Friday, December 31, 2010

Spiritual Meaning of December 21, 2012

On my website I talk in some detail about the scientific aspects of 2012 that we do know to be true. Such as the astonishing alignments that all fall on the winter solstice of December 21, 2012. We have the completion of the 26 thousand year cycle of the precession of the equinoxes, whereby the sun rises precisely in the middle of the milky way galaxy known as the dark rift. Also this will coincide with the peak of the suns 11 year cycle of solar flare activity that is expected to be much larger than usual. Also it is the time of the changing from the Piscean age, a 2000 year cycle that has been changing to the age of Aquarius. Further more, the same symbolic predictions for this time originate from the Mayan culture, the Hoppie Indian culture, the Veda culture - all separated distance, oceans and lack of communications. How or why did they all have the same prophecies? There have been recent massive changes to both earth in climate as well as magnetic fluctuations, as well as every planet in our solar system that you can learn about by visiting the NASA web site, or a simple Google search.

This article is about what I believe to be the spiritual aspects of this great celestial timing. This comes from thousands of hours of research, both in metaphysics as well as science. Even from my own intuition that has indicated to me that change is well on its way. And I'd wager that your own intuition has been giving you clues as well.

Briefly as I can, the experience that set forth this fascination to me was very personal and also very public. I began to see number sequences, specific numbers such as (1, 11, 111) and sometimes (4, 44, 444). I would see them so much, and so often that to an intelligent person with common sense, it was obvious to me something very strange was going on. Eventually I Googled these numbers, and to my amazement there were hundreds if not thousands of others seeing the same thing. I was truly amazed and to this day I still see them. Yet, this article is not about that, I simply wanted to explain what began my own research into this area.

We are in the midst of a great change. It will be a change so significant that the world we know will be completely transformed into a world most of us haven't yet imagined. This change may involve some dramatic changes to the physical world, but nothing to the extent that many people are telling us. Humanity will not only survive, but will be transformed into a better human, into a better world.

The last two thousand years of the Piscean age were about following a leader. We were taught that God was on the outside of us "our father who art in heaven" while God has always been within us. This period of time was about giving our spiritual and physical power away to others, into slavery and paid slavery. It has been a long time of war and living in a state of mind of conquer and divide. We placed our trust in others who were not worthy of that trust. This has been a long time of division of the human race to each other and to God. We were taught that we were separate from all, and that we are fundamentally not worthy. Prejudices', violence and selfishness were the predominate energies of this period.

The new age of Aquarius is about unity. This energy will be about harmony, honoring self and others. This age will represent a complete transformation of the old energies into liberating energies among all people. Unifying people to each other, and to God. Our understanding of God will transform from the limited versions we have been taught into the true nature of what God is, and how we are all simply drops of water from the same ocean that is God.

But this moment in time of 2012 is not only about this transformation from one sign to the next, but is also a massive alignment on a galactic scale. A galactic transformation. The only way I can explain this is it will be like a birth from the perspective of the baby being born. Fist we will spiritually and physically be in one world, then moments later we will find ourselves spiritually and physically in quite another world. This new world will be of a higher vibration both physically and spiritually. Matter its self will vibrate higher as the molecules dance and the quantum particles blink on and off. It will all seem so very real, perhaps even more real than it seems now. We will feel more connected to matter, but in an energetic way. We may even be capable of manipulating matter in ways that will be truly awesome and powerful.

Spiritually speaking, as all thoughts and emotions are energy, energy that exists in the spiritual world, will also be vibrating at a higher level where negative emotions would not be able to survive. In the same way that air rises in water to escape back into the atmosphere, so will negative emotions not find balance in this new medium of higher spiritual frequencies. This new world will be one of a divine connection to source energy, to God. With this will come an instant awareness of what we truly are in comparison to God and to each other. What a truly wonderful gift this would be? A state of mind that embodies peace, friendship, knowingness, love.

I also completely believe that at some point during this transition we will be visited by the same ancient astronauts that brought forth the knowledge to the ancient Egyptians and Mayans on what the pyramids were and used for. Both these cultures speak of the ones from heaven returning. On this return, our friends from the heavens will empower us with new technologies that will be powered by free energy. No more selfish oil hungry corporations to bleed humanity dry. We will be liberated from paid slavery where the masses send all profits to the top of the financial pyramid. We will gain our freedom. Our culture which is based on demand and the illusion of scarcity, will be replaced with abundance and sharing.

There will be many who can not participate in this new transformation simply because they are so negative in vibration and so closed minded that they could not exist in these higher vibrations. They have become stuck in selfishness or being power hungry and are not yet willing to transform themselves. These people will have a transition as well, but they will most likely be moving from the physical world to the non physical world through earth's changes or disease. They will later reincarnate into appropriate physical worlds where they will continue to play out their negative dramas, until they have enough. When they eventually get to the point where they have enough, they will then be allowed to advance to higher levels.

In any event, it is probably the most special time our own galaxy has ever seen. This would account for the enormous increase of UFO sightings and activity. Seems they are just as interested in us, as we are. Personally, I'm looking forward to it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Hanes


2011 Predictions Based Upon Numerology

2011 is a 4 Universal Year. ( 2+0+1+1=4) We have to look to the energy of the number 4 in order to understand the trend of global events in 2011.

The 4 Year is strongly associated with hard work and little freedom to pursue frivolous activities. It is a time to be practical, down to earth, follow the rules and be organized and efficient. Success can only be achieved through endurance and discipline. It is a Year that is instrumental for building a foundation for the future because the number 4 demands that we stabilize all areas of our life by working on the foundation upon which we live. On that note, the number 4 is strongly associated with Mother Earth.

Financially, it can be a challenging year because you have to be careful with your money in a 4 Year, being frugal and spending it wisely. There is also a warning about stress and health with the number 4.

The mood of the world is about to take a somber note and I suspect our sense of humor will be on hiatus in 2011. It is time for the world to work on our problems in a no-nonsense way.

The following are potential trends for 2011 based upon its being a 4 Universal Year and also observations on events in October.

1. Governments around the world will have to reign in their spending and you will find cuts to programs that would be considered to be expendable. It is time for our governments to be frugal. Whether it is on a federal, state or local level, budgets must be balanced and some of these budget cuts will be severe.
2. Products that are more efficient or that save money, for example fuel-efficient cars, will be invented or marketed. This would be an area to invest your money. Look for start-up companies of this nature. Also if you have extra money to invest, given the excellent buyers market in real estate, if you can invest in a rental property or something of that nature, this would be the best place to put your money rather than the stock market. It is not a year to take a risk.
3. More laws will be proposed and passed that on some level create limitations in our lives, perhaps even limiting our freedom. It will all about "law and order" in 2011. Our travel could be restricted in some way.
4. There will be a clash in ideologies where there is no middle ground. People will have strong opinions. This may cause more demonstrations or protests. People will become stressed and angry. Some incidents could potentially become violent.
5. Governments will either choose to or be forced (perhaps because of a natural disaster) to work on the infrastructures of their countries. Due to the fact the sun is in a solar maximum period, we face real danger with an interruption to our electricity for extended periods. There are plans in place to cut power in the event of a serious solar flare. This is based upon scientific facts and I encourage you to do your own research on the effects of this particular solar maximum period on you and your families. Be prepared.
6. People will feel the increasing costs of gas, food and necessities and have to make adjustments with their own budgets. There also could be protests over high prices. We can also expect shortages of products. You may want to stock up on basics and you might even consider it an investment as prices will continue to rise so you will be saving money in the long run by purchasing at a lower price.
7. Fashions and trends will be less colorful but more practical and there will be less emphasis on exorbitant spending and even Hollywood will tone down the usual "over the top" spending, glitz and glamour.
8. Companies who have been unethical by lying or misrepresenting their products will be exposed and held accountable. This would also include public individuals.
9. The increased trend in Earthquakes will continue in 2011. Because there was a 6.9 Earthquake in the Gulf of California in October, I have concern about that area. I also expect more tsunamis.
10. Industries that depend on a good economy such as the vacation and travel industry, restaurants, and high-end commerce will continue to suffer even more in 2011. People will not be as willing to part with their hard-earned dollar even if they have extra money.
11. The stock market may "flat line" in the sense that people will not be as willing to take a risk.
12. Unfortunately, job losses and unemployment will add to the financial limitations of many people in 2011. Many job losses will come from budget cuts made by the government for government funded organizations.
13. 2011 may be a difficult year for epidemics or pandemics. There is already evidence of this with cholera in Haiti, whooping cough, hand and foot disease and now news of the bird flu in China. Learn how to keep your immunity system healthy. Start taking Vitamin D and C and do some research on other options.
14. North Korea will continue to be a concern for their aggressive behavior and there will be more news which will cause alarm.
15. Weather will continue to break the records. Flooding, wind storms, tornados and "freak storms" will be in the news for 2011. Expect a few Nor'easters this year but generally a milder winter for the East and a difficult winter for the Midwest. I do not expect an active hurricane season in the Atlantic again in 2011.
16. Expect more and more unexplained phenomenon with the earth's atmosphere in 2011 including meteorites, undiscovered anomalies, and strange behavior of the sun and yes, even UFOs.
17. Without question, the focus on a more spiritual approach to living will continue to grow and you can expect to see continued growth of this trend in TV, radio and all forms of media.

Alison Baughman

http://www.VisibleByNumbers.com

Biography
Alison Baughman first discovered Numerology as a child, studied it for a lifetime and began her professional career as a Numerologist in 1999. Today, Alison is a professional Numerologist, Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master, author, lecturer, and the host of Visible By Numbers, a weekly Internet talk show on BBS Radio. For more information, or to schedule Alison for an interview, please visit http://VisibleByNumbers.com or email alison [at] visiblebynumbers [dot] com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Baughman

Dungeons and Dragons and the Ouija Board Opens You Up to Real Demon Possession

The game Dungeons and Dragons has been around for many decades and seems like an innocent enough board game, just like the Ouija Board that you can use to communicate with spirits from the other side.

