Vision 9

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Vision

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ith the trees almost bare and the nights long and cold, what better way to warm up than with this month’s marvellous Mediterranean issue of Vision! Learn about the history (P18), mythology (P21) and ghosts (P9) of Ancient Greece and delve into the Oracle of Delphi (P30). Sally Morningstar talks to us about her connection with the Greek deities in healing(P48) and we look at Greek

dreams with Karen Aitken(P40).

Shabdan tells us how to contact our very own Guardian Angel (P44) and there is a chance to win your very own website (P46) with Webzen. Of course, Vision’s shop (P78) is full of festive goodies and gifts, so banish the Winter blues and join us on our odyssey to Ancient Greece.

Diana editor

Letters

Each letter published will receive a copy of Pure Calm from the Pure Series worth £10.95, courtesy of New World Music. Let Stuart Jones’s fluidity and perfection on keyboards clear your mind.

The Star Letter will win four titles from the Pure series including Pure Calm, Pure Dreaming, Pure Love & Light and Pure Tranquility – worth a total of £43.80.

For further information and a free catalogue, contact New World Music on 01986 891600, or visit www.newworldmusic.com We reserve the right to edit letters.

Star Letter I can’t put it down!

What a wonderful magazine! I was given 3 issues by a friend who thought I might find it interesting and like it. I will definitely be ordering this magazine as I just can’t put I down, it is so informative on things that I am really interested in especially Coven Corner and the holistic healing pages. Keep up the good work to you and all your staff – thank you for such a brilliant publication. From one of your mature readers, with many blessings, Mary, Stockbridge, Hampshire

Therapeutic Thanks What a fantastic magazine! I’m an avid reader and collector of Vision. I excitedly wait for my copy each month, your magazine has opened up many new channels for me. I have been a Tarot Reader for many years and I’ve now started at college doing crystal therapy and crystal healing, Reiki and Aromatherapy. I’ve had faith in my gift and it has increased ten-fold thanks to all the subjects you regularly cover in Vision. My heart-felt thanks go out to you all, please keep up all your hard work. I will continue in my work and of course, with reading Vision. Thank You! Karen, Warley, West Midlands.

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Dragon Vision I drew my dragon purple because spirits like that colour! I like Vision because there are lots of pictures of dragons and stuff.

Nicolle (aged 7) Selby, North Yorkshire

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P6 Borley Rectory P8 Ghostly Greece P11 Visionaries P14 Past Wife P16 Experiences Explained

And the rest...

P26 Destiny Doctors P46 Competitions P75 Subscriptions P76 Reviews P82 Day Tripper

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P18 The golden age of Greek gods P21 As above, so below P24 Greek Mythological Creatures

P44 An Angel for Christmas P28 Spiritual Bathing P30 Divining in Delphi P32 Past lives, present characters P34 A dream to remember P36 I need a hero!

P38 Keep your spirits up!

P40 The original dream interpreters P43 Dream Directory

P56 Past life pets P48 Hedgewitch Healing P50 Patches for patchy auras P52 Tune in to your Sacred Sound P54 Crystals of the Gods P58 Coven Corner

P60 Hellenistic Astrology - Greek astrology P63 Horoscopes -

your December forecasts

by James

Christie

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Dean White invites you to look into the mystery of what was once one of Britain’s most haunted houses: Borley Rectory.

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orley Rectory was undoubtedly at one time one of the most haunted houses in England. The rectory was built in 1863 by the Reverend Henry Dawson Ellis Bull. Rev Henry Bull passed away in 1892, after this his son Reverend Harry Foster Bull took charge of Borley.

It was around the 1900s that family members of Harry Bull were to experience sightings of the ghostly nun within the rectory grounds. The ghostly nun was seen on several occasions by different members of the family. The ghostly nun was also seen by some visitors.

As different rectors passsed through Borley many of them witnessed strange occurrences at the rectory and grounds. The media were also called in on several occasions throughout Borley life: TV documentaries and national newspaper coverage brought Borley to the attention of the public from 1929 to the present day.

In 1929 the current rectors decided to call in some professional advice and opted for the help of Harry Price, who became one of the world’s greatest ghost hunters and paranormal researchers. It was his research about Borley which may well have made his name.

The haunting of Borley continued until the February 27 1939, when the rectory was destroyed by fire: there has been speculation that arson was probably the cause.

Throughout the years at Borley Rectory there were many ghostly stories to be told, mostly from previous residents but some from outsiders. These stories

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ranged from the ghostly nun to the sighting of a spectral stage coach.

Some time after the fire there was an excavation of part of the grounds, during which female bones were found – some people believe that these may have been the remains of the ghostly nun. The rectory was eventually knocked down and several bungalows were built in its place.

Even though the rectory no longer stands, there have still been a few sightings of the nun reported.

There is a path which runs from the site of the former rectory called The Nun’s Walk, which is where the nun has been sighted, usually around dusk and on a specific date: July 28. She reputedly glides along the path but when she reaches the trees at the end, she disappears. The nun’s tale is one of tragedy: she apparently left a convent at Bures and fell in love with one of the lay brothers from Borley Monastery. She was accused of breaking her vows and it was thought she may have been bricked up alive as a result, but there is no evidence to confirm or deny this story.

There have also been reports of disturbances such as bells ringing, the sound of heavy footsteps when there is

no-one else around and it has even been reported that keys have spontaneously flown out of door locks.

Borley Church All that now stands in the small village of Borley are a few bungalows and cottages, along with Borley Church. Borley Church has also had its fair share of strange occurrences. The alleged sighting of the ghostly nun at the rectory has also been

witnessed at the church, which has an otherworldy feel at the best of times.

Other strange happenings at the church include the bell ringing by itself while the door was locked, and organ music has been heard playing from a distance. The person who heard the music thought a

church service was taking place, but they found the church locked and no-one around.

The church has also been the subject of paranormal investigations from the early 1970s right up until the late 1990s. During one of these investigations a group of people stayed the night at the church to conduct a full investigation; noises were heard within the church and were also recorded on tape. The sound of movement from one of the chairs as well as other raps and taps were also caught on tape.

Experience I have been interested in the paranormal for about 10 years. I am a member of the Ghost Club in London and I often find myself heading to haunted locations.

One place in particular which has always been of interest to me is Borley Church and the rectory, even though the rectory no longer stands, its legend still lives on. One particularly good book is Borley Rectory: The Final Analysis by Edward Babbs.

My first visit to Borley was unsuccessful, as I travelled up to Sudbury there were no road signs to Borley and it was not on the map.

I asked locals but often the reply was “Sorry, we don’t know”. Perhaps the haunting at Borley had created so much unwanted attention that the villagers became sick of ghost hunters turning up at all hours? The added threat of vandalism to the church would not have helped.

A few months later I searched for the village again. I was successful this time, but only by chance. As I approached

the church I felt excitement that I was on the grounds where once the most haunted house in England had once stood.

The church is always locked but I eventually found someone to let me in. I took some pictures around the church grounds and also of the church and its windows. When I went inside the church, I felt an ice cold spot in the doorway which I could not explain. Inside was the tomb of the Waldergrave family.

Some days later I developed my pictures of Borley. I was amazed to see a face in the lower corner of one of the church windows (above)! I did return to Borley some months later to recreate the shot in the same window – the face wasn’t there in the second image. Did I capture one of the infamous ghosts of Borley? Edward Babbs, author of Borley Rectory: The Final Analysis, has viewed the image and has agreed that the picture is of great interest, as has Tom Perrott, an eminent figure in psychical research. Judge for yourself!

For more information about Harry Price visit www.harryprice.co.uk If you have any Borley experiences you’d like to share with Dean, email him at dean2214@hotmail.com Opposite left: Borley Rectory as it was Opposite right: Borley church Above: Dean’s image of a face Left: Borley churchyard

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Rosalind Collier examines the ghouls that plagued the ancient Greeks.

Ghosts in Ancient Greece “ returned from the afterlife for a multitude of purposes ranging from requesting a proper burial, to offering prophetic warnings.

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he ancient Greeks were considered pioneers in the development of reason and science, and they made significant contributions in the fields of mathematics, geometry, philosophy and astronomy.

However, in contrast, their culture and religious beliefs are full of myths, legends and superstitions. Not only did they believe in numerous gods and demigods, they also believed in daimones (otherworldly beings) and ghosts of the deceased.

It was not until the later part of the Greek classical period (around 300 BC) that the belief in the afterlife shifted.

Previously, the afterlife had been thought to be an unpleasant place with no freedom. This developed into a place where actions during life were judged by the gods and either punishment or reward followed.

Generally the belief in ghosts in ancient Greek times was similar to today, some believed while others didn’t.

However, to openly admit belief was a different matter. The ancient Greeks placed a lot of emphasis on honour and courage, a belief in these “terrifying” ghosts showed fear, which was considered highly dishonourable.

In contradiction to this, however, the Greeks

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celebrated several festivals dedicated to the dead. The main festival was the Dionysian feast of the Anthesteria, where the ghosts of the dead emerged from the Underworld and entered the city. The spirits stayed until they were chased away at the end of the festival. Like many aspects of ancient Greek society, the supernatural had its own governing deity, in this case Hekate the Goddess of witchcraft, magic, the night, the moon and ghosts.

Like modern day society, scientists did not put much credit in the study of the paranormal and those who did were ridiculed. One such philosopher was Democritus, who was widely considered to be the first Western paranormal investigator. His methods of investigation were similar to those used today, but due to the lack of technology his theories were based on the human psyche. Democritus would visit locations reputed to be haunted and sometimes spend several days there.

He believed that most supernatural encounters were a hallucination that he explained with his theory of atoms which is a lot like the residual energy theory of today.

Democritus believed that objects gave off a thin film of atoms that drift around us and when they affected the eyes or mind, images were created. This theory explained ghosts, because the image films or atoms could continue to drift around even after the sources such as a body had decomposed.

Ghosts in ancient Greece returned from the afterlife

for a multitude of purposes ranging from requesting a proper burial, to offering prophetic warnings. Some of the more popular ghost stories and legends of ancient Greece include: The Grateful Dead - The Grateful Dead were spirits that returned to reward a living person who had somehow helped them. The poet Simonides encountered such a spirit after he discovered the body of an unknown man lying unburied. He buried the man and later experienced a vision of the dead man who warned him not to go on a sea trip he had planned.

Simonides heeded the warning and later discovered that those who had sailed, perished.

Day & Night Ghosts - The majority of ghost stories from ancient Greece occur in the dead of night. They were intended to frighten people, and in general night is the time for terrors throughout ancient belief. Ghosts belong to the night because it is dark and the dark is associated with death. It was particularly unusual for a ghost to appear during the day; however those that did, appeared at midday and carried some kind of important warning for the person that witnessed its appearance.

Black & White Ghosts - Most ghosts encountered in ancient Greece appeared as they did when they were alive, however, there were a few cases involving ghosts that were either pure black or pure white.

Pure black ghosts were supposed to be particularly terrifying. The black colour was associated with the gloominess of the underworld, the night and their terrifying appearance was connected to how the body was buried: if the body had been cremated than its blackness could have been a result of this.

White is often associated with light and peace.

However, in ancient Greece the pure whiteness of a ghost

reflected the bloodless pallor of a corpse or the whiteness of the skeleton and were equally as terrifying as black ghosts.

Revenants - Revenants were the ancient Greek equivalent of zombies. They were re-animated corpses or ‘embodied ghosts’.

One of the most well-known revenant stories was that of Philinnion.

It told of how a girl, believed to be dead, returned to her parents’ home and spent several nights with a male visitor.

Once her secret was discovered, she promptly dropped dead again. Upon investigation it was discovered that her body was missing from the family vault.

Crisis Apparitions - Another type of manifestation was the crisis apparition. They were phantoms of friends or relatives that appeared just as they underwent some great trauma, injury or death. Unlike other ghosts, crisis apparitions appeared only once at the moment of crisis.

One of the most famous crisis ghost stories was that of Creusa, wife of Aeneas. During the destruction of Troy, Aeneas led his family from the burning city only to find his wife was not with them. Distraught, he ran back into Troy to look for her. As he frantically looked for her, he encountered her ghost and she told him not to indulge in grief, but to go on without her.

