October issue

Aneis de Vida Issue 13

October 2015

October 2014 saw the very first publication of Aneis de Vida. This month a year ago my nerves were so taught I thought I would snap.

A year down the line and come the end of the month, nothing has changed with regards to how I feel.

It has everything to do with the process of birth. Sorry guys, but at the end of the day if one has to take it in connotation of living life, the mother carries that unborn child for 9 months, and then gives birth, and continues to nurture her offspring—and Aneis de Vida is no different—nurturing, loving and being there 24/7. I guess if someone had told me then that I would, eat, dream and sleep ADV I would not have believed them. It is true though, the only difference is my actual birth child is my inspiration, she grounds me and gives me reason to live my life to the fullest. I am sure any mother will agree (and those fathers who are mothers to their children) it is the most terrifying and yet rewarding job on the planet. You don’t really know if you are doing the right thing or not—and much the same when it comes to the magazine—I just have to go with my gut instinct each month and pray that it is accepted with kindness and appreciated.

This October issue is filled to the brim not much different from the first issue—and again I sit back and send it out into the cosmos of the universe with faith that, that which is read is meant to be read and be absorbed and thought about.

For all those who have supported Aneis de Vida over the past year, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without you, this E-Magazine would not be where it is today. To those who write for ADV, with love and giving, thank you, you make ADV what it is.

Most of all however, my greatest appreciation and love goes to my daughter Kyla. Your love and devotion, inspiration and support has been limitless. You are an amazing young lady, who has compassion beyond her years and a heart that gives without asking in return.

With that, to you the readers, I hope you enjoy this months issue, a very wide variety of articles and most definitely something for each and every one of you. Thank you too for your loyal support.

Wherever you are, whatever you may have planned for this coming month, may you be blessed and may you find joy in the smallest of things.

Love, light and blessings ~Tilanie~ P.S. Thank you to ‘’The Jewel of Stanford’’ for the message of congratulations—much appreciated..

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / DIRECTOR Tilanie Meierhans tilanie@aneisdevida.co.za ON LINE www.aneisdevida.co.za

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the editor, sponsors, advertisers or publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are both accurate and truthful, the publisher and editor accept no responsibility for inaccurate or misleading information that may be contained herein. The publisher and editor do not promote or endorse any of the products or services advertised in this publication. Advertisers are responsible for their own advertisements.

Be sure to consult your medical practitioner before you embark on any self-medication programme. Holistic remedies can be potent.

COPYRIGHT: Aneis de Vida is protected under the Copyright Act. All rights reserved. No publication may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.

MISSION STATEMENT: Aneis de Vida aims to enlighten, bring hope, love and light to all.

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Index Pg

Content

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Humour is the Name of the Game

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Sonia Croquette – International Author and Spiritual Coach

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Fiona van Rensburg – Portal of Alchemy

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Travel South Africa – Photo Collage

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A Women with a Passion

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Change Your Belief, Change Your Reality – Lou Worldweaver

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Injured – Now What? – Nicolette Henderson

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Saying Goodbye – Andre Duif

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Healthy Vibrant Blood – Deborah Sutherland

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Recipe – Brandy Flame Grilled Nectarines with Ginger

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My Journey to Wholeness – Parri (cont. from September Issue)

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Message from Archangel Michael – Angelic Realm

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Teen Tarot

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Messages from the Master

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Rune Reading for October

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Snow – Beryl Broekman

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Dancing the ROOT CHAKRA – Jayn Roxton-Wiggill

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Introduction to Ecopsycology and Ecomysticism – Bea Potgieter

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Children – What is Happening at the Barnyard Farm?

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October 2015

October 2015 Sun

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Luxembourg— Fathers Day

Israel—Simehat Torah

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Sat

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China—National Day

China—National Day

German—Day of Unity

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Portugal— Republic Day

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12 Various celebrations across the globe

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Various Hijri— New Year celebrations

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Argentina— Mothers Day

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Turkey—Republic Day

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Halloween

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Photography By Anela Aneis de Vida

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Humour is the Name of the Game There's an old man on his death bed, surrounded by his family, all ready to say farewell .In his last moments, the old man takes something out of his pocket, calls his oldest son and says: "Here I have a 1935 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Chronometer."

A housewife takes a lover during the day, while her husband is at work,

Boy: "I think I just remembered something I needed to tell my dad."

not aware that 9 year old son was Man: "How much did you say the hiding in the closet. glove was again?"

Her husband came home unexBoy: "$750." pectedly, so she hid her lover in Man: "Fine." the closet. The boy now has comA few days later, the father says pany... to the boy, "Grab your glove. Let's Boy: "Dark in here." go outside and toss the baseball!"

"I see it Dad", answers the son. Man: "Yes it is."

The boy says, "I can't. I sold

And then the old man continues, "This watch was with me during my whole life. It first belonged to my father's father, then to my father, and finally to me".

With tears in his eyes, his son replies, "It's a beautiful watch, Dad, and what a beautiful story"

Finally, the old man asks "So, wanna buy it?"

Boy: "I have a baseball."

them."

Man: "That's nice."

Boy: "Want to buy it?"

The father asks, "How much did you sell them for?"

Man: "No, thanks."

The son says, "$1,000."

The father says, "It's terrible to over-charge your friends like that.

Man: "How much did you say the That is way more than those two baseball was again?" things cost. I'm going to take you Boy: "$250." to church and make you confess."

Boy: "That's my dad outside."

A few days later it happens again They go to church and the father that the boy and the mother's alerts the priest and makes the lover are in the closet together. little boy sit in the confession booth and closes the door.

Boy: "Dark in here."

Man: "Yes, it is."

Boy: "I have a baseball glove."

The boy says, "Dark in here."

Man: "That's nice."

The priest says, "Don't start that shit again."

Boy: "Want to buy it?"

Man: "No, thanks."

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Photography By Anela Aneis de Vida

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Sonia Croquette International Author & Spiritual Coach By Tilanie Meierhans

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Internationally renowned author and inspirational A: coach Sonia Croquette from Chicago spoke with Aneis de Vida on her life and how she came to publishing her first book, and with a little insight as to how she sees the world we live in today.

Sonia’s walk of spirituality started at a very young age, doing readings and working with people.

Q: Sonia your journey started at the age of 12, what was it that made you want to do this?

A:

It wasn’t a case of feeling that I had to, it was a very natural way for me, and not driven by ego.

I grew up in an intuitively grounded family, nothing of this was unusual, and it was just the family way.

That is one avenue that can be helpful. What I teach initially is that your intuition/6th sense is the informing heart. Your heart is an intelligent organ and it picks up on energy, just like your eyes and ears pick-up on energy. The most power aspect of your physical body is the heart.

I teach people that your heart is an intelligent and informing organ and that becoming disconnected, disconnects you from who you are.

From your most authentic self, so I teach people their hearts are to be trusted and it is essential if we are going to make choices and decisions that will bring about our highest good. Our in-

Nothing very specific happened to me that it was an ‘’ah-ha’’ moment. I grew up in a home with 7 siblings and an intuitive mother. I learnt that the way in which to capture my mother’s attention was to be intuitive, and so I concentrated on this, strengthening my abilities daily and became very good at it.

Q:

Is it this that catapulted you into becoming an internationally acclaimed coach and author?

A:

At first it was sort of like a game. I would read for this one and that one, mostly for the adults. Initially it was kind of interesting but then I became frustrated because so much of what was obvious to me I felt should be obvious to them also and that they just for- Q: got how to use their inner senses and to listen.

I became more interested to ‘’re-wire’’ or ‘’reA: connect’’ them to being able to hear and sense and thus serving at that level. At the age of 15 I became interested in teaching this to people.

Q:

When you teach Sonia, is it to enable people to meditate and listen to the inner self?

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tellect is not able to do this all that well.

Where do you think it all went wrong that we disconnected?

When science and spirituality became separate in the age of reason. When everyone ran to their left brain. We started working with only ½ a brain. Our left brain is not able to tune in or pick-up on subtle energy or make subtle connections. The left brain is very outward orientated, ego driven and often we fall into being October 2015

biased and fear based. So it is not even that accurate in what it does inform us about.

We are relying solely on our outer senses, we ‘’look, but don’t see’’, we ‘’listen, but don’t actually hear’’ as we are not present. By using on- Q: ly the left brain we have disconnected from humanity, from our body, our planet and each othA: er and has resulted in us being a complete mess. I feel that what I am doing is very important. Reconnecting people’s hearts and right brain. Living from the wholeness as humans are designed to be. We are more than just matter,

pray about what I have written and then let it go and trust and believe that it finds its way to those who are in need of this information.

When and how did your first book get published?

My first book (Psychic Pathway) got published in 1996 and I was 36 years old. And the way it came about was that I had put together a letter of instruction for my client. My client was so grateful and felt it needed to be out there for others to read, and helped me put it together in a book and get it published. I love writing and never tire of it, the result that it literally just rolls on.

we are also spirit.

Q:

Sonia, when you write your books, is it from a specific idea that has come to you or just your own feelings as to what may be needed to be read?

A:

I write my books from a reflective point, from working with individuals for as long as I have.

People request certain things, and I write by answering that which they are seeking.

My books I view as a service to others but I have no attachment to thoughts or patterns. I write,

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You have 2 daughters Sonia, are they following in your footsteps?

October 2015

A:

Yes, they are both incredibly gifted young women. Both doing their own coaching and readings for the last 12-14 years. They have also just published their first book. I am incredibly proud of my girls. My mother and grandmother were both intuitive guides and it is all just part of the family way.

Q:

You have just launched your latest book “Uplifting Prayers to Light Your Way” early in September, can you tell us a bit more about it?

A:

About a year ago I released a book about my own personal pilgrimage, an 800km walk across Spain (Camino de Santiago). This came about as I went through a very traumatic time. My father

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and brother had passed away and my husband had just left me, all in a space of 6 weeks. It was a traumatic and dramatic crisis in my life, and I was intuitively guided to walk the Camino. I found it very healing, and my book is called ‘Walking Home’, and one of the things that helped me heal was prayer. It has always been a big part of my life and when I was writing ‘’Walking Home’’ I had included many of the prayers that I used to get me through my trauma on my walk. This resulted in many of my clients writing and asking if I would consider writing a prayer book.

It really addresses life and the times we are living in now. Time of great turbulence, scary times, and it is asking us to grow in ways we October 2015

have never been asked to before. There is a lot of unexpected losses, even the planet does not Q: feel stable. And these are prayers that can help us get through these times by not running from them but facing these issues we have. The pray- A: ers bring grounded relief to a lot of the emotions and anxiety, just being alive today is a pretty anxious experience for a lot of people.

What is it you would like to tell people right now?

I would love for people to know and understand that they are beautiful spirits having challenging human experiences, but that help is available through their intuition. That their intuition can be accessed through meditation, quiet time and prayer. Just give it a try and you will see it is true.

What a beautiful message from Sonia, speaking with her one feels her soft and yet grounded energy.

She would love to return to South Africa again for a visit and her parting words were ‘’I will pray for that to happen’’.

She sends her love to South Africans and to the people of the world.

Q:

Sonia what do you feel prayer is all about?

