As Life Changes

Arrivederci!

Time for us to head for the airport.  It's Paul's 50th Birthday celebration and we are on our way to London, Venice and Lake Como.  

Going to Italy has been the plan for about a year...getting there via the Orient Express came into view this spring. 

 

I hadn't known that Paul's wanted to travel "back through time" and am delighted that we'll be celebrating him in style.  His love of  luxury, design, literature and film (Agathy Christie's Hercule Poirot is a favorite) will make this a marvelous journey and memorable birthday.

Tuesday and Wednesday nights we'll be at The Ritz in London.  

Tea in the Palm Court on Tuesday afternoon looks something like this...pretty swish, eh?

We will be traveling in vintage rail cars through France, Switzerland and the Italian Dolemites on Thursday and Friday. We depart London by train and transfer to the Orient Express in Calais, France.  

Here's the route:

And our Itinerary

Day 1 - As you board the gleaming carriages of the British Pullman train at London Victoria station, your steward will show you to your reserved seat. Sit back and enjoy Brunch served with a Bellini as you travel throughout the Kentish countryside. After crossing the channel board the blue and gold carriages of the Continental Wagons-Lits. 

Throughout your journey you will be attended by your own personal Steward. After you have settled into your comfortable private compartment it will soon be time to dress for dinner. Why not sip a pre-dinner cocktail before making your way to one of the magnificent restaurant cars. Here you will be served a delicious four-course dinner, prepared by our skilled French chefs. After dinner you may want to linger in the bar car, listening to the sound of the baby grand piano. When you are ready, retire to your compartment, which has now been transformed into a cosy bedroom. 

Day 2 - You awake to the magnificent scenery of the Swiss Alps as breakfast is served in your compartment at a time to suit you. Spend the morning in the Bar Car chatting to fellow guests over coffee. Enjoy a leisurely three-course lunch served in another of the beautiful restaurant cars. While away the afternoon with a visit to the on board Boutique to purchase souvenirs, or relax in your compartment and admire passing scenery as the train travels through the Italian Dolomites. Later, afternoon tea is served in your compartment as you travel through the Brenner Pass. All too soon it is time to prepare to disembark as the train crosses the Venetian Lagoon and pulls into Santa Lucia station.

These are the accommodations:

Friday afternoon, we'll arrive in Venice and stay two nights at the Hotel Cipriani.

On Sunday, we'll travel to Milan by train , then drive to Bellagio on Lake Como

We'll meet our friends at Villa dei Sogni - Lake Como, Italy

Here's what the brochure says.....

The beautiful Villa dei Sogni, overlooking the town of Bellagio, known locally as the Pearl of Lario, is perfectly situated to live up to its name - the Villa of Dreams.

Each and every corner of this amazing property has been well thought out and finished to the highest quality assuring its house guests the most comfortable stay. From the Wine Cellar on the ground floor through to the well equipped kitchen which would content even the most discerning chef, the Pool area surrounded by a beautifully manicured garden to the Flat screen television with a selection of Satellite Channels, all this with the possibility to play music of choice throughout the villa - the owners of this amazing property have gone above and beyond to make sure that you will want for nothing when staying at this beautiful property.

Oh, did we mention the view yet? The view is definitely one that dreams are made of - whether you look west over Tremezzo and the beautiful Villa Carlotta or East towards the Grigne Mountain range or simply directly north where you have that picture postcard view of the beautiful promontory of Bellagio with the three branches of Lake Como in full view not forgetting the Alps standing majestically in the background - dragging yourself away from the Terrace, whether you are enjoying a meal al fresco there or simply relaxing in one of the easy chairs, will not be an easy feat.

As well as having the most amazing views and comforts, this beautiful property is also well located for those seeking to get out and about and explore the area further - with the very efficient local boat service just an easy five minutes drive down the hill from the villa in the heart of the historical center of Bellagio - exploring the lake using this villa as a base could not be easier. For those seeking to head further away you have Lecco just a short 35 minutes drive from the Villa, Como 45 minutes away and both Milan, Bergamo and Lugano (Switzerland) within an easy 90 minutes drive...