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The place: Glenn Wynne Guest House, Windermere, Lake District The Visionaries: Nance Turner, Dean Ballance, Diana Jarvis, Guests: Terry Watton, Christina Procter

H

ello and welcome once again to another vigil with us, the Visionaries! This month we are in the beautiful Lake District at Glenn Wynne Guest House, home of Lyn Armer, with our two competition winners Terry Watton and Christina Proctor as guest Visionaries. Before I carry on with an account of the investigation, I would like to introduce you to our newest team member – Dean Ballance. Rachel Lacy and Georgia Mead have moved on to pastures new and will be sorely missed by the rest of the team. Dean has stepped in with his very definite mediumistic talent, we hope you’ll give him a warm welcome!

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Downstairs Bedroom When Dean first entered the bedroom he picked up on the fact that it used to be a kitchen, with a paved floor. He said that it would have been a massive room, with a big table in the middle. He could sense a maid, who would have spent a lot of her time down there. When Di entered the room she started to get a headache and felt nauseous. I didn’t pick up anything apart from getting a headache and nausea too, but felt that this could have been the servants’ part of the building.

Kitchen Di showed Lyn how to set up a flour trap.

A light sprinkling of flour was dusted across a tray, to form an even, unmarked layer. This was left securely and later checked for any marks that may have come from supernatural sources. Sadly, the supernatural were not interested in the flour. The only things picked up in the kitchen were full coffee cups, the Visionaries were all in need of something to keep them going through the night!

Dining Room A trigger object was placed in the dining room, but sadly there was no evidence of movement by paranormal means.

When Di first went into the dining room she picked up a lady who seemed to be a bit confused. This lady told Di that she knew Lyn, but couldn’t remember why!

Di said that she shuffled around the room in her slippers and thought that the lady

must have suffered with Alzheimer’s Disease or something similar. The lady had a strong emotional bond to Lyn, which Di could feel, it was so strong that Lyn herself felt it and was moved to tears. Di then had to break contact.

When Di returned to the room later to dowse it with Lyn, Terry and Christina, she picked up on the confused lady again.

She was never told who the lady was, but listed an assortment of items that would mean something to Lyn – a budgerigar in a cage, a bone teething ring…and she continued to describe the lady’s wandering around, detailing where she used to stand and how she used to act.

Di was convinced that the lady was a close relative of Lyn’s but the lady was too confused to tell her who she was.

Lyn said she knew who she was and was aware of her (see history). The team’s dowsing suggested that the room had a strong energy vortex that attracted spirit energies – possibly with crossing Ley

lines. All parties in this room felt there was a considerable amount of energy and spirit presence.

When Dean was in the room he picked up a gentleman who seemed to be waiting for someone. The gentleman was worried and kept staring out the window. He was wearing a dark three-piece suit, waistcoat and had a pocket watch. Dean said that the room looked like a study of sorts, and felt that this man was quite a prominent businessman when he was alive.

Apparently, he didn’t like anyone to be in the room and wanted it locked!

When I entered the room I picked up a lady with a very strong energy, she was middle-aged and dressed in Victorian clothes, she had her hair in a bun and wore glasses on a long chain. She gave me the name Eloise-Mary and spoke very eloquently. She enjoyed the fact that she was well-respected, but said that she didn’t like going upstairs. I also picked up on lots of books, big books, looking like volumes in a series. I got the date 1881.

When Dean returned to the room at the end of the vigil he gave Lyn a physical description of the lady that Di had been picking up. He described her height and shape and also the clothes she wore. He was quite specific, for instance, he described her as wearing a blue cardigan that was buttoned-up incorrectly. Lyn confirmed that his description matched the lady Di was picking up (see history).

Attic Room and Upstairs Bedrooms

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In the attic room, Dean immediately picked up on two children, a boy and a girl of different ages. The boy was wearing shorts and kept bringing people his ball to play with. The girl was about 7 years old and Dean got the date 1900.

When Di came into the room later, she picked up on the children, saying that they liked to make little dens, but she said the energy was really sad.

Front Bedroom

The Blue Bedroom

When I entered this room, I picked up on the children here, they were running up and down the corridor and I said they mostly gravitated to the attic room. I felt that they were not bad children, but liked to cause havoc if given half a chance. I felt that it could have been quite an opulent room, in the early 1800s.

In this room Di got the feeling of being quite breathless, and when she went into the toilet felt like something was hanging there! She also had felt what she later described as ‘abject terror’ and had to leave the room with help from Dean, as she had frozen in fear! She said that the room needed cleansing. Dean entered the en suite in the room and was knocked forward but there was nobody behind him. He sensed there was a man hanging in the toilet.

When I entered the room, I felt very drawn to the window, I felt like someone used to stand there and look down into the yard, but didn’t want to be seen doing it. I said that the room had been changed quite a lot, and had quite a lot of muddled energy. I went into the toilet and I saw a man hanging too, and got the name Charlie. I didn’t feel like he was that bothered about hanging, I felt he got a kick out of people seeing him! As I was sat on the bed, I suddenly started feeling sick, but the feeling went right through me and hit another member of the team, who ran out of the room and started to cry! Terry and Christina also picked up some very strange energy here, both by dowsing and in the general feeling of the room.

Opposite Page Upper left: Nance looking at orb Below left: Terry dowsing, orb on back Upper right: Di showing Lyn a flour trap.

Below right: The Visionaries in the lounge.

This page Above: Diana in attic room Below: Nance in the toilet

So there you have it, hanging men in toilets, ley lines in the dining room, children playing ball in the attic room how much fun can you have in one night?

Although we didn’t get anything on our equipment (apart from the photos we’ve included here), we did pick up a lot of evidence from spirit, which could be confirmed by Lyn, it was a superb vigil!

We would like to thank Lyn for her hospitality and Terry and Christina for their support.

History of Glen Wynne Guest House Sadly Lyn was not aware of much of the history of the house, but knew the previous owner. Glen Wynne was built in 1865, along with the rest of the houses in the road.

Lyn was aware of some of the spirits that had been picked up by the Visionaries. She could confirm all of the information that Di had picked up from the little lady in the Dining Room and could also confirm the psychical description of the same lady given by Dean. It turned out that the lady was Lyn’s own mother! Lyn also explained some things that had happened to her and some of her guests in Glenn Wynne. The ‘Blue Room’ had one of two effects on prospective guests – they either walked straight out and never came back or said they loved it and booked immediately. There was never an in-between! The Blue Room also has a door that shuts immediately after it has been firmly wedged open.

In the front bedroom Lyn had had a scary experience. She felt her hair being lifted and thought that perhaps there was a spider in her hair. She was bending down at the time, when she stood up and looked in the mirror her hair was standing up at the back and fixed in a curl. This was strange as her hair was dead-straight when she went into the room! The doorbell to the property also has a life of it’s own – all the doors including the front door can be opened so that people can see out…then the doorbell will make a sound “like Big Ben”, but no-one will be at the door or anywhere near the outside of the property! In the dining room guests have found their cutlery bent almost completely over and they’ve seen glasses move across the table on their own.

If you would like to stay at Glenn Wynne contact Lyn on 01539 443685 or visit her website on www.glenn-wynne@ukhotels.com

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Diana Jarvis had a past life in the 17th century and has met her wife from that life in this one! Here she recounts her amazing experience.

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aranormal investigators often dream of the day when a reporter will witness first-hand the inexplicable, but few reporters expect to be the centre of something inexplicable and paranormal themselves! The story that follows is true to my recollection and belief, I have kept my own identity, but I have changed the name of the other lady to shield her from any embarrassment.

A few years ago, I was asked to speak at a ghost convention in Nottingham, where I was elected to give psychic readings. After a busy morning, a pleasant lady and her daughter approached me. The lady, Sally, asked if she could have a reading, saying that she felt drawn to me. Over the years I have had many clients say this, so I thought nothing more of it, although I got the impression that we had met before.

The reading went well, and a lot of evidence came through via my spirit guide Annaliese. Sally was very happy.

After I had finished I went to the bar and ordered a coffee. The bar was full of people and was quite grand.

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I saw Sally amongst the crowd, so I went over with my coffee and asked if I could join her. We sat for a short while exchanging pleasantries. Then, out of the blue, I saw the ‘connection’ between us.

“You’re my wife!” I exclaimed (suddenly horrified as I said it out loud!). “And you are my husband Thomas,” she replied matter-of-factly. She didn’t seem phased at all by my outburst.

The conversation continued and I found myself recount a past life in which I was a nobleman during the reign of Charles II and Sally was my beloved wife, Catherine. Sally told her half of the story too: at times we completed each other’s sentences.

“We used to come to this place

that you can imagine that for two straight women, the remembrance and the feelings of a loving relationship were somewhat embarrassing! Our past selves were delighted at meeting again and made it very difficult for us to look each other in the eye!

After the conversation Sally and I swapped details and I asked her to come and visit me so that she could meet past life regressionist (and regular Vision contributor) Carole Chui. Carole gave us the opportunity to have a joint past life regression (see separate box).

I did some research after the event. I found it difficult to definitively identify Thomas and Catherine, but I did find that ‘George’ was George Villiers – the second Duke of Buckingham. The

The conversation continued and I found “myself recount a past life in which I was a nobleman during the reign of Charles II and Sally was my beloved.

”

when it was a lodge didn’t we? We used to visit George here,” I continued.

Sally nodded her assent, but as soon as the name George had left my lips I heard a huge crash behind me. I was sat with my back to a very tall marble fire surround.

On top of the surround had been a large vase of dried flowers, well set back from the edge. That vase had fallen to the floor. When I spoke later to witnesses, they said that the vase had risen into the air of its own accord and launched itself at me – it had missed me by inches! I sat shocked at how close I’d come to a sore head.

Sally and I were still bemused by our spontaneous recollections, not to mention the flying vase, but we felt a need to continue our conversation. It seemed that Thomas and Catherine were very much in love. At some points I felt as though I channelled Thomas – which was a very strange feeling!

To make matters even more confusing was the lingering love shared between Thomas and Catherine. I’m sure

Duke was an English courtier from 162887. He was a staunch Royalist during the English Civil War, but later plots with Oliver Cromwell’s government estranged him from Charles. In 1657 Buckingham returned to England, but was imprisoned until 1659.

After the Restoration (1660) he regained the favour of Charles II. He was known for his recklessness, temper and lack of principal – that would explain the vase-throwing!

Charles II often visited the hotel we met in (which used to be the hunting lodge of Henry VIII) with Nell Gwynne and it would seem extremely likely that one of Charles’ best-loved friends (ie George) would visit him there. George’s friends (ie Thomas and Catherine) may also have been on the guest list.

My search continues for Thomas and Catherine. I feel there is something left to discover about this past life. Perhaps when I’ve found them I will find out what that is.

This is Carole Chui’s account of a past life regression session she held with Diana and ‘Sally’.

“When Diana told me of her experience, I said that I would be happy to do a double regression so that they could go back into that life which had so much meaning for them both.

“I had done many one-to-one and group regressions, but a double one was new to me! I had no worries about Diana because she was very experienced, but Sally had never done this before and I wondered how easily she would relax into it. In the event, there was no problem in synchronising arrival into the shared past life,” said Carole.

“After a time spent asking both about the scene they were sharing, watching their children play, I asked them to move forward to survey the rest of that life.

Sally stayed fixed to her happy present but Diana moved on and seemed distressed by what she saw in their future together. I decided to bring them back to see what had happened.

“It became clear that Thomas and Catherine’s relationship had deteriorated and Diana was distressed by this, but Sally very much wanted to continue, so I took her back into that life,” said Carole.

“There are different levels of past life experience. For most people it is like watching a film. Sally experienced a revivification – or re-living – and inhabited her earlier self. As she easily slipped back into their courting days, she held out one hand and it was clear that Thomas was holding it as she blushed, giggled and flirted. She seemed a carefree young girl in love – but a girl from an earlier, more mannered age. The room was charged with sexual tension, but decorum held. Nevertheless, I brought her back to the present with relief, feeling a bit of gooseberry!”

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Diana Jarvis explains your weird experiences.

Rainbow child I hope that you can advise me. I have a gorgeous 11-month-old son, Byron. I have noticed that strange things keep happening around him. If he is frustrated, lightbulbs will blow up, or all the kitchen cupboards will fly open! If he wants a particular toy and it’s across the room, it will suddenly appear in his hands without me giving it to him. He can also make the mobile above his bed turn on just by looking at it.

While we were on holiday in Wales I took a photo of him, and when it was developed, he was surrounded by a HUGE rainbow of colours!