A:

It is learning to talk to God. They are conversations with the beloved creator. Based on the understanding that we are deeply, deeply loved.

Praying asks for that energy to come into our lives when we doubt ourselves and doubt our security and value, when we doubt that we can manage our lives. Doubt is contagious. One way in which to help stop and slow down this which is affecting our planet is prayer, enabling us to help ourselves, each other and the planet.

I believe we all want to feel better, we want to help. We do not want to feel trapped and we can turn this energy around, ‘’One person, one prayer at a time as it puts out a different vibration’’.

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Alexander von Humboldt Bremerhaven Sail 2015 Aneis de Vida

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October 2015

Fiona van Rensburg Who is she?

There is more to this women than meets the eye. Interesting, self assured, powerful in her own right.

By Tilanie Meierhans

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October 2015

Meeting with Fiona in her home in Westville, Durban South Africa, there is a feeling of calmness and pure rhythmic energy seems to surround one. Looking out at the vista from her porch, the first thought that comes to mind is ‘’how lucky she is to experience this daily”. And yes she definitely is but her journey to this point was not easy and she had to experience some hardships to learn a few lessons to help those who come to her for help themselves today.

She grew up in a spiritual home, but in a conservative community. She studied and obtained a Bcom degree, and went into the family business which then collapsed. When her children were 2 and 4 she divorced her husband, who passed away six years later.

Fiona obtained her Reiki Masters because she knew she had to heal herself as well as her children. After a 3 year karmic relationship of the worst kind that she could ever have imagined. It was however, the catalyst for her being where she is today. She attended every workshop she possibly could, read all the books she could lay her hands on and did a 4 year dream analysis programme.

Her Gran played and still plays a major role in her life, in that she was one of the first light workers who volunteered to operate in the 4th/5th dimensional frequency. Her guides also often talk to her through dreams and she says her higher self was a Shaman as was her Gran.

The corporate scene she found herself in in Johannesburg was getting to her. So in 2008, she and the children came down to Durban for a holiday. It was during the visit that her daughter said ‘’let’s move’’. And that was the push Fiona needed. Within 11 days she had secured a new job in a Trust Company as an Office Manager and signed a lease agreement for their new home.

At work she found that the atmosphere was much too dense and she felt as though her very soul was being eaten alive. Within a very short space of time an opportunity for a healing room came along and she took the plunge and left the corporate life behind.

As she grew within her spirituality so did her work. People need to take a leap of faith she says and that slowly more and more are waking.

She never finds her work boring or tiring in the same way as those who work the corporate field, purely because she believes it’s her love for what she does and that she knows this is her calling.

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to make them happy instead of finding the happiness within. She feels TV is a really bad instigator for a lot of the unhappiness as it portrays a ‘’Hollywood Dream’’ which is not reality. The moment people learn to change their perception of happiness and unlock the box of happiness within, then change will follow through with contentment.

She is a firm believer that hell is here on earth because that is what we create for ourselves. It is important for us to learn to trust our instincts and not allow fear to penetrate our daily life, fear pulls us down into unhappiness and feeling of isolation.

So many people are uncomfortable with change and yet Fiona says that she is so used to change that when there is no change going on she becomes uncomfortable. And through her life process she has come to know that she is paying off many contracts in this life. Interestingly, Fiona can see orbs but she can’t see the angels and yet her daughter can see them perfectly. As she says she will hear and see the orb and if she needs confirmation as to which angel she is communicating with she asks her daughter for a visual description which angel is present.

Both her children are very connected and when I asked if they would follow in her footsteps, Fiona said they will follow their own passion and own paths.

To give you an indication of how she has helped just two people with her healing: This person had been suffering severe headaches for 8 years. After working with this individual for a bit, it came out that the person was over thinking everything, taking on too much heartache and pain. Once this was explained and balance restored to the body the person no longer suffered from these debilitating headaches.

A man in a wheelchair was ready to take his own life. This will send chills down your spine.

His chakras were so blocked and the guides said he needed to talk. It came to pass that when he was 6 his father had told him he loved him and then committed suicide. A little bit further down the line, he and his mother fought and then she died. From there his life spiralled out of control. He was living with years and years of guilt.

For 3 hours Fiona worked on only his base chakra to clear away the blockage. He was booked for another session 3 days later – and the change was already amazing, he managed to walk with assistance. Another few hours of work was put in to clear his chakras. And the miracle occurred when he arrived for his 3 rd and final session, six days after his first visit he walked in on his own steam. Today he is fit and healthy and living testimony as to what our bodies absorb and what we forget to shift.

Fiona is a proud dreamer and believes in a brighter future. Her words are - We have entered the Golden Age which is about - ‘’We not Me, Myself and I’’. Choose to focus on dreams of a new world, we need to stand together and not separately.

And at the end Fiona says ‘’The light workers are ready to do road shows – meaning they are ready to start talking about their experiences, how they have healed themselves and bring this to a broader audience, starting with KZN. If you are interested in having this talk given in your area please contact Fiona on: info@portalofalchemy.com

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A country filled with great natural beauty. People of diverse ethnic backgrounds, tears and heartache have followed all people of this country through the span of time and seems to continue even today.

Millions knew of the apartheid days, and then the rise of Nelson Mandela like the phoenix out of the ashes of incarceration . And everyone is living the happy ever after. Unfortunately not the case.

South Africa Photo collage as a Travel Destination

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Due to incompetent leadership continued racial tensions perpetrated from leadership and more, this once booming country is seemingly floundering and retreating into an abyss of darkness.

Even travelling here with your children will be problematic as so many documentations are needed— much of which most countries have never heard, and these documents need to be translated into English— should you not have them you will be put on the next plane home.

So here are photos of the beauty that may survive if nothing else does.

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October 2015

Toadbury Hall offers you an exceptional canvas upon which your memories of an unforgettable occasion can be painted. Nestled amidst majestic indigenous trees and magnificent rose and lavender gardens, Toadbury Hall is located on the banks of the Crocodile River, just 20 minutes from Fourways in Gauteng and 10 minutes from Lanseria airport.

Toadbury Hall is also 5 minutes away from the Cradle of Human kind, and the now world famous site where Homo Naledi was discovered.

Explore the area with Toadbury Hall as your base, from where you can go hot air ballooning, or take an easy drive to Maropeng or the World famous Sterkfontein caves. Hartebeespoort dam and many other local attractions and world class shopping malls also await.

Renowned for memorable weddings and delectable picnics, Toadbury Hall also 5-star conference facilities, an intimate restaurant and casual deli-options.

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Yvonne de Wit Designer of Unique Handcrafted Jewellery

A Women with a Passion By Tilanie Meierhans a) You are not a native South African, and yet you have a love for the soil and the country. How and where did your journey into the arts begin and what do you want to convey to the public?

my designing work now. Soil connects us with the earth, and we need to experience the ‘’falling in love’’ with the dirt as we see it today to reconnect ourselves to the planet.

I was born and bred in the Netherlands on a polder, 4 meters below sea level which is a part that was taken from the sea. I grew up on a farm, with a pretty empty landscape and most of the time strong blowing winds. What can a child do in such circumstances? Well there was nothing better than playing in and with the clay. I used to make a zoo or build little huts out of the reeds and the clay. My little brother needed pots to cook, plates to eat from and cups to drink out of.

Whether this was the beginning of my jewellery or not I don’t know, but it definitely was the start of my fascination with the soil. Later I studied fine are which has given a perfect background for Aneis de Vida

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b) When you design, do you start with an exact idea in your head or do you just play and create magic?

When I start to design I do have an idea but at the end it is all playing around until I reach the ‘’limit’’ of what can be done with the piece I am working on. Not one piece will ever be exactly the same as the next. c) What did you do before you became a jewellery designer?

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In 2000 Herman, my husband and I bought a farm and restored a succulent garden in the Overberg, Western Cape South Africa. There I daily worked in the garden with approximately 2660 succulent plants from all over the world.

Each plant had its requirements with regards to what soil it really needed to flourish. Now what amazed me the most was that within 4 square meters of this farm, I saw 3 different types of soil. From clay to sand to dust calk with an unbelievable pallet of colours. In a very short space of time I started to collect samples in little plastic bags of these different soil types and colours. I didn’t know what to do with them then, but when we sold the farm in 2011 I left with my precious palette of approximately 100 samples.

f) And most importantly, who is Yvonne de Wit, what are you passionate about and what if you could in your own words, would you like to tell the world to make it a better place?

Who am I or how to define the person I am? Recently I read a quote by Elizabeth Taylor, a connoisseur and collector of the most precious jewels in the world “When I was born the first thing I could say was Diamonds”. I think the first thing I could say was clay.

I am a day/night dreamer and drifter and therefore I need soil to connect myself to the earth of which I am part of.

The effect of climate change and the migration of millions of people is inapprehensible but makes many people nervous because they are scared for the consequences or the effect it will have on them. To have compassion for all the refugees doesn’t mean to be afraid of what might happen to you or the world. You are living now and therefore you need to be connected with the earth. I believe if you look at the stars and I mean you really feel part of the cosmos every evening or you pick up a stone or clay in your hand and feel the value of it, you will be accessible and more helpful to the people around you. My wish is that my jewellery connect people all over the world with the earth and with each other. And is it not absolutely fantastic to be able to connect on a worldly basis with the planet earth and share in its elegance.

d) Your style is very unique, is there a story behind it?

I don’t know if my style is really unique, it probably is. I like to use Sterling silver and copper because of their warm shine in combination with the colours of the earth. I keep the actual design very simple because it reflects the beauty of the earth and the planet we live on.

e) You live in a tiny little town in the Cape Province of South Africa – do you find that living there inspires your work?

I dearly love this village and living in the country.

Here I feel at peace to work but also during my hikes around the valley I always find new and inspiring stones. I am so lucky a farmer allows me to swim in his dam. The most exciting moment of the swim for me is to enter the water and feel the orange clay slipping between my tones.

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October 2015

Change your Belief, Change your Reality By Lou WorldWeaver

“Before we begin, I am going to ask you NOT to believe anything I have to say.�

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October 2015

These were the first words my teacher spoke to me upon my initiation into Shamanism. She explained that her teacher had told her the same thing when she first began her training. “Whatever I share with you,” she continued,” are my own truths and the knowledge I have gained from my own life experience with these teachings. Dare to question everything I share with you.

Some of it will make sense to you because it touches truths you’ve gathered from your own experiences. The other parts are for you to explore, question and prove for yourself. Believing blindly in anything without testing it out for yourself first, enslaves you to someone else’s beliefs, resulting in surrendering your freedom to be the leader of your own life”.

core, they awakened a painful memory of when I was a young boy of 6 or 7, rebelling against my father’s persistent attempts to impose his dogmatic religious beliefs on me. I didn’t believe in the doctrine of the church nor was I convinced that what he believed in was true either. I resisted him with everything I had, even in the face of his anger and physical punishment for not submitting to his will.

I remembered how desperately I tried to make sense of all the painful emotions that overwhelmed me. I had interpreted my father’s anger as hatred for who I was, due to my stubbornness and the ensuing punishment was because I was defective, vile and unworthy of love.

I created the belief that it was all my fault and my faAs these words pierced through me touching me at my ther didn’t love me because there was something

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wrong with me.

