April 2004 Alignments Newsletter http://ezezine.com April 2004 Alignments Newsletter We are entering a high holy season in both Western and Eastern traditions as the Great Spring Festivals begin this month. In April and May, we will also experience an eclipse series culminating in a Lunar Eclipse on the Wesak Full Moon on May 4 These planetary alignments present opportunities for quantum growth, change and ascension to higher consciousness. Please feel free to pass this newsletter along to others who share our ideals and commitment to world peace through inner peace. Namaste. In this issue... 1) Cycles of Initiation 2) April Planetary Alignments Update 3) Lightbody Update 4) Introducing the Star Path Newsletter 5) Readings for the Heart & Soul --------------------------------------------------- Cycles of Initiation by Allison Rae --------------------------------------------------- “May we be among those who are to bring about the Transfiguration of the Earth.” - Zoroastrian Prayer "What matters is your heart." - Edwin McCain This spring, special planetary alignments will help us access the Buddha and Christ within. The Great Spring Festivals -- the Full Moons in Aries (April 5), Taurus (May 4), and Gemini (June 2) - are upon us. The Festival of Easter (April 11) celebrates the Transfiguration of the Christ. As the Sun enters Taurus (April 19), there will be a partial Solar Eclipse. And, in a rare synchronicity, a total Lunar Eclipse coincides with the Wesak Full Moon (May 4) for the second year in a row. Through these gateways, we, too, may become transfigured, enlightened and reborn into higher consciousness. Wesak is a holy day in the ancient tradition of Tibet. It is the festival celebrating the life, death and enlightenment of the Buddha. Wesak is also referenced frequently in esoteric literature as a time when the Masters focus energy upon the Earth via the gateway of Shambala. It is said that the Wesak alignment is a bridge between Heaven and Earth, a time when the Buddha and Christ energies are especially accessible to humanity. Wesak falls on the Full Moon during Taurus. On this year's Wesak Full Moon, we will also experience a Lunar Eclipse. The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse alignment is a special time of healing and illumination of what has been held deeply in the unconscious. On May 4, the Buddha energy of compassion and enlightenment combines with the accelerated healing energy of the Lunar Eclipse. Our gift to humanity, the Earth and the cosmos is our conscious participation in this special alignment. In 1966, the Lama Govinda poetically described Wesak in the Himalayas: "On this night a wondrous sight is seen by those who are present. The Full Moon rises like a fiery dome over the icy crests of Kailash...Heaven and Earth are connected...projecting a flood of light into the world of man. The Enlightened Ones and their retinue are believe to descend on the rays of the moon...to bless the faithful by their luminous presence. It is like a rite of transcendental communion...a truly universal Mass..." In the ancient practice of Tibetan Astrology, all New and Full Moons are honored as holy days called lunar gaps. They are times of increased communication between realms, so they are observed by practicing retreat and meditation. Eclipses are especially powerful New and Full Moon alignments that shift the Earth’s electromagnetic field and “electrify” the already powerful energies of the monthly lunar gaps. An eclipse falling on the Wesak Full Moon is exceptionally rare, and yet, at this time of the Earth’s transition, we are gifted a Wesak Full Moon Lunar Eclipse for the second year in a row. This year, Wesak is on May 4. Last year, it was on May 15. These dates mark an important cycle for all who choose an accelerated path of soul evolution. In May 2003, we experienced a pair of eclipses -- a Lunar Eclipse on May 15 and a Solar Eclipse on May 31. At the Wesak Lunar Eclipse, we felt the lotus unfolding within our hearts. In November 2003, we experienced another eclipse series -- a Lunar Eclipse known as the Harmonic Concordance on November 8, paired with a Solar Eclipse on November 23. The Harmonic Concordance -- observed by Lightworkers around the world - opened a gateway to higher consciousness for all of humanity. The cycle concludes with a pair of eclipses this spring -- a Solar Eclipse on April 19, and the Wesak Lunar Eclipse on May 4. The Lunar Eclipses in these series are portals of initiation. They serve as spiritual wake-up calls. Our cellular memory is activated. Blocks are revealed that hold us back on our path of soul evolution. They are times of intense healing. Lunar Eclipses are also moments of contact between the individual Soul, Source and the Divine Plan, illuminating our life purpose and destiny. On a collective level, these alignments provide an opportunity for the Masters of the Hierarchy to transmit even more of the higher frequencies of love and light needed to help humanity and the Earth evolve into higher consciousness. The