For those times when you choose not to have the Chef Service at the property - within an easy 2 minutes drive you have 3 restaurants/pizzerias, a pastry store with some of the best brioche that you will ever taste, a bar and small grocery store while down in Bellagio's historical center you have a wide range of stores, bars/restaurants and pizzeria's to choose from. 

Accommodation Details: The Property has plentiful parking on the ground level with three outdoor parking places, has electricity and is equipped with air conditioning. 

Ground Floor: You will find the traditional Turkish sauna, the gym, bathroom complete with shower, WC and sink, the laundry room complete with washing machine/drying machine and ironing facilities and the cantina with some of the country's most popular wines. 

First Floor: Can be easily accessed from the garden and pool area and external stairway - you can enjoy the dining room, the well equipped kitchen complimented with some fun Italian cookbooks from the different regions in Italy, the living room with beautiful lake views nor forgetting the satellite television too, one double bedroom (king bed) with ensuite bathroom complete with shower, sink and wc, one twin bedded room with ensuite bathroom complete with shower, sink and wc plus a further bathroom for day use. The elegant covered terrace on this floor, at the front of the villa, can be easily accessed from the living room and the double bedroom. The Pool Area can be easily accessed from the garden, double bedroom and twin bedded room not forgetting the external steps too from the ground floor. 

Second Floor: is accessed by a stairway from the living room and here we have two bedrooms each with its own ensuite bathroom completed with shower, wc and sink, as well as a storage area for your suitcases, the stereo system and work corner where you can connect to the Broadband Line for those who wish to bring their computer along. The swimming pool is for exclusive use of the guests at the villa and is the perfect place to begin your day taking in those breathtaking views as you enjoy a little morning exercise - the area around the pool is well equipped with sun loungers, sun umbrellas and small tables too. The Garden which surrounds the villa is well maintained and the botanists amongst us will be delighted to hear that many of the flowers that are enjoyed here in the garden are local and typical of this area. 

We'll be posting updates on Facebook.

You can follow our adventures at www.twitter.com/wheresgretchen.

Let the celebrations begin....Arrivederci!

Your One Wild and Precious Life

The Summer Day

Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

 

TIME IN TRANSITION

THIS MORNING I OPENED MY FACEBOOK AND THERE WAS WISDOM FROM ONE OF MY FAVORITE COACHES, CHRISTINA MERKLEY.  IT'S THE SOLSTICE, A TIME OF REFLECTION AND SETTING INTENTION.  HER WRITING ABOUT WILLIAM BRIDGES' MODEL OF TRANSITION REMINDS ME WHY I VALUE THE WORK WE DO...WITHIN OURSELVES AND WITH OTHERS. 

Ready to leave the old but not sure what the new is?  In that painful in-between place?  Ahhhhhh transitions — the sometimes tricky challenge of moving from one world or way of being into another.  When life kicks us out of our comfort zone so we are forced to Become Our Next Self.

There is a terrific author named Bill Bridges, who has done a lot of research on the topic of transition.  I particularly like his book The Way of Transition.  In it (and in his other books) he explains the typical stages of transition.  That we tend to do through three big ‘Ds’: disenchantment, disidentification and disorientation (the neutral zone) before we pop out the other side and stabilize into our Next Self.

1. Disenchantment Phase:
Disenchantment is the phase where I often meet my clients.  They come for coaching or my specialized graphics training because they are looking for something different – the same ol’ same ol’ just doesn’t cut it and they want a life that will work better for them. Disenchantment is the same as the first stage in my SHIFT-IT process: Satisfaction Interrupted. 

