Delores Cannon, Convoluted Universe 5 is Released

There was a wonderful tribute article to Delores Cannon that was posted on her blog.  It's been a year since she's passed.  I hope you will take the time to read it.  The article is a short profile of her life and her work.  She did so much to help open the minds of others.  A true pioneer in every sense of the word.

Ozark Mountain Publishing has just released her book Convoluted Universe 5 which she finished before she died.  I will definitely be reading it soon.  I'll never forget seeing Convoluted Universe 1 at the bookstore years ago.  It practically jumped off the shelf at me.  I could barely put it down once I began to read, and I devoured many, many more of her books after that.  Once you become immersed in her work, I guarantee that you will never view life quite the same...no matter how 'enlightened' or open minded you believe yourself to be.


Here's to you Delores.  Thank you for everything!

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The Curious Visitor

 

The first day of October finds me hurrying around preparing for, and I quote, "five days of the most brutal weather that New Jersey has seen in a long time". An upcoming rain storm, followed by a 'Nor'easter wind and rain' and, of course, Hurricane Joaquin.  The date of NJ has already declared a state of emergency.

Well, 'strange things are afoot at the Circle K'.  I went out to pick some last minute flowers before the storm(s) hit, and was immediately greeted by a more intense delegation of my bird friends then usual.  Then this little cutie comes out of the rose bed to say hello.  I've never seen him before...he left as fast as he came, disappearing under the hydrangea.  Glad to see he was wearing a collar.  

Of course I took it as a sign.   Were they telling me about the upcoming storm?  Or letting me know that my first grandchild will be making her grand entrance before long?

I always seem to attract animals around me that I normally don't come in contact with before something happens.  I had crows land next to me and sit outside my studio window for a week straight this summer before my mother passed.  I've had deer run in front of me so close I could have touched them...on our street which is very urban and busy.  

Superstition?  I don't know.  You'd be surprised that what goes on around you once your eyes open and you start taking notice.  I've decided that if I see a third unusual animal related thing today then I'll know something up for sure.

Enjoy your day...

I'll keep you posted.

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Welcome Mabon/Fall

Every culture has it's beliefs, rituals and traditions associated with the seasons.  The transition from summer into fall is no exception.  As I look around me I see baskets of summer flowers on my neighbors' porches being replaced by mums and pumpkins.  In more rural areas, the farmers have been busy bailing hay for the winter, and are beginning to gather the bounty from the summer harvest.  Apple picking, of course, is at it's height and abundance.

The Autumnal Equinox, or the holiday Mabon as it is known in Celtic and Pagan cultures, ushers in these seasonal changes and welcomes the second harvest.  This is the time of year when the sun shines equally on both hemispheres.  The days and nights are of equal length, but we begin to move from the light half of the year to the dark half.  The leaves turn, the birds migrate, and we start our cyclical descent into winter.

As I observe everything around me starting to wind down, Mabon, much more then the Thanksgiving holiday, feels like the most natural place in the year to pause and be grateful for all the blessings and experiences that I have had.  To re-view it all, in it's entirety on a cyclical but equal basis.  This year in particular my personal wheel of life truly has experienced it all.  A death, a (soon to be) birth, and a developing creative re-birth.  I'm thankful for it all these things.  They continue to shape and guide me to be the person I am, and have yet to become.

Enjoy your day ~

diane fergurson

Autumn Hay photo courtesy of Nellie Levine

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Dear Whole Foods - Do You Really Have To Label It New Age ?

Dear Whole Foods,

This is not 1975 anymore.  It is the year 2012.  The labeling of a product category, particularly in your chain of stores, "New Age" is not only offensive to many of your customers... it is downright outdated and unenlightened.  How about not labeling it at all? Or, if you find you have to name it, at least use the term Alternative Healing or something of that nature.

Oh my dear Whole Foods... I should probably really stop this note with my complaint about your New Age labeling, but I can't.

Over the last few years many of your customers, those of us who have provided the solid spending base to help you grow and get where you are, have found themselves disheartened and disappointed with your every growing proliferation of the healthy "junk food" items which line your store shelves.  If a "healthy" junk food item is talked about on Dr. Oz...a display is up at your store within the week.  The store I was in this morning has enough Kale Chips to feed a small country.
Established companies that have provided quality products and nutrition for many years have found their products completely taken off of your shelves and replace with your lesser quality store brand items and your ever present selection of Fair Trade "Chachkies".  In some of your stores the counters with your meat and sea food products are so large and expansive that a lot of the goods are never sold.  Wasted...nice ~

That said - yes I have to admit though, Whole Foods I am very thankful that I am fortunate to not only live near one of your stores, but two.  And that you are employing people and providing them with health care benefits in an otherwise dismal economy.  But out of the two stores I live by, I still prefer shopping in the small one.  Imagine that.  It's not (quite) as mass market.

I still believe in what you are doing, trying to offer American consumers a healthier life style choice with what they eat - even though you completely caved in recently on the Monsanto GMO fight, which made many of our friends angry enough to sell their stock.

Well, whatever.

Anyway, all that said... If you could just get rid of the label New Age in your stores, that might be a small step back into the right direction.