Solar Eclipses in these series are moments of re-alignment at a higher level as we pass through the initiation portals. This alignment of Sun, Moon and Earth brings issues into sharper focus, and propels us forward on our soul’s path. As we approach the May 4 portal, the cosmic energies are building. Many Lightworkers are experiencing intense physical, mental and emotional symptoms connected to the current initiatory cycle. This happened around the time of the eclipses in May and November 2003. The “symptoms” have become even more pronounced since the Virgo Full Moon in March this year. (See the “Lightbody” article below.) We may observe eclipses and their gifts of soul expansion individually or in groups. As we open ourselves to receive and transmit higher frequencies of love and light, we contribute to the evolution of consciousness on Planet Earth. Tibetans and Buddhists from other traditions recommend using these days for spiritual practice, as the results will be multiplied many times over for the benefit of all. During a Solar Eclipse, the effects of positive and negative actions are multiplied 100 million times, according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche. During a Lunar Eclipse, the factor is 7 million. Now imagine the significance of any thought, deed or action on May 4 this year, with a Lunar Eclipse falling on the Wesak Full Moon, and on the accompanying New Moon Solar Eclipse on April 19. Our intentions will manifest exponentially! Individually or collectively, we will serve the higher plan by observing the April 19 Solar Eclipse and May 4 Wesak Lunar Eclipse through prayer, meditation, ritual and ceremony as we continue to usher in the next Golden Age of enlightenment. Peace be with us. On May 1-2, we will celebrate and work consciously with the energies of the Wesak Lunar Eclipse with a Star Path Weekend Intensive in Woodland Park, Colorado. Our focus is to remember the Star Teachings that guide our work as planetary servers, provide techniques for soul awareness, share healing modalities and tips for navigating the path in grace, and uncover clues about our life purpose. For more information about the Star Path Weekend Intensive, visit our web site: http://www.TheStarCenter.org and click on Star Path Series. Following are just a few web sites offering more information about the Wesak Festival and traditions: http://www.souledout.org/festivals/celebrationoflight2.html http://www.orindaben.com/home/festlight.htm http://www.lucistrust.org/epamphlets/wskp.shtml http://www.lucistrust.org/events/wesak.shtml http://www.meditationtraining.org/Service/ThreeLinkedFestivals.htm --------------------------------------------------- Planetary Alignments Update --------------------------------------------------- Despite the aggressive energy of Aries, April is an ideal month for introspection, prayer, meditation and soul alignment. Mercury stations retrograde on April 6 and continues “backward” motion (relative to the Earth) through the end of the month. Mercury Retrograde tests our patience and sense of humor as we navigate mix-ups in communication, transportation and technology. Meanwhile, this slow-down period is helpful for completing unfinished business and re-evaluating our plans. Later in the month, a partial Solar Eclipse will energize our plans and dreams as we approach the powerful May 4 Lunar Eclipse on the Wesak Full Moon. April is a month of prayer and preparation, healing and celebration of the Earth and our own divine nature. Enjoy the journey. Full Moon in Libra/Aries -- April 5 7:03 a.m. EST This is the first of the three Great Spring Festivals observed in ancient traditions. The Libra/Aries axis is a challenging combination. Aries wants to forge ahead. Libra likes to consider all the angles before making a move. Mars, ruler of Aries, squares Jupiter at this Full Moon, urging us to jump in and take risks. The challenge is balance Aries’ impetuousness by considering practical matters, too. Mercury Retrograde -- April 6-30 Mercury turns retrograde the day after the Libra/Aries Full Moon, marking a 24-day period best suited to reviewing, refining and re-evaluating before forging ahead. During Mercury Retrograde, the advice is to resolve unfinished business rather than sign contracts and launch new projects. It’s also a good idea to double-check appointment times, communications, transportation plans, car maintenance, and anything related to technology. Easter Festival -- April 11 In the Christian calendar, Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus through the Transfiguration of his earthly form. This holy day also reminds us of our own ability to transcend third-dimensional reality through Transfiguration or the embodiment of Christ Consciousness. New Moon Solar Eclipse -- April 19 9:21 a.m. EST A partial Solar Eclipse energizes this second Aries New Moon of 2004, opening yet another gateway for fresh starts and new beginnings in the sign of the Ram. The eclipse will be visible from Antarctica, the southeast Atlantic