Most people who play Dungeons and Dragons secretly want to believe in the world of spirit and do not believe playing a board game can in any way harm their soul. Yet this is not the case. In this game, spells are cast and demons are conjured, all in the name of acquiring more power and victory over your gaming opponent. What the majority of people who play this game do not know is whenever they cast spells or conjure up demons they are giving the "green light" for demon spirits to enter their soul.

In the following quote from Dr. Shakuntala Modi's book, "Remarkable Healings" who has healed many patients from spiritual demon possession, we see how dangerous it is to "play with the devil". Dr. Modi: "Sometimes patients reported being possessed by human or demon entities while playing with a Ouija Board, channeling, doing automatic writing, or sitting in a séance. Playing with conjuring games such as Dungeons and Dragons and Demons can also open people up for possession. Dave, a fifteen year old male, had a demon entity who claimed to come in when he was playing Dungeons and Dragons."

You may dismiss this believing only a small number of people are possessed by demons. Yet this is not the case either. The vast majority of souls on earth have been infiltrated by earthbound or demon spirits due to holes in their aura and a fragmented soul caused by emotional, mental or physical trauma over the course of their many lives on earth.

Our recommendation is that if you do not wish to be possessed by demon spirits that you stay well clear of the Ouija Board or any game that requires you to cast spells and conjure demons. As the old saying goes, when you play with fire you will get burnt. These dark spirits are waiting patiently for the right opportunity to join with new human hosts, and they do this subtly, using a method called "partial possession". This means the demon spirit can gain entry into your soul undetected, and give you the impression that it is a part of your normal fear-based human ego that is already negative in nature. How will you know the difference? You can't, and that is the point. These dark entities do not wish to be detected within you, which give them time to silently work on your soul over a long period of time, causing you to make more and more poor choices, stealing your light and your ability to love and receive love.

To purify your soul of existing demon entities and protect yourself from future possession, we encourage you to read the information on the below mentioned website. Please note that the angels of Light offering spiritual protection, cannot protect you if you are using your free will to actively cast spells and conjure demon spirits.

Glen Russell is a spiritual counselor and medium for spirit. To read more channeled readings from Jesus Christ on the subject of demonic possession please visit http://www.soul-cleansing.org This website will reveal the most common ways demon spirits gain entry into a soul and, most importantly, what you can do to protect yourself and to cleanse your soul of any and all existing demon spirits.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glen_Russell

Ouija Board Overview

The infamous Ouija Board dates back to first mention at 540 B.C. in Greece. It has grown to what most of us understand now as a board game that can be purchased in many toy stores such as Toys"R"Us. The general opinion of acceptance among the masses ranges from forbidden by many churches to just a friendly board game among friends. But what remains an allure over the generations is the draw to the unknown to perk our interest.

What is astounding is the non intentional misspelling of the word Ouija by most who attempt to write it for the first time. The word is made up of words of French and German origin. This may explain the reason for misspelling due to the lack of connection most people would be able to draw from as opposed to a word originating from one language. You may have come across some of these spellings of the word in the past

*Wigie
*Weegi
*Weegie
*Quiji
*Quiga
*Ouigi

In order for an individual to get the most out of the experience understanding the correct methods to use Ouija Board and what it is used for can determine what success you will have. Although without the knowledge of how to control the situation many unexpected things may happen. At all time you should take the use of the board seriously. Users of the board with open minds to the possibilities generally make the best participants. Listed below are some common points individuals connect with the Ouija Board:

*Satanic Possession

*Occult & Rituals

*Phenomenon such as moving furniture

*Possession

*Paranormal occurrence

*Seance and contacting the departed

*Devil's oracle and warnings

From the list above it is foreshadowing the countless divisions and cultural understandings that have evolved over the endless decades. It would be intelligent to take precautions for the worst case if use of the Ouija Board is chosen by yourself or someone you love. Like insurance on your car sooner or later you are going to need it and the odds are against you should you not be prepared or have insurance. Most people who use the board are not wishing to reach evil spirits but rather more often departed love ones or friendly spirits. There are many concerns with respect to the Ouija Board as noted below.

*Can we contact departed people?

*A tool of the devil?

*Is it a doorway to the unknown?

*Is the Ouija Board legitimate or old wise tale?

*Is it a means to be use only for entertainment?

*When playing is their rules?

*Is it safe to use?

This subject is not for everyone and I can appreciate that. In life we all have choices and what we do with those choices can impact the rest of our lives. The best advise anyone can give you is have respect and don't jump into anything unprepared. Remember what you do not understand can and will hurt you. Be safe.

Dino F. has compiled more video, stories,a complete informative eBook, and other "how to" information at the following address. Click Here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dino_Faverio

2012 and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

The media has gone wild over the 2012 craze. This Mayan calendar thing has almost eclipsed the relevance of the Second Coming of Jesus. Are the two events one and the same? Is it possible that the Lord Jesus will use December 21, 2012 as the date of his return to the earth?

All speculation is vain, but there are some very important Bible facts that have not changed, even though many are, even as we speak, throwing out any and all Bible beliefs, and swallowing hook line and sinker all the Mayan Myths. Nostradamus, Church prophets, New Age Humanists, New World Order followers, and all the internet websites in the world cannot change the validity of the Bible.

1. The Bible does clearly teach that there is an end of the world, and an end of this present age. Men can deny it, try to dodge it, and defy the Bible all they want, but this old world will not last forever. It cannot. We are on a train track to eternity, and the engine is running full speed ahead.

2. The Bible tells us that Jesus' first coming was all planned by God so that our sins could be paid for on the cross of Calvary. Christ did not come the first time to rule and reign...that wasn't his plan. Mankind needed a Savior, and Jesus is He.

3. The Bible warns us that the second time Jesus comes, he is not coming as a sacrificial lamb, wounded and bleeding for our sins on the cross. Rather, at his next appearing, he is coming as the ruler of the universe to put down all evil. He will establish his kingdom on the earth.

4. We are told in Scripture that there will be a great battle at that second coming of Christ, as the armies of the world are gathered together unto the Valley of Megiddo. There, the battle of Armageddon will be fought. Christ will win, the new world order and its antichrist leader will be destroyed, and Jesus will set up his 1,000 year reign on the earth. This is when the lion will lie down with the lamb, a child will be able to play with a poisonous snake, and we will beat our swords into plows shears. Then, not until then, and only then will there be peace on earth.

5. There were many scoffers at the first coming of Christ. They did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. But you have only to look at all the Bible prophecies fulfilled 100% accurately by Christ at his first coming to be convinced that he is indeed the promised one. At the end of this age, there are many who doubt that he will come again. There is nothing new here. But the amazing fact that Jesus Christ fulfilled hundreds of prophecies perfectly at his first coming (and no other person ever has or could), proves to us that he will fulfill all the prophecies perfectly of his second coming. It would be foolish to bet against such odds.

6. The date of Jesus' second coming is not revealed in Scripture, and no one knows it now, either. Whatever happens on 12-21-2012, you can rest assured that some privileged few have not learned the date of His coming.

The Second Coming of Christ is a topic of Great concern. For more information on 2012 and the Second Coming of Christ, please visit http://www.the2012warning.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Boyd

Important Solar Flare Impact in 2012

The Sun revolves at a 7.25 degree angle just like the Earth. However, due to its imperfect rotation behavior, the sun tends to "wobble", disrupting the internal core and making it highly unstable. The internal disruption eventually works its path to the outer surface and shoots out as a solar flare. Solar flares are little bits of the sun that launches out from the sun, giving off hazardous radiation and tremendous electrical power that go out into space like a bullet.

Solar Cycles

Just like how the earth has 4 seasons throughout the year, the sun goes through "solar cycles" taking 11 years to complete. The previous cycle was at its peak in 2001. Every cycle has a stage when the flares are most powerful, often occurring close to the solar equator, known as the "solar maximum", with the next massive one expected to take place in December 21, 2012 - a date predicted by the Mayan Calendar! Recently, the sun has been going through a long period of quiet solar activity as scientists have concluded that the sun is closing in on the final cycle. The quiet period alarmed NASA scientists and as they issued warnings that we will be seeing a seriously violent sun storm soon.

Impact to Earth

Many solar flares that hit earth were minor, however, small flares can still be threatening. For example, in 1989 a flare struck North America and wiped out many electric grids in the United States and Canada resulting in blackouts. Solar flares are also known to affect human life because a huge flare that's predicted to strike in 2012 would completely take out satellites, telecommunications, computers, and GPS.

Solar flares 2012 predictions are one of many cataclysmic events slated for the year of uncertainty. Always be informed on the latest news and learn ways to prepare and survive the 2012 predictions doomsday.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chen_Xeng

Ouija Boards - Where Did They Come From?

To some, it's a harmless parlor game or children's toy. Others call it a tool of Satan. For still others, it is a tool for reaching the subconscious mind or the spirit world. "It" is flat board imprinted with the letters of the alphabet, the numbers from 0 through 9 and the words yes and no. It comes with a little plastic heart-shaped table with a window cut out of its middle. You probably know it as the Ouija Board, manufactured and sold by Parker Brothers, but the Ouija Board has been around for a lot longer than that.

Spiritualists have always employed tools of some sort to help interpret messages sent from the 'Other Side'. One favorite method was 'glass writing'. The medium would place an upside down glass on top of a piece of paper on which was written the alphabet. The medium would then place his or her fingers on the glass, and it would move to cover certain letters, spelling out words.