One day my teacher confronted me by saying that if I wanted to become a powerful leader and teacher on In healing the wounds of this story I have come to acthis path, I had to stop being a “nice guy”. She except that the experience was a necessary lesson to help plained that this behaviour diminished my power and me discover the power of my commitment to myself, prevented me from being truthful and open hearted that I was not going to blindly follow someone else’s with my students. After taking a few moments to recovbeliefs, no matter the cost. er from being sucker punched by her words and fighting As that little boy standing up to the wrath of a grown back the impulse to defend myself with excuses and man, I had no idea how it would shape me into the man rationalizations, I decided instead to turn inward and I have become. I’m not going to lie by saying I never fall feel into it. I could sense the truth in what she said, I victim to the beliefs of others, in fact I’ve uncovered believed that in order to succeed at being a powerful many hidden beliefs that I blindly accepted without leader, I needed to be a “nice guy”. question. If at such a young age I was able to resist the insistent force of my father’s will to succumb to his be- I took time to explore this more deeply and realized just liefs, then how did I let these other beliefs slip through how much I was holding myself back. I was too worried about being liked to risk honestly telling people what I my defenses? really wanted to say. I spent the next few years explorThe only way to find the answer is to explore how being, testing and examining my thoughts, motivations, liefs are created, but remember, don’t believe it until impulses, fears, behaviours and beliefs related to being you try it for yourself. a “nice guy”. I traced it back to an early stage in my life, Something happens that attracts our attention and con- where I first adopted the belief that being a “nice guy” allowed me to safely fit in and belong. I believed this jures up an Image in our mind which immediately would make people love me and accept me. The hidden sparks a Thought. truth was that I didn’t know how to accept and love myThis Thought inspires an Action which creates an Expeself because I was still carrying the pain, self-criticism, rience. judgments and fears from my childhood experiences of The result of the Experience is a formulation of what we standing up to my father. Underneath it all, the need to Believe to be true. be a “nice guy” emerged from the original belief I created that said I was defective and unworthy of love. Not This Belief influences our perspective and view on life only did this realization shatter the “nice guy” image, it and how we imagine it to be. The next time a similar also helped me to heal the deeper childhood fear of not thing happens, we repeat the cycle by putting our being loved, liked and accepted. attention on the same image which leads to the same thoughts, resulting in taking actions that create the same experiences and ultimately strengthen the belief into an even more powerful pattern that shapes and creates our reality.

My teacher was right about my desire to be a powerful leader but I needed to become the kind of leader that felt real, truthful and honest for me, not to be the kind of leader that she or anyone else believed I should be. I experimented with different approaches modelled to Here’s an example of how this process works. me by the powerful teachers and leaders I had admired I lived most of my life imagining myself to be a likeable, in my life. Through this process, I discovered my own “nice guy”. I thought of myself as a “nice guy” who style of leadership which felt right to me and fit with my treated people well, therefore my actions were the acnaturalness. The “nice guy” still shows up in me, not tions of a “nice guy” and I experienced life in this way. from the fearful worry or concern for being liked or acAs a result, I believed myself to be a “nice guy” and cepted but because it’s in my nature to open my heart shaped my life to support this belief. In fact I firmly beto others, accept them for who they are and to honestly lieved that anyone who met me would have to like me share and speak my truth. because I was such a “nice guy”.

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As I reflect back, it becomes apparent that by tracing back to where my beliefs originated from I was able to not only heal and change them but also improve my self-image and the reality I create for myself today. It is at the core of every form of healing work I have done both in my personal life and in working with clients and students. This is the theme or fundamental message my teacher was communicating to me. Be mindful of what you believe because it creates your reality.

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By Nicolette Henderson www.tranquilityhealth.co.za E-Mail: nicolette@tranquilityhealth.co.za Owner of Tranquility health and beauty,

qualified in holistic, beauty and sports therapies. Accredited with ITEC, SAAHSP, CIBTAC and CIDESCO, having done 3 years of study and over 600 hours of documented practical experience at the Camelot International Training College.

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You have injured your muscle... now what?

Classify your injury

First degree muscle strain: Excessive stretching or minor tearing of a few muscle fibres. Locialised pain with some stiffness and weakness.

Treatment: Same as above but with extended rest time.

4-6 weeks to heal and walking aids may be required.

Understand what caused your injury

Treatment: Rest, ice, compression (stocking/bandage) Most injuries are caused by the following: elevation, gentle stretching and pain-free exercise, proPoor warm-up and fatigue. gressing slowly back to normal exercise. Avoid sudden A previous injury - injuries tend to recur in areas that stop-starting types of exercise, eg. soccer. have previously been injured.

Second degree muscle strain.

Strength imbalance - Injured clients often have a Moderate tearing of fibres with more generalised pain. strength imbalance within their muscles (one muscle is Haemotoma (bruising) may occur due to bleeding and stronger than the other). This results in uneven contraclimping may result. See a medical practitioner. tion and the weaker muscle will often become injured.

Treatment: Same as above but progression should be Poor flexibility - When activities result in the muscles slowed and recovery will take longer (2-3weeks) stretching beyond their normal range.

Third degree muscle strain How to treat your injury -explained in detail A complete muscle tear with widespread bruising. This Rest: Once you realise that you are injured, stop immeis a rare occurance. See your doctor immediately. diately. You must cease the activity that caused the injury for some time afterwards. Do NOT exercise the inAneis de Vida

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jured part of your body or "work through the pain" this will only result in further injury. Only pain-free moveElevate: ments are allowed during exercise. If fitness mainteLift the injured area above the line of your heart. This nance is essential, then swimming is the best form of will help with drainage and improve healing. exercise, as no weight is carried.

Rehabilitation: Stretch and strengthen the injured area Ice: once pain is reduced. Introduce stretching slowly and This reduces swelling and inflammation. It is important strengthening even slower. to apply ice do as soon as possible after the injury. This treatment should be continued for two to three days.

Compression:

Use a bandage, tape or brace to keep the area supported. This will reduce pain, swelling, bleeding and inflammation.

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Picture 1: http://www.physioanswers.com/2012/08/ what-is-strain.html Source: Camelot International sports massage manual (2013) pg.202.

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Saying Goodbye Andre Duif, human extraordinaire, today one that I call friend.

was a hobby became a very fruitful career, where I could just be me, create beautiful surroundings for others, and make their gardening dreams come true. As you all know, I grew up on a flower farm, and was surrounded by beautiful flowers, colours, and smells since I can remember. This I think was the reason why I wanted to create beautiful surroundings for everybody else to enjoy, I guess I somehow wanted everybody else to have exactly that.

Thank you for all your Four years ago I did a garden and décor wonderful articles. Aneis de for very wealthy client, and had carte blanche on their beautiful home and Vida will not be the same garden. I actually became very good friends with Mark and Sandy, and without knowing, I was being watched…….in without your personal a good way I must add. Over a period of years I maintained their garden touch. Your wisdom and four and they were watching me work. love devoted to gardens Then the big bang came in May this year, while we were on our annual holiday. Mark offered me a position at their across the globe. magnificent country estate outside of Wishing you blessings and happiness in your new undertaking and knowing that it will be a great success.

Dear Tilanie, and all Aneis de Vida readers, It is with great sadness that I write this letter to you all today. I have been writing for the magazine since its inception, and I am very proud to have been asked to do a column in the gardening section.

Gardening is a great passion of mine and actually what Aneis de Vida

Johannesburg as a wedding coordinator. Not only could I live and breathe my other passion of making someone’s special day spectacular but I could work in the gardens which is just magnificent. Set amongst huge trees and next to the Crocodile river, I could not but accept his very good offer and started working at Toadbury Hall Country estate and Wedding Venue on the 1st June 2015.

I soon got bored, as you can imagine, as I was stuck in an office selling weddings…..after all those years of working for myself you can imagine that I was going rantingly, ravingly, mad. I wrote a letter to Mark explaining that I can see me developing the property surrounding the hotel and set up a proposal, and sent it to him promptly, also that I see myself in a more managerial position somewhere in the

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company. I pressed the send button and felt completely lightning speed and we are setting up a fully fledged arrogant, and unthankful for wanting more than my nursery with hothouses etc, on a part of the property. already fantastic position.

We are also developing an olive grove, lavender fields , Be that as it may, Mark replied with a letter the follow- and a herb and vegetable garden for the hotel. ing morning.

although I am very excited and looking forward to it all , I have realised that juggling so many balls at once It went like this: makes one grey, old and one really needs to simplify. It “Andre, I never intended for you to sell weddings only. I is with great sadness that I have to let go of my monthly offered you the job to get you and your foot in the blog as I really need to focus on so many other things door. I hung out the carrot and you accepted. I would now. like you to consider taking up the position of General It has been an absolute pleasure and an honour. I wish Manager with immediate effect. I can see you taking this company to heights that no one else has done be- you all the best, and I hope the magazine goes from fore. I also accept your partnership proposal and would strength to strength. To my readers and followers. Go well, and if you are ever in the vicinity of The “Cradle of like to tie this down legally as soon as possible. “ (NO Humankind”, near Johannesburg, do look me up at PRESSURE).

Toadbury hall. For those who are interested you can go Needless to say I accepted both offer and proudly took to www.toadbury.co.za my seat as General Manager on the 1st September. I also took up my position as co-partner in the develop- Always yours in Gardening, ment of the Toadbury Estate. Things are happening at Andre Duif

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Healthy Vibrant Blood By Deborah Sutherland

When we think of radiant, youthfulness, we immediately look at the outer body for the signs that depict health. We look to glowing skin, naturally red lips, pink finger nails, sparkling eyes and the vital force that flows from the body. Where does all that sparkle stem from?

We need to look within the body. That life giving, energy stream that flows throughout our body, carrying nutrients, wastes, chemicals and proteins, our precious blood.

iron loss each time. So now we go back to our digestion story. Since iron dissolves in an acid condition (the same as protein and calcium), it is important to make sure that your hydrochloric acid in your stomach is strong enough to handle the iron in the foods you eat.

Foods that aid the absorption of iron are foods that contain acids as in Kefir yogurt, Kombucha tea, sour milk, cottage cheese made from soured milk, yogurt, citrus fruits and other tart tasting fruits are some to It is the hemoglobin molecule in the red blood cell that look into. Fermented foods support the bacteria in your gives the blood it’s rich, red colour and says your body gut. These bacteria in your gut produce vitamin A and K is making sufficient, healthy red blood cells. You may be which aid in the absorption of iron and calcium. wondering why this hemoglobin is important. This red You can’t build a healthy red blood cell on coffee and colouring matter, has the top priority of absorbing oxy- toast. So, let us keep those blood cells happy and gen from the lungs, and then distributing it throughout healthy by feeding them with their favourite foods. the body to all the cells, picking up the carbon dioxide What are the “favourite foods” of hemoglobin and the and carrying this waste gas on the return trip to the red blood cells? lungs where it is expelled from the body on the out Minerals; iron, copper and iodine which we get from breath. plants grown in nutrient enriched soil. The Vitamin B12 Anemia is when your body does not have sufficient he- and all the B- vitamins and protein since the hemoglomoglobin in the blood. Woman are far more susceptible bin is largely made up of both protein and iron. to anemia than men. This is due to their monthly menses and then not replenishing and restoring their body Foods rich in iron; eggs, hand-crafted cheeses, unpasteurized milk, yogurt, millet, sunflower and sesame Aneis de Vida

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seeds, apricots, molasses, prunes, raisins, whole grains, beets, parsley, radish, plus add in the above mentioned foods. If you are a consumer of meat products, purchase high grade, grass-fed meat and make up a meat/ chicken- broth and organ meat.