Might be an entrepreneur who wants to change the nature or pace of her or his business.  A skilled professional who is good at but bored by their status quo.  Or, a corporate employee who is faced with a career change after a downsizing or layoff.  Whatever the circumstances, they are disenchanted with the phase they are now in  and are searching for something better.

2. Dis-identification Phase:
After or during the disenchantment phase a person in transition enters into dis-identification.  In this phase they either voluntarily dis-identify themselves from their old life, or something happens to that causes a separation.  Their old identity starts to break up. 

For myself, this happened many years ago when I was no longer satisfied with being a Graphic Recorder and went through the stages of becoming  a Graphic Facilitator and then developing my own unique Graphic Coaching niche.  The proverbial s#it hit the fan as a core relationship also broke up during this time and I moved countries (sometimes transitions happen in clusters).  I had to drop identification with one identity in order for a new one to emerge.

3. Wandering in the Neutral Zone (Disorientation):
What happens next is a disorientation phase, where one can feel really lost and confused and alone. Where you have let go of the old on an emotional level (maybe not physical) but the new hasn’t come into focus yet.  A limbo land. Like letting go of one trapeze and hoping the other one will emerge in time for you to grab it. 

Bridges has coined the phrase ‘the neutral zone’ to eloquently describe this experience.  Like wandering in the desert or being on your own personal pilgrimage.  It is a kind of spiritual experience to get through your neutral zone and emerge out the other side.  Difficult to hang in there when you don’t really know what you are doing or where you are going.  Or how things will somehow stabilize into a new reality. 

It is fitting to be writing about transitions as we go into a new season.  When you are in it, the neutral zone can seem like it goes on forever with no end in sight.  However that is not the case.  It is ‘not terminal’ as Bridges reassures. The signs of a new season will eventually reveal themselves.

Things You Can Do to Ease Your Transition:

Draw Your Life Map: To get a sense of these cycles it is often very helpful to map out your life journey to date.  So you can SEE your own cycle of transition and change and view how things really do morph and shift, like a stream finding its way through the landscape.  Creating your Life Map will help you appreciate that.  To sense that a New Story is brewing, even if you don’t yet know all the particulars of what and how.

Get a Coach: A good coach will not only help you appreciate your past and the natural ebb and flow of transitions, she can help you define and claim your New Story, build it into a tangible and inspiring vision and get your next steps and actions into order. And help you deal with the mental and emotional challenges of ‘not knowing’ until you do so you become a cooperative component in your own change. 

Join a Mastermind: Another excellent option is to find or create a coaching group (sometimes called a Mastermind) that brings other people in transition together.  Not only will you receive your own individual coaching but you’ll benefit from hearing and witnessing what other members of your cohort are going through and receive support, encouragement, ideas and resources from them.  See my SHIFT-IT Virtual Group and Merkley’s Manifestation Mastermind as examples. 

Learn Self-Soothing Skills: While in a transition, it helps to learn how to soothe and soften your negative thoughts and feelings.  Tell yourself that ‘this too shall pass’ and ‘clarity will emerge’ and ‘its normal to go through shifts like this’.  When you are in a transition its an excellent time to improve your self nurturance and self-support skills.  You need increased support during this time, not increased criticism and judgment. 

Discovery and Solidify Your New Story

Eventually you emerge from your neutral zone. Something pops (either subtly or obviously). Things begin to make more sense. The right actions become more apparent. Seemingly disparate interests and skills come together.  Certain events and happenings reveal themselves as catalysts and your path unfolds.

You find yourself inhabiting a new world, different from the old – created by your actions but also from your faith, perseverance and trust.  A marriage of doing and being.  You have popped out to the other side.  And you marvel at how it all did come together … after all!  Might sound Pollyanna, but its been my pleasure to witness it time and time again – not only in the lives of my clients but in my own life too.  You will Become Your Next Self and that is a very cool thing!