In 1891, the U.S. Patent Office awarded a patent for the Ouija Board to Elijah Bond (with Charles Kennard and William Maupin), three Baltimore businessmen. The Ouija board may not actually have been their invention - there is at least one published account of a session using an alphabet board and a planchette that appeared in the New York Tribune in 1886 - but it was Kennard who first marketed the Ouija Board to the public. His Kennard Novelty Company continued to manufacture and sell Ouija Boards until the patent and all rights were sold to the Parker Brothers game company in 1966. Parker Brothers continued to sell the Ouija Board nearly exactly as it was originally created until 1990, when it discontinued the traditional Ouija Board, and introduced a smaller, glow-in-the-dark version which is still available.

Kennard himself, though, left the company less than a year after the patent was granted. The Kennard Novelty Company was taken over by William Fuld, a long-time employee. It was Fuld who declared that the name 'Ouija' was a combination of the French and German words for yes, in contradiction of his former boss' statement that it was the Egyptian word for 'good luck', and that the board itself had given him the name. Fuld marketed the board for years with fantastic claims of its abilities to contact the spirit world and facilitate communication with the dead. A typical ad was this one, which appeared in newspapers in 1891:

OUIJA A WONDERFUL TALKING BOARD Interesting and mysterious; surpasses in its results second sight, mind reading, clairvoyance; will give intelligent answer to any question. Proven at patent office before patent was allowed. Price $1.50.

Since its introduction, the Ouija Board's popularity has waxed and waned. Because it is so simple to use, it has always been a favorite 'toy' among those who have a passing interest in the occult. Its popularity sparked warnings from spiritualists and from religious figures that it was dangerous - that meddling with spirits was not a game for amateurs, that opening yourself to communications without preparation could open the door to possession by evil spirits and worse. Given human nature, these warnings only sparked further interest in experimentation with the Ouija Board. In fact, even J.B. Rhine, most well-known for his interest in ESP and his experiments using Zener cards, conducted experiments using the Ouija Board.

Do Ouija Boards work? That's a subject that has always been open to debate. It's certain that they often spell out intelligible and intelligent messages - but whether those messages are communications from beyond the grave or from the subconscious of the users is a subject that is still undecided.

Adam Waude is an author at eMystica. Explore http://www.eMystica.com for more paranormal articles, psychic tests and fascinating guides.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Waude

A Beginner's Guide to Ouija Board Experiences

Whether you are someone who has contemplated using an Ouija board or you are simply in a place where you are curious about tools like this one, you will find that there is a certain amount of history that goes into Ouija board experiences that make them what they are. In many cases, it will be a good idea for you to familiarize yourself with them before you proceed further; the more you understand what they have been used for in the past, the better you will understand Ouija boards themselves.

When looking at Ouija boards, you will find throughout history, they have had some identifying features. There is a board that features an alphabet or short hand answers of some sort, and there is a pointer or a lens, which allows people to separate out the answers that they wish to discern. There seems to be some history that an Ouija board of some kind was popular in China more than three thousand years ago. Similarly, in ancient Greece, there were rumors of a table on wheels that could be moved towards spelled answers.

The modern spiritualist movement in the United States was the beginning of what we would recognize as Ouija boards today. This occurred during the nineteenth century and the users ranged from young people who were playing for a thrill to people who were seriously interested in the occult and who were fascinated by the idea of spirits that wished to communicate with their world. It wasn't until the late 1800's that planchettes, the pointers for use with Ouija boards, were widely sold, but it wasn't until the 1920's that the board and planchette were sold together under the name "Ouija" board.

When it comes to Ouija board experiences, people have vastly different opinions. The game states that it is for two or more people, and that it is only effective when more than one person puts their fingers on the planchette. This allows the planchette to be moved freely and without direction from anyone who has their fingers on the object. Some people find that the Ouija board is a simple toy, but others take the board and its significance much more seriously.

There is the perception of an open door that comes into Ouija board experiences, of the participants opening themselves up to something unknown, and which might not always mean them well Take a moment to think about this game and any Ouija board experiences that you have had; think about what it means to you and how you want to proceed.

Did you know...

That the Ouija Board was actually designed as a game? However, because of the many reported incidents of unpleasant and "unexplained" experiences, many countries have banned the sale of Ouijas.

Visit: [http://www.OuijaBoardSecrets.Info] to understand the principle behind the Ouija, why it works, who it works for, and how you can use one safely.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Attlins

Now That My Ouija Board Is Trashed, How Do I Talk To Marilyn Monroe?

Many of us grew up with the hype that Ouija Boards are evil. They are portals into Hell. The Urban Legends that Uncle Jimmy and BFF Sarah used a Ouija Board and were tormented by nasty spirits. In fear, we have thrown them in the trash. Fearing that we may turn into evil spawn, our parents have thrown our boards into the trash.

So now what? You still want to contact your grandma who recently passed and ask how she is doing. You've been asked to join a paranormal investigation group and look for spirits. Now you wish you still had the Ouija Board you bought with your allowance when you were twelve. You are still afraid to use one. What will you do?

Well, Spirits aren't that picky. They are happy to use whatever tools they can to contact and even speak with you. Here are some alternatives to the Ouija Board.

Pendulums

You can make your own pendulum out of nothing more than an old washer and a length of string. How's that for Green? A necklace or most any object that can be suspended from a string or chain may be used as a pendulum.

You can buy pendulums online or in stores. There are beautiful crystals pendulums available. Some coast an arm and a leg, others a dollar or two. Metals bobs from building supply stores work too. For more information read my article, How to Speak With Spirits Using a Pendulum.

Cards

There are decks of cards designed specifically to speak with Spirits. Among them are the Graven Images Oracle Deck and the Konxari Cards based on an ancient communication system utilized by the Egyptians and Mayans. Each deck contains a booklet of information to help you contact your relatives, or receive messages.

Table Tipping

Spiritualists have been contacting Spirits for decades with Table Tipping. Using a three-legged table, Sance participants ask Spirits to move the table in specific ways to tap, or spell out messages. If the table tips to the left, it might mean yes, or if the table taps on the floor 3 times, it might mean the letter "C" or possibly- maybe. The system depends on the Spirits contacted and the participants. A three-legged table isn't a requirement, however. A friend of mine and her niece have very successful Mediumship sessions using a folding card table.

A pendulum can be easily slipped into a pocket for traveling to a place where you believe you are likely to contact spirits. A deck of cards slips easily into a purse or bag. The table may be more of a challenge. This same friend developed quite a noisy entourage while trying to table tip in Gettysburg National Park. Sometimes, you need privacy.

So don't worry about your MIA Ouija Board. There are other things you can easily use to contact Spirits. Just don't think about who may be talking in the landfills.

LILLIE RUBY is a 5th generation Psychic Medium who works regularly with relatives who have passed over and receives messages for friends, family and clients. Her grandmother Lela is one of her primary guides. For more information on LILLIE'S work go to: http://www.lillieruby.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lillie_Ruby

Aquarians and the Coming Age of Aquarius

Twelve Nations of the Zodiac Each of us cycles through the Signs of the ancient Zodiac, though the order of this cycle is not known. While here on Earth we meet members of The Twelve, each forming a mystical 'nation' with language and customs all its own.

Even if you are not an Aquarian by Sun Sign, it can be well worth some investigation! You may have someone very important in your life who is an Aquarian and a little extra insight can only help. And, everyone has the Sign of Aquarius governing one of the 12 houses in their birth chart. If this is the 1st house, Aquarius is your Rising Sign or Ascendant and really, is the "other half" of your Self, partnered with your Sun Sign. If you have several planets (or the goddesses or Lilith, Chiron, Saturn, or Uranus, for example) in Aquarius, then you are more of an Aquarian than you know!

If you discover you have Venus in Aquarius - or Mars in Aquarius - this can change your entire self-understanding, for Venus rules not only our partnerships - including marriage - but to a large extent our friendships and the quality and tone of all our relationships. This is true of the material world we attract into our life, including of course our financial resources.

Each of us, at some point in our Earth History, is born into the Aquarian Sign, probably many times in the course of great Cycles of Time here on Earth. As we head into the Age of Aquarius, we are, in a way, all Aquarians now, for we will collectively experience the Aquarian archetype in a way not seen on Earth, for a long, long time...

We are not sure when The Age of Aqarius begins. Some think it began in the Sixties, with the explosion of the Baby Boomers into the world. Some feel it will start when Pluto, the karmic and evolutionary planet par excellence, moves into Aquarius in 2023 and remains there through 2043. The Age itself will last around 2,000 years, and if Uranus and Saturn have anything at all to do with it, we may have to hold onto our hats! Nothing about the Sixties was simple. The transformations begun were deep, mysterious and in some ways, even disturbing...much Uranus earthquake debris has had to be revisited, and sorted through, by Saturn. In any case, here's to the Age of Aquarius - it looks like we'll be finding the Maps as we go along...

Sun Sign as Archetype Each Sun Sign represents a major Archetype or cosmic pattern - a flowing, dynamic field of energy which enfolds, shapes and interacts with a given person, two people, or group of persons - even nations - in a given time. An Archetype is an emanation of God - one of the Energy Patterns/Stories in the Creator's Mind. Hence we refer to the archetypes as gods and goddesses. They are mysteries which we honor, and whose force we acknowledge and respect.

Archetypes encompass Past, Present and Future. They also contain their own opposites, which in a way, helps us to work through their main "lesson" - the moral of the story. Each has a strength, and each its weakness or Achilles heel. Like the great tales from mythology, we connect, as the Hero of the story, with qualities within us - the Dark and the Light - of which we had been completely unaware. As we come to know these mysteries of the Self, our story unfolds outward, to join with, and to become part of, the World we create with others.

The Sun Sign is one of the Hero's many Roads - the one we have chosen for this life...we cannot put it in a bottle or under a microscope - any more than an actor or actress can become too self-conscious when acting their role. We have to throw ourselves into being ourselves - and not look back in over-analysis or too many "if only's..." We are on a journey of exploration and self-expression in the cosmos. We are not entirely in charge of this journey! So ride the wave and don't be too concerned about the negatives of your Sun Sign - because those negatives are actually part of the positives, but this we only understand in the fullness of time.