In a pan lightly Dry roast a handful of sunflower seeds and sesame seeds. Grind them in your coffee grinder.

Add them to your salad ingredients- This adds the most delicious deep nutty flavour to your salad.

Add a salad dressing of a minced clove of garlic, olive oil, small teaspoon honey and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Serve the Red Root Salad on a bed of fresh salad and herb leaves.

One of my favourite pick me up tonics that supports the liver, blood and digestive system is a fermented beverage called Beet Kvass. It has that gorgeous earthy, beetroot taste with a slight fizz and very palatable even Enjoy with a shot of Beet Kvass and you will have super for the unseasoned fermenteer. If you don’t have achappy haemoglobin cruising around your body. cess to Beet Kvass, this is something you can do: A Natural Tonic for the Blood Purchase unsulphured apricots, dried peaches, raisins.

Make up a combination of the fruits and add them to a glass of lukewarm water. Stand it overnight.

In the morning give it a good stir; drain off the water into another glass. To this water add in a tablespoon unsulphured molasses.

Drink this a few times in the week, preferably in the morning. It is also a good pick meup- tonic. Don’t forget to eat the fruit and snack on a handful of sunflower seeds and you will soon have happy blood.

For a spring salad try this delicious root combination: The Red Root salad

Ingredients- Per Person

2 carrots (Grate the carrots and the beetroot on the fine grater. It creates a 1 beetroot lovely juicy, substantial consistency)

1 apple

(Grate on the large grater)

1/3 finely sliced red onion Add a good handful of sprouts.

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Lunch Date Thursday 19th November Enjoy the fruits of the garden with a 3 course vegetarian meal. with a walk around the garden

and a tour of our Fermenting Room R130.00 Please RSVP by Monday 16th November

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RETREAT Resetting your inner eco-system

This weekend you will learn how to re-set your micro-flora through yoga, nutritional, living food, rest and learning some strategies to support your body.

December Fri 6pm to Sunday 4pm

Email me on:

sproutit@telkomsa.net for details Aneis de Vida

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Brandy Flame Grilled Nectarines with Ginger Ingredients

4 ripe (but firm) nectarines

castor sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover with a lid. Simmer for 3 - 5 minutes or until the peaches are starting to soften, but not nowhere mushy.

65 ml brandy 125 ml peach & orange juice (Liquifruit)

Transfer the peaches to a heated grilled pan, cut side facing down so that you can see the dark caramel approximately 90 ml castor sugar (or less, to taste) score marks when the peach flesh is grilled. Grill the 250 ml cream, stiffly beaten peaches to your liking, basting with the pan juices, if 5 - 10 ml finely grated gingerroot (you know your own any. taste) mint leaves

Method

When the peaches are grilled to your liking, transfer them to individual serving plates. Combine the cream with the grated gingerroot and castor sugar to taste.

Pile or spoon a small dollop on each peach half and drizzle with pan juice, if any, and serve.

Wash, halve and stone the nectarines. Place the brandy in a saucepan over medium heat and when the Serves 4 brandy is heated, add the nectarines, cut side facing down. Set the brandy alight and when the flames die Recipe from I Love Cooking down, turn the peaches so that the cut side faces uppermost then add the juice and sprinkle to taste with Aneis de Vida

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Continuation From September Issue

The Story of my Abuse and Survival

By Parri Aneis de Vida

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2 April 2015.

As I sat in the aircraft, staring out the window into the darkness as we took off, there were many thoughts and emotions that flooded my mind. I had tears gently rolling down my cheeks.

It was amazing to see the many tiny, shiny dots that lay scattered on the ground as we flew higher and higher.

Peering down on the street and city lights that we so depend on everyday.

As the plane gained altitude, I visualised myself as an eagle. Initially not very big with not much confidence, but as I continued to fly my wings spread out and I became strong, big, powerful, mighty and confident!!

A very large majestic, magnificent eagle!! Flying higher and higher and higher.

Leaving behind the disrespect, loss, sorrow, devastation, anger, denial, grief, frustration, rejection, hopelessness, abandonment, hatred and, and, and of the past 2 years.

Like the city lights that got smaller and more insignificant as we flew higher, so I visualised all these negative emotions, that have caused such intense havoc in my life, just diminish their power over me. Leaving it ALL behind!

Releasing and blessing the person that has kept me mentally , emotionally and psychologically chained and bound, until even a few hours ago.

I am flying higher and higher and higher and higher. Into a NEW future.

One filled with Peace, Joy, excitement, adventure, success, respect, love, laughter, health, all things bright and beautiful. And as with this bumpy flight, there will always be challenges in life. But I will face them, work through them and still reach my destination!

I thank God for holding and keeping me through this horrific time, when I gave up on my life, so many times.

For revealing to me what the Truth is. And that the truth did set me free, even though it was not the truth I was hoping for.

And I thank Him for giving me the strength and courage to let go, forgive and set me free.

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To learn from my experience, that I may be there for others that are trapped in the same hell as I was.

I know this is by no means an easy journey. There has been laughter. There have been many, many tears.

Countless lost dreams and disappointments.

There will be days that seem hopeless.

Memories that have made me smile. And memories that have left me sobbing from my innermost being.

But I just keep taking small steps. One step at a time. One breath at a time.

Each moment building more character and strength.

I am FREE..... At last........

I truly wish him well. He's the product of a VERY traumatic childhood. But its not my duty to try fix him (or anyone). Change is a choice. And I choose to change ME!

I CHOOSE LIFE. ABUNDANT LIFE! Aneis de Vida

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Message from Archangel Michael for October.

By Angelic Realm

“Greetings beloved children of the Light, it is I Michael. My dear ones, many of thee are going through many life storms and hardships never before faced in your human lives and we thee Angelic Hosts wish for thee to know that we are standing with thee all, calming the storms and raging rapids and helping and everyone of thee find the best solutions for one and all.

heights, greater successes and to a whole new level of being and doing. This is why I, the Lord Saint Michael, say unto thee all this day, believe, trust, have faith, and know the storms will pass, the seasons will change and the tides will turn, bringing in a new dawn, a new you, a new world.

Remember the beings of light that walk with Our guidance to thee is to hold thine heads thee, call for them, ask of them for their assishigh, face these life storms with faith, trust and tance, healing and help in all ways, thee all belief in self and the divine and know that no don’t need to do this alone, lean on us, call for matter how hard the winds blow, you are stand- our help and know it shalt be delivered unto ing firm and solutions shalt come in ways not thee. yet experienced or expected.

I bring to thee all great blessings, strength and a The winds of change are hard to bear, of this we warrior spirit from thee Almighty God, I am realize, yet dear ones these storms are needed thee Archangel Michael�. to take each and everyone of thee to greater Aneis de Vida

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Patience, what you are asking for is coming about. Have patience as there are unseen factors that need to occur first. Heaven has heard your prayer and what you have asked for is nearly at hand. Keep the faith, remain positive, keep affirming and praying.

The Fairies Oracle Cards Doreen Virtue

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The focus for this month is waking up It is time to wake up the world, it is time that all had their eyes opened to what they are doing, how the destruction caused by separateness is unravelling into chaos.

All is in order for the big wake up call ‌.. I hope you are ready.

Mother earth hears the cries, she is in upheaval and the moon is answering her call, the sun is dancing with leaps of fire and is angry at the cost to Gaia.

Messages from the Master Messages from the Master, are channelled conversations with Atenar, a Master Healer, Spirit Guide, my personal Gate Keeper, SoulMate, Best Friend and Advisor I greet you all and thank you for allowing me to stand with you in the circle of light .

My wish is for you to read, absorb what is meant for you and help the circle grow and shine with more light .

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Nature WILL take control if the masses do not wake up and literally smell the roses‌. So many kinds, so many scents, so many colours, so many shapes, but we see them all and do not turn away.

Yet humans can only dispute the differences not see the beauty, each the same but each unique.

This is not a doom and gloom message, it is a wake up and be prepared message‌..

It is saying stand strong and be counted, stop spreading separateness and share togetherness, do your part , every thought, message, piece of writing adds to one or the other.

Which side are you fighting for ? honestly !!!!!

Look deep within your souls, each one of you what have you shared to make it a better world today?

Awake and waiting Atenar

October 2015

RUNE READING FOR O CTOBER

By Amethyst Moon Dancer The month past has been a confusing one for most. However, don't let that make you fearful of moving forward in the new month. Work on grounding yourself and finding the balance in your life once more. The very energies are changing around us, and we have to change with them.

Take comfort in the fact that we are able to succeed in transforming our lives. Look inside and make an effort to analyse your life from within. Discover what's behind the events that transpire in your life. What are the thoughts and feelings that hold you back, blocking the growth you wish to see in your life? You need to face the emotions behind these events, and release them back into the cosmos.

Purify and cleanse your unconscious mind of these blockages, so that you can transcend to your higher self. Do not remain stuck in your current situation, as this will only cause more strife in your life.

Find your sense of Self, your inner passion and work on coming full circle in your growth. The joy and happiness of completing any task at hand is rewarding, but the success in completing the journey of self discovery is the most rewarding of them all!! Remember to be patient with yourself as you take the final steps to finding your inner light‌

~ Amethyst Moon Dancer )O(

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By Beryl Broekman

Have you ever wondered where the clouds go when they slip out of sight, Over the edge of the horizon and beyond the blue sky?

Have you ever wondered why the mountain peaks cover themselves With soft embroidered tablecloths laced in shades of grey?

Have you ever wondered why the land sometimes likes to shroud Itself In the hazy cloak of pearlescent silk and hide from the relentless gaze of the sun?

If we were bigger we could get a clearer picture of these things.

If we could stride across mountain peaks and touch the moon While picking the stars as daisies for our buttonholes, If we could stir the seas with our hands and see our faces in the mirrors of still lakes,

Why, then we would know.

We would be able to discern the workings of our world from a completely different viewpoint And understand the flow of our own lives.

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I wrap a blanket around me and snuggle up in my armchair next to the fire.

In the leaping flames I see the delicacy of their mystic curls Disappearing into the edges of the smoke.

And I wonder where the colour goes.

Does it turn in on itself and escape into another world, As if slipping under the door into another room in another house?

And though the warmth of the fire draws my attention inwards, I am very much aware of the soft, brittle cold outside That blankets my little cottage in an eiderdown of snow.

It falls so softly, so silently, so gently, so incessantly; Insisting itself, in its ghostlike way, onto the landscape.

Each single flake makes a barely visible mark on the weight of the world.

And each feather-like dance enchants us all.

I think it a pity that snowflakes and fire-flames can never meet.

Destined by the limitations of their own structure to always be separate,

Their singular beauty incapable of being appreciated by the other, Both are destined to melt into themselves, transforming into other worlds.

When snowflakes fall it is only their sheer numbers that make them significant in our lives.