My question is this, is he a psychic/crystal child, and if so, how do I help him develop and grow naturally in a society which is at best sceptical and at worst hostile to psychic ability? I would very much appreciate your input and advice.

Teresa, Luton, Bedfordshire.

Diana says: That’s a wonderful photo, although it’s possible the developing process went wrong and created the rainbow. I can’t find a scientific explanation for the rest of your experiences though, not if they happen regularly! I think Byron is sensitive and a lot of what has happened is indicative of Spirit activity. He is likely to have a strong spirit guide around him, guiding him and may perhaps be an Indigo child (see Vision 10 for an article on Indigo Children).

Be supportive of any ability he has and don’t make him feel ‘different’. Listen when he tells you things, gently explain that he shouldn’t tell everyone and it’s your special secret. Then he won’t be afraid to be himself, but he will be mindful of others’ reactions.

I see people I’ve never met I am divorced with 5 boys and I’ve always seen and heard people that have passed over and I know things about people I have never met before. My dreams are in colour. When I am trying to sleep at night I see people’s faces whom I’ve never met flash through my mind and I can hear people whispering. I also feel people touching my arms: it’s freaking me out and keeping me awake. During the day I keep hearing someone call my name. Is this normal? If so, can I develop it?

I’ve tried spiritualist churches but the ones in Crewe are not for me. Is this normal or am I nuts?

Sarah, Crewe.

Diana says: What’s normal? We are all different and what you have experienced happens to so many of us. If you think you’re nuts, then many of us are!

Dreams in colour are rare, but your other experiences are quite common, more common than you think! Yes, you can develop.

Spiritualist churches do offer open circles, but there is no reason you cannot develop on your own. I don’t have space here to give a full answer,so may I recommend you pick up a copy of Spirit Guides and Angel Guardians by Richard Webster (contact Vision shop for details). . Best of luck in your endeavours!

Was dream a visit from my aunt?

I was very close to my great aunt who died when I was about 6years-old. She had been very ill with cancer. The day she died was very strange as my reaction was one of calm and immediate acceptance. That night I went to bed and dreamed that I was sat on the church wall which was facing her house. I was sat there wondering where my aunt was even though in my dream I was still aware of the fact that she had died. I was not surprised to see my aunt come around the corner of the wall and it felt as though I was expecting her! She smiled at me and told me to tell the family that she was okay now and in no pain!

Her face was very serene and she seemed very happy. When I woke up I remember feeling a sense of warmth and to this day whenever I think about my aunt a warm feeling comes over me.

It has been 35 years since that dream but I can remember it like it was only yesterday. Had she visited me to let everyone know she was well?

Bev, Manchester.

Diana says: Being on a church wall in itself suggests something spiritual! Analysts would say that these dreams are our subconscious seeking to comfort us during our period of grief, a psychic would say it was her. The true answer is only one that you can find within yourself as it can never be proven scientifically - it is determined by belief. My belief is that she came to you, I have had similar dreams. Spirits often affect temperature when they come close to us, but it is a fallacy we always get cold. The warm feeling you get is, as you suggest, probably your aunt reminding you she is there for you.

If you would like to share your experiences, send them to Diana Jarvis at the Vision address or email: experiencesexplained@visionmagazine.uk.com Please give as many details as possible – tell us what you saw, how you felt, and what you sensed etc. We reserve the right to edit letters.

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Michael Looking Coyote takes a trip back in time to chart the spiritual development of ancient Greece.

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he study of ancient Greece is so vast that even after several years of study, you’ll barely have scratched the surface!

Superficially, the history of ancient Greece can be broken down neatly into 8 successive periods: The Ages of Ancient Greece 6000-2900 BC Neolithic 2900-2000 BC Bronze (Early) 2000-1400 BC Minoan 1600-1100 BC Mycenaean 1100-750 BC Dark Ages 750-500 BC Archaic 500-336 BC Classical 336-146 BC Hellenistic What we see, when we look closely, is the transformation of a loose assembly of Aegean cave dwellers into metal workers. By the Mycenaean Age a collective of separate city-states had developed, roundly protected by efficient and well-trained armies renowned for their bravery and tactical skills. Then the Dark Ages followed, during which time the ability to write was largely lost. Even today we know precious little about that period in Greek history.

The Archaic period saw Greece undergo a renaissance. A new form of writing was developed and prosperity returned to the people. From then on there was no stopping Greece.

Architecture, science, religion…just about every aspect of human life flourished under the protective umbra of the gods.

Creation stories The revered poet Hesiod (c. 700BC) relates in Theogony that before Creation, nothing existed but a vast void, sometimes referred to as Chaos. At some point the earth (Gaia) came into

existence, along with the god of desire, Eros. Darkness (Erebus) followed. The darkness then spawned the Night (Nyx) and from Night emerged the Day. Other creation stories relate that Earth/Gaia produced a shawl to cover herself with. This was the sky, otherwise known as Ooranos or Uranus.

Eventually, Gaia and her offspring Uranus mated and produced the Titans and other aspects of the Creation.

Later writers, such as Apollodorus (2nd century BC), hint that Uranus may have been given greater prominence than Gaia in some creation stories, saying that he was the first to rule over the world.

Over the centuries the Greek creation myths became more sophisticated. Chaos, or the Void, was believed to be made up of a formless, dark matter from which all Creation sprung. This dark matter was believed to be imbued with an “order” or “regularity” that in turn gave order to the entire universe.

Humankind Hesiod, second only to Homer in prominence in ancient Greece, related the Greek Creation myths of how mankind came into being. The first humans were actually created by the gods on Mount Olympus, or in other versions by the Titan Cronos (the Roman Saturn) himself whilst he was reigning in the heavens.

The stories are inconsistent in places, but they relate that mankind passed through five ages. The first, and the greatest, is known as the Golden Age. Close to perfection, although not immortal, humans lived an idyllic life during this period. Sin, sickness and poverty were unknown. Humans died,

but only whilst sleeping, after which they became daemons who could travel the earth at will. Eventually Zeus overcame the Titans in a monumental battle and the Golden Age ended.

The Gods Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Hephaestus Ares,

Athena, Apollo, Hera Aphrodite, Hermes, Artemis,

The Titans Gaea, Cronus, Rhea, Tethys, Metis, Mnemosyne, Themis, Iapetus, Oceanus,

Coeus, Crius, Phoebe, Thea, Prometheus, Hyperion, Epimetheus, Atlas, Uranus, Dione.

The Gods of Ancient Greece The ancient Greeks worshipped a multitude of different deities, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

First in order were The Titans, also known as the Elder Gods. Under the rulership of Cronos they governed the world before the Olympians, led by Cronos’s son, Zeus, toppled them from power.

In addition to the Titans and the Gods, the ancient Greeks also worshipped other deities and demi-gods, such as Demeter, Nemesis and Dionysus.

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Worship The Greeks remembered a time when the gods walked the earth, interacting with humans on an intimate level. True, they were more powerful than mortal humans, but they still ate, slept, drank and, on occasions, had the heavenly equivalent of a bad hair day. The Greeks worshipped their gods by admiring them and emulating them. In a sense, this type of worship was not dissimilar to the heroworship of pop stars and football players that we see amongst young people today.

After the gods removed themselves from the earth back to Olympus, the Greeks quickly learned to appease their deities at a distance by prayer and sacrifice. At an early age in Greek history, the first semblance of formal, structured worship took place.

In fact, animal and grain sacrifice was the most popular – and common – form of worship.

The temples raised to each god were not social gathering places. They were often just glorified treasuries where offerings to the gods were stored.

Sacrifices and rituals were normally carried out at an altar in front of the temple, or somewhere else entirely.

Prayer and sacrifice were extremely structured affairs in ancient Greece. Like the Romans, the Greeks believed in the principle of do ut des (“I give to you, you give to me”) – although to a lesser degree. To the Romans, when a human made prayers and offerings to the gods, the gods would be honour bound to return the favour by curing disease, ensuring a good harvest or protecting the worshipper from his or her enemies. The Greeks were more cynical, and didn’t trust their gods so implicitly. For this reason they spent more time thanking their deities and slavishly praising them. The Romans bartered with their gods, the Greeks merely flattered theirs.

The Gods Today In many respects modern Greece is an enlightened country. Unfortunately, its attitude towards freedom of religion is poor. The three “Byzantine” religions of Judaism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Islam are afforded the coveted liberty of “religious freedom” in Greece.

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The Greeks worshipped their gods by “admiring them and emulating them. In a sense, this type of worship was not dissimilar to the hero-worship of pop stars and football players that we see amongst young people today

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All other religions are severely restricted and given only the right to “holy worship”, which effectively means whatever the powers that be want it to.

Pagan faiths are barely tolerated, and their members often face severe persecution. In 2004 Jamil Said’s documentary I Still Worship Zeus - detailing the modern worship of the ancient Greek gods – was extremely well received by critics.

Dodecatheon is an organisation dedicated to the recognition (and restoration) of the ancient Greek gods. They are fighting for the old Hellenic religion to be given official status. The Campaign to De-Criminalize the Worship of the Greek Gods in Greece are also doing a similar thing.

Despite not being officially recognised, the worship of the ancient deities is flourishing in Greece. The re-emergence of Zeus, Poseidon and their contemporaries may yet change the face of Greek society radically. The Old Gods are not, it seems, “old hat”.

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he Ancient Greeks believed their gods appeared long after the universe did. The Greek gods exhibited human traits and often took on human disguises whenever they visited Earth, so that they could mingle and not be recognised. Therefore, to the Greeks, anyone they met may be a God or Goddess adopting a human persona.

Random encounters with strangers were thought to be divine, all strangers were treated with honour and respect, in the belief that the strangers were the Gods themselves. The Gods’ rampant human emotions, both good and bad, were never judged by the populace. They were taught to revere and respect the Gods unconditionally. Ancient Greece hosts a spectrum of Gods and Goddesses:

The Titans The Titans ruled the earth long before the Olympians, the latter of which are the best known of the Greek deities. During the rule of the Titans their leader, Cronus, was dethroned by his own son Zeus. All the Titans who had fought alongside Cronus were banished by Zeus to Tartarus (a Greek Hell), as punishment for fighting against him.

Cronus – Cronos came to power by castrating his father Uranus. He married Rhea and had three children. To ensure his never-ending reign, Cronus ate each of the children as they were born.

Distraught, Rhea tricked Cronus into swallowing a rock instead of Zeus. Zeus grew up to overthrow his father.

Prometheus – This wisest Titan’s name means ‘forethought’ as he was able to foretell the future. When Zeus revolted against Cronus, Prometheus deserted the other Titans and fought on Zeus’ side. He tricked Zeus into letting man keep the best part of the animals sacrificed to the gods and to give the gods the worst parts and he also gave the gift of fire to mankind. For this insult, Zeus punished Prometheus by chaining him to a rock

Writer Sangeeta Uppaladinni unearths legends of the Gods of Ancient Greece demonstrating how similar to their worshippers they were. with an eagle tearing daily at his liver. He was left there on the understanding that he would not be released until he told Zeus which of Zeus’ children would try to replace him. He was rescued by Heracles and did not give the secret away.

Metis – She was Goddess of wisdom and knowledge. Zeus seduced her and she became pregnant with Athena. It had been foretold that her second child would replace Zeus, so Zeus ate Metis. She is still purported to be the source for Zeus’ wisdom: she advises him from his belly.

The Olympians In Greek mythology, twelve Gods ruled the universe from atop Greece’s Mount Olympus.

Zeus – He dethroned his father Cronus, and then drew lots for the Kingship of the Gods with his brothers Poseidon and Hades.

Zeus won and became the supreme leader. He is a rain god and lord of the sky. His weapon is the thunderbolt, which he hurls at those who deceive or displease him. He is married to Hera.

Hera – She is Zeus’s wife and sister. Zeus tried to win her over by courting her. When he did not succeed, he changed himself into a cuckoo. Hera felt sorry for the bird and held it to her breast to keep it warm. Zeus then turned into his usual form and raped her. Hera married Zeus to cover her shame. When Zeus was being particularly overbearing to the other gods, Hera encouraged them to revolt. She drugged Zeus and bound

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his sleeping form to a couch taking care to tie many knots. Briareus, his bodyguard, found out and quietly untied the sleeping god. Zeus jumped up and grabbed his thunderbolt. He seized Hera and hung her from the sky in golden chains. Her crying kept him awake all night, so he released her. Hera never rebelled again, but constantly tried to outsmart him.