Ocean, the southern half of Africa and Madagascar. The energetic effects of eclipses are felt whether we see them or not. The Full Moon is in the last degree of Aries, underscoring the importance of this alignment as an ending and a new beginning. Intentions to release past patterns and complete unfinished business will be appropriate, along with celebration as we begin a new cycle of growth. Earth Day -- April 22 In the United States, we celebrate Earth Day on April 22 to raise awareness about preserving Earth’s precious resources and wildlife. April 22 is also the birthday of early environmentalist and animal communicator St. Francis of Assisi. Wesak Full Moon - Lunar Eclipse -- Beltane -- May 4 4:33 p.m. EST The May 4 Lunar Eclipse will be visible from Asia, parts of Europe, Africa, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and parts of the South Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. The eclipse falls not only on the Wesak Full Moon, but also on the cross-quarter gateway of Beltane. In pagan traditions, the cross-quarters -- midway points between the equinoxes and solstices -- are considered the Greater Sabbats and even more powerful gateways than the Lesser Sabbats of Spring/Fall Equinox and Summer/Winter Solstice. The line-up of energies at this Full Moon make this the activation portal of the year. The Sun-Moon opposition in Taurus-Scorpio is close to the degree of the Lunar Eclipse of November 8, 2003, also known as the Harmonic Concordance. Issues that surfaced then will be ripe for resolution now. Themes may be of death, rebirth and earthly desires as we enter this portal of higher consciousness. It’s time to release, release, release. We’re already feeling it. The two weeks between the April 19 Solar Eclipse and May 4 Lunar Eclipse will be especially intense. The Mercury Retrograde period in April will help us slow down and integrate the changes fully. Allowing space and time for the transformation to flow through us will be helpful as we prepare to embark on the next leg of the journey. --------------------------------------------------- Lightbody Update by Allison Rae --------------------------------------------------- “Lightbody is about the evolution of this species and the collective service to all life.” - Archangel Ariel, What Is Lightbody? Whether we realize it or not, everyone on the planet is experiencing Lightbody activation as we prepare to receive more and more light (that is, love) within our forms. This is a time of spiritual awakening unprecedented on Earth, our emergence from a Dark Age (Kali Yuga) into the next Golden Age. Time seems to be accelerating, and the changes are coming rapid-fire. During intense periods of acceleration, like the one we’re experiencing now, the physical, mental and emotional changes can be daunting. It’s a challenge to adapt in our day-to-day lives. The Lightbody process happens in cycles, and it can be uncomfortable. All in all, the changes we manifest will result in a more radiant, healthy and spiritual being -- what Buddhists call the “Rainbow Body.” This is a form of Transfiguration or Ascension, the embodiment of Christ Consciousness. We’re all in some stages of Lightbody process every day. It’s not a linear process like steps 1, 2, 3 and 4. Instead, it’s a cyclical process, and some of the stages will be repeated as we ascend to higher levels of consciousness. Planetary alignments like the ones we describe in this newsletter trigger the process by activating our cellular memory as the cosmic energies ramp up. Symptoms can range from annoying to stressful to painful, especially if we’re not aware of what’s happening. We may also begin to experience moments or periods of extreme bliss. It’s a rollercoaster ride these days. Nausea, night sweats, fever, chills, changes in sleep and eating patterns, irritability, rage, mental confusion, vivid dreaming, buzzing in the hands or feet, ringing in the ears, headaches, fatigue, sudden changes in body weight, even significant changes in physical appearance are common. We may begin to “hear voices” or sense non-physical realities. We may not be able to distinguish between our physical world and the dreamtime. We slip into and out of multidimensional states easily. Things seem to be turning inside out. During Lightbody, we find out the ways in which we need to transform physically, mentally and emotionally to accommodate the rapid acceleration of our spiritual growth. Our greatest tool for handling the vortex of life swirling around us is meditation. It’s helpful to center, relax and tune into our divine presence several times a day. When we feel ourselves beginning to get caught up in agitation, anger, fear or doubt, that is a good time to stop and find our center. It’s like a spiritual “time-out.” Diet changes may be on the horizon as part of this process, too. Eating lighter foods -- lots of raw fruits and vegetables -- helps lighten the body. Eating organic and whole foods provides higher nutrition, reduces intake of toxic chemicals and connects