In numbers they are able to direct our destiny.

Too many we are threatened, A moderate amount we are delighted,

Too few we hardly notice.

Snow defines white, its signature: white and light, delicate and ethereal.

Its microscopic construct crystalline, Its visible construct irregular, Aneis de Vida

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Who would have thought that something so seemingly beautiful and innocent Could cause such destruction given enough of it?

Strength in numbers.

I am reminded how insular we all are, lost in a sea of humanity.

As with each little snowflake, alone we barely register our weight on the earth's surface, Counted as one seething mass, we influence the destiny of the inhabitants, scourging the planet with our heavy-handedness.

Perhaps earth wears the clouds, mist and snow as clothes, Changing each for the appropriateness of the occasion.

Maybe, in her eyes, we are all little snowflakes, Dancing our pattern of randomness into an integrated cloak And worn as a garment appropriate to the season of life.

Perhaps, to the microscope of God's eye, our structure within is a beautiful crystal, Breathtakingly delicate in its perfection.

Is it that from our perspective we cannot see our relationship to the creation, Just as the snowflake cannot see its relationship to the world.

[Snow is an aspect of nature that comes with its own agendas. From exquisite beauty to terrifying power, it has to be appreciated and respected at the same time. It is best that we do not allow ourselves to be deceived by its seemingly innocuous presence nor be taken in by the innocence of its transient nature, otherwise we might find ourselves blinded in a blizzard just as easily as we are snowed under by the collective consciousness of humanity.]

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Photography By Shari Rood Aneis de Vida

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DANCING THE ROOT CHAKRA - ‘FOUNDATIONS MATTER’ “ How we think and feel has an impact upon our energy which imprints upon our body, mind and spirit as a frequency.

Our personality affects our entire reality.” ~ Diana Howes

Our outer lives are a reflection of what is going on inside of us. It is interesting to note that our behaviours, thoughts, belief systems and attitudes are created by our responses to our culture and even more significantly by our responses and reactions to everyday life.

‘Only our thoughts affect us’ is a challenging statement. If we were able to observe ourselves without judgment, we would be empowered to make wiser choices – and this is precisely what CHAKRADANCETM does- it provides us with a safe space to explore our prejudices, our pain, our joy, our stories at our own pace and without analysis or judgment. CHAKRADANCETM provides us with a delightful vehicle of transformation and magical opportunities to adjust our life in real-time – a new willingness to sweep out the old patterns/frequencies that no longer serve us and adopt new ones that do. It is a journey of courage and of celebration.

“Hidden beneath your feet is a luminous stage where you are meant to rehearse your eternal dance.” ~ Hafiz

This ROOT chakra is located at the bottom of the spine and manifests as a bright red. EARTH is its element and the INSTINCT TO SURVIVE, its key. The base chakra is called ‘Muladhara’ in Sanskrit, which means ‘root support’. Physically, the first chakra governs the health of the bones, teeth, legs, feet, large intestine and rectum, our immune system as well as the adrenal glands, which are responsible for our ‘flight/fright’ response. All the information pertaining to security, grounding and anchoring is stored in the base chakra and it houses patterns passed down from our families through the generations. Having healthy attitudes in relating to our families and towards our heritage; the ability to provide for one’s life’s necessities and being comfortable with recognizing and then following essential directions is in the arena of the red chakra. Matter is important – without our dense bodies, we would not experience the joys of being on Earth. Being grounded is very much part of the root chakra’s function, for without appropriate anchoring we become rudderless ships tossed on a wild sea.

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Becoming familiar with the archetypes of each chakra assists us in pinpointing our negative and positive traits, allowing us to make meaningful changes. The ‘Victim’ and the ‘Mother’ are the archetypes of the root chakra.

The Victim type will ‘switch-off’ and deny themselves access to the life force and energy. They become dependent and limit their capabilities on so many levels that they are unable to receive the ‘help’ they constantly ask for. It is almost impossible to assist a ‘Victim’ until they are reconnected to their roots. The ‘Mother’ archetype on the other hand is independent, well disciplined, self-sufficient and takes responsibility for all her actions and thoughts. She epitomizes the Goddess energy and highlights our behavior when it is negative and destructive, training us to choose a path that will serve our highest good. She encourages trust and loyalty and the ability to take correction and guidance with grace. The ‘Mother’ archetype’s main function is to assure us that we are safe and that everything happens for a reason.

In CHAKRADANCETM - to bring equilibrium to the base chakra - we tune into pulsing tribal music and delve deep into Mother Earth, sending down strong roots to ground and anchor our bodies. Dancing through this chakra releases the encoded information in the muscles of our legs and feet, encouraging ease of movement and creating a willingness to not only ‘follow the music’, but allow life to unfold as it does – naturally. Dancing the red chakra back into harmony will strengthen our ability to deal with reality, take advice without arrogant resistance, create greater physical awareness, and generally bring the present into focus, enabling us to deal with the present more realistically. When the root chakra is balanced we trust more easily, we feel healthy and full of energy; we live in the present, and feel safe to just ‘be’.

Come a dance into effortless meditation with CHAKRADANCETM!

CHAKRADANCETM is a dynamic form of moving-meditation, developed and perfected by Australian Natalie Southgate and is primarily concerned with reconnecting to our true essence and hearing what it has to say. Offering similar benefits to yoga in terms of the chakras, CHAKRADANCETM increases your awareness of the connection between your body and soul and leaves you with a feeling of inner peace and serenity. The aim in CHAKRADANCETM is to form an on-going relationship between our unconscious and consciousness so we can reach our fullest potential via the 7 main chakras, which govern the health of specific body parts and organs. Each chakra influences a different aspect of your lives: belonging; pleasure; self; compassion; integrity; intuition and rationality.

CHAKRADANCETM draws on a fusion of philosophies and musical styles, focusing solely on personal experience, and balancing individual chakras –energy centres that are the gateways to integrating mind, body and spirit.

Through spontaneously created movements we are able to free up our natural energy flows and harmonise our chakras, thereby strengthening our state of health and well-being. Participants are taken on a dynamic dance through their own energy centres. No dance experience or prior knowledge of the chakras is necessary. With a scarf tied over the eyes in order to access our inner world more effectively and guided by music resonating to each of the seven chakras, participants are taken on a spiritual dance journey. With practice and appropriate application, these experiences can then be integrated into our everyday lives. Participants leave the humdrum world behind – surrendering to the music and dancing from the inside out – ultimately freeing our natural energy flows and feeling more alive!

After we have danced, we express our experience through mandala art as spontaneously as we created our movements. The mandala both contains our experience and reflects the healing frequencies newly revealed in Aneis de Vida

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our energy fields. It is amazing how adept one becomes at this art even if you have never believed you can ‘draw’!

Practicing CHAKRADANCETM aids in relieving and balancing the stresses of modern day living and generally brings balance into our lives.

Jayn Roxton-Wiggill lives in Johannesburg and offers this educational, enlightening experience as regularpractice classes and a series of in-depth workshops. Should you live outside of Johannesburg, and you are interested in experiencing this wonderful modality, please contact Jayn as she is willing to travel to other provinces.

Terms and conditions would apply . info@corestar.co.za Jayn: Roxton-Wiggill +27 [0]83 303 1141

AURA.SOUL.ART@CORESTAR Energy Artist & Spiritual Coach

Certified Chakradance™ Facilitator

Aura Reading & Paintings

Moving Meditation Classes - Move to the Rhythm of your Soul!

Aura Cleansing & Chakra Balancing

One-Day & Weekend Chakradance™ Workshops

www.facebook.com/aura.soul.art

www.meetup.com/Chakradance-Moving-Meditation-Joburg/

Ferndale * Randburg * South Africa

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tracy.white00@gmail.com

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INTRODUCTION TO ECOPSYCHOLOGY & ECOMYSTICISM ©All Rights Reserved

By Bea Potgieter Clinical Psychologist, Author, Speaker, Poet, PS: 0080128, PR.NO.: 0108375

“I can affirm with unequivocal certainty, that the infinite, unifying bond of Divine Love, is distilled, illuminated and radiates with crystalline clarity in the sacred eye of the experience of openhearted, full-bodied, sensuous and soulful attunement with all that is natural and mystical between human-animal-earth.” ~ Bea Potgieter – Clinical Psychologist Ecopsychology arose as a response to the need to ‘bridge’ the fields of psychology and ecology as the disturbance between the two is hypothesized to be the source of suffering in our world.

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mately linked. Ecopsychology places psychology in an ecological contex and draws on psychological insight for effect and sustainable environmental action. Ecopsy“Psychology, so dedicated to chology explores human-nature relationships and the implications of a deeper connection between human awakening human consciousness, needs to wake nature for mental health. Personal growth, environmenitself up to one of the most tal action and sustainable lifestyles. It is directed toancient human truths: we ward the interface of ecology, transpersonal psycholocannot be studied or cured gy, and contemplative practices (i.e., nature, psyche, apart from the planet.” - and spirit) critical evaluation of ecopsychological thinking and the development and use of ecopsychological James Hillman practices in personal and professional applications.

Our relationship with Nature, Etymology 1992 not only lies in the physical realm but most importantly So many people have lost connection with nature, in the psychological realm. themselves and others. So many people these days are filled with uncertainty, despair and hopelessness. The human race shares a larger, beyond the personal, more Human Beings state of health and conversely the universal loss as inhabitants of this planet. Slowly over time, modernisation, industrialisation, technological environment’s state of health needs to be understood from a psychological advancement and corruption severed the connection perspective and healed on a psychological level as that between humans, animals and nature as well as our internal natural flow. This separation or illusion of sepais where the origin of disconnect lays. ration from nature and the natural, has led to great “The biosphere of this planet is threatened by just one suffering for both the environment (as ecological devasof its inhabitant species as never before. Our impact tation) and for humans (as grief, despair and alienaon local and global ecosystems has reached potentially tion). So we can then conclude that the state of our encatastrophic scope and intensity as the industrial revo- vironment and our world reflects the state of our souls. lution spreads through our rising population. Industri- Can we honestly live a fulfilling, meaningful, purposeful alisation has increased per capita impacts by many life, at the cost of Nature? Can we live wholly separate orders of magnitude, severed our sense of reciprocity from Nature? If we are to heal our planet we have to with the very world in which we are embedded, alien- heal ourselves first. ated us from one another, and profoundly affected our psychic and somatic well-being. We may choose to use “The first act of awe, when man was struck with the science and technology to monitor, model and amelio- beauty or wonder of Nature, was the first spiritual exrate our harmful ecological impacts, but they also fuel perience.” ~ Henryk Skolimowski our addiction to a way of life that exacerbates these impacts. Conversely, conventional psychology treats us Theodore Rozak in his book: The Voice of the Earth. An as if the rest of the world (especially the other-than- exploration of Ecopscyhology, believes that we cannot human world) does not exist and living sustainably in ignore “the greater ecological realities that surround harmonious balance with it does not matter. It there- the psyche – as if the soul might be saved while the biofore perpetuates our severance and alienation by fail- sphere crumbles.” He speaks of the ‘anguish of what I ing to recognise these individual and collective pathol- will call the “ecological unconscious” has emerged in our time as a deeper imbalance.’ Is it this imbalance ogies for what they are.” – Andrew Thomas Fellows which manifests in our lives as fear and consequently leads to destruction? Has this fear been caused by the Main Entry: Ecopsychology ever-increasing disconnect/separation between huPart of Speech: Definition: study of the psychological processes that tie mans and nature? Isn’t it true that industrialisation, us to the world or separated us from it and lies a the technological advancement, modernization and many other human processes have caused us humans to disintersection of nature, the human psyche, and spirit. connect from a natural rhythm within? The same natuEcopsychology is concerned with human and ecological ral rhythm, order and authenticity found in nature. health, and proposes that the well-being of both is inti- Wasn’t there once a time when we lived in harmony with nature?