© 2009 Christina L. Merkley

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this blurb with it:

Christina Merkley, "The SHIFT-IT Coach" and creator of the SHIFT-IT Method® is a Visioning and Strategic Planning Expert specializing in Graphic Facilitation and Law of Attraction techniques. Based in charming Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, she works deeply with individuals, partners and groups in defining and getting what they really, really want. For more information visit: www.shift-it-coach.com

Life can change in a moment

Hi All,
Pecking out this message with my left hand. 

Ten minutes into launching a 2 day offsite for a Seattle client.  

Setting up opening activity outdoors on concrete patio.  

Stepped back without tracking low bench.
Hit my calf, just below knee.  Fell backwards and broke my fall with
my right hand.  Flexed wrist... landed flat on my back.

 First thought: wish I had been taking more calcium.

Second: impressive way to begin my time with this group.

Third:OUCH!

Regained footing and composure, then used Reiki on my arm.  Wasn't too
bad thru the day although I couldn't write, tear tape, hang paper.

Went to UW Emergency and it's a break that may need surgery for
successful recovery.  

I was back on Day Two and finished the retreat and know that having a splint above my elbow doesn't do much for making a fashion statement.

Rian's been amazing and has put me together, gotten me services at the salon and spa that have nurtured my body and soul.  

I've had to cancel all my VA work this week and Paul's still there, arriving in Seattle on Thursday.

Have an appt. Wed. with surgeon and have to stay in Seattle for the time being. Will know more about surgery and cast  time then. Said 8-12 weeks in cast last week in ER. 

Know that there is lots to learn.  Toughest may be asking for help but I am learning quickly.  Handwriting is really hard.

Will be in Seattle until 6/20, then Orcas until July 2. Seattle until 7/8, then Orcas 7/8-11.  Back in Virginia 7/12

This "new way of being" will be chronicled on my blog, www.aslifechanges.com. 

Life sure can change...in A MOMENT.

Gretchen

PS. Impressed with what my left index finger can do!

Beauty, Brains and Creativity ... The 100 Most Creative People in Business

Applause to Fast Company!  

The June issue features the 100 Most Creative People in Business  and it's a delight to read.  There's a photo of the gorgeous NeriOxman on the cover.  She could be on the cover of any fashion magazine and when you read her accomplishments and interests, it blows you away.  Neri, and the company she keeps in this Top 100 list, are the women I would love my 14 year old goddaughter, and her friends, to be looking up to and seeing as role models. 

Sure, sure..."Dancing With the Stars"  and "The Bachelorette" are a mindless way to spend the night, zoning on the couch.  And it seems that every young woman's magazine (Seventeen, Glamour, Allure, etc.) is reworking the same issues they were writing about when I was in high school back in the early 70's.  

Maybe these magazine will take a leap forward and introduce really bright, beautiful and accomplished women onto their pages and into their photographs, as aspirations and role models for our young women. It's about time.

In Praise of the Four Directions

In Praise of the Four Directions is a compilation of poetry and information about the value and importance different cultures give to East, West, South and North.  Enjoy.

O Great Spirit of the East

Radiance of the rising Sun,

Spirit of new beginnings

O Grandfather Fire,

Great nuclear fire--of the sun

Power of life-energy, vital spark

Power to see far, and to

Imagine with boldness

Power to purify our senses,

Our hearts and our minds.

We pray that we may be aligned with You

So that your powers may flow through us

And be expressed by us,

For the good of this planet Earth,

And all living beings upon it.

O Great Spirit of the West,

spirit of the Great Waters,

Of rain, rivers, lakes and springs.

O Grandmother Ocean,

Deep matrix, womb of all life.

Power to dissolve boundaries,

To release holdings,

Power to taste and to feel,

To cleanse and to heal,

Great blissful darkness of peace.

We pray that we may be aligned with You,

So that your powers may flow through us,

And be expressed by us,

For the good of this planet Earth,

And all living beings on it.

