Autumnal Equinox - Peace Pole Ceremonies

~ Starsoundings Journals ~

The Autumnal Equinox Peace Pole Ceremonies

A month after the Prism of Light was activated on the summer Solstice, the four children who participated in that ceremony were asked if they could envision their future earth. Three months later they became anchors of the four Peace Poles as they proudly read their visions to almost 150 people gathered at Unity's labyrinth. They were joined by other children in proclaiming Peace on Earth, including the children from Unity's Sunday School program who created the large globe (on right) for the ceremony.

With magnificent white wings extended, Dr. Marguerite Barnett began the evening with a dance through the Labyrinth as Faerie Elaine sang a song of Peace. The 9 Prism Anchors then took positions inside the labyrinth, forming a Prism with lit candles as Dr. Barnett led the children in a snaking dance through the labyrinth as everyone sang along with Faerie Elaine. The children were then blessed by Rosa Cetlin one of two attendees from Brahma Kumaris World Peace organization. Laura Kiley also from Brahma Kumaris, softly played the flute as the Rosa's blessing was read aloud to the children.

Anchoring the South Peace Pole, Akaysiiyah Dunbar saw herself "in a field of soft grass with clean rain." She envisioned people "working less so they would have more time to feel peaceful - using less paper meant more trees and cleaner air."

Dylan Messina at the East Peace Pole envisioned "no wars between countries, no violence against other people and the end of cruelty." Dylan saw "a cleaner world without pollution where the air was crisp and we could drink from the waters." He had a greater vision, that "the world would always have whatever we needed to survive." A visionary reminder to all of us.

Ian Bowling anchored the West Peace Pole, which had been dedicated to the memory of Jerry Warlings who had befriended his younger sister when she was in Unity Sunday school classes. Ian envisioned "a world where everyone works together to get things done instead of fighting over things that we could do without - that instead of only looking at our differences we all see that we have alot in common." It was beautiful to watch Ian take an older brother role with the many children who joined the circle after the dedication.

The youngest in the group, 7 year old Emma Rose who anchored the North Peace Pole stood proudly next to her mother Theresa as she read Emma's vision. At the end of the reading, Emma's shyness gave way as she spoke into the microphone: "May Peace Prevail on Earth."

The children echoed that mantra throughout the ceremony as they danced through the labyrinth. They said, "May Peace Prevail in the United States" - "May Peace Prevail in Iraq" - May Peace Prevail in Burma, China, Iran, the Middle East, Afghanistan - identifying all the countries in conflict. At the end of the ceremony, Faerie Elaine led the group in singing Imagine followed by the chorus to John Lennon's other Peace Song - "All We Are Saying Is Give Peace A Chance."

Ceremonies began that Sunday morning at Rising Tide where Shahabuddin led about 50 people in Universal Worship. Universal Worship affirms respect and tolerance for the religions of the east and the west, the known and unknown and recognizes the oneness in all by lighting a long white candle to each of the major religions. At the end of the service, the group moved outside where the nine lit candles from the Universal Worship service were placed in the heart shaped base of the Peace Pole.

At Shrine of the Master, Reverends Tom Newman, Tim Dudley and Sharon Elizabeth James dedicated their Peace Pole at noon right after the Sunday morning service. The World Peace Prayer was read by by Reverend Tom followed by the song, Let There Be Peace On Earth. Then Reverend Sharon Elizabeth led the group of 50 attendees in chanting the Ah-Ma universal sound of Love and Mother.

On Monday another 50 joined in ceremony at Warm Mineral Springs, the southernmost point of the Prism, to dedicate North Port's first Peace Pole. Ed Ullman owner of the Springs spoke with pride that the Springs was chosen as a host site as Robin SanVicente unveiled the Peace Pole. Reverend Zan Butterfly Deerwoman led the gathering in affirming peace for the planet and all her inhabitants. The most uplifting and tear-filled part of this gathering was the reception from the eastern Europeans who were floating in the springs. They saw the gathering around the Peace Pole, and slowly one by one they came from the water and joined in the circle. As we passed the microphone around the group to proclaim "May Peace Prevail On Earth" each of the Europeans spoke the words in their mother language. We heard the words in Russian, Polish, Chinese, Spanish and Hungarian. We watched them place hands over their hearts as they spoke of Belarus, the Ukraine, Israel, Austria, Georgia and Darfur. A young woman stepped forward with a young baby on her hip and said in Spanish, May Peace Prevail on Earth.