Defining Ecopsyhology

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“In all of Nature, I see the unmasked, clear reflection of with nature, work on grief and despair about environthe indefinable, infinite qualities of my Soul…” – Bea mental destruction, ecotherapy, and psycho-emotional Potgieter bonding with the world as a source of environmental action and sustainable lifestyles.

Nature is probably the most precious and infinite source of natural energy that we can find. We were once connected to it, once part of it, one with it. There is no doubt that we as living, breathing beings have become so disconnected, removed, isolated from the living, breathing beings in the natural world. Can we truly restore our Souls to wholeness in isolation? Can we really heal in urban, concrete, steal, glass, mechanised and man-made structures? Can we restore our own wholeness without restoring our connection with nature? Doesn’t the real work of our lives require us to search for our Soul in Mother Earth’s Soul and learn to dance with her and her animal children?

Ecopsychology has offered me a place where my three passions (psychology, ecology and creative writing) can co-exist in harmony. Ecopsychology is the “study of the psychological processes that tie us to the world or separated us from it” (Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind by Craig Chalquist). It was mostly self-study in the field, including my interest in archetypal psychology that influenced my thinking and creative process leading up to birthing the concept of Blue Star & Lionheart.

Ecopsychology emerged as a response to the need to ‘bridge’ the fields of psychology and ecology as the disturbance between the two is hypothesized to be the source of suffering in our world. I will try and summarize core elements as it appears in the vast amount of “…children, since they are an inalienable part of nature, literature on this subject. A reading list will be provided not only have the right to a healthy environment, but at the end if you would like to learn more about this. also to a connection with nature and to the gifts of nature for their physical and psychological health and ability to learn and create, bear responsibility for nature Ecopsychology for me, is basically about teaching/ and the environment…” reminding people of the psychological/spiritual bond between us and nature and the ways it has become The Child’s Right to Connect with Nature and to a severed. Restoring that connective memory to the Healthy Environment, a resolution adopted by 2012 Earth, helping people realize that she has a Soul and World Congress of the international Union for the Conservation of Nature – www.childrenandnature.org The that her Soul is connected to each human and living being’s soul is the aim of a therapeutic, experiential learnChildren & Nature Network ing approach that sprouts from the Ecopsychology philosophy.

Ecopsychology aims to inspire EcoConsciousness & EcoHarmonious Living through:

reminding people of the synergistic relation between planetary and personal well-being - that the needs of the one are relevant to the other;

showing people how the ‘disconnect’ between humans and nature has bred ill-health on a psychological, physiological, social and environmental level; bringing forth the realization that the connection between humans and nature is healing for both. This reconnection includes the healing potential of contact Aneis de Vida

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Research has shown that having an intimate experience with nature somehow stimulates empathy and compassion for the environment, animals, all living beings etc which in turn becomes an internal driver/motivator for preserving and conserving natural habitats, wilderness areas and animals.

If people aren’t psychologically tied to a ‘cause’ they fail to sustainably continue with the behaviours associated with it. Ecopscyhology, in my opinion aims to highlight the ‘why’, the psychological imperative for being an ecologically aware inhabitant of this earth.

What is Ecopsychology?

“Ecopsychology, or eco-psychology as it is sometimes called, is situated at the intersection of a number of fields of enquiry, including environmental philosophy, psychology, and ecology, but is not limited by any disciplinary boundaries. At its core, Ecopsychology suggests that there is a synergistic relation between planetary and personal well-being; that the needs of the one are Why the need for such a field? relevant to the other. “ www.ecopsychology.org I mentioned before that it arose out of the need to There are many different definitions of ecopsychology join/marry/unite the two fields of psychology and ecolbut it is best described as the “…intersection of nature, ogy. Practically, besides the study of the disconnect between the two and its impact on all life, the field, acthe human psyche, and spirit.” - John Davis, Ph.D. cording to John Davis aims and works towards: He continues: “The deep and enduring psychological questions--who we are, how we grow, why we suffer, how we heal--are inseparable from our relationships with the physical world. Similarly, the over-riding environmental questions--the sources of, consequences of, and solutions to environmental problems--are deeply rooted in the psyche, our images of self and nature, and our behaviors.

Ecopsychology integrates ecology and psychology in responding to both sets of questions.”

shifting environmental action from anxiety, blame, and coercion to invitation, joy, devotion, and love; fostering ecological thinking and direct contact with the natural world in psychotherapy and personal growth; and supporting lifestyles which are both ecologically and psychologically healthy and sustainable.

Andy Fisher, author of Radical Ecopsychology: Psychology in the Service of Life (2002), however suggests that ecopsychology is best thought of as a project with 4 inter-related tasks: “1.

2.

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Psychological: to acknowledge and better under stand the human-nature relationship as relation ship.

Philosophical: to place psyche (soul, anima, mind) October 2015

3.

4.

back into the (natural) world.

Practical: to develop therapeutic and recollective practices towards an ecological society.

Critical: to engage in ecopsychologically based criticism.”

So what is the philosophy or insights encapsulated in the field of ecopsychology? (excerpt from John Davis’s work: )

the environment and each other is.

It is about starting a conversation and re-learning the language that was once so familiar to us. Essentially it is about inspiring hope. Hope for a better future, for love, peace and unity. It is so important that we remind people of a larger meaning and truth that exist beyond the comprehension of the physical only.

“There is a deeply bonded and reciprocal relationship between humans and nature. Ecopsychology draws on two metaphors for this relationship: (a) nature as home and family (e.g., Earth as mother, animals as siblings) and (b) nature as Self, in which self-identifications are broadened to include the "greater-than-human" world and Gaia.

In his book called, Ecological Intelligence. Rediscovering ourselves in nature, Ian McCallum believes that “we as humans are deeply diseased and that we are inflicting our plague on the earth we inherit as the evolutionarily privileged human animal.” He furthermore tells us that “healing—as opposed to quick-fix mending–will occur The illusion of a separation of humans and nature leads only as we remember where we have come from and to suffering both for the environment (as ecological then learn to look ahead with a new rationality, a new devastation) and for humans (as grief, despair, and allanguage, and a chastened connectedness to the enviienation). ronment we inherit.”

Realizing the connection between humans and nature is healing for both. This reconnection includes the healing potential of contact with nature, work on grief and des- This is such an enormous truth that is being reflected by pair about environmental destruction, ecotherapy, and the destruction of natural habitats, wilderness areas, psycho-emotional bonding with the world as a source of the near-extinction of many animals of our world. The rainforests of South America, the oceans and coralenvironmental action and sustainable lifestyles.” reefs, the rhinos, the whales, the dolphins, the snow John Davis also states that Ecopsychology essentially leopards, tigers, pandas and our own African lions. differs from ecology, environmentalism and mainLooking at this reality, affirms the importance for us to stream psychology in that it allows for the integration form a community of people who cares for the Soul of between eco (natural environment) and psyche (soul). the Planet, our wilderness, who sees the beauty and From this field many therapies and practices sprouted. infinite wisdom in all the magnificent creatures coFor me one truth emerged through my study of the habiting this planet and realizes that we are all connectfield, professional and personal experiences, that psyed to one another. chology needs to be embedded in ecology.

As a psychologist part of my daily tasks are to awaken consciousness, bring people closer to authentic being and facilitate healing. Can it be done without nature as partner and outside the context of what is happening to our planet?

“A community forms when the members of a society have had a common transcendent experience, one that lifts each person out of his or her isolation to participate in the transformation. Should that plane go down, for instance, the crash survivors might very well experience community, given the large event which had proved a transcendent encounter. Each person remains an indiAs a human species, we are currently being given an vidual, but each is also identified psychologically with opportunity on a global scale to re-evaluate how we conduct ourselves on this earth and what our impact on the transcendent experience; each is more than he or she was previously. This is the nature of tribal experiAneis de Vida

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ence, where shared history, ancestors and mythology provide the vertical dimension that links each person in the community. Even communities, as we have seen, risk losing contact with the shared transcendent history; then they may devolve into a society which in turn lacks the power to bind its members for very long.” (James Hollis)

Recommended Reading:

We are now more than ever in a position to make a difference in the way we live on this earth, to educate and transform, to awaken consciousness. We just need to engage in the conversation, which will hopefully bring about the enlargement of soul and being. We can never accept that one person, one group holds the truth. We all do deep within the soul, it is just different, some conscious, some unconscious, some filtered through wounding and pain, some shielded by denial, self-entitlement, justification, rationalization and projection. The truth’s carrier is love, compassion and empathy. Fear, much of what lies underneath the destruction at the hands of humankind.

Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind by Craig Chalquist

"One of the most commonly overlooked spiritual practices is daring to be completely honest with everyone you encounter. Some may say others cannot handle their honesty, but true honesty is not a strategy or a weapon of any kind. It is the willingness to be open and absolutely transparent in sharing how any moment feels in your heart. It has nothing to do with confrontation, accusation, or any form of blame. True honesty is the willingness to stand completely exposed, allowing the world to do what it may, and say what it will, only so you may know who you are – beyond all ideas." Matt Kahn, American intuitive spiritual teacher

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Radical Ecopsychology. Psychology in the Service of Life

by Andy Fisher The Hope. A Guide to Sacred Activism by Andrew Harvey The Voice of the Earth. An Exploration of Ecopsychology

by Theodore Roszak

Rebearths: Conversations with a world Ensouled by Craig Chalquist The Web of Life Imperative: Regenerative Ecopsychology Techniques Ed. D Michael J. Cohen Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?

By Ober et. Al. The Earth has a Soul: C.G. Jung on Nature, Technology & Modern Life. C.G. Jung & Meredith Sabini Animal Presences (Uniform Edition of the Writings of James Hillman) by James Hillman Ecomysticism. The Profound Experience of Nature as Spiritual Guide by Carl von Essen Davis, J. (1989). Wilderness rites of passage. Gnosis .

No. 11, 22-26. http://www.ecopsychology.ch/Details/contact.html Andrew Fellows Care of the Soul by Thomas Moore

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The Tao of Equus; Riding between the Worlds; The shared identity: two lives that become one. Where that Power of the Herd; Way of the Horse by Linda Kohanov identity is experienced deeply, we call it love. More coolly and distantly felt, it is called compassion. This is Becoming a Tiger. How Baby Animals Learn to Live in the link we must find between ourselves and the planet the Wild by Susan McCarthy that gives us life.