Aquarius * Bearer of Mysterious Waters The Water Bearer - symbol of Aquarius - hints at a heavenly or esoteric essence, which Aquarius alone brings to humanity. The Waters are associated with life-giving water for the planet Earth - and this may lie in the original "gods" who taught irrigation to early human beings on the planet (see Enki, below). The Waters are also said to be symbolic of the waters of spiritual life - Aquarius symbolized baptism in some faiths, including Christian.

Ancient teachings hint that the "waters" are actually a kind of force field or energy field, better understood through physics than through the earth sciences and the waters of our oceans and the rains. The Waters of Aquarius certainly appear to be connected with Neptune, but this may be less to do with the seas on earth, and more to do with a kind of Cosmic Sea. There are a great many Sumerian tablets whose writings contain a rich mythology, which, as Zecharia Sitchin has suggested, may actually be history, and not legend. Beginning with The Twelfth Planet, Sitchin lays out what the tablets say about the gods/astronauts who came to the Earth hundreds of thousands of years ago. Astrology - in terms of the 12 signs of the Zodiac, and the celestial and earth timing used by the astronauts, played a vital role in the visits of these "gods" and their role in creating humanity along with establishing rich gardens of civilization across the face of the earth.

In a fascinating description of how our solar system was created, the "gods" describe in detail the original act of conception between a solitary pair of planets floating in a rich sea of Waters which became the Petrie dish for the creation, one by one, of each of the major planets in our solar system. As a final touch in the somewhat turbulent emergence and stabilization of the solar system, it was said that it was Neptune's odd, magnetic, hypnotic energy field which ultimately held the other planets in their orbits. Interestingly, Sumerian records show that these early "gods" - and the Sumerian civilization they nurtured - knew about all the planets in our solar system, including Uranus, "discovered" in 1781 which is the outer planet that co-rules Aquarius with Saturn. They also associated Aquarius with perhaps the most remarkable of all the astronauts, a "god" called Enki.

Enki * Ancient Origins of the Aquarius Archetype Enki is very similar to Prometheus, who stole Fire from the Gods to give to Mankind. The theme is oddly the same, for Enki gave to early humanity the practical plans and blueprints for civilization, such as the science of irrigation. Enki is said to have defended Humanity from his brother gods, when they were disappointed with our moral weaknesses and to have given the plans for the Ark before the Flood to the original Noah, whose story was later, along with others, lifted from Sumerian records to form the early books of the Bible.

Enki was always associated in Sumerian records with Aquarius, but was also in some contexts associated with the sign of Capricorn (planet Saturn) and sign of Pisces (planet Neptune). It appears that this triple designation comes from both the "ages" in which he visited and worked on Earth, and to the kind of work, as a science officer, he performed. If Enki is the ultimate archetype for Aquarius, this may be why Aquarius is more complex - and also more mysterious - than is so often portrayed in Astrology.

Earth-Centered Aquarius Enki was the science officer and genetics specialist. The ancient tablets from Sumer state that it was Enki, with the help of a Mother Goddess who was also a specialist in this area, who physically created humanity. They did this by blending the DNA of one of the young gods with that of early Man - a "primitive" found already evolving on earth. Enki loved humanity as a father, in that sense, and continued to nurture and develop all civilization, as he was the keeper of the great technological keys for agriculture, irrigation, and much more.

Aquarius represents, through this amazing historical record, a unique bridge between the "gods and men" - including the genetic bridge. This creates an aura of mystery around Aquarius as a sign, and suggests hidden reasons why Aquarians always feel as if they are "strangers in a strange land". As participants in the Enki archetype, Aquarians do feel an immense sense of connectedness and indeed, responsibility for, the fate of humanity. Humanitarian issues like refugees, feeding the hungry, freedom of movement, speech, thought and association are all concerns to which the Aquarian, and the Aquarius part of each person's birth chart, will resonate. The formation of international bodies such as the War Crimes Tribunal and the United Nations is a direction for humanity which Aquarians will tend not to see as some fearful New World Order but rather welcome its coming as freedom from the tyranny of secretive houses, closed off villages, nations behind barbed wire, and so on. As we shall see, Aquarians promote freedom and revolution (Uranus), but justice, order and world courts (Saturn) too.

Aquarius "remembers" that while we carry the genes of the early humans within us, we take out "image" from those who came from the Stars - out there. These memories convey a keen sense of destiny beckoning us toward the starry heavens. We feel them awaken in astrology, astronomy, NASA, science fiction, Star Trek, Star Wars, and in our longing hearts as we look upwards on a clear night. The Aquarian essence of humanity reminds us, collectively, of our destiny...that we are not forever earthbound, but will become a song of Life on the solar winds. Just as ancient space travellers like Enki helped to carry out the Creator's plan, so we too will carry ourselves, as the Seed Children, to other planets, other systems, other worlds.

Saturn and Uranus - Chakra Wheels of Aquarius We come to understand the sign and archetypal energy of Aquarius through the story of Enki - science-oriented, rebellious, freedom-defending archetype of Enki - Bringer of Gifts to Humanity. But there are other forces at work in Aquarius and other ways to meet and understand this sign. There are the two huge planets that rule Aquarius - Uranus, The Great Awakener and Saturn, Father of Time and Lord of Karma. The Aquarian can best be understood as a person and as a force for change when we understand these two planets and how they work together.

Whether you are an Aquarian or have one in your life, you may find you have signed on for deep, often violent, shocking awakenings - these resonate to Uranus, the modern ruling planet of Aquarius. However - the awakening of Uranus seems then to be followed by a period of equally intense shaping, disciplining, teaching, and chastening energies - these will be Saturn, ancient ruler of Aquarius, and known as the Lord of Karma!

So Uranus brings revolution, but Saturn goes back, retraces the steps as to why the revolution was needed, examines the science and philosophy involved, and works out new Laws to contain and direct the new architecture rising on the ruins that Uranus has left behind.

The Aquarian Archetype and its ruling planets are about violent change, upheaval, accounting, facing truth, and reaping of karma. Aquarians - and the Age of Aquarius - will bring dramatic, sweeping and often disturbing changes into our lives and into planetary history. It is hard to imagine where we got the idea that The Aquarian Age was going to be so suddenly harmonious. We already see and feel around us the immense political, climatic and spiritual upheavals across this planet which may reach a level of instability which will threaten the survival of this world...whether it survives, or does not, and is "reborn" as worlds often are, is beyond our knowledge now. However, when the Uranus forces - bombs, revolutions, earthquakes, electrical storms, and the empowerment of the masses via the internet - are finished, it will require the other shoe to drop - the Saturnian elements of order, rebuilding and various forms of truth and reconciliation - to complete the Age of Aquarius.

The Aquarian Personality * Uranus and Saturn Aquarians are freedom-lovers, social challengers, stereotype-breakers, and innovators. They can change direction at a moment's notice. That is Uranus breathing through them! At the same time, Aquarians can be conservative, traditional, deeply loyal, stubborn, and fixated on justice not served. That is Saturn talking - usually lecturing! The Aquarian is thus strangely gifted at not only tearing down, but also building - if given the right opportunity. Aquarians can write laws and constitutions, and are found creating systems everywhere, whether in office procedures manuals, Mozart's great compositions, Einstein's new laws of the universe, Lincoln's proclamation of freedom for the slaves, and so on.

It is a mistake to overlook the role of Saturn in the life, gifts, and burdens of Aquarians. To live their Sun Sign, Aquarians need to accept without guilt or regret that they bring challenge to the lives of others, but Saturn makes them brood and worry, and doubt their own wunderkind Uranus-style energies. The Aquarius is always aware, at some level, that 'here" is only part-way there. There is always the feeling that the road of Humanity is still a long one, and that it somehow falls to the Aquarian, more than to other signs, to lead the way, to find the cure, to make the peace, or to raise the flag of freedom and revolution. Aquarians feel a deep need to love and be loved, yet also feel, as in a tragic play on stage, that in the end, they will have to ride off into the sunset, to find another people in need of a leader, or another town in need of a sheriff. The peculiar sense of history living through the Aquarian, of having to share his or her life with "something larger", is one of the most powerful aspects of this archetypal Sign.

Relationships with Aquarians It is often observed that it is hard to get close to an Aquarian, that Aquarius is an Air Sign and thus intellectually gifted but emotionally cold. Yet this is not thought to be the case with Air Signs Libra and Gemini. There is something innately abstract about the Aquarian Soul, as if the price of certain gifts is the loss of others. One of the lost gifts is the ability to merge with others - as if this would be so destructive to the purpose of Aquarius that it has been made almost genetically impossible for Aquarians to really seek, accept or achieve intimacy. For this reason, of course, the rest of the "typical profile" holds - Aquarians have a very low tolerance for the more clinging, dependent personality type, as such people will almost drown their souls. They will value most highly someone who has goals and aspirations beyond them the relationship itself, so that the Aquarian is assured that they are not themselves going to be the focus of intense personal drives.

For many people the ultimate idea of happiness is to be completely indispensable to someone, and in turn, they offer such status to their partner or friend. This makes a relationship akin to staking a claim, really, of a kind of ownership. This is extremely uncomfortable for the Aquarian, but there are reasons why. For the Aquarian, staking a claim to someone, as one might a gold mine, runs counter to the spiritual requirement to recognize the complete freedom of another human being. "Ownership" of another being, even an animal, seems foreign - a form of slavery. An Aquarian asks: "Aren't we fighting all over the world to free our brothers and sisters from the chains of being owned? Why would I want to own you, or have you somehow acquire "rights" to me?"