O Great Spirit of the North

Invisible Spirit of the Air,

And of the fresh, cool winds,

O vast and boundless Grandfather Sky,

Your living breath animates all life.

Yours is the power of clarity and strength,

Power to hear the inner sounds, 

To sweep out the old patterns,

And to bring change and challenge,

The ecstasy of movement and the dance.

We pray that we may be aligned with You,

So that your powers may flow through us,

And be expressed by us,

For the good of this planet Earth,

And all living beings on it.

O Great Spirit of the South,

Protector of the fruitful land,

And of all green and growing things, 

The noble trees and grasses, 

Grandmother Earth, Soul of Nature.

Great power of the receptive,

Of nurturance and endurance,

Power to grow and bring forth

Flowers of the field,

Fruits of the garden.

We pray that we may be aligned with You,

So that your powers may flow through us,

For the good of this planet Earth,

And all living beings upon it.

By Ralph Metzner

 

Symbolism of the Compass - Meaning of the Four Directions

Written by avenefica on January 2nd, 2008

Symbolism of the Compass. Meaning of Cardinal Direction

One of my readers asked me about the deeper meaning of the four directions (north, south, east, west).  Specifically, she was given a powerful mandala, and wanted to know in which direction would be most auspicious to hang the mandala.  My response follows:

Dear Coordinated Coordinates: 

This is an excellent observation you’ve made.

We can honor and enhance the attributes of something (such as your mandala gift) by placing it in an area that is aligned with appropriate energy.

Different cultures have assigned different meanings of cardinal directions.  Here are a few brief samples of directional energies and what they represent to various cultures:

In Chinese Feng Shui, each direction correlates to the Chinese zodiac animals:

• North =  Rat, enchances areas of: Adaptability, charm, creativity, sociability, wit.
• East = Rabbit, enchances areas of: Trust, sincerity, love, compassion.
• South = Horse, enchances areas of: Physical strength, health, adventure, loyalty.
• West = Rooster, enhances areas of: Confidence, business, energy, persistence.

In ancient Celtic symbolism and tradition, the cardinal directions were acknowledged in several ceremonies and festivals.  Handfasting ceremonies and other earth-based belief systems (pagan) still honor the directions today.  Here is a brief outline of these directional representations:

• East = air, communication, new beginnings, new growth
• South = fire, energy, passion, creativity
• West = water, emotion, psyche, movement
• North = earth, home, security, fertility

In certain divinatory practices the directions represent time phases:

• North = Infinite Possibility (no-time)
• South = Present - Now
• West = Past
• East = Future

Native Americans have their own meanings of cardinal directions.  The Lakota, for example hold to the following guideline:

• North = wisdom/thought
• East = salvation/spirit
• South = beginnings/purity
• West = conclusions/fullness

I’ve written a feature post on Navajo and their meaning of the four directions here:

ative-american-symbol/http://avenefica.wordpress.com/2007/10/02/navajo-medicine-wheel-a-powerful-n

The astrological zodiac provides yet another aspect of the four directions and their symbolism:

• East = Earth corresponding with Taurus
• South = Fire corresponding with Leo
• West = Water corresponding with Scorpio
• North = Air corresponding with Aquarius

In conclusion, I would encourage you to meditate upon your purpose with the placement of your special gift.  Ask yourself “what are my intentions?”  Invest the time to determine what you truly wish to accomplish.

I’ve only given you a brief background on multiple resources.  Ultimately only you can decide what is meaningful you in the symbolism of the compass and only you can determine your own personal meaning of the four directions.  Trust in your own knowledge & you will know where to put your mandala in order to achieve the results you are wanting.

I trust this information helps you on your path.

My highest regards & blessings to you,

A.Venefica

http://www.symbolic-meanings.com

Change One Thing, Change Everything

Every great coach has their own coach...and Vicky White has been mine over the past 8 years.  Here's a great article from her blog that I want to share with you.  If you are ready to take the next step, let's talk about it.  That's what we coaches do....help our clients live INSPIRED LIVES.