These gatherings on Sunday and Monday touched all of us deeply in some way. In your own words, they are shared below:

Warm Mineral Springs: "It was about the people who came and shared their vision and heart-felt desire for world peace. You could see it in their eyes glistening with tears and hear it in trembling voices and diverse accents. The people came out of the waters, old and young, in their swim suits, all shapes and sizes and from all over the world. "May Peace Prevail in Ukraine" said one. Then another woman asked for the mic, "May peace prevail in Israel" and another old woman, "May peace prevail in Hungry" a black man, "May peace prevail in Darfur", a woman still wet from the Springs said, "May peace prevail in Georgia," as others joined in May peace prevail -. On and on it went, everyday people stepping up and adding their voices and hearts to the universal call for peace. Then we all joined hands in what was to be a circle, but because a large tree stood in the way, the circle curved itself into the beautiful shape of a heart as we sang John Lennon's "Imagine" and the tears flowed." Patricia C.

"I was filled with infinite love. Our pole had "May Peace Prevail" in English, Spanish, Russian, and Navaho. When we were reading the Peace Pole and the language was Russian, a couple visiting the Springs joined the circle and read it to us in Russian. When the language was Spanish, a woman with her child came forth to read it to us in Spanish. When the language was Navaho, Robin shared that the Springs itself was saying May Peace Prevail." Anne D.

Unity: "I loved watching the children hold hands and move through the labyrinth with Dr. M. It was like watching the next generation take charge." Ann H.

"Akaysiiyah really appreciated being able to participate in the ceremony. I know it has helped her realize the impact she can actually have on the world." Mom Melissa D.

"Last nights Equinox Ceremony was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!! Thank you and all who participated. We are so blessed with the time and talent we have in this community! We took a thought, made it into a dream, and then turned that into a reality of greatness which was shared with so many here locally and in the whole world." Barbara S.

"What a beautiful evening - I'm most positive this is only the beginning of Unity's grounds being used for more programs of this nature to enhance the spiritual growth in our entire area. Thank you." Linda W.

The Peace Poles: "I am so proud to be part of the whole process of the Peace Poles. It's a physical representation of individuals joining together to honor universal love." Linda Wm.

Ceremony: "This was one of the most moving ceremonies that I have ever been to. The energy was amazing and felt so peaceful." Alcy N.

Thank you from my heart to yours and sweet love and appreciation to all who came, supported the vision, embraced Peace, and anchored it our area.

A website was created to share so many of the photos taken last Sunday. Thank you to Jack Ryan, Rose Lettiere and all the photographers who contributed their photos. If you'd like to see more of the ceremonies, the children, and yourselves, check out the website. There are over 350 great photos uploaded to date. You can order prints directly from Shutterfly if you wish on this link:
http://peacepoleequinoxceremonies.shutterfly.com/

Until the next time, May peace prevail on earth and may it begin with me!

Becoming Peace - 09/15/08

~ Starsoundings Journals ~

Becoming Peace

If you Google the word "Peace" you'll find almost 470 million entries which include well known philanthropic organizations, centers and movements large and small, women for peace, men for peace, vegetarians for peace, and even pig races for peace. With so many worldwide organizations and groups devoted to "Peace" you'd think we'd be closer to it than we currently are. Perhaps we're looking at Peace as a solution instead of becoming it.

Last month during the Olympics in China, two athletes took the podium to be awarded medals in their competition. Their two countries were embroiled in a sudden war where tanks and planes rained bombs on civilian populations. These two women, one a Russian silver medalist the other a Georgian, stood with their arms around each others shoulders. The Georgian bronze medalist said "If the world were to draw any lessons from today there would never be any war. We live in the 21st century; we shouldn't really stoop so low to wage war on each other." She went on "I have many friends around the world. There should be no hatred among athletes and people." she said. "Politicians should straighten out the situation today." In the spirit of the Olympic games, this 39 year old athlete rose above the conflict at home and embodied "becoming Peace" by sending a powerful and visual message out across the world. She affirmed the message of being Peaceful..