Often people complain that the interests and enquiring minds of Aquarians can be overwhelming. They feel they are in the presence of a force of nature, a gust of mental energy sweeping them up like a whirlwind, rather than a "normal" everyday person. They feel that the Aquarian's futuristic, restless urge to explore new frontiers suggests lack of contentment with the status quo, and this can undermine a relationship. But the reverse is often true - Aquarians find many non-Aquarians underwhelming, and feel depressed and alienated when their dreams and visions are misinterpreted, resented, and in numerous subtle or open ways, rejected. Aquarians will panic when incarcerated within needy emotional webs, and feel existential pain in an exchange where their ideas meet with a blank stare or a change of subject.

The Soul, for the Aquarian, is what the person's "essence" really is - that is why an Aquarian may seem to find your everyday doings and personality uninteresting! But if an Aquarian can connect with your soul, and you are interested in his, then the bond will be instant and forever, regardless of the worldly obstacles or setbacks which may come. Because the soul connection comes most naturally to an Aquarian, friendship is in many ways the most natural relationship for an Aquarian. Freedom, easygoing companionship, shared interests and ideals, all these succeed where emotional demands and social measurements simply drive the Aquarian into first depression, then desperation, and finally flight.

Aquarius In Love In the end, perhaps only an Aquarian can know and love another Aquarian, though Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Gemini can make good partners. Aquarius appreciates the deep, silent, unquestioning loyalty of Leo, Sagittarius' quest for knowledge, the piercing, searching intensity of Scorpio, the mental gifts of Virgo, Libra's quest for justice, Gemini's variety of interests and verbal skills, Capricorn's serious approach to life (they are both ruled by Saturn), and the innovative, fearless leadership of Aries. Aquarius can be overwhelmed by, and distrustful of, the secrecy and emotional needs of the Water Signs - Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. The Aquarian does love mystery and drama along with freedom, however, and this combination often leads them into odd relationships - with someone who is married, in jail, of another race or culture, possibly (with Saturn in the background denoting karma) handicapped or dealing with a serious karmic problem. This of course can draw the Scorpio personality - and the shadow of Pluto's secrets - directly to an Aquarian. The fact is, all relationships form, and un-form, as karma rises and fades in our lives - until we break free of old patterns, so one's astrological sign is not the final word. It is often, however, the first word!

Aquarian males and females are curiously alike since Aquarius is somewhat androgynous. Aquarians are capable of painfully obsessive love, which seems to possess them with the wind and fury of their ruling planet Uranus...and often in conflict with their higher ideals, as Saturn will remind them. Inevitably, it seems, the Aquarian will return to a solitary path, unless he or she can find that comfortable, roomy relationship that starts and ends with friendship between equals.

Aquarius Woman She will touch the life of a man with an unforgettable yearning for something he may never grasp, but is awakened to. The Animus in the Aquarian Woman is cosmic, spiritual, and magical. Thus home, fireside and babies can be foreign to her. She can however transform a home and family with her playful, ever-young presence, and she can be deeply, fiercely loyal to a man who seeks redemption and transformation. Pick an Aquarian woman if you have a strong heart and powerful ideals; if you need intuitive understanding and acceptance of what makes you different from the crowd. An Aquarian woman will forgive you much, but don't - even once - lie to her. This is true of an Aquarian man, perhaps even more so, because a woman's lies will damage his Anima - though he may rally, if he feels you really need rescuing! Children will love an Aquarian woman, and she will defend and nurture their uniqueness. She will touch their souls, and stress knowledge, friendship and equality as values.

Aquarius Man If you love an Aquarian man, don't look for social status, money or security. He may become famous, yet lose it all, often through no fault of his own, as part of the Aquarian Archetype. Be prepared to share him with his work, and understand it is always, for him, a kind of priesthood no matter how humble his setting. Aquarian males can also be attracted to the underworld of crime, simply because of its wild Uranus lawlessness, only to discover that Saturn rules the mob with an iron hand!

Aquarian men have been not only revolutionaries in history, but a large percentage of those called geniuses have been Aquarian males. There is a one-pointedness, an intensity of focus combined with other-worldly attunement, that makes such a man hard to engage in a sustained, day-to-day manner.

However, he can be a surprisingly good family man, provided he is not a closet priest or flirting with underworld connections! Ronald Reagan was an Aquarian man who did - and had - it all! He had the fame, the first divorce, and somewhat unorthodox children and family life, but he also was one-half of an amazing love story that lasted through to his death, and beyond. The Aquarian male is surprised by the warmth of love and family, but often grows into it quite nicely! He can be a delightful father, but not always in the conventional sense, for he may be more interested in a child's original ideas and values than in shaping them in a parental style. Aquarian men often seem to have had truly dominant father figures (Saturn) and in turn, they can spend their lives remaining rebellious teenage males. The child in him does not accept authority, any more than the adult in him does, and he is uncomfortable when forced to discipline anyone, including his children - so may do it badly.

An Aquarian man can, when pushed too hard to be head of the family, become harsh and emotionally or even physically violent with their families (Saturn, Uranus). This is because they are uncomfortable in a fully adult role - and under pressure will revert to the dominant archetypal Saturn male against which they have spent their lives rebelling. He will learn quite happily however to share home chores and is an ideal house-husband for he needs the protection of a home and appreciates it more than most. Aquarian men and woman are both androgynous and will work together as comrades, be it making dinner or fixing the car, so they can, if they recognize it, be most compatible partnered with another Aquarian. If it is your dharma - or perhaps your karma! - to love an Aquarian, awaken your inner vision of humanity - its common dreams - and you will walk hand and hand in freedom out into the Stars.

Aquarians and Group Karma The Aquarian can suffer from the darker aspects of the collective consciousness so much a part of his sign. Aquarians are often tentative, marginal members of a group to start with, seeming to hold themselves ready to leave at any moment. The Aquarian often suffers deeply as a result of, and as the focus of, group dynamics. It is as if the Aquarian, that the World (Saturn in the Tarot) - and all its "noble causes" - is still Maya to be passed through and left behind. Aquarians frequently absorb group karma such that they suddenly, without warning, become the "scapegoat" onto which the unowned, and disowned self- transformative urges of the group become projected... The group will be changed, and often for the better, in the end...but in the process the group, as an entity, will literally drive the Aquarius away. He or she must set out, once again, alone on the Road - like the Fool of the Tarot.

Aquarius * Darkness At Noon The task of the Aquarius Archetype is the evolution of civilization through dramatic, revolutionary break-throughs that affect grass-roots humanity. Technological scientific knowledge is one branch of Aquarius' contribution. The political framework of peace, justice and equality for all is the other branch. Without the political vision, there will be no Earth. Aquarius must rise above personal desires and ambitions in order to make a contribution to the good of the whole. The karmic trap, weakness, Achilles heel of Aquarius is in making these large altruistic goals into obsessions that are in fact extensions of the Aquarian's Ego.

Throughout history, this theme has manifested in Aquarian revolutions in which humanity has been sacrificed to the personal ambitions of visionary leaders who tolerate no obstacles to their own plans. The secret societies which believe themselves to be the carriers of the Great Blueprint for humanity have often been behind such dramatic events as the French Revolution, and the founding of America. These secret societies, many linked to Christianity, Judaism and mystic Paganism, have given birth to vast experiments (truly Uranus!) in human political life which have been disastrous for humanity as a whole. The roots of these transformative efforts (communism, fascism and the occult blueprint of the French Revolution) lie in the legends and archetypes of those who first came from Space to help seed and develop this planet. There are glimpses of the experimental genius gone bad in Atlantis - as channeled through Edgar Cayce.

Mother Russia Russia is said to be ruled by Aquarius, and its Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, was led by Lenin, whose Moon was in Aquarius. The revolution was a truly Aquarian enterprise in the scope of its vision (Moon), violence (Uranus) and obsession with authority, control and reshaping (Saturn). It was only fitting that it would be an Aquarian, Boris Yeltsin, who in 1989 broke apart the last rotten walls of the Soviet Union. Yet, the post-Soviet era in Russia has not progressed beyond the revolutionary chaos of Uranus to the orderly development of Saturn. Uranus still haunts Russia in the internal lawlessness that prevails. Saturn's presence is seen only in the new secret police, the oligarchs and their bag-men - enforcers of codes and "laws" best suited to the underworld.

American Dreams Closer to home, Dick Cheney is an Aquarius and he certainly led the "Neo-Conservative" and Christian-Zionist attempt to remake the Middle East in a grand vision beginning with the ill-starred invasion of Iraq. The violence of Uranus has hardly abated in Iraq, and such elements of Saturn as are present have been mostly its worst features - justice turned into vengeance, order turned into tyranny and control turned into organized cruelty - Guantanamo Bay and the Patriot Act cast the dark shadow of Saturn's totalitarian streak across the United States and other nations who followed so willingly along.

The United States has an Aquarian Moon, and many strongly Aquarian presidents, but her dreams for mankind have yet to be shown to be worth the price that has been paid for American Aquarian visions. The genocides - of the Native American peoples, of the buffalo - and the oppressions - in Vietnam, Iraq, West Bank and Gaza, (open-air concentration camps run by a US-backed Israel) - all these were born under these "grand visions" and schemes so deeply linked to the controlling, Big-Picture drives of Aquarius.

The current US president, Barak Obama, has Aquarius Rising, and Jupiter in Aquarius as well - Grand Dreams indeed! While some fear he will fail in his great visions, others fear he may succeed. It is too soon to tell what America - and this latest of many Presidents with strong Aquarian features - will do for itself and for the world. But the time of reckoning grows closer...

Aquarius * Light At Dawn Cautionary tales indeed...Aquarius can create a perfect Karmic Storm, tossing us back and forth between the worst features of both Uranus and Saturn. It is as if Saturn can so quickly become the driving, narrow, cruel Ego, and Uranus can become the eruption of the contents of the Unconscious in the life of an individual or in that of a nation. Only a powerful philosophical and spiritual framework can hold these twin forces in check. The Ego yields to the Spirit so that Saturn becomes the indwelling teacher and shaman, while Uranus yields to the direction of the Higher Self - blending the wild, creative, free elements of Soul with love and higher purpose.