Aphrodite – She is the Goddess of love, desire and beauty. Her other natural gift – the magical girdle, compels anyone she wishes to desire her. One account of her birth goes back to when Cronus castrated his father, Uranus, and tossed his severed genitals into the sea. Aphrodite arose from the sea foam on a giant scallop and walked to shore in Cyprus. She is the wife of Hephaestus.

Apollo – He is the god of light and truth; son of Zeus and Leto. He is also the brother of Artemis, his twin sister.

Apollo’s most important daily task is to harness his four horses to his chariot and drive the sun across the sky.

Ares – His parents are Zeus and Hera.

Ares is the God of war and was thought to be tainted by blood. Ares was caught committing adultery with Aphrodite and was publicly humiliated by Hephaestus, Aphrodite’s husband.

Artemis – Artemis is goddess of chastity. She presides over childbirth, even though she is a virgin. She is

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purported to have given her mother, Leto, a pain-free birth.

Hermes – He is the messenger of Zeus, his father. His mother, Maia, is goddess of fertility. Hermes guides the dead on their journey to the underworld. He is pictured wearing wings on his sandals and a winged hat.

Athena – Athena emerged from Zeus’ forehead fully-grown and in armour after Zeus swallowed her mother Metis. She fights fiercely in battle to protect her devotees from enemies. Athena was Zeus’ favourite and was allowed to use his thunderbolt. She epitomises wisdom, reason and purity.

Demeter – She is the goddess of grains and harvest and daughter of Cronus and Rhea. She protects the crops and helps them grow.

Demeter’s daughter Persephone was abducted by Hades to be his wife in the Underworld. This angered Demeter, who promptly cursed the world, causing

The God’s destinies were closely interwoven “and interrelated with each other, making it impossible to define one legend of one god without mentioning the participation and relationship of the others

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plants to wither and die. As Persephone had already eaten food in the underworld, she partly belonged there. Zeus, anxious to rectify the problem on Earth decided that she would spend four months each year in the Underworld and return to Earth for the rest of the year. During the four months Persephone is away, Demeter grieves, and withdraws her bounty thus creating winter. She returns the Earth to its full glory in the spring.

Dionysus – He is the son of Zeus and Semele. Dionysus is the only god born of a mortal mother. Zeus became invisible and visited Semele in the night, taking her as a lover. When Hera heard about it, she asked Semele to make her lover reveal his godly form. Semele did not know which god was her lover, so she agreed. The next night Zeus offered Semele a wish. She asked him to reveal his true self. He was obliged to do so, but he did so unhappily as he had loved her: Semele was promptly burnt to crisp by the sight of his glory. Zeus saved Dionysus by taking him from his mother and stitching him to his thigh to be born from there.

Poseidon – After the overthrow of Cronus, Poseidon was nominated Lord of the Sea. He carries a trident, which can shake the world.

Poseidon desired Demeter for a wife. To put him off, she asked him to create the most beautiful animal ever. After rejecting a host of his creations, she finally accepted the horse. By this time, Poseidon’s interest in her hand waned and he married Amphitrite, daughter of a Titan god.

Hephaestus – He is the son of Zeus and Hera. When Hera saw him after birth, she was so distressed to find him ugly that she threw him off Mount Olympus into the sea, breaking his legs in the process. This made him lame. He is the God of smiths and weavers and uses a volcano as his forge.

Other Gods and Demi-Gods The Fates – The Fates have the power of deciding a man’s destiny. They decide if a mortal’s life is good or evil, they also choose how long a man lives.

Clotho is the spinner, who spins the thread of life.

Lachesis is the measurer, she chooses the life-path and measures off how long it is to be. Atropos, with her shears, cuts the thread of life at death. The fates are powerful enough to determine the fates of the Gods as well. No one is willing to trifle with them.

Pan – Pan is God of goatherds and shepherds. He plays the pipes and is an excellent musician. Merry and full of life, he dances and woos the woodland nymphs, who reject him constantly, because he is ugly. He is mainly human in form, with goat horns and goat feet. He is a playful sprite and loves wild places.

The God’s destinies were closely interwoven and interrelated with each other, making it impossible to define one legend of one god without mentioning the participation and relationship of the others. They also accurately display the emotions and morals of the Greeks themselves: As above, so below!

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Clairvoyant Psychic Lesley Norris takes us into the realms of the strange mythical creatures of Ancient Greece.

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any centuries ago the ancient Greeks believed in the power of magical beasts. These creatures were associated with the gods and goddesses they worshipped and were therefore sacred.

Sacrifices were made to them to please the gods through fear of the punishment that might come in the form of a bad harvest or infertility.

Whether or not these creatures ever existed is lost in the mists of time; but the tales of these mystical hybrids have inspired the imaginations of many poets and artists which have made them legendary.

A lot of these creatures were cross-breeds with man, reminding us of our more instinctual animal side. One of these feared beasts was the Minotaur. It is said that he had the body of a man and the head of a bull. The Minotaur roamed the dark passages of the labyrinth King Minos had built for him; Minos could not have the beast killed because it was conceived of his wife Pasiphae, Queen of Crete, who had an overwhelming lust for a bull and had mated with one, thanks to a little divine mischief.

The Minotaur was eventually slaughtered by the Athenian hero Theseus, to save his people from being sacrificed. The labyrinth has become synonymous with the mind and the quest for seeking spirituality.

The Cyclopes were a race of giants famous for having one eye in the middle of their foreheads and were known as the sons of Uranus and Gaia the earth goddess. The Cyclopes were master craftsmen and fashioned the weapons for the gods. They gave Zeus the

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thunderbolt, Hades a helmet, and Poseidon the trident.

Centaurs are depicted as having the head and torso of a man and the lower part of a horse. Some ancient pictures show the centaur as having the front legs of a man, thus having two pairs of genitalia. More modern images show the centaur with 4 horse legs.

These robust creatures were known for their debauchery and rowdy behaviour. There is a story which tells how they broke in on a Lapith wedding ceremony held in the Pantheon: making off with all the women, including the bride!

There was one good centaur however, called Chiron, who was known for his wisdom. He was a tutor to Achilles and had many other disciples too, including Asclepius, god of healing.

Chiron was skilled in the art of healing and in his old age studied the medicinal properties of herbs. He taught Asclepius how to heal dry and running wounds and in what dosage to administer drugs.

Unlike the other centaurs Chiron was immortal but still he died; as prophesised by his daughter Ocyrrhoe.

Heracles accidentally shot an arrow into Chiron’s knee - the tip had been dipped in the poisonous blood of the Hydra.

Heracles bathed the knee in the centaurs’ medicine but this could not heal the wound. Chiron was in so much pain

he wished for death; so Heracles took him to the god Zeus who was capable of ending his immortality. Chiron became a constellation in the heavens known as Centaurus.

Followers of Dionysus – the god of wine and vegetation – were the Satyrs. These wild spirits with goatee beards and hooved feet frolicked in the leafy woodlands chasing nymphs – the benign spirits of the trees and streams.

Similar to the Satyr is Pan, son of the messenger god Hermes. Pan played upon a reeded pipe that was once a water nymph called Syrinx, who changed herself into a bed of reeds to avoid Pan’s advances. When he played the Syrinx a most enchanting sound could be heard.

The Gorgon Medusa was the only mortal of 3 sisters, Stheno and Euryale. Medusa was once so beautiful that she became the envy of the goddess Athena, who had her flowing locks turned into writhing snakes. So frightful was her stare that any mortal who looked upon her would immediately be turned to stone.

Perseus, son of Zeus, was sent on a dangerous errand: to travel west and find the caves where the Gorgons dwelled. Once there he was to kill Medusa and obtain her head. He did this by using his shield to see her movements in its reflection. The blood that spilled

the tales of these mystical “hybrids have inspired the

imaginations of many poets and artists which have made them legendary.

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gave birth to the wonderful winged horse Pegasus. The only person who could ride Pegasus was the hero Bellerophon, who was given a golden bridle by Athena.

Another winged creature of Greek mythology was the sphinx (not to be confused with the Egyptian sphinx). She had the face and breast of a woman, the body of a lion and the wings of a bird.

Other flying species carved onto tombs were Harpies: which were often blamed for the disappearance of children.

Their wretched noise could be heard as they circled the battlefields to carry off the weak and wounded. The Harpies were personifications of nature’s stormy winds; much like the Satyrs, who were associated with the change in seasons and fertility rites. Harpies are an important part of festivals: food offerings by the Greek citizens were made to them and still are today.

The spirits of these legendary creatures can help us through difficult transitions in our own lives, such as puberty and death. Their power is our psychic energy and by tapping into this, they can guide and teach us to overcome our own boundaries and fears.

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Michael Looking Coyote.

Anna Kaye.

Do you have a problem which you lack intuition to solve? Do you have any spiritual questions to which you seek answers? Native American Michael Looking Coyote will use his Spirit Stones and clairvoyant medium Anna Kaye will consult her Tarot to offer a fresh view on matters.

Light at the end of the tunnel

I’ve been battling depression and weight problems since my second daughter was born.

It’s mainly down to the fact that I am tired all the time, and it’s making me short-tempered with my husband. The doctor thinks it’s my thyroid, and I’m going to get tests done but I feel that nothing is going to get any better. My husband is at his wit’s end trying to help me.

Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Will I ever lose weight and get rid of this depression?

Please help.

Diane, Scotland

Michael Looking Coyote’s spirit stone reading: the Owl, the Snake.

You’re on a downward spiral. Ill health causes depression, which worsens your health, which aggravates your depression. Owl – who sometimes rests with one eye shut – speaks of looking both within and without yourself. Don’t worry about why you’re depressed - focus on solutions.

Snake requires change, metaphorically shedding your skin. Take small steps to losing weight and be supportive to family members. With your improvement they’ll become more positive – and you will too. Make peace with yourself and you’ll reverse the spiral of descent, believe me.

Anna Kaye’s Tarot reading: The Hermit, the Tower, the Sun. Depression is an awful thing and you have my fullest sympathy. The Hermit Card is telling you to stop worrying, this is time for you to think about yourself more positively. Take one day at a time. The Tower card says you have come through the worst. In addition, the Sun card indicates a time of rejuvenation ahead; a rebirth and period of renewed energy. Yes Diane, I do see “light at the end of the tunnel” for you, so think positive and stay focused.

Michael Looking Coyote’s Spirit Stone Reading: The Hawk, the Rabbit, the Bobcat Despite its failings, conventional medicine is normally good when it comes to diagnoses, but sometimes we have to forget causes and look for solutions. Hawk indicates your reliance on complementary therapies is beneficial for the treatment of your condition, whilst Rabbit urges you to keep away from stressful situations. Be open with your GP and don’t discount his/her advice. Bobcat urges patience. Do not embark upon any spiritual quests for a while.

Concentrate on getting stronger, physically and emotionally, and make your future what you want it to be.

Anna Kaye’s Tarot Reading: The Empress First, work with your GP but don’t visit many different people telling you different things. This will only confuse you. Why not try something like an aromatherapy massage? This will calm and relax you. You say no one will employ you, what about doing some voluntary work, perhaps in a charity store? You would be helping others and making new friends. Because of your experiences, why not start your own support group? The Empress speaks of growth, so shake off the past and look to the future. Believe in yourself.

What is really wrong with me?

My NHS diagnosis is schizophrenia, but complementary practitioners have diagnosed manic depression, epilepsy and hormonal problems. An aura photographer said I had a separate entity in my aura responsible for discarnate voices urging me to anti-social acts.

Two dowsers said I wasn’t possessed in the classical sense. A shaman snatched back some of my soul, but a doctor of traditional Tibetan medicine told me that I had a severe and longstanding nervous system disorder made worse or caused by stress. I’m now anxious, depressed and socially agoraphobic. What has happened to me and what sort of future can I expect?

Briony, Edinburgh.

Did I let Mum down?

My mother died three years ago and my marriage collapsed. I feel so much negativity in my life and a loss of direction. I aim to relocate next year, but many people are trying to hold me back. Recently I dreamt about my grandmother. I asked her where my mother was and she told me that she wasn’t ready to see me. I was very upset at this, so my mother appeared but was obviously reluctant to be there. I feel I didn’t do enough for mum and failed as a daughter. Is mum happy? Will my life improve?

Amanda, Notts

Michael Looking Coyote’s Spirit Stone Reading: The Bear, the Medicine Wheel Start to look positively at your future. Bear indicates you are relying on intellect when you make decisions and not enough on instinct. Instead of trying to “think out” your future, dance it awake in your dreams! Medicine Wheel shows you will find completeness – if you let go of the past.