The Direct Path; The Essential Mystics; Teachings of RuEnvironmental poetics needs a new psychological sensimi; Radical Passion. Sacred Love & Wisdom in Action; The Return of the Mother; The Hope. A Guide to Sacred tivity, a capacity to listen with the third ear for the passion and the longing that underlie many of our culture’s Activity; Hidden Journey by Andrew Harvey seemingly thoughtless ecological habits.

Eco-Women. Protectors of the Earth by Willow Ann There must be some reason why people around the Sirch world have decided to undertake the mad devastation Inside the Divine Pattern by A.D. Williams of the planet.

Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth by Macy, Hanh, Berry, Ingerman et al.

Becoming Animal. An earthly cosmology by David Abram Love letter to the Earth by Thich Nhat Hanh Wild Earth, Wild Soul by Bill Pfeiffer Ecopsychology. Restoring the Earth, healing the mind

by Theodore Roszak

There must be some way to convince them that what they truly want can be gained from that devastation.

There are greater endeavours than conquering nature, more reliable forms of well0being than physical dominance; there is a greater richness than the limitless acquisition of things.

What people expect, want, value in life connects intimately with what they understand their place in the universe to be.

Rewilding our hearts: Building pathways of compassion Ecopsychology is to remind us of what our ancestors and coexistence by Bekoff & Louv took to be common knowledge: there is more to know about the self, or rather more self to know, that our Ecotherapy. Healing with Nature in Mind by Linda personal history reveals.

Buzzell The Dream of the Earth by Thomas Berry Nature and the human soul. Cultivating wholeness & community in a fragmented world by Bill Plotkin Speaking with Nature: Awakening to the deep wisdom of the Earth by Sandra Ingerman

Making a personality, the task that Jung called individuation, may be the adventure of a lifetime. But the person is anchored within a greater, universal identity.

The listening must go deep to hear the Self that speaks through the self.

The core of the mind is the ecological unconscious.

Last Child in the woods. Saving our children from nature The contents of the ecological unconscious represent, -deficit disorder by Richard Louv in some degree, at some level of mentality, the living For all the videos visit my youtube channel: record of cosmic evolution, tracing back to distant iniBea Potgieter tial conditions in the history of time.

Twitter: @lionheartblue Just as it has been the goal of previous therapies to reBlog: www.beapotgieter.wordpress.com cover the repressed contents of the unconscious, so the Summary points excerpted from Voice of the Earth by goal of ecopsychology is to awaken the inherent sent of environmental reciprocity that lies within the ecological Theodore Roszak: unconscious. Ecopsychology seeks to heal the more “Is there an alternative to scare tactics and guilt trips fundamental alienation between the person and the that will lend ecological necessity both intelligence and natural environment. passion? There is. It is the concern that arises from Aneis de Vida

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For ecopsychology, as for other therapies, the crucial stage of development is the life of the child.

The ecological ego matures towards a sense of ethical responsibility with the planet that is as vividly experienced as our ethical responsibility to other people.

A shift from masculine dominion to feminine persuasion Whatever contributes to small scale social forms and personal empowerment nourishes the ecological ego.

Ecopsychology holds that there is a synergistic interplay between planetary and personal well-being. The contemporary ecological translation of the term might be: the needs of the planet are the needs of the person, the rights of the person are the rights of the planet.”

Summary points excerpted from Ecomysticism by Carl von Esssen: “our spiritual relationship with nature must be nurtured and revived in order to bring us back, literally, to our senses, to preserve what is being destroyed by humankind’s continued exploitation of the earth.

Extinction of experience and progressive depletion of the memory of our connection with nature.

Biophilia: (Edward Wilson): fundamental, inherited need to affiliate with nature.

Experience: the direct apprehension of being “When all conditions in our inner and outer selves are in harmony, the senses that connect us to the outside may lead, through neural pathways, straight into an inner realm of our consciousness, of which, as William James implied, we are normally scarcely aware.

Our primal self is strongly stirred by such an intimate contact with nature. Feelings, often buried under tons of civilization, are wrenched to the surface in a few moments. It is as if an electrical potential between the self and nature is released and a flow of electrical current ignites the momentary ecstasy. The reality of that moment is utterly true; nothing can alter that knowing.

Many lovers of nature and the outdoors know this feeling. It comes often with the motion and exertion of the body that seems to condition the in to be receptive to that magic flash of current that signifies mystical expeAneis de Vida

rience.

The power of nature can break through our emotional barriers.

For individuals with no knowledge of nature, an intense experience of the wilderness may change forever their relationship to the Earth Mother. Many of our deepest emotions are grounded in transcendent moments that sweep through consciousness, revealing a vast dimension of reality of which we are ordinarily not aware.

Visions of mountains, seas, rivers, and forests can expand perceptions that lead the beholder toward a transcendent communion with nature. Spinoza considered that the universe contained creative forces comprehended only through intuition, not by mathematics.

Replenishment of the emptiness Unitive dimension: not apart from the earth\artificial distraction Truth emerges from experiential reality States of insight into depths of truth that is not verifiable by others. – cosmic consciousness the unitive feeling with nature is the key element to the true love that can lead to the active efforts to preserve it In a global sense, the healing of the world may be accomplished when we, humanity, are willing to se “the human diminish so that other life forms might flourish.

– Roger Walsh Renewal of our sacred bond with nature Is it simplistic perhaps to call for a “return to nature”, yet what alternatives exist? Humanity’s connection to our mother, nature, has withered. Whole generations of human beings in this world have scarcely seen a forest, a valley in flower, or a wild animal. But there is a spiritual memory in all of us that, if given the opportunity, can renew the kinship – biophilia – whereby our consciousness and conscience unite again with nature in harmonic balance. That inherited memory cannot be lost in the short era of the industrial and population explosion.”

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Proposal Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Article 1. Mother Earth Earth

Preamble

(1)

Mother Earth is a living being.

(2)

Mother Earth is a unique, indivisible, selfregulating community of interrelated beings that sustains, contains and reproduces all beings.

(3)

Each being is defined by its relationships as an in tegral part of Mother Earth.

(4)

The inherent rights of Mother Earth are inaliena ble in that they arise from the same source as ex stence.

We, the peoples and nations of Earth: considering that we are all part of Mother Earth, an indivisible, living community of interrelated and interdependent beings with a common destiny; gratefully acknowledging that Mother Earth is the source of life, nourishment and learning and provides everything we need to live well;

recognizing that the capitalist system and all forms of (5) depredation, exploitation, abuse and contamination have caused great destruction, degradation and disruption of Mother Earth, putting life as we know it today at risk through phenomena such as climate change; convinced that in an interdependent living community it is not possible to recognize the rights of only human beings without causing an imbalance within Mother Earth;

(6)

affirming that to guarantee human rights it is necessary to recognize and defend the rights of Mother Earth and all beings in her and that there are existing cultures, (7) practices and laws that do so; conscious of the urgency of taking decisive, collective action to transform structures and systems that cause climate change and other threats to Mother Earth; proclaim this Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth, and call on the General Assembly of the United Nation to adopt it, as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations of the world, and to the end that every individual and institution takes responsibility for promoting through teaching, education, and consciousness raising, respect for the rights recognized in this Declaration and ensure through prompt and progressive measures and mechanisms, national and international, their universal and effective recognition and observance among all peoples and States in the world.

Mother Earth and all beings are entitled to all the inherent rights recognized in this Declaration without distinction of any kind, such as may be made between organic and inorganic beings, spe cies, origin, use to human beings, or any other status.

Just as human beings have human rights, all other beings also have rights which are specific to their species or kind and appropriate for their role and function within the communities within which they exist.

The rights of each being are limited by the rights of other beings and any conflict between their rights must be resolved in a way that maintains the integrity, balance and health of Mother Earth.

Article 2. Inherent Rights of Mother Earth

(1) Mother Earth and all beings of which she is composed have the following inherent rights: (a) the right to life and to exist; (b) the right to be respected; (c) the right to regenerate its bio-capacity and to continue its vital cycles and processes free from human disruptions; (d) the right to maintain its identity and integrity as a distinct, self-regulating, and interrelated being; (e) the right to water as a source of life;

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(f)

the right to clean air;

(g)

the right to integral health;

(h)

the right to be free from contamination, pollution and toxic or radioactive waste;

(i)

the right to not have its genetic structure modified or disrupted in a manner that threatens it integrity or vital and healthy functioning;

(j)

(j) the right to full and prompt restoration the violation of the rights recognized in this Declaration caused by human activities;

(k)

(2) Each being has the right to a place and to play its role in Mother Earth for her harmonious functioning.

(l)

(3) Every being has the right to wellbeing and to live free from torture or cruel treatment by human beings.

Article 3. Obligations of human beings to Mother Earth

(1)

Every human being is responsible for respecting and living in harmony with Mother Earth.

(2)

Human beings, all States, and all public and pri vate institutions must:

sary, restore the integrity, of the vital ecological cycles, processes and balances of Mother Earth;

(g)

(g) guarantee that the damages caused by human violations of the inherent rights recognized in this Declaration are rectified and that those responsible are held accountable for restoring the integrity and health of Mother Earth;

(h)

(h) empower human beings and institutions to defend the rights of Mother Earth and of all beings;

(i)

(i) establish precautionary and restrictive measures to prevent human activities from causing species extinction, the destruction of ecosystems or the disruption of ecological cycles;

(j)

(j) guarantee peace and eliminate nuclear, chemical and biological weapons;

(k)

(k) promote and support practices of respect for Mother Earth and all beings, in accordance with their own cultures, traditions and customs;

(l)

(l) promote economic systems that are in harmony with Mother Earth and in accordance with the rights recognized in this Declaration.

Article 4. Definitions (1)

The term “being” includes ecosystems, natural communities, species and all other natural enti ties which exist as part of Mother Earth.

Nothing in this Declaration restricts the recogni tion of other inherent rights of all beings or speci fied beings.