In each Aquarian's life, these vast themes will play out in much smaller, but often very dramatic forms. Of all the signs, Aquarius is the most likely to mystify those who live within it and through it as an archetype, and those drawn into its waves of energy. Yet it is through the Aquarian Archtype, wherever it lies in our charts, that we see further and farther than the horizons, and hear distant drummers in other realms.

We are all Aquarians in the Aquarian Age, in ways we may not see on the surface of our lives. But as the Dawn Light breaks, the Big Jet carrying Humanity taxies down the runway, is turning now, getting set for its final run. Building speed not seen for thousands of years, it will lift off at last, and take us home to the Stars.

©Carol Leigh Rice 2010

Carol Leigh Rice, B.A., M.A. I am a writer, astrologer and psychic philosopher. From my mother's years as a medium - before the New Age - and my own years as a professional psychic, I have drawn together the wisdom from "The Other Side". My blog, Silk Road Visions, offers practical spiritual insights from astrology, karma, grace, reincarnation, healing meditations, dreamwork and the many dimensions of shamanism! Channelling, Seth, Edgar Cayce, Carl G. Jung, soul retrieval, past life memories, and travels with the Higher Self are among my special interests. I can be found resting under the Sacred Date Palm at Silk Road Visions and welcome all visitors to my Caravanserai!

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The Mysteries of the Crystal Skulls

Over the years, many mysterious "crystal skulls" have surfaced but many have been proven to be fakes. There are however, a few skulls that truly are mysterious wonders. The most famous of these is the legendary Mitchell-Hedges skull, named after the British archaeologist F. Albert Mitchell-Hedges. Its origin is believed to be in Central America.

The incredible thing about the Mitchell-Hedges skull is its craftsmanship. Much like the Great Pyramids of Egypt, it is impossible that it was crafted by the people of its time. Hewlett-Packard, the big computer company, actually did a study on the skull starting in 1964 which showed that the skull was capable of creating unusual optical effects through a system of prisms and lenses. Even more amazing, the 11 pound skull was made of one whole crystal and no scratches could be seen on the skull, even through a microscope! That proves that no metal instruments were used which is perplexing considering a crystal is only slightly softer than diamond. The skull is quartz crystal, meaning it does not age. This specific type of quartz crystal also has the ability to generate electricity due to the fact that it has a positive and negative polarity, similar to a battery. Hewlett-Packard also concluded that the skull is actually carved against the crystal's axis of symmetry, meaning that it positively should have shattered in the process of making it, even using modern technology! This discovery prompted one member of the team to comment, "This skull shouldn't even exist!" Even if it were possible for ancient man to create this skull, Hewlett-Packard concluded it would have taken "300 man-years of effort"!

There are other skulls similar in the mysterious Mitchell-Hedges skull, including the Rose Quartz Crystal skull, the Aztec skulls, the Texas Crystal skull, the Mayan Crystal skull, and the Amethyst Skull. Besides the fact that many of these skulls contradict the laws of physics, they are also known to have mysterious effects on those around them. The Mitchell-Hedges skull has actually been said to crash nearby computers! Anna Mitchell-Hedges, Albert's daughter, claimed that when she slept near the skull she would dream about ancient Indian civilizations and could describe them in great detail. At the Museum of Man, in London, there's a crystal skull known as the Aztec skull. Apparently, both workers and visitors have claimed that it moves inside its glass case! Workers even asked that it be covered at night because it caused anxiety in the workers. It is no longer on display.

The Edgar Cayce psychic readings explain that to the ancient ones, the human skull represented the perfectly designed structure through which consciousness comes into this world, and through which consciousness reaches into other worlds. (1602-3) These electrically mysterious skulls may have been devices to help humans reach worlds beyond Earth.

Who could have carved crystals without leaving tool marks? How could they shape such perfect reproductions of the human skull when the stone would have cracked if modern methods were applied? How do these stones retain content like a computer hard drive? We are left with a mystery, a mystery that has spawned a new Indiana Jones movie: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

The more we discover of the ancient world, the more mysterious or origins appear.

John Van Auken is a Director at the Association for Research and Enlightenment. He is considered an expert in spirituality, reincarnation, ancient mysteries, and rejuvenation of the body, dream work, meditation, prophecy, mysticism, and Edgar Cayce [http://www.edgarcayce.org] concepts.

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Akashic Record - A Clear Track of All Activities

Among the many interesting paranormal concepts of discussion, there is one that has always been a topic of priority for many - Akashic records. It is basically a theosophical term that refers to a universal recording of filing systems that keeps track of every occurring action, thought or word. The term theosophical basically means or refers to religious philosophy or speculation about the nature of the soul based on mystical insight into the nature of God. The records are said to be filed or impressed upon a subtle substance referred to as the Akasha (otherwise known as Soniferous Ether). According to Hindu mysticism the Akasha is considered to be the nature's primary principle and from which all the other four natural principles namely fire, earth, water and air are said to be created. Also, these five principles are taken as a representation of the five senses belonging to a human being.

According to some, the Akashic collections are similar in nature to a Cosmic (also referred to as a collective) consciousness. Different names are used to refer these records namely 'the Universal Mind', 'the Cosmic Mind', 'the collective subconscious', or the 'collective unconscious'. Others however feel that the Akashic collections enable clairvoyance and also psychic perception.

It is said that the events or content recorded upon the Akasha can be comprehended or read by some in certain particular states of consciousness. These states can be induced or brought about by weakness, drugs, meditation, illness and sleep. This means that not only the mystics, but ordinary persons can and in many cases do perceive or understand the Akashic record. A few mystics claim to have the ability to reanimate or simulate the contents as though they are turning on a celestial TV set. Yogis or Mystics believe that the Akashic records can be well perceived or understood only in certain specific psychic states.

Certain people in their subconscious states do read and perceive the Akashic collections or records. This phenomenon is explained through the fact that Akashic collections are actually the macrocosm of an individual's subconscious mind. They both are very similar in functionality - they collect and possess thoughts that are never forgotten. It is the responsibility of the collective subconscious to gather all the thoughts from each of the subconscious minds which can in turn be read or understood by other subconscious minds.

A well known example who claimed to have successfully read and understood the Akashic records is Edgar Cayce, a late American mystic. Edgar Cayce used to perform his readings in a trance or sleep state. Dr Wesley H. Ketchum used Cayce for several years as an adjunct in his medical practice. He believed that Cayce's subconscious was in a direct contact or communication with all the other subconscious minds and was capable of interpreting and imparting impressions belonging to other subconscious minds. It is also believed that Cayce had well mastered the art of interpreting the total or collective subconscious mind much before Psychiatrist C.J.Lung presented his concept or theory on the collective unconscious.

Abhishek has been practicing Astral Projection and Lucid Dreaming for the last 15 years. He has got some great Astral Projection Techniques up his sleeves! For step-by-step instructions on how to successfully Astral Project, download his exhaustive and powerful eBook, "Astral Projection Underground", from his website AstralProjectNow.com

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Earth Changes - Cyclones, Quakes, Tsunamis

Edgar Cayce's more than fourteen thousand readings contain several that prophesy major physical changes to our planet. And many of these were not the suspected Halaliel readings that some feel may be inaccurate, because they were given around the time that Cayce lost his center, during the Great Depression, and his state of mind was not the best.

Among these so-called earth changes readings are predictions of temperature changes in the deep waters of our planet that will change weather patterns. We now call them El Niño and La Niña, and they have indeed caused serious shifts in the Earth's winds and seas, serious weather changes. These readings also contain a prophesied earthquake under the sea in the Indian Ocean-likely the one we witnessed as the worst tsunami on record, killing coastal people from Indonesia to Africa.

The Japanese researcher Masaru Emoto, author of The Hidden Messages in Water, spoke at an A.R.E. conference recently, revealing how his research with water crystals shows the positive and negative influence of human words and thoughts on water. He said that he believes the waters of the world are reacting to human energy patterns, causing many of these disasters. Cayce would agree; his readings state that sunspots, which affect many of our communications systems, are caused more by human attitudes and emotions than cosmic forces.

Since Edgar Cayce stopped giving readings (August 1944) and passed over to the other realms of life (January 3, 1945), many significant Earth-changing events have occurred, as he predicted. Let's take an updated look at recent disasters.

As of this writing, the most recent major disaster is the earthquake in China's heavily populated Chengdu City, capital of Wenchan County, a high-tech region with much wealth and education. 90 million people live in this area, 9 million in the city. The intense quake was so powerful that it was felt as far away as Beijing, 943 miles to the northeast, and Thai, the capital of Bangkok, 1,118 miles south! It registered 7.8 on the Richter scale, which is the strongest quake in China in thirty years. Deaths are estimated to be in the tens of thousands. One school, holding 900 young students, collapsed, killing nearly all of those inside. Five nearby schools collapsed too, but reports were not available at the time of this writing.

More than 300 aftershocks were registered after the quake, and a Chinese seismologist warned residents in earthquake-affected areas in southwest China of more tremors, which could be just as devastating. "Wenchuan is prone to earthquakes as it is on a major fault line-the south-north fault line that runs from Yunnan to Ningxia," said Zhang Guomin, a research fellow with the China Seismological Bureau.

Another recent disaster is the cyclone on May 6, 2008. U.S. Charge D'Affaires in Yangon (a city in former Burma), Shari Villarosa, said on a conference call, "The information we are receiving indicates over 100,000 deaths" from the cyclone. It ravaged the Irrawaddy delta in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma).

