The Chill of Winter and the Return of Light

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The Chill of Winter and the Return of Light

The chill of winter’s embrace enfolds us in an ever-darkening time of anticipation and joy. In all of us, it seems to stir up a caldron’s brew of memories—of times past and possibly of things and moments no longer. The earth waits and waits, as do we, for the promised return of the light. It is a time to feel—to be aware of the fertile dark soil of potentiality that lies within us, as well as the dark, the dark that does not serve us and the dark that needs to be released.

This cycle of light and dark repeats endlessly but each cycle is intrinsically slightly different. Time is cyclical, not linear. There is the past and the present that some indigenous cultures refer to as the non-past. But there is no future only potential ones based on the actions of the non-past influenced by the past.

Our cycle of the return of light to a darkened world is reflected in the myth of the Returning Hero:

A legendary hero is usually the founder of something—the founder of a new age, the founder of a new religion, the founder of a new city, the founder of a new way of life. In order to found something new, one has to leave the old and go in quest of the seed idea, a germinal idea that will have the potentiality of bringing forth that new thing.[i]

The cultural hero, and his return, is one of the most enduring as well as important cross-cultural archetypal prophetic themes known to humankind. Its importance is due to its message of hope and renewal. The meaning stays the same; only the names of the hero change. The best known returning hero is Jesus. Similarly, the Hopi prophecies speak of their spiritual hero Pahana, the purifier or the elder white brother, while the early Hawaiians worshipped Lono as their savior and lord of peace. The returning cultural hero for the Incas was Viracocha whereas the Mesoamerican prophet or cultural hero was known as Quetzalcóatl—the morning star. And to the Maya, he was known as Kukulkán, the Mayan name for Quetzalcóatl—the Feathered Serpent. Kukulkán was known as “god of the powerful voice,” a resurrection deity and master of the four winds.

The enduring teaching and message of each returning hero was focused on achieving a balance between spirit and matter with the additional knowledge that we are all a child of God, divine as well as human. To the returning hero, separateness is the illusion; oneness is the reality—all existences interpenetrate radically non-dualistically (non-dual interpenetration – Oneness).

Symbolically, the return of the hero represents the spiritual concept of the infinite cycle of death and re-birth. But it as well represents the return of light or enlightenment to a world void of love and a humanity that has darkened once again. The religious histories of many cultures also portray the morning star, the planet Venus, in this same emblematic role of representing the returning hero.

In this time of darkness anticipating the return of light, what inner potential needs to be manifested and what dysfunctional darkness needs to be released? Better to consider these than focusing on consuming some stupid stuff that you probably don’t really need.

[i] Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth, 136.

A Simple Truth

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Yes, today is Thanksgiving here in America. One day out of 365. And after this day of Thanksgiving, there is the siren’s song of consume, consume, consume…

But isn’t every day an opportunity to give thanks for life, for family, for nature, for others, for all other sentient beings (animals, plants, etc.) of this earth, the earth itself and the divine that blends within all things of creation. Each breath we take; each thought we have; each word we say is a blending of the divine/spirit and matter. It is our choice where we put our focus—spirit or matter.

Blessing and giving thanks needs to be done daily. And there is much to bless and be thankful for on this still beautiful earth. Each breath is a gift of the divine; are you thankful for this simple act of life.

Have you ever experienced near drowning? Have you ever choked on a piece of roast beef or a pretzel? As a child have you ever competed with a friend to see who could hold his or her breath the longest? And when you could finally breathe again, no matter what the circumstances, that initial gasp of air, that precious handhold of life, was the sweetest moment you could experience. I know this to be true, as I have choked on a piece of roast beef and a pretzel and was unable to breathe until my dear wife dislodged both. During and after graduate school, I was also a lifeguard and saved three people from drowning. I know and felt their terror when they could not breathe and that sweet moment when they took their first breath. I was at the birth of my daughter and held her as she took her first breath and screamed her announcement of arrival to the whole world.