Can we do the same amid the barrage of negativity assailing us in so many conversations and at every turn of the TV or radio dial? Absolutely we can! As Dr. Darcy Lord states in her exceptional article The World Is Getting Better (Natural Awakenings Sept. 2008) we can "look in the opposite direction" when confronted with negativity, doom or gloom. Hold your center, your light and your ground amid the outside influences that try to undermine you. Seek out like-minded friends who can guide you, uplift you, and help you weather the storm. Become the lights of peace! By living peacefully, with inner feelings of happiness, joy, abundance and fulfillment, we embody and become those aspects of character that we wish to manifest in our lives. We can be peace amid the perceived chaos around us.

This is not a Pollyanna approach to life. This is a Universal Principle that actually does work! We can become the Peace we so ardently wish to see on earth. The time to do it is now as the sweet new energies radiating our planet allow us an opportunity to import that change into ourselves. Sai Baba said, "Where there is love there is peace. Where there is Peace, there is God."

You may be wondering how do I apply these principles in my own life? Am I peaceful in my day to day world? Do stresses, judgments, anger or relationships derail me? The Peaceful Earth Organization has a brief online questionnaire that gives an immediate answer to those questions. Based on your score, ideas, practices, or suggestions are offered in an easy uplifting manner to help you come to a more peaceful state in your life. See: http://www.peacefulearth.com/peacemeter.html

As we prepare to join with hundreds of thousands around the world on the International Day of Peace, let us look to a future where humans around the world embrace love and peace by remembering we are all one family. Gandhi said, "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind." Let us keep our eyes focused instead and choose to see a different world. A world where ancient hatreds and distrust are replaced with tolerance, respect, dignity and love. Let us affirm with the voices of children all over the planet these words, "May Peace prevail on earth."

Prism of Light Step 2 - Autumnal Equinox

We take the Next Step in the Prism of Light on the Autumnal Equinox where we'll not only celebrate International Peace Day but we'll also dedicate 7 Peace Poles at four Prism of Light Anchor locations.

Two Spiritual Centers which anchored the Prism of Light will participate during their Sunday morning services on Sept. 21st. Shahabuddin will lead the embracing Universal Worship at 10:30 a.m. at Rising Tide. The service will be followed by a declaration of Peace and the dedication of the center's Prism Anchoring Peace Pole. Reverend Tom Newman of Shrine of the Master, another Prism of Light Anchor location, will dedicate that center's Peace Pole in the Healing Garden after their 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. You might want to attend one of those two gatherings the morning of Sept. 21st.

On Sunday evening, the Autumnal Equinox and Peace Ceremony at Unity's Labyrinth begins at 6 pm and ends at 8 pm. It marks International Peace Day and commemorates the Prism of Light with the unveiling of four Peace Poles placed at the directional locations of the labyrinth. Leaders in the community, members of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization, a non-governmental arm of the United Nations, and the Prism of Light Anchors will participate. But the primary focus will be the four anchor children from the Prism of Light joined by other children across the community. The Solstice Prism Anchor children, Emma Rose, Ian Bowling, Dylan Messina and Akaysiiyah Dunbar will declare their visions for the future crystal city of light and for peace on earth. The four directional Peace Poles and the granite stone marker that you so generously contributed to have been placed at Unity's Labyrinth. We're honored to have the participation of spiritual ministers and leaders, chaplains, peace activists, guest musicians, drummers, dancers and the children in our community.

Unity, Shrine of the Master and Rising Tide's events have been declared official World Peace Day participant sites. So please bring your digital cameras to these events so your photos can be collected and included on the World Peace Day website.

Also there was an article in Saturday's Sarasota Herald Tribune called Marking the Way For Peace by correspondent Christine Hawes. It was an article about the Equinox Ceremony, International Peace Day and the donors of the Unity Peace Poles, Susan Warling who honored her husband Jerry with a pole planted in his memory and Gerry Greig who honored a friend and fellow Unity Board Member Richard Dewyea with a Peace Pole. You can read the article by clicking here: Herald Tribune Article

The following day, on Monday, September 22, an Equinox ceremony and Peace Pole dedication will be led by Reverend Zan Butterfly Deerwoman at 11:44 a.m. at Warm Mineral Springs. The time 11:44 a.m. was specifically chosen as it's the exact peak of the Equinox and it also represents two master numerological vibrations. You might recall that The Springs was the southernmost anchor point of the Prism of Light.


