, take extra precaution with the bottles (or pour the three beers into a plastic pitcher before you head into the bath).

If you've got it, add 7-10 drops of lavender oil (not perfume). No bubbles or soap. Dim the lights, add a candle or two if you've got the space. Climb in and soak for 15 or 20 minutes if you feel comfie with that. Do the 'bee breath' for a bit if you want, or just chill.

• Feet on the Ground. Walk, take your shoes and socks off and dig your toes into the dirt (if weather allows), stroll through a park or forest trail.

Putting your feet to the ground for a mindful walk in a relaxing place helps. A lot. Were it not for my 'walking habit', I probably would have lost it a long time ago. You can do prayer or mantra while you walk to shift the vibe even more (and keep Crazy Mind from walking with you!).

Though there are many energy management & vibrational healing approaches, these are a few things I turn to daily now that the Zap Zone is becoming the 'new normal'.

Think of these times and the Zap Zone as a skin-sloughing (like the snake) and birthing all rolled into one.

In the meanwhile, surf -- and soothe -- the Zap. Believe me, this will prove more and more helpful.

If you have questions or want to share your own Zap Soothers, post your comments below. I welcome it, and it helps others, too.

If you prefer more behind-the-scenes communication, or want to explore an Energy & Intuitive session, feel free to send me an email (you'll see the email link above right or in my profile).

Lots of love,

Jamie

Image Credits: Lightning Zappage from U.S. NOAA. Young Living Lavender Farms.

Ta'Nit and 'No Fear'

Hundreds of statues of the Phoenician

Goddess Ta'Nit were discovered in 1973-74,

during a marine-archaeology expedition

of Phoenician shipwrecks. They date

from the 7 to 5th centuries B.C.E.

That is sooo cool!

The Phoenicicans were great mariners

and traders, visiting trading

cultures throughout the Mediterranean

and even in the Americas.

They are said to have had a

bright and flourishing culture.

Ta'Nit was the Phoenician's name for the

Great Goddess, the Feminine aspect

of the Divine. Seafarers would carve

the symbol of Ta'Nit into the rock

in their gratitude for a safe arrival.

Ta'Nit is associated with the Great

Goddess by her names Asherah, Nix,

Anat, and Elat -- different words

representing different cultures and

languages. One DIvine Mother,

appearing with different names & faces.

 

Though I had never heard of

Ta'Nit, I woke with her name

one morning in July of 2010,

with a message "Act for Ta'Nit

and it will benefit all beings."

I've been curious about that message

and Ta'Nit ever since.

 

What I love about this archaeological

find is that Ta'Nit is shown with her

left hand over her 'higher heart' and

her right hand in the Abhay Mudra --

the mudra of 'no fear', used both

to signify "I'm a friend" and also

to cultivate 'no fear'.

 

Where one is centered in

the Heart, fear is kept at bay.

Or said in another way, "perfect

Love casts out all fear."

For most of us, me included,

this is deep and daily practice.

Hindu images of the Goddess

or Maha Devi in her Durga, Lakshmi,

Bhramaridevi, and Akhilandeshwari

aspects are often shown

  with the 'no fear' Abhay mudra, too.

You'll notice this mudra in

other spiritual traditions as well.

How does it feel when you

align with the energy hinted at

in this Ta'Nit image -- and how does

it feel when you try this mudra with

your left hand on your heart and

your right in the Abhay Mudra of

no fear, head slightly bowed

towards your heart, and a gentle

smile on your face?

 

 

Image of Ta'Nit statue from the Hecht Museum in Haifa, Israel.

Wu Wei: the blasphemy of 'non doing'

“Industrious people build industry.

Lazy people create civilization.”

– Kaz Tanahashi

Shocking, isn't it?

The idea and practice of not doing is truly blasphemous in our 'do-aholic' culture.

I mean, think 'not doing' and notice what reactions come up within you.

"Well, how will anything get DONE?," we might ask. "Everything would fall apart!" "You have to do something!"

Can you feel your heart palpitating at the very suggestion of NOT doing -- or the thought that 'being lazy' might have its strong points?

I don't know about you, but I definitely did not get that memo when I was growing up!

There's a part of me that finds it compelling, though.

After decades at the Altar of Perpetual Doing, I saw that the Puritan Workaholic Ethic that is so ingrained in our culture has got a pretty big shadow side.

After hitting the Workaholic Wall going 1000 miles an hour, I was literally forced by circumstances -- including my own wellness -- to consider other perspectives.

The Taoists, following the wisdom of Lao Tzu and others, talk about 'wu wei' -- nondoing.