You speak as if negative forces are invading your life, but in truth you are clinging on to unhappy memories and making negativity your closest companion. Don’t worry; spirits that have “crossed the river” don’t harbour grudges but don’t like to appear on demand. They’ll appear when they know the time is right for us. When they visit on their own they are usually smiling! Leave the past and embrace the future with your friends and family. Make it what you want it to be.

Anna Kaye’s Tarot Reading: Temperance, the Moon, the Star Stop beating yourself up over feelings that you did not do enough for your mum. I am sure this is not true. Mothers love their children unconditionally. Temperance: Within this mix of emotions there is happiness ahead for you. The Star card is telling you not to lose hope, for your future goals and projects will be achieved. The Moon card tells me you have a sensitive, caring nature but can sometimes let negative thoughts run away with you. I feel you need to be in a strong, loving relationship, but be kinder to yourself. Don’t worry about your mum, she is with you in spirit and she is so happy about a photograph that was given to her of “the babes”. Come on, Amanda - things will get better!

Michael Looking Coyote’s Spirit Stone Reading: The Horse, the Crow.

Sara, the answer to this question lies within your own heart. The Horse is all about journeys – spiritual and literal journeys. Are either of you prepared to travel the distance necessary to be with each other, to determine once and for all whether you can create a meaningful relationship?

If you are, then make the effort and find out. If not, I doubt that either of you really believe it could work, deep down. Crow indicates that there is certainly a “magic” or “chemistry” between you and this man, so I would definitely make efforts to see whether you could cement what started out as a casual friendship into something more meaningful. If it doesn’t work out, move on. If the two of you hit it off be thankful. Everyone deserves a shot at true happiness. Only you can determine whether or not this is yours.

Anna Kaye’s Tarot Reading: The Hanged Man, Justice, The Lovers You say distance is the only thing keeping you apart. Well, this may not be the case in the future as your relationship develops. What is meant for you will not go past you.

I get very nice feelings about this man Sara, and feel he is sincere in his feelings. The Hanged Man is telling you that you are going to have to make sacrifices, and I feel this is to do with the distance that is between you both.

The Justice card is telling you that balance in all things is required. I feel you must both be agreeable about meeting each other half way; fifty/fifty, not sixty/forty! Lovers indicates your choice is either to pursue this relationship or stay put. I do feel there is some unfinished business with a past relationship – someone still has feelings for you – but the choice is entirely yours.

Pregnancy prophecies

Ever since I had my child I’ve had a recurring dream in which I’m pregnant. Within a week of having the dream a friend will tell me that they are pregnant. It’s happened at least five times now – what does this mean?

Jenni, Leeds

Distant love

I have a question that I can’t seem to find the answer to. I’ve recently met this lovely guy, but distance is keeping us apart at the moment, I really want to know if there is a future in the relationship and if it’s worth pursuing.

Sara, York.

Michael Looking Coyote’s Spirit Stone Reading: Smoke, the Porcupine.

Smoke – or more specifically, smoke signals – is a totem which commonly denotes the concept of communication. Quite simply, you have been given a wonderful gift; what could be nicer than the ability to herald the entrance of the newborn into our world? Porcupine also signifies joy, another emotion closely connected to childbirth. It is impossible to say why you have been given such an unusual and specific ability by the Grandfathers, but let me tell you a secret; you don’t need to know! Be content in the knowledge that you have it and, when it is fully developed, it will undoubtedly be a blessing to others. Don’t trouble yourself about what it all “means”. Just savour the moment! I have a strange feeling that we’ll be hearing more about you and your wonderful gift, Jenni. Make sure you keep in touch and let me know how you get on.

Anna Kaye’s Tarot Reading: The High Priestess, the Moon, the Fool You are receiving strong psychic messages when you dream. Dreaming of pregnancy represents fertility, growth and new life. Please keep a dream journal at the side of your bed. When you wake up write down in your journal what ever it is you have dreamt about. The High Priestess is telling you that your powers of perception are heightened now, and you must follow your inner voice. With the Moon and the High Priestess cards together this tells me you are very psychic indeed. You have very strong psychic abilities and you must learn how to use them. The Fool card is telling you not to hold yourself back. I can see a new path for you and it is most definitely a spiritual one. Check out your local spiritual church and ask if they do development classes, and don’t forget that dream journal. Welcome on board, and keep dreaming.

Send your letters to: Destiny Doctors, Vision, 42a Main Street, Garforth, LS25 1AA, or email destinydoctors@visionmagazine.uk.com

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Pyschic Samantha Hamilton continues our psychic development course with a look at how we can all take a spiritual bath.

right ingredients we are able to perform cleansing and healing rituals that will serve to make life better.

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ince the earliest times people have recognised the benefits of a warm, relaxing bath. Not only does it clean you, but it can also re-charge your batteries and set you up to face life’s challenges.

Many ancient civilisations understood this and developed bathing rituals, even in areas where water is both precious and scarce.

Bathing rituals fall into 2 broad groups. On the one hand there are those rituals which seek to cleanse the bather, using water’s power as an astringent, and on the other hand there are those which try to bring the bather into balance with nature, reflecting the importance of water as the giver of life.

A good example of the former is Christian baptism. In effect, baptism is a spiritual as well as a physical cleansing, where the water washes away the sins of the flesh and the legacy of one’s preChristian self, so that the new Christian is pure both physically and spiritually and can be welcomed into the Church.

However, the Eastern tradition of spiritual bathing is slightly different.

Rather than cutting you off from nature, in the Eastern tradition spiritual bathing seeks to make you one with nature. By absorbing the life-giving essences of water and the natural ingredients that are added to it, the bather becomes closer to nature and more in tune with their own desires and needs.

I am going to focus on this latter tradition as I believe that by using the

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Spiritual Bath preparation Like anything that involves water, this ritual is connected to the cycles of the moon. The ideal time to perform this is during the time of a new moon, a time when the moon is undergoing rebirth and you can too.

A spiritual bath is supposed to get you psychically clean. For the best result you should be rested and clean before you have your bath. Take a shower and use an unperfumed soap – do not use strong detergents as these run counter to the healthy environment you are trying to create. You also need to make sure that your bathtub is clean, but again try to avoid bleaches and strong detergents.

Just before dawn or at dusk is the best time – times which focus upon transition and change. At such times it is often dark and therefore you may wish to use candles to provide light. The colour of the candles should reflect your mood and the change you are trying to create. Red or orange candles work best for conception spells, whilst blue is a calming colour that has healing qualities.

Now that your physical surroundings are in harmony it is important to get your mind in balance. If you know yoga or have learned how to meditate, then these are ideal ways to prepare. If you don’t know these skills, try taking a small nap. Put your head down for 30-45 minutes and then proceed from there.

Fill the bath about half full with warm water. As you are likely to be in the

bath for 25-30 minutes you might want your bath to be a little hotter than normal, it is all down to personal taste.

Do whatever feels comfortable.

Spiritual Cleansing Bath This bath removes negative influences.

Take a clean measuring jar and add: Two cups of water that has been boiled and allowed to cool; A tablespoon of ammonia; A tablespoon of sea- salt.

Stir well. Add the contents to a half-full bathtub. You should bathe 3 times for 5 minutes at a time. At the same time you should offer a prayer for release from whatever is holding you back.

Deep Cleansing Bath This is a bath, that if it is taken regularly, will lead to a marked improvement in your confidence. Your aura and mood will lighten and your will feel better equipped to deal with life’s challenges.

Simply add half of a cup of baking soda, also called bicarbonate of soda, to your bath.Many people report a wide range of physical health benefits from this treatment, but these are not guaranteed.

Remember the main reason for undertaking these actions is to improve your spiritual well-being.

Herbal Baths A herbal bath can be used for a variety of different reasons but preparation in each case follows the same routine.

Take about a teaspoon of the appropriate herb and add it to a cup of boiling water exactly as if you were making a cup of tea; Leave it to diffuse until the cup has

cooled to room temperature and then strain out the herb; Add the liquid that to your bath and proceed as outlined above. Amongst the most popular herbal baths are: Basil – ordinary cooking basil, ideally fresh, has a protective and healing effect.

It can be especially useful when one is feeling threatened or victimised by an aggressive person. When using this bath you should pray for spiritual protection

and support.

Cinnamon – cinnamon affects domestic matters. For that reason it can be used in spells for financial improvement, but also as an aid for conception. Both you and your partner should take separate baths, each flavoured with a cup of cinnamon tea, one after the other. Stay in the bath for 10-15 minutes and immerse yourself 5 times, praying for a healthy pregnancy

and a safe delivery. In combination with parsley, a cinnamon bath can markedly improve your financial situation.

Nutmeg – nutmeg is best used in its powdered form. It has a range of uses; it can increase your luck, make you more positive and reduce your levels of stress.

It will also make other people more willing to listen to you. Any situation which is causing a problem can be removed by a nutmeg bath.

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he ancient gods and goddesses of Greece were worshipped as divine representations of the aspects of a person’s life. The Greeks re-enacted dramas, which involved them becoming an archetype of one of the gods or goddesses and, as this archetype, they would make laws and distribute tasks for the people of the community to carry out.

Zeus, who was the god of the mind and the intellect, headed the pantheon of Greek divinities. Hera, his

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wife, was the goddess of fertility and governed all stages of a woman’s life.

Apollo was god of law and order and divination; Aphrodite was the goddess of love and passion and Hermes was god of travelling whilst awake or asleep, he inspired dreams and prophecy. Athena was the goddess of spiritual wisdom, which she would give to people who worshipped her.

Greece is home to some of the most renowned sites in the world, linked to myths and legends of spectacular heroes, gods, goddesses and giants.

Mount Olympus, in Northern Greece, was said to be the home of the god Zeus

by Anara Ashwood and his family. He and his wife Hera lived there with their children: Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Athena, Hermes and Hephaestus as well as Zeus’ siblings: Poseidon, Hades, Demeter and Hestia.

Mount Olympus was regarded as a place of power and sacred pilgrimage for the Ancient Greeks. When early Christian settlers arrived, the

stone in the ground, which later became the focal point of the shrine at the Delphic oracle.

The stone is now on display at the museum in Delphi. Archaeologists have said that its sculptural designs derive from the old pillar and tree worship of the prehistoric goddess cults of Ancient Greece. Excavations at Delphi have found evidence that reveal that the

Delphi achieved Pan-Hellenic fame as a “major oracular shrine by the 7th century

BC. It was visited by pilgrims from all over the Greek Empire.

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Monks lived in the caves and the forest of Mount Olympus. Today there is a fully active Greek Orthodox Christian Monastery there.

One hundred miles outside Athens overlooking the Gulf of Corinth, is a mountain called Parnassus. At its peak, surrounded by pine forest, is the Temple of Delphi, the site of the famous Oracle. It was originally a Sacred Temple belonging to Gaia, goddess of the Earth – and was guarded by her daughter, the serpent Python.

Apollo, the son of Zeus, had journeyed from his home on Mt. Olympus to Mt. Parnassus to slay Python. Fleeing from the peak, Python sought safety in the sanctuary of her mother at Delphi but Apollo was relentless in his pursuit of Python and finally slayed her with his spear. Later, repenting, Apollo purified himself in Crete and returned to Delphi where he persuaded Pan to reveal to him the art of prophecy. He then became the Patron of Prophecy. At the site of his battle, Apollo erected his own oracular temple and, at the exact place where he had ‘speared’ Python, he set an Omphalos (conical)

site was a Mycenaean village from 1500 to 1100 BC and was inhabited by a community based on spirituality and an oracular cult of the Earth Goddess Gaia.

Delphi was originally called Pytho, after Gaia’s daughter, the guardian serpent of the site. It was renamed Delphi after the dolphin (delphis in Greek), which was, according to legend, the form Apollo took in order to guide Cretan sailors to Delphi so that they might become priests in his new temple. This legend is a metaphor for the historical arrival of the priests from Crete who took the sacred temple at Delphi from the Priestesses of Gaia, the original Guardians of the Oracle. Around 1000 BC the worship of Apollo became dominant at Delphi. The oracular use of the site continued during Apollo’s occupation and through the endeavours of politically astute priests, Delphi achieved Pan-Hellenic fame as a major oracular shrine by the 7th century BC. It was visited by pilgrims from all over the Greek Empire.