Enjoy,

Gretchen

Change one thing, change everything

January 29th, 2009 Posted in Creating Change, Feng Shui Tips

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? They say New Year’s Resolutions last about 3 weeks. Have yours already gone the way of the do-do bird?

Apparently the most common resolutions are losing weight, starting exercise and saving money. Nothing too specific there.

The trouble with most resolutions is that they’re moving away from something rather than towards something, and they are not in the least inspiring - lose weight, exercise more, get rid of debts etc. A lot of ’shoulds’. What could be more boring?

If you don’t have a strategy for success, perhaps it’s time for something different.

What’s your dream - you know - the one that’s been hidden away? The one you’d regret if you didn’t at least give it a go. The one that ignites your passion and is so exciting you can barely sleep - if only you let yourself feel it. Do you have one of those?

Did it make it to your list for this year?

In Gail Sheehy’s latest book she says: A seasoned woman is spicy. She has been marinated in life experience. Like a complex wine, she can be alternately sweet, tart, sparkling, mellow. She can be maternal and playful. Assured, alluring and resourceful. She could be any one of us, as long as she is committed to living fully and passionately in the second half of her life.

So, imagine yourself living fully and passionately? What would you be doing? What would that mean? Can you allow yourself to imagine?

Changing everything with one small action.

If there are so many things you want to change you don’t know where to start, this will help. One of the principles of Feng Shui is that everything is connected. This simple exercise designed by psychologist Sarah Conn, will show you how easy it can be to make changes in your life.

1. Write brief phrases to describe problems/challenges that concern you. They can be personal, community, global, political, ecological, or economic problems.

Instead of making a list, you’re going to scatter them all over a piece of paper - write each of them wherever you like. Keep going till you run out of problems.

2. Draw a line to indicate any connections you feel between problems.They can be cause-and-effect connections, perhaps the problems have a similar source, may affect similar people or maybe they trigger the same response in you. Find all the connections you can.

3. Take a look - you’ve now created a web of things that concern you and you probably have each of them connected to several others.

For example, someone might list the following:

cash flow
lack of exercise
the environment
stressed out people
too much work to do
no sense of community
violence
short days in winter
discovering what I’m passionate about
writing my book

Can you see how you could connect each of these to at least one of the others? And possibly several of the others.

4. Imagine making a change in one of the things you listed - taking one small action. That one action will impact the others it’s linked to directly, which in turn will impact all the items connected to them. You can now see how one small change will ripple out to change everything else because everything is connected.

Often my clients find it a challenge to choose one thing to focus on as they fear that means all the others will fall by the wayside. Meanwhile because they are not putting their focus on even one, they don’t feel they’re making progress in any of them.

Even if you have a whole shopping list of things you’d like to change, find one you feel passionate about and make a change there - create a powerful intention and take an inspired action - you’ll find everything else changing too. Try it!

Why not try this exercise - it won’t take long. I’d love to hear how you get on.

©2009 All Rights Reserved - Vicky White

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? Please do! Feel free to reprint any article on your web site, your own newsletter or message boards. Please include ©2009 Vicky White, Inner Feng Shui Coach. Get Vicky White’s FREE “5 Biggest Attraction Mistakes ” report and her FREE articles to boost your passion, purpose and creativity at: : www.LifeDesignStrategies.com

The Dawning of Aquarius

As February begins, I received this from a fellow coach, dear friend and wise woman, Alicia Rodriguez.   I offer you this for your consideration:

In mid February a rare astrological concentration brings a number of planets together with the North Node - denoting higher purpose - in Aquarius that energizes and inspires the possibility for transcendental breakthrough in some perhaps seemingly intransigent situations.

We measure our global sense of both space (latitude and longitude) and time (universal time - UT or GMT) from the prime meridian located at Greenwich, England. So we can perceive the collective influence of this momentous astrological event by looking at the alignment from this globally `centered' perspective.

