On Love by Janice Markowitz

If you have to think about whether you love someone or not then the answer is no. When you love someone you just know.”
Janice Markowitz

HEPHAISTOS

ORIGIN Greco-Roman, perhaps preceded by Etruscan. God of fire and smithies.

KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP circa 1500 BC until Christianization (circa AD 400).

SYNONYMS Hephaestus (Roman).

CENTER(S) OF CULT sanctuaries on Lemnos and, from circa 450 BC, in Athens opposite the Acropolis on the hill above the Agora. Also a significant shrine at Ephesus.

HERAKLES (the fame of Hera?)

ORIGIN Greek. Heroic god.

KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP circa 800 BC, but probably originating from a prehistoric model, until Christianization (circa AD 400).

SYNONYMS Heracles (Roman).

CENTER(S) OF CULT none specific.

GEB (earth)

ORIGIN Egyptian. Chthonic or earth god.

KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP Old Kingdom (circa 2600 BC) to end of Egyptian history (circa AD 400).

SYNONYMS Seb (erroneous).

DIONYSOS

ORIGIN Greek. God of wine and intoxication.

KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP from circa 1500 BC and probably earlier through to Christianization circa AD 400.

SYNONYMS Deunysos; Zonnysos; LIBER, BACCHUS(Roman).

Sacred Dying – Embracing The End Of Life

Having experienced the loss of family members from an early age has been the result of me adapting my way of thinking regarding living and dying; there is really no difference between birth and death, as both are equally sacred moments of the soul and facts of life. Sometime or the other we are all going to die.

 
Death is simply an end to the physical body, as the soul prepares its transition back into the spiritual realm. Nobody dies a moment before their time and nobody lives a moment after their time has come to make this great transition. None of us want to die; we want to live longer because that is what we know – the fight or flight for survival is in our primitive brain.

 
It is pointless to desire an extended life because it is all there – past, present and future, happening right now as we stay focused in the present moment. Having lived the past 15 years or so removed from traditional spiritual teaching and embracing the more holistic approach to life and death, has assisted me in understanding death with ease.

 
The many books I have read on the subject of death and dying, as well as the volunteer work with CANSA, serving the terminal patients who had been sent home to die, I was blessed in that I learnt much from both the patient and their families during this time, as they were trying to cope with impending death and finally the grieving stage of a loved one.

 
As a holistic practitioner since 2005, I promote the holistic and palliative approach to death. The imminent death of a patient, whether it is that of a family member or a client, is a sacred moment. There is no better way to show your love than just to be there for the dying person, assuring them that they will not die alone.

 
There is nothing fearful about death or dying. For both the dying and the living to partake in this very sacred time of transition, is a final gift of love to sit vigil at the deathbed.

 
Many years of learning about holistic care has led me to a place of sharing my knowledge with you. As Ramm Dass once said “If you are going to die, the best way to prepare is to quiet the mind and open the heart. If you are going to live, the best way to prepare is to quiet the mind and open the heart”. May we that are called to serve the dying, practice quieting the mind as we open our heart to serve those that are facing death, and share love and compassion to those that are left behind to mourn the passing of their loved one.

 

In loving service,
Mona Minnaar (SNHS/RHASA/CEOLD) 

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Swan Circle

Roodepoort, Gauteng

Psychic Self Defence

by Craig B March 19, 2001

” As great scientists have said and as all children know, it is above all by the imagination that we achieve perception, and compassion, and hope.”
— Ursula K. LeGuin

Befriending the Dragon

There is only one way to befriend the dragon… You MUST be fearlessly honest.

Many of us cannot be honest with ourselves concerning our mistakes, failures and shortcomings. If this is you, STOP NOW! Dragons already know, or sense, the truth, for they can see into your darkest soul. They will tolerate no trickery, nor deceit from the mortals who would call them. If you have problems admitting your failures, mistakes, or shortcomings, and wish to correct this, I would suggest “reflective therapy, which is described below…”

Untangling Spell

by: Cerridwen Iris Shea

Get nine ribbons, cords, or lengths of yarn, each in a different color. Place them on a cloth and mix them up. Take a deep breath and say:

“Lachesis, Clotho, Atropos, Fates Three,

Help me to unravel this mystery.

As I organize these strands in a row,

May my life make sense to know.”

A TEXT FROM LONGCHENPA

Dzogchen Way of Living

Know the state of pure and total presence to be a vast expanse without center or border.
It is everywhere the same, without acceptance or rejection.
Blend the nature of mind and its habit patterns into non-duality.
Because entities, whether subjectively conceived or directly experienced,
Are present as ornaments of one’s own state of being,
Do not accept or reject them.
And, Because they are not divided into self and other,
The apparitional, spontaneously present objects are the play of pure experience.