Women were considered more sensitive than men and were called Pythias: the voices of the oracle. When

male Priests took over the temple they were quite barbaric, enslaving the resident young women and replacing them as the voices of the Oracle. Only women over 50 were allowed to continue in their previous roles. These women would bathe in the waters of a nearby sacred spring and would drink from the sacred water. Then, sitting upon a small platform next to the Omphalos, they would be given burning laurel to inhale which put them into a state of trance.

Once in trance they would be asked questions regarding the future and the male priest, who would write down and translate what the Pythia channelled, would interpret the answers. If a Pythia’s words were inaudible he would interpret according to his liking!

The male priest held the highest authority at the oracle and the women would be given a wage from the state for carrying out their duties. The Delphic oracle was relied upon as ultimate truth and was therefore a major influence on political and social order in the Greek empire for around a thousand years.

Historical sources indicate that the Delphic oracle was open only one day per month during the nine months of the year when Apollo was considered to be resident at the site.

Today many People from all over the world visit Greece as they are drawn to the archaeology, mythology and culture. Delphi is still a place of pilgrimage for men and women to receive inspiration and is considered to be the original birthplace of scrying and clairvoyant divination. Rituals are no longer held in Greece, but you may find the odd thespian reciting some lines from the Odyssey in a dramatic fashion!

Anara Ashwood is an international Psychic & Healer and uses the ancient clairvoyant arts of scrying to give psychic readings. For more info call 07875 151 794

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British School of Spiritual Knowledge founder Roger J Burman looks at the phenomenon of past life incarnation.

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early all of us have been here before - some many times. In the extensive research that the BSSK have done on past lives, the lowest number of past lives we found was 2 and the highest was an amazing 62!

We are not just the person named on our birth certificate, but the sum total of all the lives we have lived before. The influence of those lives subconsciously determines a large part

of the makeup of our personality and character. The writer George Elliot once wrote: “Our deeds travel with us from afar, and what we have been makes us who we are�.

This can be interpreted in many ways. For example, I have liked sailing since my teenage years and had a dream to sail around the world.

This I have never achieved, but I have sold my house and now live on a former sailing trawler. Unknown to me until I investigated my past lives a few

years ago, I have had 4 lives connected with the sea as a fisherman, sea captain, sailor and ship owner. My past lives have not influenced my occupation in this life, but my hobby and interests explain my pull to the sea.

Eight years ago when I was a complete sceptic and viewed those who believed in past lives as slightly unbalanced, I had a past life regression experience myself. All my adult life I have had a feeling about World War I that I could not place.

I would feel emotional about pictures of that war – images of World

War II did not affect me in the same way.

I would often stop my car to study war memorials and concluded I must have had an ancestor killed in that war and was affected by some kind of genetic memory. But in the regression I witnessed the trenches and the fighting of World War I. I knew it was completely real and not imagination because of the feelings I felt alongside the images. I was there!

This was such a revelation to me; until that point I had believed we live only once. Christianity speaks of heaven or hell, not reincarnation. The early Christians however, did believe in reincarnation. It was the Romans, as a means of control, who removed all references to it from the early bible when they adopted Christianity themselves.

My partner Angie specialises in past life mediumship. Apart from regression, this is another way to obtain past life information.

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Angie gave me the name I had been known as from World War I, the name of my family members and other researchable facts – but I didn’t really need the added confirmation, my emotions were convincing enough.

We carry the memories of all the lives we have lived in our energy body which we bring into incarnation.

We cannot normally access these in our daily consciousness, except if we take deliberate steps to do so.

Sometimes they appear spontaneously as in déjà vu experiences, during spiritual healing or as part of a meditation.

Through mediumship questions, we have documented some instances of features from current lives that have had past life origins. Conventional thinking is that we are the product of nature and nurture, our parents and our upbringing.

Spiritually our past lives have a far greater influence on us than either of these.

Our past lives are a very real aspect of our experiences and make-up.

Acceptance of reincarnation is an important stage for the world to reach so that it can ‘graduate’ and evolve to the next level.

Common past life connections: A liking or bond with animals; ‘Care feelings’ towards children; A compulsion – those we have discovered include one which was to constantly move home; another was a client continuously cleaning her home; Déjà vu experiences – these are triggered in various ways: a place, a film clip, a piece of music. They are always a past life flashbacks, even if they appear to relate to the current life; Dreams and meditation issues – some vivid and recurring dreams can be past life memories; Fears and phobias – a common category for past life memories to occur.

Some examples include a fear of birds, driving, fire, snakes, small spaces, stairs (particularly the spiral variety), water and heights; Feelings – these have included “care of people” feelings, mistrust, lack of selfmotivation, lack of self-belief and a selfesteem problem; Health issues – these have been many and varied but have notably included arm problems, lower back pain and pain in the jaw; Occupation and talents – instances have included craftsman, healer, nurse, teacher and the stage; Places – regression has revealed the reason people are drawn to particular places such as Africa, Egypt, the Isle of Skye, Spain and even York.

Roger J Burman, BA, is the co-founder of The British School of Spiritual Knowledge [BSSK], based in Hull, East Yorkshire. Roger is author of 3 books of spiritual philosophy: Why Come Back?, Why Come Back? Book 2 and Nothing Happens by Accident. The BSSK offers half-day workshops in past life regression and past life mediumship.

Visit www.bssk.co.uk or call 01482 620337.

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Writer Matt Burton explains how you can learn to control your dreams.

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e all dream. But imagine if you could actually be aware that you were dreaming? That’s impossible, isn’t it? Well, apparently not.

You can with a lucid dream: a dream in which the dreamer is fully conscious and aware that they are in a dream state. This enables you to ‘live the dream’ and decide what occurs. It is a phenomenon that has been scientifically proven.

To achieve such lucidity while asleep takes a lot of effort, concentration and willpower, but it can be done. The way to do it is to make the conscious mind more aware that it dreams every night and make it truly believe that a lucid dream can occur.

The first step is to keep a dream journal. This could be a large, ornate notebook, or just a pad of lined paper. This should be kept at the side of your bed, with a pen. Whenever you wake up after a long sleep, immediately note down all details of any dreams you can remember, paying special attention to the peculiar aspects of the dream which couldn’t have occurred in reality.

This can only be done after a long sleep, not a nap, as the mind needs time to slip into the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep, which is when our dreams take place. During the REM stage the eyes move behind the eyelids, observing the dream world that the mind has created.

In my dream journal, I make a point of mentioning the more peculiar

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aspects of a dream. These unusual events (eg seeing a flying pig) are know as dream signs. As dream signs can only be seen whilst dreaming, they are a clear indicator to the mind that it is in a

dreaming state. Noting down dream signs and trying to visualize them again as they appeared in the dream, can train the mind to be on the lookout for them.

The mind can also be trained to see impossibilities in an otherwise realistic situation. A prime example of this is looking at a watch. If you were to look at your watch, cover it from view, then look at it again to find that several hours had passed, then that would be recognized by the mind as an

impossibility and it would realise it was dreaming. Try looking at your watch several times a day; each time cover it up and look at it a second time. Do this until it becomes second nature. Hopefully then, your mind will do the same whilst in the dream world, allowing you to fall into lucidity.

Belief is vital if a lucid dream is to occur. If the mind does not believe that a conscious dream is possible, then it will not happen. Just before going to sleep, tell yourself over and over that you will have a lucid dream and, more importantly, believe it.

A person who is depressed, tense or edgy will find it very difficult to achieve lucidity. Gentle meditation before going to bed can work wonders. In addition to meditation, make sure that you are comfortable in your bed and that your troubles are far away.

Once you are in a lucid dream, the key is not to panic (otherwise you will jolt awake). The mind needs to be able to say “I’m dreaming” without being frightened of the fact.

So, now you have successfully achieved a state of lucidity, what happens now? Well, the answer to that is ‘anything you want’! You are effectively in a world where your imagination decides what happens and you are completely aware and conscious of the events! Jump down the Grand Canyon?

Walk to the moon? One thing is for sure, this will be a dream that you will never, ever forget.

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Diana Jarvis takes on a labour of Hercules and meets the terrifying Sphinx in an attempt to demonstrate that with an understanding of the Greek myths you can be your own hero.

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love Greek gods and heroes. Greek myths have it all: fabulous beasts, hunky men with six-packs and exquisite nymphs whose figures are beyond the aspirations of any supermodel. The stories are so fantastic they defy belief, but so well told you can’t help but be taken in. However, it is easy to read them and wonder how a race as advanced as the Greeks could actually believe them to be true.

Discounting them is actually missing the point.

Greek myths may or may not have had some basis in reality, but what is certainly true is that they have some relevance now, if we know how to read them.

Take, for example, the first labour of Hercules.

Hercules is actually a modern name, the guy with the biceps and everlasting tan was in fact called Heracles. He was born of Zeus, king of the gods; and Alcmene, a mortal woman.

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Zeus was married to Hera, queen of the gods. Now Hera was not the most forgiving of women and when Zeus blessed Alcmene with child, Hera swore revenge. She took out her rage on poor Heracles by visiting a madness upon him.

In this state he accidentally slew his own wife and children. To atone for this terrible deed, he was obliged to become dependant to Eurystheus, King of Tiryns. Eurystheus foisted upon Heracles his famous twelve labours.

Heracles’ first labour: Killing the Nemean Lion The Nemean Lion was a ferocious and other-worldly beast that was terrorising the locality and Heracles was brought in to kill the fearsome creature.

Unfortunately for Heracles, it was not possible to kill the lion using the

choose total aggression from a distance and call the bully names – this will bounce of the bully’s skin just like the arrows bounced off the Nemean Lion’s hide. The other option, the Heraclean option, is to confront the bully face-on.

You can tell him or her to do their worst because you are not going to take it any more and stand your ground and try to talk reason with them. Heracles and the Nemean Lion teaches us to ‘think outside the box’ and realise that not every solution is black or white and that sometimes facing something head-on is the only answer.

Oedipus and the Sphinx When we think of the Sphinx we tend to think immediately of the pyramids in Cairo. However, there was also a Grecian Sphinx, which was very different indeed:

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Heracles and the Nemean Lion teaches us to ‘think outside the box’ and realise that not every solution is black or white

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traditional weapons of spear or arrows.

The lion’s hide was totally impenetrable.

Heracles did manage to stun it by hitting it with an olive-wood club, which gave him time to think. He realised that no weapon was ever going to pierce its side, so he decided to fight it with his bare hands. He finally managed to slay the beast by strangling it.

Overcoming the impossible:

When we are faced with a task that seems insurmountable, we will quickly rationalise options. One option is to run away quick, for example: if you were being bullied. However, running away is just like using Heracle’s club in that all it does is give you time to think before the bully comes for you again. You can

she had the head and breasts of a woman, the body of a lion and the wings of a bird. She was sent as a curse on the town of Thebes by the goddess Hera, who charged her with guarding a pass that led into the town, asking a riddle of any that wished to pass. Those that failed to answer the riddle (and that was most of them) ended up as her dinner. The riddle was this: “ What thing walks on four legs in the morning, on three in the evening, and is weakest when it walks on four?”

The answer is Man, because he walks on four as a baby (morning of his life) and three when elderly (evening of his life with two legs and a stick). He is weakest as a baby. Oedipus gave the correct answer and the Sphinx threw herself over a cliff in rage and died.

Think before you act: In this story our hero (ie ourself) is faced with another problem that seems difficult to solve. We find ourselves hunting for an answer and the desire to find that answer eats us up, just as the Sphinx will do if we get it wrong.

In this myth the counsel of the Sphinx is to stop and think (she guards the pass, you can’t go on until you do think) and she teaches us that we can sometimes find the answer hiding inside ourselves (for we are Man). Meditate on her and see how she can actually help you to see that you always knew the answer to your problem, you were just looking for it outside of yourself when it was there all the time.

These two stories are just a few of many allegories contained in Greek myths, see for yourself how much more there is in them if you look at them another way. You can also use emblems in Greek myths to help you out in day-today life: here are two you can try, read the myths and you’ll find many more.

Just be aware: they work!

The cap of Perseus When you really don’t want to be noticed, ask the hero Perseus to come to your aid.

Imagine a midnight-blue cap and put it on your head (you may also see stars on it). Pull it right down and you’ll find it will totally encompass you. People will just not notice you there!