Breath is precious; please do not lose sight of this simple truth.

And so is nature, the earth and the food that it provides—bless and be thankful daily.

Right now, change and transformation are needed. A return to a green philosophy is needed. This is an egalitarian philosophy of humanity’s partnership with the seen and unseen things of the earth and nature—a green philosophy. Furthermore, society has lost many of the values treasured by past indigenous cultures, such as a partnership with nature, truth telling, and elder/ancestor respect and honor. We need to discover meaning in life—not accumulate money and material things. The equality of men and women as well as the equality of all things—as all have the starlight/divine spark within them—needs to be reinstated. These and other lost values need to be reinstated throughout this earth. Nature needs to be respected, loved and cared for by humanity. We need to be partners in relationship with nature, not its stewards.

Finally, let’s make sure that our children and their children and future generations give THANKS that during these transitional trying times we rebelled against the materialistic powers and chose Water (Life) over oil (greed).

 

Part 5 – Past Transpersonal Planets as Key to these Transitional Times

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Uranus in Aries: March 2011 – March, 2019

When Uranus entered the sign of Ares (Uranus rules Uranium and Pluto rules Plutonian) on March 11, 2011, a megathrust earthquake struck off the coast of Japan. The Tōhoku earthquake produced a massive tsunami that devastated parts of Japan, killing over 15,000 and causing one of the worst nuclear disasters in history.

Uranus rules inventiveness, social innovation, oddities, surprises, the unexpected, technology, independence, and rebellion. This transit signals a time to break free from limiting situations, ideas, and thought patterns.

Uranus is the Great Awakener and the Revolutionary planet. It rules over revolutions of the status quo and is now transiting through the action-orientated constellation of Aries (think Greek god of war). Aries is the sign of Bravery and Courage and as the first sign of the zodiac indicates a new dawn of an era coming to our planet.

Uranus in Aries will encourage us all to question society’s generally accepted “truths” and, at times, to challenge authority itself. Rather than accept those teachings as unquestionable, we need to ask why we so blindly accept them – and maybe turn some of these myths on their heads.

Uranus in Aries will even affect us on a humanitarian level, for Uranus rules Aquarius, the sign that is considered the most sensitive to the needs of groups who have suffered, who have been overlooked or disenfranchised by society.

Uranus’ transit through Aries will be defined by expansion, change, and upheaval – political, environmental, and social.

The last time the restless Uranus had passed through the cardinal sign of Aries was between 1927 and 1935, a time when two of the most revolutionary (Uranus), and megalomaniacal (Aries) leaders in history consolidated power. (Sound familiar)

1927-1934:

The most important event was the worldwide economic crisis of 1929. The collapse of the economy; the new reorganization of society; the disappearance of the policy of free actions of citizens in favor of totalitarianism and the beginning of massive repression in Russia.

This period also saw the greatest collapse of the world’s stock markets in the 20th century; the beginning of the worst world-wide depression in recent history; the Teapot Dome scandal in the U.S.; Hitler gaining dictatorial power in Germany as the Nazis took power in German in 1932 elections and after the Reichstag fire (commonly assumed to have been set by the Nazis themselves) began the campaign of oppression known as the Nazi Terror.

1843-1851:

The most important event of these years is the Communist Manifest of 1848 and social revolutions in almost all European countries, the Revolutions of 1848-49. This brings state reaction and encroachment on freedom of citizens (which usually falls on Uranus in Taurus) gold was discovered in California – the beginning of a huge movement of people west for a “new life” (pioneers are symbolized by Aries). (Sound familiar huge movements of people)  Also during this period, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and most of Colorado were ceded (Aries) to the U.S. after the Mexican War and the Republic of Texas was annexed.  In addition, there were revolutions in France (coup d’état), Vienna, Venice, Milan, Parma, Rome, Berlin, Dresden, Baden, China and Poland, a military revolt in Spain, and Cuba and Liberia declared their independence.  In the U.S., the so-called “great debate” over slavery began and the slavery Underground Railroad gained momentum during this period.

