BRDNSKY

A while ago, I inherited a deck of Sacred Geometry from Rev. Dan Kivel.  Some of you may remember is contributions to Bridging the Gap and Xolton's Gnostic Thread.  Recently, I have been using them and have found them to an excellent tool.  Let's see how you like them.

22 Alternation: Approach

With this card, your designs or plans are moving toward their final phase. However, minor adjustments may be in order if you want to maintain integrity.

The end is in sight, but you will not be coasting. There is more work to be done. Be patient and learn from past mistakes.

7 the Vesica Piscis: Union

The design you have set in motion is bearing fruit, despite the needed adjustments. Whom ever is involved in your plans is a participant and may be working toward the same goals. In order to maintain the integrity of all parties, you must be honest and open to give.

21 Gnomonic Expansion: Expansion

The ability to extend your desires to a larger scale exists.

Try not to get caught up in the details, for this can lead to isolation. At the same time, try not to lose sight of what is being accomplished. The steps that lead you to expand your dream are a necessary part of the whole.

I often read articles and stories where the authors describe life as being filled with stress, tension, and everything else that can create difficulties. The idea works great for stories because you need an antagonist to create struggles. After all, that is the purpose of drama. However, this may leave you with the impression that life is one big struggle with reprieves being added as spice. I want to tell you that life is not about struggle. Life is about participation.

The way I particpate in Life determines whether it will be filled with joy, drudgery, or a mixture of the two. What determines the blend is how I choose to percieve the events around me and those involved. After all, while you may be a part of my particular version of life, you do not dictate my experience. In the same fashion, I do not decide if your experience with me is an excellent one or an ignoble one. Each of us plays a supporting role in the lives of others. We are the main characters in our documtentary, and we have the ability to portray that in a variety of meaningful ways. Most of the time we are caught up in the expectations of others or the culture we identify with, and for many of us that is Western culture.

Western culture is not a bad lifestyle, if we remember its flaws. I don't have to describe them to you, because they are already familiar. While reading Lynne McTaggert's, The Bond: Connecting Through the Space Between Us (2011), I came across a part where Americans were said to be miserable. Well, the only reason I can think of for a description like this would be that many of us forget to do something that is vitally important to our well-being: play. This can also be called 'me-time.'

When I think of playtime, I usually associate it with kids. Have you noticed how resilient kids are? They are more than just survivors; they are teachers for adults who feel that they must put away childish things. Children have a tendency to take what troubles them and turn it into a game. These games help them work out whatever may be troubling them. They do this through role-playing. Being adults, we may find this a bit awkward, but if we pay attention, we will find ourselves playing roles that help us to express our feelings. Being connected to our authentic-self or higher self is more important today than it ever was.

Many of your are familiar with the changing energy of the planet and the surrounding cosmos. For those of us who are out of sync with whom we are, this is creating havoc with our lives. Familiar patterns are being uprooted and replaced with those that are more in tune with our beliefs. Part of the way of getting in tune is through play.

I encourage you to make a play-date with friends, yourself, or just spend some time in the company of strangers. You don't have to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. Even if you decide to spend the evening curled up with a good book, a friend, or a canvas. Just take time to unplug yourself from the complexities of the life you have created.

This week, we are graced by the Knight of Swords. Often, this card is a warning about moving too fast. However, this time we should be ready to act quickly. This is a time to trust your intuition.

For those of you who check in from time to time, I experience these messages at some point during the week. Sometimes they reveal themselves more than once.

You have survived the ordeal of last week, or even a reprieve from last week's experiences. We are shown the Queen of Swords. In the one hand is a sword pointed downwards, and in the other is the head of her enemy. In some ways, she is a personification of Justice. I would like to say that she represents victory, but I get the impression that she is directing our attention to more mundane details. Therefore, pay attention to the little things in life. They will shape the larger picture.

We are born to fail. I know. This sounds cold and harsh, but it is true. We come into life with the power of a god. Within our small bodies lie immense potential and abilities that are beyond the comprehension of mere mortals. Right now, this may sound like some novel of incredible fiction. Tomorrow, this will be a historical novel of creative non-fiction.