The net of Hephaestus Hephaistos was the Greek smith god, who married the beautiful but unfaithful Aphrodite. To humiliate her in front of the other gods he caught her and her lover in a compromising position with a net that was unbreakable. If you are in a situation where you need to ensure that something is held fast, ask Hephaistos for the use of his net.

Imagine a golden net covering the item you need to hold. Best used around your purse (although you may find it hard to actually get any money out of it then). Never use it to hold a person to you, the karmic implications are not worth thinking about and Hephaestus will almost certainly refuse.

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Laughter is still the best medicine, and it’s available without prescription as Nick Richardson discovered when he spent a few hours in the company of Bill Harrison and Patrick Gamble.

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he poster read ‘An Evening of Clairvoyance with Bill Harrison and Patrick Gamble.’ Maybe it should also have carried a health warning: This show has side effects… aching sides from too much laughter!

The double-act is alive and well in these 2 gifted psychics.

The formula is simple. Bill is a renowned medium and healer; Patrick is a talented psychic artist. So, not only do you get the opportunity to receive messages from a loved one or guide, you also get the chance of a painting of them as well.

I was recently lucky enough to spend the afternoon with Bill and Patrick before I had the chance to attend their evening show. It wasn’t long into the

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evening before Bill was up to his tricks, namely, making fun of Patrick and generally throwing wisecracks at the audience. The sound of laughter soon raised the vibration in the room, which is possibly one of the reasons why Bill is such an accurate medium.

“I don’t know how he gets away with some of his comments,” Patrick told me. “He’s blunt, but he has the knack of making people laugh. I once tried to tell a joke on stage, and it went over

everybody’s head and hit the wall at the back of the room,” he chuckled. “So I leave it to Bill now, and I sit and do my painting.”

It’s amazing to watch Patrick work. He goes into a trance-like state, and stares over the heads of the audience. His hands move like lightening over the canvas as he paints his subject.

“It’s like looking through rippled water at a face,” he explained. “My guide John takes over and he paints the picture through me.”

Both men come from tough working environments. Patrick was a builder and Bill served as a firefighter for over 20 years before finally taking the leap of faith into the world of Spirit. Now they tour the country with their ‘Evening of Clairvoyance’.

“We seem to be together more than we are at home,” said Bill, “in fact we are announcing our engagement next week!” He guffawed, digging Patrick in the ribs.

They also host major ‘Ghostwatch’ weekends. It’s hard to envisage this happy ex firefighter being scared by anything, let alone a spooky spirit. I imagine an evening with them in a haunted castle would be like living out a Scooby-Doo episode, although, from what they say, things can get pretty hairy.

On a recent nightly vigil, one lady had all the hairgrips on her head pulled out by a ghost!

started 11 years ago and has since become legendry.

“We began with just a few healers,” he told me. “Every year since it has grown, until now we welcome people from all over the world to learn and teach.”

There are a wide variety of spiritual and holistic experiences on offer, and after a small admission charge, all classes are free. The huge success of the 3-day event hasn’t gone to Bill’s head, however, “I’m just glad they didn’t all want bed and breakfast!” He chuckled goodnaturedly.

The following day, I had a private sitting with Patrick, where he painted one of my spirit guides. Totally unprompted, and without prior knowledge, Patrick painted a monk that I had seen in a meditation.

“I know him!” I exclaimed when Patrick turned the painting around.

“I know you do.” Patrick replied with confidence.

It was an extraordinary moment.

So, if you see a poster saying: Coming to a town near you, drop everything, and go for An Evening of Clairvoyance. Laughter is the best medicine, and these 2 are a real tonic!

Opposite top: Bill and Pat

This page top: Pat with one of his artworks

Opposite bottom: Pat at work

This page bottom: “The Conquest”

For more information visit www.billharrison.co.uk and www.patrickgamble.com Reach Nick via his website at www.NickRichardson.co.uk

During the interval of the evening show, Bill offers healing to anyone who needs it; before long the queue is ten-deep. The healing normally takes around 2 minutes before he’s on to the next patient, laughing and joking all the time. One lady sat near me after her session: “Oh my God, I’ve had that pain all day and within seconds, Bill got rid of it.” She told her friend.

He also gives away his ‘healing cards’, whereupon the recipient will receive absent healing. There are over 60,000 in circulation worldwide.

How would you feel if thousands of people came and set up camp in your back garden? Quite annoyed, I should imagine, but every year, this is what happens to Bill when he hosts his healing weekends at his Somerset home. It

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Complementary therapist and healer Karen Aitken explores the ancient Greeks’ exploration of the dream state.

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umans have always dreamed, from pre-historic times right up to the present day. This has been proven by the discovery of dreams recorded on cave walls, where the picture of a sleeping person has been depicted with wavy lines emanating from it, connecting it to an image drawn above.

Every civilisation, from the most ancient, developed some way to record those dreams, which were believed to be highly significant, if not holy prophesies for the safe and healthy development of a society. Many civilisations around the world began with oral traditions, where respected tribe members or shamans would recount dreams in ritual gatherings. Some of the earliest dreams recorded were from the Sumerian culture in Mesopotamia dating back almost 5,000 years.

The ancient Greeks had a highly developed dream mythology and many of their gods played a part. Hypnos was the god of sleep, and from his name we derive the term ‘hypnotism’, a highly relaxed state that is similar to deep sleep.

Interestingly, the brother of Hypnos was Thanatos, the god of death. It is interesting that the ancient Greeks likened the state of sleep so closely to death, as many cultures around the world view sleeping as a gateway to other existences, realities or states of consciousness, including mortal annihilation. The Greeks also believed that the soul temporarily left the sleeping body.

Hypnos’s son, Morpheus, was the god of dreams, and the drug ‘Morphine’ is named after him. This is rather appropriate as it can induce a relaxed state which promotes a dreamlike feeling. Morpheus had 2 brothers, Icelus and Phantasus. In Greek mythology, dreams were sent out to man passing through one of two gates: a gate of horn from which true dreams came;

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The ancient Greeks had a highly developed dream mythology and many of their gods played a part.

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and a gate of ivory, from which passed dreams that were false. Icelus gave man dreams of birds or beasts. Phantasus gave man dreams of inanimate objects.

Morpheus was said to have had the capacity to assume the likeness of any and every human being. His father Hypnos sent him out into the night to appear as a loved one in mortal dreams.

The earliest Greek belief about dreams was that divine messages were carried directly to dreamers, by the gods, and that these gods entered a person’s dwelling place through a keyhole, and left by the same route after their task was done.

It was not until the 5th century BC, that the first known book on dreaming, On Interpretation of Dreams, was written by Antiphon (480BC – 411BC). He was a schoolteacher and also an accomplished orator, politician, teacher of rhetoric, speech-writer, seer and interpreter of dreams. There is some debate amongst historians who suggest that there were one or two other fellows by the same name, which may account for his prolific and diverse activities.

This book was intended for both practical and professional interpretation of dreams. Antiphon maintained that dreams were not created or delivered by supernatural powers but were, rather the outcome of many natural conditions.

Artemidorus, a Greek physician wrote a similar book in the 2nd century AD. He classified dreams into visions, oracles, fantasies and apparitions. He proposed that there were two classes of dreams: the somnium, which predicted future events; and the insomnium, which

related to the present time. For predictive dreams Artemidorus produced a dream dictionary.

He said that to dream of an abyss was a warning of impending danger. Dreaming of a candle meant various things. Seeing one being lighted predicted a birth. Contentment and prosperity were to follow if the dreamer saw a brightly burning candle and a faint flame represented oncoming sickness, sadness or delay.

Other notable physicians and philosophers of this time were also keen contributors to Greek dream lore.

Hippocrates (469-399 BC), the father of medicine, wrote about dreams. His belief was simply that during the day the soul receives images and during the night, it creates images in the form of dreams.

Aristotle (384-322 BC) believed that dreams indicated conditions within the body. During the night, when no other sensations were available, he believed that the body and mind communicated to each other and that illness could be diagnosed by interpreting a person’s dreams.

Galen, a Greek physician born in 129 AD, emphasized the need to observe dreams carefully for clues to healing. He was so trusting of dream messages that he carried out operations on the basis of his dream interpretations.

Aristides was a Greek who wrote the first dream diary titled The Sacred Teachings, around 500 BC. Many of the dreams involved Aesculapius the Greek god of healing. They give accounts of how Aesculapius appeared to Aristides in his dreams where he was taught various

methods of healing. Many of these methods would be considered rather extreme today, consisting as they did of bathing in icy cold streams, taking mud baths in freezing weather, and similar rigorous procedures.

In essence, the various ways that dreams were understood and interpreted by the Ancient Greeks is not so very different from the various beliefs that abound in modern times.

For example, many people maintain that they do not dream at all. The truth is likely to be rather that their dreams are not remembered upon waking.

There exists a wide range of opinions about where dreams come from and the purpose of dreaming.

My own personal belief is that the outcome defines the reason. When a person has a dream that leads to healing for themselves or another, or has an experience that enriches the universal pool of knowledge, or helps to avert disaster through a timely warning, then the purpose is clear.

Where our dreams come from is another matter entirely and open to lively debate.

Karen is the proprietor of Willow Lodge Healing Therapies, Staffordshire. Visit www.healinglodge.co.uk for more details.

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Intuitive astrologer, psychic and dream interpreter Samantha Hamilton continues Vision’s monthly alphabet round-up of the most common dream scenarios.

Common dreams beginning with the letter Jab To dream of a Jab has a straightforward meaning, Symbolically, you are restricting yourself in someway and being rather negative towards yourself. Do your best to be more positive, focused, and clear in your actions.

If you dreamed of jabbing others, this is warning you that you must watch your behavior and control your temper as you could have a tendency to be overaggressive. Look at areas in your life that you wish to change now and know that you can do this.

Jaguar To see this beautiful wild animal in your dream is a positive.

It predicts clever calculation in business, skillfulness and self-empowerment. The interpretation also depends on their attitude.

If this animal was calm and relaxed your affairs will prosper, if they attacked you (or each other) you can expect trouble or losses in your business dealings.

Jail To dream that you are in jail predicts an obstacle. Your difficulties will continue if you were locked in the cell and were unable to escape or be released.

You can expect struggles on many levels, emotionally, spiritually and physically. If your dream featured others in jail, it signifies freedom from anxiety.

Japan (foreign places) To dream of a foreign place forecasts that dreams can come true: your wishes and hopes are telling you that your heart’s desire is much closer than you imagine.

Be patient in your aims and wants. To dream that you have met a foreigner is very positive if he or she was friendly. If

they were unfriendly then you can expect deceit and unfulfilled wishes.

Jellyfish To dream of a jellyfish predicts problematic situations, false friendships and a warning not to be led astray by what you hear. This squishy marine animal in your dream is a symbol of problems arising from false hopes and unrealistic expectations.

Jerusalem To dream of this Holy City suggests a longing for spiritual enlightenment, searching for the truth, a feeling of loneliness, a need of and the wanting of security and safety.

Jewellery This is an omen. A display of glittering jewellery featured in your dream signifies a change for the better. To dream of diamonds indicates protection. If your dream featured costume jewellery this is a warning that you are in danger of being led up the garden path through foolish vanity. If you dream that your jewellery was stolen from your safe or jewellery box, it is warning you to be cautious with regards to business affairs. To lose jewellery is an obstacle dream and the meaning depends on whether or not you found it. If you did not find the missing items then you can expect delays in your plans. To give or receive jewellery, buy, or sell it pertains to love or domestic affairs and is considered a very auspicious omen. But if you are wearing it, this is a warning against impulsive get rich quick schemes or shady transactions.

Joints To dream that you have pain in your arms indicates a helping hand. To dream

‘J’ that you have pains in all your joints predicts an increase in material wealth, but if you suffer in this way at all this is an obstacle dream and is warning you to take one day at a time and not to worry about the future.

Judge If you were on trial and being judged, this is a strong warning that you must not under sell yourself and learn to put your plans into action, as indecision could cause you further problems in your domestic and financial affairs. You may feel at this time that everything that you do is a waste of time, however, you must understand every hurdle is a lesson to you and know that your troubles are temporary.

Juggler If you were the juggler and were clumsy with your performance, opportunities that come your way may not pay off. If you succeeded in your performance you can expect a windfall. However, if you were watching this performance, know that there are fun times ahead and pleasant surprises around the corner.