When we do something extraordinary and exquisite emerges.

At dawn on 14th February the day dedicated to St Valentine, the patron saint of Love, the Moon in Libra enters the seventh house of relationships. And Jupiter and Mars are aligned in Aquarius in the twelfth house of spiritual transformation.

Forty years ago, the intuitive words of a song called Aquarius, brought the dawning of the new age into our collective awareness: 

When the Moon is in the seventh house

and Jupiter aligns with Mars.

Then love will rule the planets

and peace will steer the stars

At dawn on 14th February the Cosmos actually embodies this perfect alignment to support our collective manifestation of love and peace and dawning of the Age of Aquarius.

The Aquarian chart of 14th February reveals an incredible concentration of cosmic influences blending with the energies of Aquarius in the twelfth house. Expansive Jupiter and energetic Mars are aligned with the higher purpose of the North Node. The presence of Chiron the wounded healer offers us the opportunity to heal the schisms that have separated us for so long. Neptune emphasizes collective humanitarian movements and the co-creation of social justice. And the presence of the radiant Sun enlightens the entire alignment. 

Mercury also in the twelfth house but just beyond the cusp in Capricorn, allies with transformational Pluto to communicate and anchor the Shift throughout our global structures and institutions. 

The Moon in Libra in the seventh house emphasizes harmonious relationships.

Venus in Aries in the first house energizes and empowers dynamic co-creativity.

And whilst Saturn the great task master in opposition to Uranus the unexpected awakener is suggesting an ongoing confrontation as the dregs of the unsustainable old paradigm reluctantly give way to the untested hope of the new, their placements in Virgo and Pisces brings practical altruism and visionary inspiration to the transition. 

THESE ARE VERY POWERFUL ECLIPSES

by Patricia Diane Cota-Robles

The New Moon Solar Eclipse which will take place January 25-26, 2009, the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse which will take place February 9, 2009, and the two weeks in between these celestial events, are providing a unique window of opportunity through which the Light of God will flow to greatly empower whatever we focus our attention on. Let us all make a concentrated effort to focus only on the positive things we want to manifest in our lives and the very highest good for all Life on Earth.

It seems we are being catapulted through these tumultuous times at warp speed. In the midst of such dramatic changes, it is often difficult to stay focused on the positive things we want to co create in our lives. It is possible, however, to ride out this necessary purging process in relative harmony. We just need to remember that the price for freedom is eternal vigilance. Through our concentrated efforts, we can prevent ourselves from becoming overwhelmed with the extreme situations surfacing all around us, and we can change what is happening in our lives in the most positive way. 

No matter how stressful your life is at this moment, know that you have all of the skill, knowledge, courage, wisdom, and strength you need to move God Victoriously through this unprecedented time. Regardless of how helpless or hopeless you feel in the face of the adversity surfacing to be healed on this planet, you are powerful beyond your knowing. The time for you to remember this profound Truth is NOW!

One of the most important lesson we are learning as we go through this cleansing process is that ALL Life is interdependent, interrelated, and  interconnected. What affects one part of Life affects all Life. The statement "We Are One" clearly reflects this Truth. 

The Beings of Light in the Realms of Illumined Truth have stated time and again that the most powerful force on Earth is Humanity's collective consciousness. During this monumental moment of change, we are receiving assistance from On High beyond anything we have ever experienced. The synchronicity of the unfolding Divine Plan may seem like a coincidence, but nothing could be further from the Truth.

Just before the inauguration of President Barack Obama, a plane crashed into the Hudson River in New York City. All 155 people on board were saved. This was considered a miracle by everyone who witnessed the unified efforts of all those who were involved with the rescue. For several days, this event held the attention of people all over the world. Throughout that time, the collective consciousness of Humanity bathed the Earth with hope, joy, happiness, wonder, amazement, and gratitude. This positive influx of Light paved the way for the historical inauguration of Barack Obama.