Prior to this cyclone, there was the tsunami that hit December 26, 2004, killing an estimated 283,000! Burma only lost 61 people in that tsunami. Indonesia lost the most people: 230,261. Sri Lanka lost 30,957, and India lost the third most: 16,413. Even the east coast of Africa lost 286 people to this massive wave of water.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake that caused the tsunami measured 9.0 on the Richter scale, making it the largest quake worldwide in four decades.

On May 7, 2008, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake off the Japanese coast rattled Tokyo City. A second quake hit in the same area about half an hour later with a magnitude of 5.3. Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, although Tokyo has not been hit with a major quake since the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, which killed 140,000 people. Japan sits on the junction of five tectonic plates and 80 active volcanoes!

The property damage caused by the 1995 earthquake in Kobe, Japan, reached $150 billion.
October 8, 2005, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake in Pakistan killed 40,000.

The most devastating earthquake following Cayce's passing was the 1976 Tangshan magnitude 8 event in China, whose toll varies between the official 255,000 and the more probable 655,000!

Of course, the earthquake that struck the Chinese city of Shaanzi in 1556 was the deadliest in known history. No magnitudes were captured in those days, and of course no recordings exist, but it is said to have taken the lives of 830,000 people!

An earthquake was responsible for the deadliest landslide this century, which caused 40,000-50,000 deaths in western Iran on June 20, 1990.

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake at Mount Huascaran, Peru, on May 21, 1970, triggered a rock-and-snow avalanche that buried the towns of Yungay and Ranrahirca, killing perhaps as many as 20,000 people.

The most costly landslide in U.S. history was a relatively slow-moving event in Thistle, Utah, in the spring of 1983. The landslide was caused by the wet El Niño winter of 1982-83. Total losses were more than $400 million.

The largest earthquake this century was a magnitude 9.5 event that struck Chile on May 22, 1960. More than 2,000 people were killed in Chile, Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines from this earthquake and the deadly tsunami that the quake created.

The most powerful quake in the U.S., and the second largest in the world this century, was a 9.2 temblor in Alaska, the Good Friday quake of 1964. The ensuing tsunami took 125 lives and caused about $310 million in property loss. The resulting tsunami wiped out an entire village in faraway Hawaii.

The eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, on June 15, 1991, blasted about 1 cubic mile of ash and rock into the atmosphere. Avalanches of hot ash, gas, and fragments of pumice roared down the mountainside, filling valleys with as much as 600 feet of volcanic debris! The deposits will retain much of their heat for decades; even 5 years later they were measured at 900° F. Close cooperation between the U.S.G.S. and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology enabled the eruption to be forecast accurately, saving at least 5,000 lives.

The Nevado del Ruiz volcanic eruption in Colombia in 1985 ended the lives of 25,000 people, most of them caught in a massive mud flow that poured down the stricken mountain, inundating the city of Armero. By comparison, the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980 shattered the peak and sent ash through the air for hundreds of miles, but had few fatalities.

Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast in August 2005; damage estimates from insurance costs alone were $30 billion! It was the most expensive disaster ever to hit the U.S., eclipsing Andrew in 1992, whose property damage was $25 billion.

The great Midwest flood of 1993 was the costliest flood in U.S. history, with estimated damages of $20 billion; however, only around 50 lives were lost.

Bangladesh and China have been devastated repeatedly by floods-Bangladesh lost 300,000 people in November 1970 and more than 130,000 in April 1991 from cyclone-induced flooding, and the massive flooding of the Yangtze River in China in 1931 caused more than 3 million deaths from flooding and subsequent starvation.

Our planet is actively changing. In one reading, Cayce stated that none of the physical devastation he predicted has to happen. The stability of the planet lies in humanity's collective hands. Cayce also confirmed the biblical axiom that 10 good people can save an entire city. This brings to mind an old story told by the editor of Guideposts magazine. He received letters from two different women in a small town in California. Each told him how they were awakened in the dark hours of predawn and powerfully guided by Spirit to go out into the street of their little town and pray. They both did. Around 5 a.m. a powerful earthquake hit their town, destroying the entire downtown area, but not one person was killed or even injured. These two ladies did not know each other, living on opposite corners of the town. In this case the prayers of two save a town.

Rather than get anxious over the world situation and sound-bite political leaders, prayer is a powerful service we can perform for our fellow planet dwellers. Our prayers ascend into the Collective Consciousness and subliminally affect the whole of human consciousness and Nature's sensitive vibrations.

Prayer time is also a wonderful sanctuary from the world's weight. In this inner space of contacting God with love and caring for others, we can find a refuge for our often weary hearts and minds.

Cayce advises, "Why worry when you can pray? He [God] is the Whole, you are a part. Coordinate your abilities with the Whole." (2528-2)

John Van Auken is a Director at the Association for Research and Enlightenment. He is considered an expert in spirituality [http://edgarcayce.org/personalspirituality/], reincarnation, ancient mysteries, and rejuvenation of the body, dream work, meditation, prophecy, mysticism, and Edgar Cayce [http://www.edgarcayce.org] concepts.

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The Edgar Cayce Readings Approach to Dreams

Although it is true that many of us do not make a conscious effort to remember our dreams, everyone dreams. During the early part of this century, while psychologists such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung were demonstrating the clinical importance of dreams, Edgar Cayce was providing average individuals with guidelines for working with what has become one of the most practical approaches to dreams. Hundreds of Cayce's readings deal with the subject of dreams and dream interpretation. Perhaps the most important insights gained from the wealth of this material is the fact that each of us is aware of much more-about ourselves, our physical bodies, our surroundings, even our lifestyles-at subconscious levels than we realize when we are awake.

In the dream state we open our minds to many different levels of our own unconscious. Not only are all of our previous conscious experiences stored there, but it is also the storehouse of resources which rarely come to conscious awareness. The subconscious has remarkable talents for finding solutions to problems. It houses all of our wishes, hopes, and memories of past experiences, and can also assist us with self-examination, providing practical guidance for any question. It even makes it possible for us to have psychic experiences.

Dreams can diagnose the causes of our physical ailments, point out the thoughts and emotions that we've tried to overlook, and often make suggestions for improving our relationships with others. While dreaming, we can gain awareness about our entire being: physically, mentally, and spiritually.

It was Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and contemporary of Edgar Cayce's, who found convincing evidence for a deep level to the unconscious mind. This profound depth, Jung felt, came from a genuine spiritual reality that hadn't been acknowledged by Freud. Jung called this level the "collective unconscious." Here all minds could communicate through the use of universal symbols - images which seem to have a common meaning among people all over the world. For example, a symbol such as a lion or a great cat has a universal or archetypal meaning of power and vitality. Birds frequently symbolize various kinds of love or concern; water is often suggestive of the Spirit itself. An old woman or an old man or a grandfatherly figure can symbolize our own "Higher Self' or our own internal wisdom. Myths or fairy tales often have similarities among cultures, and these similarities are shown through their universal symbols and themes. Sometimes our own dreams may contain these kinds of symbols.

Of course, not all the symbols and Images in our dreams represent the universal or archetypal. Many, if not most, are best interpreted by discovering the personal associations one has with that person or object. The dream symbol of a rifle, for example, would likely mean one thing to a gunsmith and something quite different to a victim of war.

There is really no such thing as a 'bad" dream because all dreams have the potential of helping the dreamer. Dreams of disastrous events may simply be advice to us to change our diets or our attitudes, or they may be emotional releases from the various situations In our lives. They can become invaluable tools in instruction and guidance if we would only begin to work with them.

For example, one person who dreamed of a headless man in uniform was told in his Cayce reading that instead of losing his head over his duties by following the letter of the law and getting too caught up in his job, there was a greater lesson to be learned by following the spirit. A person who dreamed of a wild man running through the streets, shouting, and causing a great deal of trouble was told that the dream was advice for him to control his temper. One woman dreamed that a friend of hers was speaking to her. She noticed that the woman had beautiful false teeth of different shapes - but every other tooth had the appearance of pure gold. She was told that the gold teeth represented the spiritual truths of which she herself was often speaking, but they were false because she hadn't applied in her own life what she had been preaching. Another woman dreamed that her mother-who had died-was alive and happy. Cayce assured her that she was not trying to fool herself, that her mother was indeed alive and happy: "... for there is no death, only the transition from the physical to the spiritual plane." (136-33)

In trying to arrive at a dream interpretation, one possibility to consider is that the dream is largely literal. For example, seeing ourselves eat a salad in a dream may indicate the need for change in our diets to incorporate more salads. We may dream of someone we have not seen or heard from in a very long while, and then meet that person a short time later. In other cases, the action may be more symbolic of what is happening in waking life. Dreaming about different roomswhich we haven't yet explored could be pointing to the unopened doors of our own personality. A car often symbolizes our physical body and the need to make a change or correct a physical condition.

On the other hand, dreams of birth and death are often more symbolic, as they point to new beginnings and perhaps the end of doing something the old way.

In other words a dream "death" is often the death of a part of our personality. For example, a woman who dreams of attending the funeral of her minister's wife may be allowing the spiritual aspects of her own life to be overlooked or "laid to rest." Dreams of being pregnant or taking care of a small child who really doesn't exist in the waking state isn't necessarily a prediction. The dream could merely be pointing out a new condition which will be coming our way or a new idea to which we will soon give birth.

When dreams give guidance or seem to pass judgments, it is usually in response to values and ideals we have previously set for ourselves. Most dreams can be seen as a kind of comparison (Cayce used the word "correlation"). While we sleep, a comparison is made between recent actions and the inner values we hold. For example, one woman was advised for health reasons to avoid eating chocolate, and yet she continued to eat it anyway. She had a dream in which she was crossing the border into Mexico illegally for the purpose of buying chocolate. Obviously, she would be the best one to determine that her dream was simply pointing out she was doing something she had been told not to do; at one level, she knew it was "illegal."