Beliefs, ideas, and theories held dear to us may be riddled with tiny flaws or even gaping holes. However, for us, they are what keep us sane. Hard to believe that what may be filled with contradictions can be so important. What makes this concept even more bizarre is that life is also filled with contradiction. The same flaw exists within the many interpretations of religious doctrine. The more popular source of these inconsistencies lies within the Bible. Why is that? Well, it could be that nobody takes credit for the existence the Bible or even his or her own lives. The concept of the Bible being the word of God is at once a folly and profound universal truth. The lives we lead are the same; they are crazy and genuine masterpieces at the same time.

Bruce Lipton, in his Spontaneous Evolution (2009), writes that you began your life by feeding on junk. He’s not talking about physical sustenance. The existence we enter begins to take shape while moving about in the womb. The food that gives you sustenance is not just physical nourishment; it is also mental and emotional.

Recently, I heard a story about my 18-month-old nephew’s discovery of sound under water. Immediately, I chuckled. He had remembered something most adults forget. Life began in the water, whether it was in the oceans or our mother’s womb. This is the negative part of our lives. Negative, in this respect is something that is harmful rather it is before birth. Birth is the starting point for life on this plane, on the Earth, or as a material being. More to the point, it is our birth date. Thus, anytime before hand is negative time. Of course, if we were to celebrate the day of conception life would be confusing and straightforward. There’s that pesky ambiguity again.

Existence is not the paradox here. The paradox is the existence that we create. While in the womb, we are at a negative in time. Yet, our life-long education has begun. While we are floating about in the womb, we are receiving information through the emotions of others. Our mothers communicate their joy, anger, indifference, etc. to us directly. The rest of the family, including our fathers, influences us indirectly. This is unconditional support. Unconditional because free will does not enter the picture until birth, up to that point, we are sponges soaking up anything that gets through our watery buffer. As we bathe in this physical form of consciousness, we garner their assistance. In the negative life, this is much easier to do than it is when we get out. I find this to be extremely amusing because many of us spend a great deal of time trying to get back in. While in our watery playground, we are completely dependent on someone else. Think about this. When was the last time you were so dependent on another person, and liked it?

That symbiotic relationship ends rather abruptly. As soon as we voice our need, the relationship shifts. We are still dependent on our mother, but are our mother and those in her circle as anxious about seeing to our needs? From that first breath, unconditional love, support, or any other label you use, shifts to a state of conditions. As babes, we have a cry for hunger, a cry for cuddling, a cry for just about any need that we have. We have no choice in the matter. Crying is how we communicate. At birth, we have one thing on our mind, survival. Feed us, hold us, cow-tow to us, and we will be nice. We unknowingly have instigated a relationship based on supply and demand. At this point, our immense potential and abilities go down the tubes.

The first time a parent complains about their child, a seed is planted. At the same time, a seed is planted the first time a parent expresses love. Both kinds of seeds are planted and nurtured throughout the life of that child.

As parents, the seed we nurture most determines a large part of the path that awaits each child. I have planted similar seeds myself. At the same time, parents play a role in the lives of their children for a long time. We also have opportunities to weed out the seeds our children do not need. I’m talking about expressing their greatness, abilities, the joy of being a part of the formation of that. We need to weed out criticism, disappointment, and anything else that destroys the potential that lies within them.

As adults, we have the opportunity to strike out on our own and shape the rest of our journey. Our priority should be, rediscovering that immense potential and hidden abilities that lie within. We need not stand alone and stake our claims. Together, we form a gestalt, because together we form the whole of the god that lies within. That is the ability to snatch defeat from failure and position ourselves to succeed.

Walking our paths alone, we become vulnerable to physical, mental, and emotional disease. By forming alliances, groups, friendship, and more, we strengthen our mind, body, and emotional well-being. Together, we broaden the path, fill our journey with joy, and become positive influences upon those behind us.

This year has been expounded up for the last five years or so, which means there is little that I will add.