us more fully with the Earth Mother. Sleep cycles are drastically affected by Lightbody activations. We may find we’re sleeping 10 or 12 hours a day compared to a “normal” six or eight. We might need to take naps. When the urge to sleep overcomes us, surrender is the best path. Sleeping is the ideal state of consciousness for many of the needed changes to take place. We might also be awakened at the same time, over and over, in the middle of the night or early in the morning. This is often a sign that deep changes are taking place. Other practices that help: Bathing in sea salts, cleansing with herbs, fasting, purification through sweat lodge or sauna, aromatherapy, body and energy work, relaxing in nature, regular exercise, dancing, playing, drinking at least a gallon of purified water a day, and giving thanks for our transformation process. We may make requests of our “team” -- the non-physical guides and teachers who are assisting in our evolutionary process. We may ask them to work on us directly to assist with the changes. We might ask for gentleness, acceleration or whatever we most want. If the request serves the highest good, it will be honored. From the Mayan prophecy teachings, we know that we are experiencing an acceleration that will continue to speed up as we approach the year 2012 and beyond. The shift we’re experiencing individually and collectively will happen with or without our conscious participation. Our commitment in this lifetime, as planetary servers, is to help facilitate the changes. The more we clear ourselves, “lighten up” and align with the soul, the more ready we become to fulfill our spiritual destiny, our life purpose. ------------------------------------------------------------- New! The Star Path Newsletter ------------------------------------------------------------- As another service to Lightworkers around the world, we’re launching a new e-mail publication in conjunction with the upcoming Wesak Full Moon Lunar Eclipse. “The Star Path” will feature articles, images, tips, resources and web links to promote enlightenment and peace in daily living. This free ezine will be distributed monthly beginning May 1, 2004. We will continue the Alignments Newsletter with in-depth information about planetary alignments each month. The new Star Path Newsletter will have a broader scope, with articles drawn from the content of our Star Path Workshops. Star Path topics include the Earth’s transition, metaphysics of the soul, paths to enlightenment, transformational healing, and conscious living through spiritual and health practices, sacred space, environmental sustainability, creative expression, channeling, sacred relationship and creating community. You may subscribe at any time to begin receiving The Star Path with the first issue. Simply send an email to: on-976@ezezine.com. Or visit our web site: http://www.TheStarCenter.org As an Alignments subscriber, you’ll also receive an announcement about the new Star Path Newsletter later this month with an invitation to subscribe (it’s free!). --------------------------------------------------- Readings for the Heart & Soul --------------------------------------------------- Do you have a sense that your life is about to change drastically? Are you wondering about your life purpose or “true work”? Do you find yourself at a crossroads with several major decisions to make? Our souls chose to incarnate at a critical time in Earth’s history -- a transition period between vast cycles of time known as the Shift of the Ages. Each lifetime is set against the backdrop of this transition. Each individual has a role to play within the shift of consciousness sweeping the planet. Each soul is constantly evolving. Making wise decisions in our lives is facilitated when we understand our individual path and its relation to the whole. Tuning into these issues is the purpose of our channeled readings. Through Soul Readings, we connect at the heart to bring message and healing energy from the soul level and ascended realms to help individuals navigate their path in grace and joy. These readings are tremendously healing and transformational, especially during periods of intense change like the one we’re experiencing this spring. If you’d like to explore the inner realms of your being in this way, please be in touch to schedule a session. For more information, please visit our web site http://www.TheStarCenter.org And click on Soul Readings. May the winds of change sweep our lives free of what no longer serves us. In Love and Peace, Allison Rae allison@TheStarCenter.org http://www.TheStarCenter.org Resources for Lightworkers and Starseeds Soul Readings Star Path Workshops Star Path Newsletter Alignments Newsletter Starseed Handbooks The monthly Alignments Newsletter features information about star alignments, personal and planetary transformation, metaphysics, personal mastery, ancient wisdom, spiritual prophecy and more. To subscribe, write to info@TheStarCenter.org. All Content Copyright 2004 Allison Rae/TheStarCenter.org