Equinox Ceremony Sept. 21
Commemorating the Prism of Light
Peace Poles/World Peace Day
Unity Labyrinth 6-8 pm

Twenty seven years ago the United Nations declared September 21st to be International Day of Peace. The resolution declares, that "The International Day of Peace shall henceforth be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, and an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day." In keeping with that 1981 resolution, we will hold sacred the day with ceremonies and gatherings that embrace the ideals of peace and harmony with all peoples around the world as one family.

Our Vision continues that we honor the work started with the Prism of Light on the Solstice where we held the pattern of peace on earth. On Sept. 21st, you and your children are invited to a gathering on the Autumnal Equinox to honor International Peace Day and to support and hold the visions of our world at peace. Four Peace Poles and a blue-granite stone will dedicate the efforts of this spiritual community in the Solstice Prism of Light and to affirm a future of Peace on earth.

The four anchor children from the Prism of Light, Ian Bowling, Akaysiiyah Dunbar, Dylan Messina, and little Emma Rose will proclaim their vision for a future earth. Ministers, chaplains, spiritual leaders, members of churches, parents and children will come together in support of the children's vision of Peace. All of your children will be active participants in the evening's ceremony. The nine location Prism of Light Anchors will offer blessings and dedications for Peace on Earth. Well-known area musicians, drummers and dancers will participate in ceremony, which includes candle-lighting, prayers and a global peace meditation.

Participants are asked to bring folding chairs, drums, rattles, votive candles in holders, and bug spray. The children are asked to bring a small stone or flower as an offering. We've been designated an official participating location of the World Peace Organization. So, please bring your digital cameras as we've been asked to submit photos of our ceremony to the World Peace Organization for inclusion on their website.

Warm Mineral Springs
Autumnal Equinox
Prism Peace Pole Ceremony
Monday Sept. 22 - 11:44 a.m.

With the energies of the autumnal equinox still resonant, Warm Mineral Springs will be the setting for a ceremony anchoring the southernmost point of the Prism of Light. The Peace Pole at the springs will be unveiled in a ceremony led by Reverend Zan Butterfly Deerwoman. The time 11:44 was chosen because it's the energetically balanced peak of the Equinox. 11:44 is also a master numerological vibration. 11 is the master number of universal love on a global scale. 44 is the number of structure and order which is manifested from the angelic levels and realms. 44 is related to spiritual groups uniting together. All are invited to join in this gathering on Monday, Sept. 22.

The New Normal 09-01-08

~ Starsoundings Journals ~

The New Normal

The New Normal - The easy stuff: 1) The phone rings as you're thinking about a friend. As you reach for the phone you notice the digital clock says the time is 3:33. On the line is the friend you were thinking about. Before you can say "Hello" she announces herself by saying, "Would you believe my clock says it's 3:33 and I felt I should call you?" 2) You're driving into the parking lot of a busy shopping center on a Saturday. You affirm a parking spot will be available in front of the store that you need to run into quickly. Your passenger laughs, saying, "No way! Look at the lines of cars trying to get into the parking lot." You drive to the aisle in front of your intended store just as a car is backing out of the closest parking spot to the store. 3) You've admired many photos on Google Images of big orange moons. You state the intention to have your own photo of a big orange moon. Twenty-four hours later, on the morning of the vernal equinox you arise to see an enormous moon suspended over the lake outside your home. It's not silver; it's not white or yellow. It's brilliant orange.

The New Normal - The interesting stuff: 1) You awaken from a vivid dream of a turtle with the number 22 in white on its back. It's floating down a river then begins eating twelve leaves of the Tree of Life on the banks of the river. The digital clock reads 2:22. You go to a class the same morning where the lesson is about the New Earth. The instructor reads Revelations Chapter 21 about the New Earth, then moves to Chapter 22:2 - the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit,with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. The turtle is the Native American symbol for Earth. The number 22 is a master number of the spiritual manifester.