1756 – 1764:

Uranus is in Aries during the entire time of the Seven Years’ War, as England, reaping the benefits of its recent Industrial Revolution, defeats France and emerges as the world’s dominant empire. England imposes in its American colonies the mercantilist laws that will soon lead to revolt.

With all three transits, Pluto in Capricorn, Neptune in Pisces, and Uranus in Ares (and then Uranus in Taurus), it seems that we are headed for the “perfect storm” to usher in the Sixth Sun—Age of Aquarius

Part 4 – Past Transpersonal Planets as Key to these Transitional Times

26 Oct 2010, Maldives --- Bioluminescence from glowing plankton in sea tide line on beach, with stars above and ship lights on horizon, Vaadhoo Island, Raa Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, October 2010 --- Image by © Doug Perrine/Nature Picture Library/Corbis

Neptune in Pisces: 2012 – 2026.

Neptune and Pisces both rule the ocean, the literal Source of all life on Earth

Pisces is imaginative, intuitive and compassionate. It is artistic and easily adjusts to new circumstances and new thinking—a complex sign that breaks down material boundaries.

Neptune in Pisces seeks a direct experience of the divine, at odds with conventional religious theology which does not satisfy the inner longing that Neptune inspires.

Astrology Liz Greene calls Pisces the “Celestial Dustbin,” because it is the sum total of all of our experiences. In Pisces we long to return to the source – to merge with a greater experience that goes beyond the limits of our senses.

Chiron and Neptune in Pisces: For the first eight years that Neptune moves through Pisces Chiron will be there as well. In its role as the Wounded Healer, Chiron reveals any area in our world which requires release and healing so that a greater wisdom may emerge.

It is worth remembering that the last time Neptune entered Pisces – 1847 – the Communist Manifesto was published with the memorable words “Workers of the world, unite!” Neptune entered Pisces just three days before the birth of Communism, when Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published The Communist Manifesto.

On a collective level, Neptune in Pisces generates mass wave phenomena such as popular movements and revolutions.

In its highest form Neptune inspires us to transcend the material world and connect deeply and directly with an experience of the Divine. It is the planet of spiritual ideals and divine love

Neptune is what all humans hold in common, will ever hold in common, our evocative common root factors. It symbolizes our spirit of adventure, the perils which go with that and the foibles of human nature. It represents the dissolution of boundaries between the known and unknown, whether that leads us to illusions or to thinking outside the box.

Civil Disobedience, penned in 1849 from a jail cell, was an inspiration to two of the 20th Century’s great peacekeepers — Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. – the higher expression of Neptune in Pisces, is to imagine an idealistic vision for a compassionate and peaceful world.

1192- 1206

Crusade and Conquer

Minamoto no Yoritomo established the first Shogunate in Japan.

Aztecs migrated into Central Mexico to establish the Aztec Civilization in modern-day Mexico at the year 1193.

The Crusaders captured and sacked Constantinople. Saladin of Egypt however made a peace treaty with the Crusaders.  This treaty served to unite the Arab world.

In China, Genghis Kahn was elected Kahn of the Mongols and began the establishment of the Chinese empire.

1356 – 1370

Desolation from the Black Death

In 1362 the Öræfajökull stratovolcano in Iceland erupted. This eruption completely destroyed the district of Herad with floods and tephra fall.

This was the time of the Black Death in Europe and included several battles during the Hundred Years War. Depopulation left vast areas of agricultural land untilled and untitled.

The Ottoman Empire expanded into Europe. The Khans were replaced by the Ming dynasty in China

1520 – 1534

The New World and Gold

Magellan sails around the world. Cortez invades Mexico, and then begins shipping Aztec gold to Europe, slowly destroying the economy.

The Ottoman Empire was at its Zenith and ruled by Suleiman the Magnificent.