Diane Fergurson
Editor, Mind Body Spirit Marketplace/Odyssey
Montclair, New Jersey




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Duck, Bob And Weave: Mercury Retrograde Is Coming At You Again

In the past I've written articles for our blog, and posted announcements on our Mind Body Spirit Marketplace Facebook Page about upcoming dates for Mercury Retrograde.  Well, the date is upon us once again for this Spring 2012 - March 12 through April 4.  This time it will not only be coinciding with Income Tax time, but also many "end of the year" dates for businesses.  So for those who have not filed your taxes yet, or to those of you involved in a "numbers crunch" for the end of your business year - um, good luck.








Mercury Retrograde 2012

March 11/12 to April 4
July 14 to August 7
November 6 to November 26

2013

February 23 to March 17
June 26 to July 20
October 21 to November 10

2014

February 6 to February 28
June 7 to June 30
October 4 to October 25

As concisely explained by author James R. Lewis in his book  The Astrology Encyclopedia:

“Retrograde refers to the apparent backward motion of a planet in its orbit. Because all planets in the solar system are moving in orbits of different sizes at different rates of speed, there will be periods in the orbit of the Earth when each of the other planets seems to reverse direction for a period of time. The effect can be compared with that of a jet as it passes a slower-moving airplane that is flying in the same direction at a lower altitude: As the pass is made, the slower craft appears – particularly when viewed against the backdrop of the Earth – to be moving in the opposite direction. Similarly, retrograde planets appear to move in reverse direction when viewed against the backdrop of the fixed stars.”

Lewis continues: “Astrologers tend to pay particularly close attention to the retrograde periods of Mercury, ruler of the Mind, communications, travel, and related matters. The period of Mercury’s retrogradation may be considered fortunate for introverted activities like reflection and meditation but it is considered unfortunate for traveling and making important decisions (e.g., signing contracts). Travel is sometimes delayed while Mercury is retrograde, and decisions made during such periods are often reversed after Mercury goes direct.”


I'm going to end this piece by saying that I always find it rather satisfying, but yet amusing when those who "don't believe" in astrology become introduced to Mercury Retrograde and all of a sudden start paying attention to the dates and the activities in their lives.  Then there's always a conversation that begins something like this:   "Hey Diane, when are those dates again"?  


Regardless of what may or may not happen with Mercury Retrograde, keep your thoughts positive and enjoy your Spring.  


~ diane fergurson

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Tarot Review: Ancient Feminine Wisdom of Goddesses and Heroines, Divination Deck

Ancient Feminine Wisdom of Goddesses and Heroines, Divination Deck By Kay Steventon and Brian Clark Published by U.S. Games, Inc.

The wisdom of goddesses… we may discover it through myth and folktale, feel it through our connection to earth and sky, receive it in a dream or vision, or even recognize it in the words of a friend. It is something that can speak to us whatever our spiritual path. Wisdom resonates, and feminine wisdom exists in the depth of our women’s souls.

The Ancient Feminine Wisdom divination deck shares the wisdom and insights of fifty-two goddesses and heroines, drawn from stories that have been passed down through centuries. The cards are divided into groups that can help us understand their significance in our lives. We begin by meeting the First Goddesses, and first among them, we are introduced to Gaia, who is referred to as “the mother of creation.” Other groups are Olympian Goddesses, where we find Hestia, Demeter, and Athena; Chthonic Goddesses, home to Cybele, Hecate, and Eris; the Guardian Goddesses, where we are offered the protection of Hygieia and Hebe. Heroines are grouped into the Heroine’s Journey, Lovers and Partners, the Power of the Heroine, and Virtues of the Heroine. Some of the heroines we meet are Psyche, Medusa, Penelope, Galatea, Medea, Cassandra, Antigone, Hesperides, and Auxo.

When we draw a card, we can reflect not only on the meanings of that specific goddess or heroine, but of her place in the deck. Drawing the card of Hygieia, a well-known ancient goddess of health and healing, would suggest to us that we are on a path of wellness. Her place in the group of Guardian Goddesses would also indicate we may be receiving some sort of spiritual protection – interpret that as you will! The deeper, feminine wisdom of the card goes even further by indicating that the need for our healing may arise from our soul being unnourished. As the accompanying booklet says, “Hygieia teaches us that without the alignment of body and soul, and heart and mind, dis-ease manifests as physical symptoms, mental anguish, and emotional pain. This card confirms that healing is imminent, but attention must be paid to the root cause – the illness of the soul.”

Each card offers enough insights that full readings or multi-card layouts are not even necessary, although there are several layout ideas provided in the booklet, and a lovely custom spread sheet included with the set. It would be of benefit to draw just a single card each day, to set aside, meditate or reflect on, allowing the card’s wisdom to inform our actions. The author suggests lighting a votive beside the card as well, to become more in tune with, as well as to honor, the energy or wisdom of that particular goddess or heroine.

These are gentle cards, beautifully depicting the goddesses or heroines, and offering insights in a direct but quietly reflective manner. The deck would be highly recommended for anyone who wishes to pursue ancient feminine wisdom, Greek goddesses in particular, and who likes the interactive nature of using oracle cards.

To learn more or to purchase visit Ancient Feminine Wisdom of Goddesses and Heroines at Amazon

~ Review by NellieLevine

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