Scientific studies have shown that each of us dreams, but not all of us remember. If we'd like to try working with our dreams, we need to begin by keeping a note pad by the bedside so that we can jot down whatever we remember immediately after waking up-even if it's only a feeling. If we get enough sleep, if we expect to start remembering our dreams, and if we make an effort to record whatever is on our minds when we first wake up, we should be able to start remembering our dreams in a relatively short period of time. As we look at what's going on in our lives and then look at a particular dream, we'll begin to have an idea of what individual symbols may mean to us-especially if the symbol repeats itself in later dreams. The symbol won't necessarily mean the same to us as to someone else because dreams are as individual as dreamers.

There is a simple five-step approach to working with dreams that even the novice can begin using immediately: Write down your dreams each day. Begin by realizing that the feeling you had about the dream is at least as important as trying to come up with one interpretation; besides, because of the multiple levels of our own beings, dreams generally have more than one meaning. Remember that-for the most part-every character in the dream represents a part of yourself. Watch the actions, feelings, expressions, and conversations of these characters in your dreams and measure them against the activities in your waking life.

Watch for reoccurring symbols, characters, and emotions in your dreams, and begin a personal "dream dictionary" of these symbols and what their importance is to you.

When working with dreams, remember, first of all, that your dreams can be extremely helpful even if you don't recognize immediately what they mean; and, secondly, remember to practice, practice, practice!

Essentially the purpose of dreams is to make us more consciously aware of what we are going through in our lives based on our thoughts, feelings, and actions. They can show us the desires that are motivating us and help us sense the needs of our bodies. They can provide insights for living life more creatively and assist us in making important decisions based on what we already know at a conscious level. For example, dreams may give us guidance on helping to heal a relationship, but only if we've already tried to do the best we can with that person. When we set our sights and make the decisions that are called for, then they will aid us by bringing life into clearer focus. Working with our dreams can be like speaking with a trusted friend who knows everything about us and is just there for us to discuss what's going on in our lives. Most of the time, the friend will just listen, but in the listening we can begin to find answers within our own self. The answers have been there all the time; we just never knew how to look for them.

Kevin Todeschi [http://www.edgarcayce.org] is the Executive Director and CEO of Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment [http://www.edgarcayce.org], overseeing activities of the Cayce work worldwide. A prolific writer, he is the author of twenty books, including Edgar Cayce on the Akashic Records, Edgar Cayce on Soul Mates, and Family Karma: The Hidden Ties that Bind.

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Edgar Cayce on Soul Mates

Almost every person feels a longing for companionship. At times we may understand this desire as a directive toward union with God, and at other times, as a desire for union with another person.

Two ideas come together in the material from the Edgar Cayce readings concerning the choice of a companion-particularly a life partner. First is the principle that we are here in the earth for the purpose of growth and development in consciousness. What is more, associations with some individuals are more conducive to growth than associations with others; therefore, it is prudent to choose carefully our companions. This principle is probably easy for us to accept if we merely reflect on the types of influence various friends and acquaintances have had on us in the past. The impact is most powerful in a marriage relationship, and a good union should be founded upon a shared purpose in life and the capacity to help each other to grow.

The second principle relates to reincarnation: We as spiritual beings (or souls) experience our growth in consciousness through a series of lifetimes in physical human form. In other words, we have been in the earth many times before, and more specifically have had close personal relationships with particular souls. Attraction to another person and thoughts of marriage could very likely be related to memory patterns (even subconscious memories!) of having been with that soul in the distant past. In the readings, Cayce suggested that, often, we are attracted to a particular person for marriage in this lifetime because of such a relationship at least once before.

But if reincarnation is a fact, we might expect that we have been married to many souls in the course of other incarnations. Which one of these partnerships is the best one to build upon now, in this life? Does each person have exactly one other special soul that it is meant to be with whenever possible?

Many sources of psychic information and other metaphysical teachings have proposed concepts such as "soul mate" and "twin soul." The Cayce readings, although simultaneously raising some provocative questions, do shed some light on this topic.

In the beginning, as was outlined, there was presented that that became as the Sons of God, in that male and female were as one... Reading 364-7

A fundamental issue is the very nature of the soul. Is it male or female? Both or neither? The readings propose that the soul itself does not have gender.

However, in order to learn and grow, a soul enters into the physical domain (which is characterized by such polarities as light/dark, positive/negative, thinking/feeling, etc.) and chooses to incarnate in a male or female expression. Likely, in the long-range growth of the soul over many incarnations, male and female experiences are needed. In selecting one gender over the other in a particular lifetime, a condition is usually created in which a balance or complement is needed, such as can be found in a marriage companion. This is not to say that important spiritual growth is impossible during a life without marriage; rather, the marriage relationship is one great avenue for development.

Perhaps this pattern of growth has not always been the usual way. Some readings suggest that in ancient prehistory, such as the times of Atlantis more than 12,000 years ago, a soul could incarnate in such a way that male and female qualities were manifested simultaneously. It is not clear what form the physical body took in these cases. One person was told in a reading about an Atlantean incarnation: "for then both male and female might be-desired so-in one." (288-27)

What, then, is a soul mate? Is it the soul that one has married in the most incarnations? Frequency of marriage may be one factor because, according to Cayce, status as soul mates is built by shared physical experiences over a long period. However, a more precise understanding is this: A soul mate is a complement to oneself. One reading poetically describes it as "the tongue to the groove, the tenon to the mortise..." (1556-2) It is more than merely a physical attraction; it is a capacity to help each other at the physical, mental, and spiritual levels.

Another interpretation of the term "soul mates" was offered by Hugh Lynn Cayce, who was present for a number of the readings his father gave on this subject. He wrote: "The idea of soul mates and affinities is closely related to the theory of reincarnation as explained through the Edgar Cayce readings. Two souls may, in a number of incarnations, grow very close together in their pattern of spiritual evolution. These souls will need the help and assistance of each other as they evolve and hence, in any one incarnation, will be drawn closely together because of their many past associations and the intricate entwining of their respective personalities."

Status as soul mates is also a matter of ideals. One important passage stated: "Such as have in an experience found an ideal may be said to be soul mates, and no marriages [are] made in heaven nor by the Father save as each do His biddings." (275-38)

These criteria suggest that one could have more than a solitary soul mate, although such a fact is not explicitly spelled out in any Cayce reading. However, we should, no doubt, be cautious about leaving a current marriage partner merely because of an attraction to someone else. In all likelihood, the very same problems and "opportunities" we are currently facing would be the same regardless of which partner we have in our lives-in relationships we most often come to terms with those things we need to work on in ourselves, even though we might sometimes think of our partner as being the source of our frustration. Those who come across the idea of soul mates after having already married can still rest assured that their partner is, in fact, a "soul mate."

For those who are single and who would like to find their soul mate, what do the Cayce readings have to offer?

First, they suggest choosing someone who will help you to a "more helpful, more sustaining, more the well-rounded life..." (364-7) In modern language, we might say that we are looking for someone who has the "right vibrations" for us. In fact, this is a phrase used in the readings in describing the kind of experience that might be felt between soul mates: "with the union of two that vibrate or respond to those vibrations in self..." (364-7) Together, the two would assist one another in finding a balanced life.

But even if we find someone who fits these criteria-someone who is perhaps a soul mate-this does not guarantee a good marriage. The two will still have to work together in order for the great potential of the relationship to flower. This is what the readings seemed to suggest in the following question-and-answer exchange. We might assume that the question, in effect, asked whether or not these two people were soul mates.

Q. Is this girl the type and quality of womanhood best suited to this man for a successful life? A. May be made so in each. No one is suited exactly in the beginning, unless it has been fore-ordained through the ages of the mating of each. (Reading 257-15)

The final statement is not clearly explained. We might understand "fore-ordained" to include a choice made by the two souls before being born this time, or it may relate to very strong bonds built over many lifetimes of being married (i.e., "the mating of each").

A concept similar to that of soul mates is "twin souls." When Cayce used this term in the readings, he did not mean to imply that two souls were identical. Instead, it is two souls sharing a common purpose or ideal. They would not necessarily have had previous marriage incarnations. In other words, the soul-mate condition is largely built in the material plane of experience (although, as previously mentioned, it has mental and spiritual components beyond just attraction). However, the twin-soul condition evolves more from a commonality in the nonmaterial realm-at the idea or ideal level.

One example of twin souls, according to the Cayce readings, is Jesus and His mother, Mary. One reading states: "In the beginning Mary was the twin-soul of the Master in the entrance into the earth!" (5749-8)

Finally, we might ask ourselves, "Where does this subject of soul mates and twin souls lead us? Is our destiny to find and be reunited with some other special soul?" Such is not the point of view in the Cayce material. They refer to Jesus' teaching that, in the heavenly kingdom, we are neither married nor given in marriage. As helpful as marriage relationships may be in the earth, beyond this material domain, it is our destiny to find wholeness within our own souls. If one must think in terms of being destined to ultimate union with some other soul, then think of that other soul as the Christ Soul. One reading made the point this way: "But know, the soul is rather the soul-mate of the universal consciousness than of an individual entity." (2988-2)

The principle of soul mates and twin souls are, therefore, potentially both helpful and misleading. These concepts can help us understand some of the key factors in making a wise choice of a marriage partner and can remind us that some relationships are tremendous storehouses of love and helpfulness which can be reawakened. However, these concepts can be misleading if we forget that our ultimate companion is the Christ, or if we are tempted to leave the responsibilities of relationships to which we have already committed ourselves in this lifetime.

Kevin Todeschi [http://www.edgarcayce.org] is the Executive Director and CEO of Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment [http://www.edgarcayce.org], overseeing activities of the Cayce work worldwide. A prolific writer, he is the author of twenty books, including Edgar Cayce on the Akashic Records, Edgar Cayce on Soul Mates, and Family Karma: The Hidden Ties that Bind.

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