One idea of wu wei or non-action is that you 'do without doing and everything gets done'.

Can you feel your brain cramping and well-conditioned synapses smoking at the thought?

Stay with it...

In order for this 'nondoing' magic to arise, we have to be still and receptive much more often, so that we can connect to our oneness with all things and allow Life to lead us through inspiration, intuition, and synchronicity.

This is a pretty radical thought for Western-conditioned minds.

Just look around, or tune in to yourself, and you'll see just how terrifying and uncomfortable most of us find it now to be still -- still the body, still the noise, still the mind.

It's enough to give most of us jitters and hives, if we haven't immediately 'plugged in' to relieve the discomfort with some more stimulus and action.

Yet most of us would also say that we want to experience 'flow',  synchronicities and, dare I say, maybe even miracles.

We'd all like things to be just a bit easier, a bit less hard, a bit more graceful than they seem to be, particularly these days.

We all want inspiration and intuitive-guidance to lead us into passionate, purposeful right action and graceful timing.

These require stillness, not doing, so that we can be receptive to that guidance, our deeper yearnings, and more subtle frequencies.

The challenge is to reclaim the wu wei wisdom through stillness,  listening, and closer observation of what arises within us and what arises, then, around us.

And it couldn't be more alien -- even excruciating -- to us.

This has deeply challenged me, often, over the years.

Despite a natural contemplative vein that runs through me, I learned early on that being still, daydreaming, sitting or wandering quiety, and things of that more contemplative genre were in the same pigeon-hole as being unproductive, suspect, or lazy.

In comparison, I was encouraged and rewarded in those 'activa' pursuits that were considered industrious -- no one really seemed to care whether action was wise.

Perhaps you, too, heard, "Don't just sit there, do something!"?

And now, of course, we're surrounded with the outcomes of a cultural addiction to perpetual left-brain-informed action, workaholism, and stimulation without the balancing, wizening benefits of contemplation, reflection, and wisdom (aka 'the Feminine' or right-brain gifts).

To heal it -- individually and collectively -- we have to practice our way back to a healthier balance, to reclaim those right-brain Feminine gifts.

As the saying goes -- with a fun little twist -- don't just do something, sit there!

Blessings on the Wu Wei.
Jamie

Image Credit: Kazuaka Tanahashi at the San Francisco Zen Center. Photo by Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle. Kaz Tanahashi is a Japanese Calligrapher, Zen Teacher, Author & Translater, and former student of Aikido Founder Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. "Moon on Water" image from GeekSailor's blog.

Rilke and the Black Madonna

"Whom should I turn to,

if not the One whose darkness

is darker than night,

the only one who keeps

vigil with no candle,

and is not afraid --

the Deep One, whose

being I trust ..."

Rainer Maria Rilke

 

Rilke's words reflect a deep knowing about the energy of the Great Mother, Sophia, the Black Madonna.

"To whom shall I turn, if not the One whose darkness is darker than night, the only one who keeps vigil with no candle, and is not afraid..."

We get a sense of why the Black Madonna, as one symbol of the Great Goddess, the Divine Feminine, is associated with freedom from that which oppresses our Divine nature.

Because She is not afraid, she has no qualms with standing for humanity, for Wisdom or the Heart, for authentic being, or standing up to power that has been abused and become tyrannical, oppressive, and socio- and psychopathic.

That means outside of us, as well as where we've internalized the 'voice of tyranny'.

Perhaps this is why Lech Walesa and those of the solidarity movement wore lapel pins featuring the Black Madonna of Czestochowa -- and why he dedicated his Nobel Peace Prize to Her who provided the guidance and energy.

And perhaps this is why the Black Madonna is a Goddess of NOW.

If you'd like to explore the Black Madonna further, here are just a few of the blog entries I've posted in Sophia's Children:

• Who is the Black Madonna?
 
• The Sacred Feminine and the Dark Madonna 

• The Power of Imagery & the Awakening Feminine

• The Black Madonna's Calling

• Goddesses of NOW: Durga & Akhilandeshwari

 

These are exciting and transformative times. Neither old maps nor old fears can guide us.

The deep Feminine wisdom -- with guides such as the Black Madonna -- offer us a powerful lantern. She is our Initiatrix and inspiration.

What is your reaction or response to the re-emerging Divine Feminine and her Black Madonna image? Feel free to share your reflections and questions in the comment section.

Blessings,

Jamie

Image Credits: Black Madonna at the Gates of Hope, Vilnius, Lithuania; Black Madonna of Częstochowa at the Monastery of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, Poland.