On a worldwide scale, the idealistic and religious implications saw the possibilities of new lands and seemingly infinite amounts of resources not yet tapped, the visions of the elite peoples of the world, planted a seed for the destruction of the environment, indigenous people and many others on our beautiful earth.

1684 – 1697

Peter the Great expanded the Russian territory.

The Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy League.

This was the time of the Glorious Revolution in England where political power moved to the moneyed classes.

The previous capital of Jamaica, Port Royal was mostly destroyed by an earthquake and tsunami. The Bank of England was founded in 1694.

1847 – 1861

Wars got fought (the Crimean and American Civil, among others) the speed of light got measured, Moby Dick and The Scarlet Letter got written

Political upheavals abounded in Europe. In political terms Neptune was linked to the rise of nationalist movements throughout Europe in countries like Germany, Italy, Hungary, Ireland and Serbia, seeking independence for their nations inspired by an idealized past of legend. It was also linked to the rise of socialism and the beginnings of the welfare state.

Neptune coincided with the utopian ideals of Communism, when Marx and Engels first published ’The Communist Manifesto’ in 1848 and in 1859 Charles Darwin published the Origin of the Species.

Controversies in the United States led to the Civil War.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin was published as was Darwin’s Theory of the Evolution of the Species.

Railroads crisscrossed Europe and the Americas.

Banks in the United States were forced to suspend payments; German and French banks failed because they had hedged their investments in the emerging USA. The Greenback became legal tender in the United States.

Gold was discovered in California, Colorado, Pikes Peak, and Australia thus producing a huge supply of hard money.

And so it goes…

Next to finish our trinity is the Awakener, and the Altruistic Revolutionary, Uranus in Ares

 

Part 3 – Past Transpersonal Planets as Key to these Transitional Times

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Pluto’s Transit through Capricorn: 2008 – 2024

Astrology is something very different than the assumptions made by science and organized religion. Astrology, in its known beginnings as far back as 4000 BCE, was a mixture of science and religion or astronomy and astrology. It was the lynchpin of deciphering future possibilities by basing the future on the past happenings and cycles of the heavens. As far as we can tell, astrology was originally used as a measurement of time. There is evidence that people 27,000 years ago kept time by the phases of the moon.

Besides time keeping, the enlightened cultures of the past viewed the stars and planets as actors and actresses in a grand morality and mystery play that reflected to humanity knowledge of the past, the present and the potential future. The key word is potential future. Hasn’t it been said that forgetting the problems and mistakes of the past only allows them to be repeated in the future?

Whatever your belief, a clue to the present and the future may be seen in studying past patterns of history. Add to this their connection to astrology and we have a greater visionary view of the future.

We entered a unique period in 2008, which will last until 2024. The full extent of the changes and transformation of the structures of culture and society during this passage of time will not be revealed until 2025. A glimpse into this present period of time may be revealed by a similar past period in the history of the world during the 1500’s and 1700’s when Pluto traveled through the sign of Capricorn.

At the present time we are at the halfway mark of Pluto’s current transit through Capricorn – 2008 – 2024

As a collective race what is true for the individual is also true for the earth and humanity. Between 2008 and 2024 Pluto is transiting through the sign of Capricorn. In other words, from our vantage point on earth, the planet (or is it sub-planet) Pluto is moving across the constellation of Capricorn—the mountain/sea goat. Pluto is the king of evolution in that it transforms and regenerates—the planetary archetype of death and resurrection. In other words, Pluto takes what is not working, radically changes it or destroys it if necessary, and then restores it into something much better—death and re-birth on a grand scale.

As an earth sign, Capricorn deals with the infrastructures of life such as government. It is a business oriented materialistic sign dealing with the necessities of life and survival. Capricorn would definitely be identified as capitalistic. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, known by many as Father Time, the planet of structure, limitation and authority figures—currently this would be primarily patriarchal authoritarianism.