It was reported that more people watched the inauguration of President Barack Obama than any other event in the history of television. This collective cup of Humanity's consciousness was overflowing with wondrous expectations, hope, gratitude, commitment, oneness, prayers for peace, and prayers for viable solutions to the maladies existing in the global economy, as well as every other facet of Life on Earth.

Now, with these positive frequencies of Light building in momentum, we are being offered another opportunity. During the upcoming Solar and Lunar Eclipses, and the two-week period in between the Eclipses, we can expand the patterns of perfection for the New Earth and empower the hopes and dreams we have for our own individual lives. 

From:   I AM Co-creating the New Earth...A Book of Invocations by Patricia Diane Cota-Robles - available at http://eraofpeace.org

It's Candlemas...Imbolc...Groundhog's Day

Monday, February 2nd is Candlemas/Imbolc or Groundhog's Day of you live in the US. From my We'Mooncalendar, "at Candlemas, awakening begins and the return to light seems assured.  Energies within the earth, as well as the physical body, begin to gently pulsate as the days lengthen and out hopes turn to spring.  Traditionally a time of transformation and initiation, Candlemas bring "big dreams" and a raised vibration. Sap rises, trees bud and agricultural people everywhere look to nature for the omens that might tell them whether to plant their crops early or late this year."

Today is my daughter, Rian Ashleigh's, 30th birthday. When she was born on a snowy afternoon in Washington, DC, I scarcely imagined the amazing journey she would have in this lifetime.  Being our first, her dad and I were bedazzled when she arrived. She's always been a beautiful person and she's been one of my best teachers.

Rian is a make up artist and has recently returned to Seattle after a couple of years at MAC and Laura Mercier in Scottsdale, AZ.  This photo is favorite of mine and was taken when she was working for Sephora in San Francisco.  

In 2008, Rian was named Makeup Artist of the Year at Arizona Bride Magazine. She's an amazing artist..  She graduated from the University of Washington (UW) and we have always enjoyed spending time together at U Village.  

The great news is she's now a make up artist at the  newest Gene Juarez Spa & Salon at U Village. It's a fabulous setting andI am looking forward to her continued care and guidance....she makes me look good!  And she's great fun, too.  Rian, let's celebrate YOU!

For Blessing Barack Obama's Inauguration

Waning Moon Invocation

On the wings of the waning moon,
we see the spiral arms of our galaxy,
and you, Goddess, are there.
On the wings of the waning moon,
we sense the spiral within us,
and you, Goddess, are there.
In the smallest of particles, you shine.
In waves of light, you flow.
In the dying of the darkest hole,
you bear the spark of new life.

Slowly fading crescent,
Honored Crone of change
Ancient One of transition,
open our minds to your wisdom
and our hearts to your love.

Blessed be.

From Goddess Spirituality for the 21st Century copyright 1997 by Judith Laura. Used with permission.

A New Dawn ~ It's Time for a Change

It's a brilliant morning here in Seattle.  Excitement is in the air as we are poised for a new beginning. Barack Obama's Inauguration begins in less than 2 hours and everyone I talk to is jazzed.  

Washington is all abuzz. Spoke to Lydia this morning and she said it's a COLD day in DC...and the city is full and fabulously frenzied.  Happy to not be dealing with DCA and IAD, Metro and the Beltway.

My daughter-in-law, Leigh Dameron is actually at the Parade and Swearing In ceremonies and will be posting photos to her blog. 

Heard about a collaborative project between CNN and Microsoft to create the largest online mural of The Moment.  Global excitement! 

Out here in Seattle, we will be tuning in at 9AM and celebrating  in island style on Orcas tonight at a soiree at The Outlook Inn.  

I will bring a full report later today.... Ah, a collective breath of fresh air.  That's the power of HOPE.