2) In preparing for the Peace Pole Ceremony on the Equinox, I wanted to locate the four children who'd participated in the Solstice Prism on June 20th. I only knew the first names of the children but knew the intention to locate them had been set. Within 24 hours while walking into Isle of Avalon there was the first child with her mother. In 48 hours the second and third child had been found but I felt the fourth young girl would be the most difficult to find. Finally putting the request to find her out into the vibrational stream of the Universe I went about my normal day. That evening while attending the Anchoring Light meditation group, there staring back at me was the last of the four children. Akaysiiyah just happened to be attending the meditation with her mother. All four children had been found within days of one another.

3) While on retreat I was walking across a garden lawn feeling in complete harmony and connection with the plants, the kudzu vines, the tall canopy trees, and the water flowing past in the creek. I stopped as though suspended in time. In that precise moment, a feeling, not a thought, but the full presence and feeling of "black snake" entered my consciousness. Looking down a four foot black snake looked up at me staring for a full two to three seconds. Time stopped as we looked at each other separated by no more than three feet. There was no fear from either of us towards the other. We simply acknowledged one another and then went on with our respective journeys. It slowly slithered away towards the kudzu vines while I continued my leisurely stroll. The snake is the symbol of transmutation holding the knowledge that all are equal in creation and form united as one in the Divine flowing current.

The New Normal - The amazing stuff: Last month Patricia and I had a discussion about the the I Am presence, and about the signs and messages that often come in dreams or seemingly by coincidence. Patricia reflected that doubt or uncertainty often creeps into her consciousness when the signs or messages come. After some discussion, I offered an affirmation to "Give her a sign that can be clearly understood!" Going one step further, Patricia affirmed, "Yes and put it in writing!" About 48 hours later we went into our usual 6 a.m. early-morning meditation. As the meditation ended I noticed what looked like a slowly appearing red "tattoo" on her leg. It grew darker in color as we both stared at it. Within minutes the block lettering was clear. In 3 rows of letters it said UR Lite IR. There was a reversed Dalet the Hebrew letter for Doorway or Portal in blue below the block letters. A few days later the story was related to friends as we had lunch together, all of them seeing and verifying the markings. The message UR Lite IR remained visible on her leg for over a week. It's message was not only "in writing" but it was also "clearly understood" as it related to some studies and research she'd been doing on the Chaldeans and the Valley of UR, the luminescense of Light, and the I Am.

In another amazing story a woman named Mary was one of two employees working the graveyard shift in a large warehouse store. It was a hot, humid August night around 3 a.m. when two men in hooded sweatshirts came into the store. Sensing danger, Mary grabbed the keys to the safe and ran to a stockroom to hide. She hid under a storage shelf, curled in the fetal position and praying with all her might that God save her. Intending to rob the store, the men walked up and down each aisle looking for her then came into the stockroom where she hid. She saw them come so close to her location she could smell them. She saw the muzzle of the gun and the marks on it yet neither man saw her. It was as though she'd become invisible. Eventually the police arrived and Mary came out of her hiding position. To this day she's unsure how or why the men didn't see her because the storage shelf was somewhat open. She told me, "I just prayed to God." In the power of that prayer she'd rendered herself invisible.

So what do these experiences mean? It means that all of these people having these experiences were in an alignment and synchronous flow. Without any special powers or abilities they were able to affect powerful changes or effects in their lives. They all were in states of allowance such that their thinking, prayers, dreams or commands became manifest. They became one with the Divine Flow in the current in the stream.

To be in the New Normal is to be in a state of alignment and synchronicity with your life, the events in your life, your beliefs, your hopes, your Truths, your Being and with the Universal flow. Alignment means attunement in a frequency band - the ability to unite in harmony in a frequency. Synchronicty means a simultaneous coincidence of events that seem to be meaningfully related. The New Normal means that we consciously enter the states of alignment and synchronicity. Without resistance or fear, we affirm and know that we can easily and flowingly manifest the world we want to live in. Living in that space, in the frequency of the law of attraction, we affirm what we wish to see, to be, to hear or to do. And it gratefully returns in the fullness of abundant life. In that fullness we are one with form, in complete surrender and full union with Divine Presence. We're in the state of boundless harmony and love called The New Normal.