Pluto’s transit through Capricorn will be interesting but quite frightening for conservative status-quo people. Pluto is like a stern home designer that enters your home (Capricorn) to re-design what is not working and ends up destroying all of your furniture and fixtures so that they may be replaced with new ones that work properly. In fact the whole house may be ripped down, including the foundation, and then re-built.

If this is an analogy of Pluto in Capricorn, what can we then expect to happen to the present economic, social and religious structures and paradigms?

Keep in mind the key words for Pluto are power, transformation, intensity, evolution, debt (think Greece for just one country) and revolution. And it is the planet of radical transformation, death and rebirth.

As politicians and corporate execs (is there a difference?) continue to defend the systems that are clearly killing us, their credibility erodes. Pluto in Capricorn (2008-2024) signifies the transformation of worldly power, and the death of industrial civilization — and, ideally, the rebirth into a sustainable culture. Instead of looking to the “powers that be” to fix the vast problems humanity has created, it’s time for each one of us to take responsibility, step up and get to work.

Pluto governs power itself, including struggles between people and countries for domination, and of course, personal power.

Pluto’s Past Transits in Capricorn:

Pluto in Capricorn: January 1762 until the spring of 1777

  • In 1765, James Watt invented the steam engine that powered the Industrial Revolution
  • The Stamp Act passed by Parliament in March of 1765, the first direct tax on the colonies. Founding Father Patrick Henry led the fight against the Stamp Act in 1765 – “Give Me Liberty or Give me Death.” The chains of debt and “taxation without representation” were heavy.
  • The Revolutionary War in America started officially in 1775

Other Wars:

  • 1763 1766 Pontiac’s War
  • 1765 1767 Burmese–Siamese War
  • 1768 1768 Louisiana Rebellion of 1768
  • 1768 1774 Russo-Turkish War
  • 1776 1777 Spanish–Portuguese War

Pluto in Capricorn: 1515 until the end of 1532

  • The dawn of the Protestant Reformation (1517) in Western Europe
  • In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan set sail to circumnavigate the world for the first time, thus paving the way for the forthcoming colonial era. Meanwhile, Hernán Cortés, with Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, conquered Cuba and settled there until 1518 when Velázquez appointed him to lead an expedition to Mexico. With a force of 700 men, Cortés landed on the coast of Mexico and founded the settlement of Veracruz. He burned his ships behind him, thereby committing his entire force to survival through conquest. Cortés then moved to Tenochtitlan (Mexico City), the capital of the powerful Aztec Indians. After some bitter struggles, Cortés captured Tenochtitlan in 1521 and terminated the Aztec empire. Notably, the first African slaves arrived in the present-day United States as part of the San Miguel de Guadalupe colony, founded by Spanish explorer Lucas Vásquez de Ayllón in 1526.[i]
  • In 1520–66, Suleiman the Magnificent developed the power of the Ottoman Empire to its greatest extent, spanning Asia Minor to North Africa. He captured Belgrade, subjugated Hungary after the battle of Mohacs (1526), and besieged Vienna (1529).[ii]
  • 1529 – 1532 – Inca Civil War
  • 1532 begins Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire

Next we will explore Uranus in Aries.

[i] Maurice Lavenant, Pluto in Capricorn 2008 – 2023, An Astrological Study, https://mauricelavenant.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/plutoincapricorn20082023.pdf

[ii] Ibid.

The Transitional Times – Part 1

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The Transitional Times – Part 1

All things on earth, including humanity, are experiencing the transitional times between the ending of the Fifth Sun (Age of Pisces) and the beginning of the Sixth Sun of Consciousness (Age of Aquarius). And transitional times always brings not only pain but fear.

Fear

What can be said? Fear is a reality of human existence. In a few instances it may help us in life by waking us out of a complacent stupor. On the other hand, our ‘fight and/or flight’ mechanism helps us deal effectively with fear that is connected with any life and death situation. But there is another category of fear. This fear by far is the most damaging to us. It is our worst enemy. It is insidious. Daily, it steals a part of our soul. It is the fear that separates—the fear of the unknown.