From a numerology perspective, the coming year will be about power. Remember, power is the ability to influence. Many of you will have issues about personal power, the surrendering of power, misuse of power, and so on. Try to remember, while the power we wield is our responsibility, so is the effects it has upon others. Along with many of you, I will be learning to use my power in a manner that is beneficial to myself and others. To do no harm is true living. To do as little as possible is living in aspirations.

The year 2012 will bring new beginnings for many. These opportunities will be filled with wealth. Keep in mind that wealth is not limited to financial gain, but includes gains in knowledge, wisdom, health, opportunities and the like.

We will have difficulties adjusting to the changes that are forth coming. Some of our decisions will be considered poor choices. This is due in part to missing our goals. Try not to lose confidence in yourself. I have heard energy workers say that people are leaving because they cannot adjust to the energy. If this is true, then an increase in departures may start in the first quarter.

The economy will continue to slip during the first quarter. However, it will make another run up during the middle of the second quarter. This type of up-down confusion will continue throughout most of the year.

On a personal note, be ready for the news. In April, your situations may begin to shift. If this is the case, be ready to take advantage of the momentum. You will not be riding the wave; you will be generating the wave. If you do this, May will be encouraging. This does not mean that you can rest on your laurels. In June, you will be tested. Those with strong discipline will fare much better than those who do not.

July will be filled with confusion, because many will be trading places. It is as though some sort of natural disaster will be of great concern to many, and this will carry over into August.

September is when people will really want to know what is going on. Many will be disturbed by the news they are receiving. This news is not limited to the media coverage. People will have dreams, premonitions, visions, and the like. Be careful that the mediums and psychics do not take advantage of you because of this. Even this can be suspect.

October will be a time of passions. This will be a trial for some and a boon for others. Whatever your disposition is, it will be revealed during this period and will increase. November will see an increase in unusual events and circumstances.

December will be similar to the December that has passed. It will be a time of letting go as we prepare of the new year.

Just a note before you begin.  My last posting was incorrect.  The topic was not to be watchful for what might slip away, but for what you should allow to slip away.

We leave 2011 behind and enter this new year with a bit of confusion, questions, and maybe doubt. The Star graces us with her presence. However, she is reversed. For some, this may indicate a time of despair, being overwhelmed, or similar circumstances. So, steel yourself against this sudden change. This is only how events may appear. If you persevere and look closely, you find that this is an opportune time to start a new project, on a new direction on your path, or anything else that offers opportunity.

Experience this moment of confusion, but do not get caught up in it. If you do, then you will experience difficulties. If you release this feeling of worry and panic, you will have begun something new because the Star is followed by the Empress. So, get at it. I am confident you will succeed.

The week of Christmas, that ole pagan holiday sees us with the Queen of Disks. Disks, or coins are the suit of wealth. However, I wonder what wealth lies here. The ram stands guard for her majesty. Old Egyptian lore has the ram as a stealer of power.

Her crown bears the double helix of creation, and she bears what may be a sphere or a shield. The object bears many interconnected circles. Circles are a sign of completion. They are also the second symbol of creation. First, there is the point and then the point within the sphere. The second creation, according to Gnostic tradition is Sophia, or wisdom. As a globe, she holds all that is for it is the totality of all.

Lastly, our queen is looking away from us. Is she gazing into the past or the future? Has she rescued something from yesterday to carry with her into tomorrow?

As we prepare for our celebrations, be watchful of that which may slip away or be taken away and carried off for another time.

This is the last installment regarding 'Being Passionate about Nothing."

Volunteering is generally seen as being one sided. This is because people who volunteer often mask their generous activities with altruism, which is great, but is it a win-win situation? I used to do things for others just to be doing them. However, when I discovered the appreciation of those receiving the benefits, I stopped. Why, because they came to expect me to do for them. When I gave them money, so they could get food, they bought beer and cigarettes. Afterwards, I began paying attention to those receiving social assistance and was appalled. Many of those receiving assistance did not appreciate it. If the people reaping these rewards did, would they continue to waste what was provided for them? Their activities became a scam to defraud you of what was valuable to them. You are not the first one to help him or her out, but they could be the last one you help out.