(a)

act in accordance with the rights and obligations recognized in this Declaration;

(b)

recognize and promote the full implementation and enforcement of the rights and obligations recognized in this Declaration;

(2)

(c)

promote and participate in learning, analysis, interpretation and communication about how to live in harmony with Mother Earth in accordance with this Declaration;

Source: http://www.rightsofmotherearth.com/ declaration/

(d)

(e)

(f)

ensure that the pursuit of human wellbeing contributes to the wellbeing of Mother Earth, now and in the future; (e) establish and apply effective norms and laws for the defence, protection and conservation of the rights of Mother Earth; (f) respect, protect, conserve and where neces-

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Watch The Declaration of Rights of Mother Earth Video Quotes

“It is in country unfamiliar emotionally or topographically that one needs poems and roadmaps.” ~ Clifford Geerts “Human sanity requires some less-than-obvious connections to nature as well as the necessities of food, 79

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water, energy, and air. We have hardly begun to discov- that comes to house itself inside our physiology. Rather er what those connections may be…”~Paul Shepard, it is instilled an provoked by the sensorial field itself, 1969 induced by the tensions and participations between the “Scientific understanding has grown, so our world has human body and the animate earth. The invisible become dehumanized. Man feels himself isolated in the shapes of smells, rhythms of cricketsong, and the cosmos, because he is no longer involved in nature and movement of shadows all, in a sense, provide the subhas lost his emotional “unconscious identity” with natu- tle body of our thoughts….By acknowledging such links between the inner, psychological world and the percepral phenomena. These have slowly lost their symbolic tual terrain that surrounds us, we begin to turn insideimplications….No voices now speak to man from stones, plants, and animals, nor does he speak to them out, loosening the psyche from its confinement within a strictly human sphere, freeing sentience to return to believing they can hear. His contact with nature has gone, and with it has gone the profound emotional en- the visible world that contains us. Intelligence is no longer ours alone but is a property of the earth; we are ergy that this symbolic connection supplied.” ~ C.G. in it, of it, immersed in its depths. And indeed each terJung, Approaching the Unconscious, p85 rain, each ecology, seems to have its own particular in“It may seem absurd those unfamiliar with psychoana- telligence, its own unique vernacular of soil and leaf lytic thought to suppose that man treats Nature in and sky. Each place its own mind, its own psyche. Oak, terms of dominance and submission as he might treat maddrone, Douglas fir, red-tailed hawk, serpentine in another human being with whom he has not been able the sandstone, a certain scale to the topography, to establish a one-to-one relationship, but I believe drenching rains in the winter, fog off-shore in the sumthese attitudes can not only be demonstrated, but are mer, salmon surging in the streams – all these together actually important for our understanding of what has make up a particular state of mind, a place-specific ingone wrong in our relationship with the natural world.” telligence shared by all the humans that dwell therein, ~ Anthony Storr, 1974 but also by the coyotes yapping in those valleys, by the “The archetypal role of nature – the mineral, plant and bobcats and the ferns and the spiders, by all beings animal world found most complete in wilderness – is in who live and make their way in that zone. Ach place its own psyche. Each sky its own blue.” ~ David Abram – the development of the individual human personality for it embodies the poetic expression of ways of being The Spell p262 and relating to others. Urban civilization creates the ECOCOPSYCHOLOGY QUESTIONAIRRE illusion of a shortcut to individual maturity by attempting to omit the eight to ten years of immersion 1.Describe your earliest memory of feeling in nonhuman nature. Maturity so achieved is spurious connected to nature because the individual, though he may be precociously _______________________________________ articulate and sensitive to subtle human interplay, is _______________________________________ without a grounding in the given structure that is nature….Indeed, the real bitterness of modern social rela- _______________________________________ tions has its roots in that vacuum where a beautiful and _______________________________________ awesome otherness should have been encountered.” ~ 2.Describe your earliest memory of feeling Paul Shepard

“Psychology without ecology is lonely and vice versa.

The salmon is not merely a projection, a symbol of some inner process, it is rather the embodiment of the soul that nourishes us all.”~ Tom Jay “The human mind is not some otherworldly essence Aneis de Vida

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_______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

3.Iin which way(s) has(ve) your connection to nature protected you?

_______________________________________ _______________________________________ 9.How would you like to use what you learn _______________________________________ through this presentation? _______________________________________ _______________________________________ 4.How has your connection to nature inspired _______________________________________ _______________________________________ you? _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ 10.Describe the animal presences in your _______________________________________ dreamlife _______________________________________ _______________________________________ 5.Has your relationship with nature in any way _______________________________________ _______________________________________ (conscious or unconscious) influenced your _______________________________________ choice in vocation? _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ 6.What is your understanding of Ecopsychology?

11.Describe the physical presences of animals in your life _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

_______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

12.Describe your favourite nature places & the ‘characteristics’ drawing you to these places

_______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

13.How does your life theme connect with the world theme?

_______________________________________ _______________________________________ 7.What interests you about the field of Ecopsy- _______________________________________ _______________________________________ chology?

_______________________________________ _______________________________________ 8.What would you like to gain from the field or _______________________________________ what kind of contribution do you wish to make _______________________________________ to the field?

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_______________________________________ 14.How does the wounding of nature and ani- _______________________________________ mals affect you?

20.How does alienation/separation/ _______________________________________ disconnection from nature manifest in your _______________________________________ life? _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ 15.How does it manifest in your body, your _______________________________________ emotions, thoughts, relationships and life? _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ 16.What do you do to stay connected to nature?

21.Do you believe Nature is a facilitator of restoration and/or healing and/or spiritual awakening and/or essential to overall whole-being?

If you do, in which way(s) do you experience this.

_______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ 17.What do you need to do to re- connect or restore your relationship with nature? _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ 18.What do understand is the ecological unconscious? _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ 19.What archetypal symbolism, experiences, imagery remind you of the ecological unconscious _______________________________________ Aneis de Vida

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Children what is happening at the Barnyard Farm?

Hello everyone, welcome back to the Barnyard Sanctuary, where all life is precious, all creatures’ great and small are loved equally.

Betsy and Jetsy are woken up by a terrible noise across the roof of their bedroom. They rushed to their Mum, Mama Piglet squealing in terror. Was the sky falling down? Mama Piglet shushed both Betsy and Jetsy, telling them to wait quietly while she went to investigate.

Mama Piglet rushed outside to see the Squirrels Eyecatcher, Flycatcher, Dancer and Prancer jumping over the roof of the Goats house. Shielding her eyes from the rising sun on the horizon, Mama Piglet wondered what could have frightened the Squirrels to bolting across the rooves in such a tremendous hurry.

Mama Piglet glanced over her shoulder to see a huge dust storm coming towards her house. Mama Piglet rushed inside to close all the windows as she had cleaned their house so nicely the previous day. Mama Piglet didn’t know what was causing the dust storm so told the Piglets to wash their hands and faces, not forgetting to clean their teeth so she could get their breakfast for them.

As Mama Piglet was getting the fruit and vegetables together to place on the table, she heard a thunderous noise coming toward the house. Mama Piglet was visibly shaken and rushed to the Piglets to hold and comfort them.

The terrible noise was getting louder and they could feel the earth vibrating.

The noise went by their house, getting fainter each second that passed. When the earth trembles had stopped, and the noise almost gone, Mama Piglet told the Piglets to wait inside while she investigated.

Mama Piglet opened the door very softly, peeked outside, and didn’t see the dust cloud and the rumbling was growing fainter in the distance.

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Going round the side of the house, Mama Piglet saw , Papa BaaBaa Goat, Mama Maa Goat, Hippy, Skippy, Hoppy, Jumpy and Bumpy along with Winky, Binky, Windy, Bunky and Scoot and Mama Gee flapping alongside Papa Gigwig all just as worried and nervous as Mama Piglet.

What could be happening? Was there trouble? A problem? My goodness everyone was so worried. Everyone was talking (quacking being the Ducks, hissing from the Geese, squealing was Mama Piglet right along with Betsy and Jetsy that came to see what the excitement was all about.

A huge truck could be seen heading out to the enclosure where Shewhobefree lived. A convoy of cars, trucks even an off-road bike or two could be seen heading toward the huge truck.

Betsy, Jetsy, Hippy, Skippy, Hoppy, Jumpy, Bumpy, Winky, Binky, Windy, Bunky, Scoot rushed off to see what was happening. They didn’t see smoke so there wasn’t a fire. Mr Ben would sound the horn to notify all if there was a problem. Apart from the huge truck roaring past the houses all was quiet. Well as quiet as a farmyard can be at breakfast time. Wild Birds coming to feed on the left-overs.

BooBoo and DeeDee the Beagles were also rushing towards Shewhobefree’s enclosure to see what was happening. Today was becoming a very exciting? Tense? Well so far been a very noisy day.

As the ‘Gang’ were rushing closer, they heard Mr Ben’s voice over the loudspeaker asking Dr Dogman to please get the tranquilizer dart gun ready. Dart gun? Did this mean danger? The word gun at the Sanctuary is a forbidden word. A forbidden item. Everyone at the Barnyard Sanctuary knew this was not a farm as such but a safehaven for all that came here.

Of course the ‘Gang’ hearing the word gun started moving toward the group of people as fast as their legs could carry them. Being youngsters all this meant excitement, lots of excitement.

The ‘Gang’ slowed down when they saw the huge truck parked next to Shewhobefree’s enclosure. This was the monster that frightened everyone just a short while earlier.

Climbing down from the truck was the biggest, the scariest looking human the ‘Gang’ had ever seen. Long hair trailing wildly down his back. His back had fur? No hair pouring out from the collar of the shirt. His face was just fur? No more hair in the longest thickest beard the ‘Gang’ had ever seen. This man was twice the size of Mr Ben and Dr Dogman combined. This man was definitely scary. The ‘Gang’ were frozen in terror, this scary man rushed to Mr Ben. Picked him up. The ‘Gang’ collectively held their breath. Hearts pounding in fright they watched the man with Mr Ben in his arms dance around. Big shock no-one rushed to help Mr Ben. Next the ‘Gang’ heard whooping and yelling.

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Oh No! Now what? Then the ‘Gang’ heard the Hello! How are you and the Giant picking up the other people, kissing them on the cheek and no those weren’t fangs showing through the beard, rather a big smile of happiness in greeting old friends.

The monster man’s name was Big Jim. Big because of the size of his frame and heart. Yes. Big Jim was the driver of the monster truck coming to take Shewhobefree home to Africa. Well. Not Africa but to the airport for an airplane to fly her home to Africa.

Climbing down from the truck on the passenger’s side was the smallest human the ‘Gang’ had ever seen. Standing next to Big Jim made it the most comical sight for the ‘Gang.’

First they started giggling then they started laughing. While they were laughing they heard a gentle cough behind them. They turned in shock. Mrs Jen had a very stern look on her face. She looked at each of the ‘Gang’ and said in a stern voice “We do not judge people on how they look” Then she wiped her brow with her apron.

Putting a hand to her temple, Mrs Jen then continued “Each of you know that we judge people on how they treat Animals and other humans. We never laugh at disability that can affect how we move our bodies or talk. We judge people and Animals on their kindness and love. In fact, correction, we should never judge. We treat all we encounter with respect and with all the friendliness we can muster into our hearts. We smile and we always be nice to all we meet. That poor wee man you were laughing at, he is what is known as a Dwarf. His name is also Jim. Small Jim to his Family and friends”

The ‘Gang’ felt terrible, but let’s be honest, it was the funniest sight the ‘Gang’ had ever seen. A giant of a human with the smallest human in their whole world. Mrs Jen was smiling as she walked away. Yes it was a funny sight.

Big Jim and Small Jim did their best to bring smiles to people’s faces. The ‘Gang’ had to learn the difference of laughing at someone and laughing with someone. Mrs Jen didn’t want the ‘Gang’ to becoming accustomed to making fun of people because they didn’t not look the same as others. The ‘Gang’ must learn compassion as with humility comes empathy for others.

The ‘Gang’ were startled when Big Jim rushed over to Mrs Jen, picking her up so gently as though Mrs Jen were a butterfly he swung her around gently, kissed the top of her head then each cheek before placing her ever so softly back onto the ground.

Spotting the ‘Gang’ both Big Jim and Small Jim came to meet them. The ‘Gang’ felt honoured that they should also be greeted like long lost friends.

Dr Dogman announced the dart gun was ready. Mr Ben asked Mrs Jen to keep everyone as quiet as possible as they had to sedate Shewhobefree before loading her onto the huge truck on the first leg of her journey back home to her jungle in Africa.

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Sharon 079 374 3552 Paula 084 207 3907

sharoncambell@vodamail.co.za

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Photography By Anela Aneis de Vida

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