The fear of the unknown is the fear of death as well as a fear of life, which creates a sense of powerlessness within us. This may lead to dysfunctional behaviors that give rise to an illusionary impression of power. Fear-based belief systems thrive in such a cultural environment as ours. Terrorism is ever present in people’s minds, and this fear drives people to accept the erosion of their freedoms, and to accept unjust religious and greed-based war. This type of fear enlarges people’s unhealthy egos, as their minds need a secure sense of power.

Fear is the opposite of divine universal love. It will keep us from our bliss and an awakened heart. It sees the world as a dangerous place, recognizing not the earthly paradise that is truly laid out before us. Fear, in its innermost recesses, generates greed and the desire for materialistic accumulation. It is the breeding ground for external power and the abuses that go with that power. It is the curse, but then again, the salvation of humanity, as it has the potential to wake us out of the illusionary sleep of separation. When we let go of fear, we let go of separation; the veil is lifted and we see and know oneness of self and others. Our light has evolved.

In a culture and society ruled by fear we must access the inner core of our strength—our heart, which will help us bring our fears out of the darkness and into the light. This transformational power, which we all have within us, fosters the courage for us to face fear. Confronting our fears, we are then able to let go of some, transform others, and finally make peace with the fears that we can’t let go of or transform. It’s normal and human to have fear, just never let it inhibit your life, keep you separate or keep you from your bliss. To conquer fear is to triumph over death. So what fears do you still harbor? Which ones can be released? The ones not released, which ones can be ‘pressed down’ or detached from?

Part 2—Look to the Past for Insight into the Future

Stupidity

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According to the Popol Vuh,[i] the soul has five enemies—disease, death, stupidity, arrogance and fear. It was believed that disease was the first whisper of death but gives us the opportunity to transform into the resurrection body of light; turning death into resurrection—Awakening. The first challenge is overcoming stupidity.

Stupidity was deemed ignorance, dullness of spirit, and naïve incompetence. Due to stupidity humans are fearful and arrogant. And arrogance breeds greed, pride, vanity, lying and false pretenses.

Sound familiar?

There is no doubt in my mind that if Bernie Sanders had been running against Trump for the office of President, Sanders would be the president elect.

But the elites, Clinton, and the DNC made certain that Clinton would be the nominee. And what we have is a living example of stupidity.

Of course, we are in the transition times between the ending of the Fifth Sun (Age of Pisces) and the beginning of the Sixth Sun of Consciousness (Age of Aquarius). So what else would you expect!

[i] The Popol Vuh is the story of creation according to the Quiche Maya of the region known today as Guatemala

Two-Hearted or Two-Faced – But there is a Third Choice.

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Trump is two-faced and Clinton speaks with forked-tongue, which is another way of saying a person is two-hearted—saying one thing but meaning another. Truth is seldom heard within the political-corporate-religious-military industrial complex arena.

In contrast, for each of us, heart-spoken words are essential to our soul’s evolution. Words are empty and hollow without the manifestation intrinsic within their vibration. Our hearts are where our truth is stored. When our words match our heart, the starlight within us vibrates quicker and shines brighter. To see this starlight look within each other’s eyes and when words are spoken, look to the eyes and you will see.

This is what we call the quickening, the surge of fire and ice. The old wise ones of our race referred to this as the heating. It is all the same. But the ones that use words that are cut off from their hearts and vibrate shadow-actions, will never reach the quickening. It is up to each one to listen, to speak, to see and to act in a right way with every breath of every moment.

Few who clothe themselves in the outer illusion of the world ever reach the quickening, caring too much for the power and control of their illusion. Do not be deceived with this illusion—their smoking mirror. See clearly while keeping in mind that divinity, starlight, is within you-truth is within you.