Many of those who seek to deceive others are individuals who expect, if not demand services that are free of charge. Some even hold the belief that they are entitled to services despite having no vested interest. If it is free, then they deserve it. Let me ask you this, are you valuable? Those who believe themselves to be valuable are more likely to seek out those services that reinforce their beliefs. We already know what those who do not find themselves valuable do.

I want to give it back to you

People also volunteer out of some sense of obligation. They may say that it is the Christian thing to do, they may be court-ordered, or they are attempting to ease their conscience. These reasons are all self-imposed and are, in reality, an excuse designed to serve a hidden agenda. According to Ruiz and Tanaka (2001) in their article, ‘The Relationship between Cognitive Dissonance and Helping Behavior’ (Japanese Psychological Research, 43 (2) 55) found that people are more likely to offer assistance after some sort of wrongdoing.

Rabbi David Cooper, in his ‘The Mystical Kabbalah (1994)’ tells the story of two people who give money to a beggar. The first had already given what his religious doctrine had required. Yet, he gave more to the beggar. The second person had not fulfilled his doctrine’s obligation, so he gave to the beggar in order to fulfill his obligation. Of the two, whose action was more rewarding? Most would say the first gentleman because he gave more than what was required, and they would be wrong. Although the second person gave because his doctrine required him to do so, the act was an affirmation of his beliefs.

To some, the idea of giving more than is required is an indication of vanity or narcissism. In other words, they would be considered to be showing off. When you are ‘showing off’ you are asserting your expectation of some sort of reward. If someone gives their time or money with some expectations, the person is not doing so for the person on the receiving end. Subsequently, there is no value in the act.

The Bhagavad Gita (Stephen Mitchell, 2000) tells us to act without attachment to the outcome, for actions such as these are acts of worship. No, this is not an exercise in religion, but an experience of belief, which brings satisfaction. While working at the soup kitchen may give you insight, but if you do not wish to be there, you have gained nothing.

Did you catch the phrase, ‘mask their generous activities with altruism?’ More people use this ploy as a means to get to heaven, paradise, or clear a conscience then you would suspect. Atonement serves nobody but you. So, let’s be frank. If you are one of those who are seeking atonement, seek it from the one you wronged. Don’t drag someone else into it. Self-penance makes a good movie, storyline, or even a pick-up line, but an empty gesture is an empty gesture. If you are one of those, then be honest with yourself, and if asked, be honest with them. I am not saying that altruism is a bad thing. I am just saying don’t fool yourself into believing something else.

Anything that does not bring satisfaction is wasteful. When you become satisfied, the unique self is in alignment with your projected self. The projected self is what you choose to show others. Often, the two are in conflict. This comes about through desire, which is an imagined need. While providing service to others, the difference between needs and desired needs are revealed. Once you have learned to discern which is which, the ability to become satisfied is simplified. The profoundness of the effects has such a calming effect, that others will not know you from the person you were before.

We begin December with the Death card. Of course, we know that death is merely the change called life. An interesting play on words, don't you think? The creative energy that filled autumn may be coming to a sudden halt. If your creativity seems to have vanished, don't worry. Just take time to recover and recuperate. Then next roller-coaster ride will be here soon enough.

Two things pop out of our mysterious card. The first, is the strings that appear to be a web of complexity. This reminds me of Piers Anthony's destiny series. One of the books was about Fate, a goddess who weaves the lives of us mortals. Cutting a string, ended a life. In this instance, I believe the web is more in line with the actual seasons. Some of the strings appear to be tangled, so there is some of the unknown that we will have to deal with.

The other image that stands out are the souls that dwell in Hades. According to Rudolph Steiner, there is the duration between one life and the next. That is the period we are entering. The duration as the earth shifts from one level of consciousness to the next. This could be seasonal, or this could be more in line with the coming events, or should I say activities.

I have read in more than one place, where the earth shifts into a higher conscious. If we were given to animism, we would be shifting right along with her. Alas, we are not. We have given ourselves to belief systems that have separated us from creation and the earth. What does that mean? It means that our evolution has been slowed. Some of us are crawling, while others are racing ahead. Still, forward we must go despite our fears.

Just where do you fit in this web of woven threads?