Do not also be fooled by the ones that clothe themselves in the garments of God. They do not speak for God nor does a Book. You speak to God directly with each thought. You do not need to go through another human being or a finite institution acting as a gatekeeper between you and God. At any time you may directly drink of the waters of creation and know truth.

Wonderings of the Morning Star

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Sun shining brightly reflecting the mirror imagery of reality and then clouds obscuring the brilliance bringing dusk preceding the darkness that lurks ever so near. Each breath is a personal act of creative transformation but how little do we realize and time, the grim reaper, only if… your choice, time is. 

Do you wonder? The wonderment of each of our minds, a mystery to behold in each thought, in each moment. And where our thoughts flee, our reality is painted as a canvas of our own choosing; but what is life? What does it mean? Have you ever thought, but of course, you have; but have you ever thought? Of what you mean in the heart and mind of God. And if God is within us and we are within God… What are our hearts and what are our minds? 

What is life to you? And if we are all connected, why do we war, why do we abuse. Life eternal—no choice…so what choices are there? To awaken out of our ego sleep and to breathe…a breath of transformation and we are divine and we are human. And therein lies God’s choice the two that is one and the one that is two…

 

Smoking Mirror America

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Concerning the protest at Standing Rock where water and indigenous rights to their sacred and ancestral land is up against America’s corporate ruled government of arrogance, power and greed. Is protest the solution? Of course, it is important. But on the other hand, could a modification of lifestyle have more of a long lasting impact? Could modification result in a longer lasting transformation of inequality and greed in America?

The American lifestyle only reinforces the sirens sound of the importance of oil over water with many families having at least two vehicles, recreational vehicles and the constant on-going consumption of stuff. The supposed need for stuff is nothing more than smoke and mirror illusion perpetrated by the corporate elites.

“Americans consume petroleum products at a rate of three-and-a-half gallons of oil and more than 250 cubic feet of natural gas per day each! But, as shown here petroleum is not just used for fuel. One 42-gallon barrel of oil creates 19.4 gallons of gasoline. The rest (over half) is used to make at least 6000 consumable items.”[i] Additionally, “Petrochemicals are found in food additives, which are in many canned foods to increase their shelf life. Many food colorings are added to food to make them more attractive (making a green apple greener), and many of those food colorings are made from petroleum. Some studies have linked food coloring to the development of ADHD in children.”[ii] So enjoy that next bright green or red apple. Sadly due to the manipulation of the economy, many people can’t afford to buy organic. Are you upset yet?

What is and has been happening is exemplified by ancient Mesoamerican teachings. To the Mesoamericans evil is exploitation and mindlessness. Such a person is labeled as being two-hearted—saying one thing but meaning another. Does this sound familiar?

In their mythology the archetype of this evil is Tezcatlipoca—Smoking Mirror. His arch-rival is Quetzalcóatl—the Feathered Serpent who represents the single heart of love, peace and understanding.

Ponder for a moment the name Smoking Mirror. Now ponder exploitation and mindlessness.

It seems to me that the political-capitalistic bloc personifies Tezcatlipoca—the Smoking Mirror. You’re being exploited into a state of mindlessness where you feel the need to consume and consume. Do you actually need a new car every few years?

A two year old smart phone for many is outdated, only the newest version will feed one’s unhealthy ego. How many pictures do you really need? Have you ever considered using your mind instead of your smartphone to capture and remember a precious moment in time? Those mind-body images are internal, locked away, and are a part of your immortal consciousness.

You may be wondering what the difference is with a picture remembered with the mind vs. one with a smartphone. Utilizing a smartphone, the primary sense you use is visual, which is limited in scope. The other senses are minimalized whereas remembering with your mind-body involves not only seeing but hearing, smelling, feeling and possibly tasting the present moment. Which is more important to you?

In conclusion, what is your choice going forward? Consume more or consume less?

[i] http://www.ranken-energy.com/products%20from%20petroleum.htm – Check out the list yourself.

[ii] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/11/9-shocking-things-made-fr_n_570796.html