Jungle To predict that you are in the jungle indicates caution in a big way. You are being warned to guard your resources and you must not take onboard anyone else’s financial problems. If you were walking or running in the jungle and having fun with others around you, you can expect your long-term plans to come to fruition. On a romantic note, if your dream featured you alone and you were walking in it, this is a warning of foolish romantic entanglement which you should avoid at all costs as it will bring serious problems to your wellbeing.

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Clairvoyant healer Shabdan introduces us to Guardian Angels and shows us how to connect with our very own Guardian Angel

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hristmas is a time of angels and light and a wonderful time to start thinking about angels and developing connections with them.

People hold many beliefs about Guardian Angels. Some of my clients believe their Guardian Angel is a relative who has come back to guide them. It is true that our relatives do come to help, but they are not our Guardian Angels. Angels are a completely different energy from us.

Occasionally an angelic soul crosses over

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to a human incarnation to share experiences, so there are a few people on Earth who are actually angels.

In my work, angels have told me that everyone, including you, has a relationship with a specific angel who was created when you were. You progress together, side by side. This Guardian Angel loves you unconditionally, there is nothing that you could do to upset this angel. You have a divine bond, ‘made in Heaven’.

My first conscious meeting in this lifetime with my Guardian Angel was some years ago. I had a dream where I was in an old summer-house that was empty, except for some beautiful white butterflies. I watched them for a while, then they came together and formed a circle with their legs joined and their wings extended outwards. The circle of butterflies radiated a soft white light, and as I realised what it looked like, a green ‘stem’ snaked towards the ground and I said, “Oh yes, a beautiful flower!”. As I spoke, the butterflies parted and flew away. I heard in my head a clear, strong voice say, “First-Light Flower!” One butterfly flew towards me, into my body and up towards my throat. It then flew out of me and away. Somehow I knew this was my Guardian Angel, and I felt so full of love and peace that I woke up with a huge smile on my face.

First-Light Flower is a magnificent angel. When my children couldn’t sleep, I would call him to be with them. My little ones, tucked up in bed, would say, “Daddy, I can’t sleep”. I

would tell them, “You know, there is an angel waiting to help you - who is it?”.

Their faces would break into smiles and they’d say, “First-Light Flower!”

Immediately, my Guardian Angel would come. The room would fill with a love and peace that my children could feel.

Soon they would sigh and yawn … minutes later they would be asleep.

If you could see what an angel really looks like, they are just pure light.

To help us feel comfortable, they appear in a form we can relate to. They are androgynous, but they usually come in either male or female form. First-Light Flower appears as male. No wings - just tall and broad with blond hair, blue eyes and white robes. He is always around me and brings love and comfort, supporting me through my darkest moments. He is never reproachful and is always filled with loving acceptance, no matter what I am feeling.

I used to think Guardian Angels only had one job, but I meet Guardian Angels who are keepers of the light, who work with chakras, angels that translate the divine love coming from Source (God) into love, and many other special types of service. They work with the person to whom they are guardian, but they have these qualities too. Often their spiritual work is like yours.

Angels are willing to help us in any way they can. They can assist with car parking, cooking, healing, loving, quantum physics and anything else, but you have to ask. As you probably know, no angel, including your Guardian Angel, can interfere with free will, so if you don’t ask, they can only offer background assistance – about twenty-percent of their capability. Ask and they can give you one hundred percent!

Over time, the angels have given me a number of symbols that hold angelic energy. I call these symbols Angel Chambers, but they are really gateways that open up the energy and healing potential of the angelic realms to us.

Especially for Vision readers, they have given me another one.

The Angel Symbol At the bottom of this page is an amazing angelic tool for you to use. It is a symbol to help you connect with your Guardian Angel. To use it, make sure that your legs are uncrossed, and focus your attention on your heart chakra. Take a deep breath, relax and let go. Now place the palm of your writing hand over the symbol and say the angel words written below the symbol. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly in a gentle sigh.

Your Guardian Angel will come forward straight away, and you might well feel or sense them connecting with you. Sometimes their energies will surround you completely, sometimes they will place their ‘hands’ on the back of your shoulders or fill you with a feeling of love and peace. Sometimes people feel a warmth or mild tingling sensation in their bodies. I have found that nearly everyone can feel something, so don’t dismiss any feeling you may have. Just sit with it and allow it to grow. Take another deep breath and let go. Enjoy the experience. It is just possible that you might hear a name. Write it down if you do.

You can use this symbol any time you want, to reconnect with your Guardian Angel. With practice, you will be able to link without using the symbol, and this means you can do it any time you like.

Remember to talk to your Guardian Angel, your dearest friend in Creation! You will find them a true and loyal companion who can share your greatest triumphs and support you through your darkest trials. Ask for the full one-hundred-percent!

Special Offer for Vision Readers Shabdan and the angels are offering Vision readers the chance to find out all about their Guardian Angel – if you would like to find out your Guardian Angel’s name or confirm a name you have received, you can arrange to contact me by telephone. Your Vision Voucher offers you a 15-minute experience with the angels plus an attractive personal certificate featuring the name of your Guardian Angel posted to you afterwards. The Vision offer is valid during December 2005 and January 2006, and your special appointment with certificate will cost £15 (normal price £20). You can also offer this as a Christmas gift to a friend or relative. Call Shabdan on 01382 581951 to book, quoting Vision magazine. Shabdan is a partner in Iona Light, running workshops and retailing spiritual products including Angel Chambers. Contact Shabdan at www.iona-light.co.uk or call 01382 581951.

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WIN your own website with WebZen! Whether you are a practitioner in the spiritual and holistic or just someone who has an interest; a professionally designed website can ensure that you are a real part of the global community, reaching more people than you could ever dream!

WebZEN are committed to helping develop solutions that meet not only your own needs, but also those of visitors to your site. They will ensure that the web presence you have projects a reassuring image to your customers or friends.

Creating a balanced, intuitive, and dynamic website is critical to internet success. WebZen believe that design doesn’t have to be complicated to be successful; bringing simplicity, balance, and flow to your user experience is the key. Effective web design is a combination of technology and art.

You may require a simple and humble website that just gives you web presence and an email contact/link with who you are and what you do. These pages can be

developed and updated at a later stage if necessary. WebZen can track how your site is doing; give you statistics on how many people have visited your site, and help you get on the search engines high listings. If a more dynamic website is what is required, they can provide that too!

WebZen are on the National Register of Business Link Consultants and can deliver services to you with up to 50% funding offered by your local Business Link.

To win your very own website of up to seven pages with both hosting and domain name included (worth £850!) just answer the following question: Up to what percentage of funding could be received from Business Link? Send your answer, name, address and daytime telephone number to: WebZen Comp, Vision, 42a Main Street, Garforth. LS25 1AA, by December 11th 2005. For further information on WebZen visit www.webzen.co.uk and

www.letstalkparanormal.com www.gloriathomas.co.uk www.healinglodge.co.uk

www.healinglodge.co.uk/therapistmain/ or call 0845 226 2745.

Terms and Conditions: Winners must be 18 or over; only one entry per person; there is no cash alternative to prizes; Vision accepts no responsibility for the distribution or fulfillment of prize obligations.

WIN The Da Vinci Enigma Tarot!

We have 10 copies of The Da Vinci Enigma Tarot by Caitlin Matthews to give away to lucky readers.

This unique pack uses the original art and writings of Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci to reveal the unique code of your true self. Leonardo’s prophetic vision of things to come is embodied in this deck. The macrocosm (major) cards represent his greater archetypal world, the pattern of all existence, and the microcosm (minor cards) represent the manifest world of every day.

Leonardo’s incredible art graces the front of every card. But the backs are his too! When the cards are placed face down in a particular sequence – the Enigma Grid – the card backs link to form a beautiful, repeating, interwoven pattern; and the ‘secret

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connections’ of the card backs offer an additional and immensely powerful way of selecting cards for a reading.

Whether you use the conventional spreads as you consult the cards, or you seek answers by means of your unique Destiny spread, The Da Vinci Enigma Tarot will help you find the balance and harmony you seek in your life — and unravel the enigma of your soul.

To enter, simply send your name and address on a postcard to: Da Vinci Enigma Tarot Comp, Vision, 42a Main Street, Garforth, LS25 1AA, by January 11.

But don’t worry if you’re not a lucky winner, you can still take advantage of our reader offer to buy the pack for only £12.99 (rrp £17.99)!!

Order direct from Connections Book Publishing and receive a £5 discount. Call 01280 814120 (calls charged at standard BT rates) quoting Vision January Offer or send a cheque payable to Connections Book Publishing to: Connections Book Publishing, PO Box 583, Maids Moreton, Buckingham, MK18 1TQ. For more products visit www.connections-publishing.com.

Terms and Conditions: The first 10 names to be picked after the closing date win prizes; only one reader offer/competition entry per household; offer open to UK readers over the age of 18; Vision accepts no responsibility for the distribution of prizes or offer items.

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S

ally Morningstar’s new book The Art of Wiccan Healing (Hay House) outlines the origins and healing practices of Witchcraft, some of which are rooted in Ancient Greece. In her books she reveals how to perform many effective healing methods in totally safe, supportive and magical ways.

Vision asked her to outline her work and explain how witchcraft and healing has links with Ancient Greece, but is still relevant to us in the 21st Century. Sally responded with a quote from the Hippocratic Oath:

Sally Morningstar describes herself as a witch, a spiritual teacher and a transformational healer and with over 30 years practical experience she’s kept a very busy lady! Sally took time out from her schedule to talk to Vision about one of her passions – healing. associated with witchcraft today.”

Sally takes her own inspiration from many of the ancient deities, including those of the Ancient Greeks. “I am greatly inspired by Hekate”, she reveals. “In Ancient Greek culture she was a triple goddess. Her three lit torches are said to guide the soul to its true destiny. My work aims for the same thing – to help the soul to find its true destiny

Fulfilment comes once our “soul force is fully awakened.

It is a magical process; an incredible journey”

“I swear by Apollo the physician and by Asclepius and by Hygea and by Panacea and all the gods and goddesses that, according to my ability and their witness, I will keep this Oath.” (written around 400 BC).

‘The Hippocratic oath was composed by Hippocrates – an Ancient Greek physician – who was one of the founding fathers of modern medicine’, Sally explains.

“Even 2,400 years on, it is still referred to during medical training. The deities mentioned in the oath were very much part of Grecian daily life. This is still true within witchcraft. Goddesses and gods can play a vital part in Wiccan practices and the one primordial Goddess and God remain the two central deities

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and thus its peace and happiness.

Hekate means ‘shining one’ and she is one of the most ancient goddess forms. She is believed to have originated in Asia Minor and was adopted by the Greeks around the 6th century BC. She is a patroness of witches and witchcraft and there are even covens who carry her name.

She was primarily a mother and Earth goddess, but was also protectress of women and children. She represents many things including abundance, storms, wisdom and power, issues of life and death, primal fears, change, and times of deep soul searching. She rules over intuitive wisdom, choices, facing your fears, regeneration, and the primal forces of change. Her ability to guide the

seeker in various directions is why she has connections with crossroads and is patron of travellers. In days of old, votive offerings were made at points where three roads met (Hekate’s crossroads) and these offerings were called Hekate’s suppers. She is a patroness of medicinal herbs as well as rightful justice. In fact, there is a Hekate ritual for rightful justice in my book.”

We asked Sally what she felt happened to us after death. “We cannot categorically determine what happens at death or after death, despite all the speculations about various heavens and hells, Summerlands or spirit worlds. The

truth is that we will only have business with an afterlife after we have died!

Therefore it makes most sense to me to live well ‘before my afterlife’, so that I can stand at any temple gates with a big smile and a soul at peace. There is no such thing as death in the way that we perceive it anyway, only a change of form.”

With all Sally’s obvious talents, it seems natural that she would have a spiritual childhood. “I had vivid spiritual dreams and a soul awakening at a young age,” says Sally. “This spurred me into looking for a spiritual teacher at the age of 12. After practicing both Eastern and Western mysticism for over 30 years I am now a hedgewitch. This title implies a connection with witchcraft, it does not historically have one. Hedgewitchcraft is a way of life and not a religious practice like witchcraft is. I was a wildlife conservation officer in London before moving back to the countryside where I felt more at home. My ultimate goal is peace on Earth, peace to all beings – this has not changed and is still an ideal close to my heart.”

‘Hedgewitch’ is not the only title that could be used for Sally, she is also an author, a spiritual facilitator and a photographer. We asked her what aspect of her life she enjoyed the most. “All of them!” was the immediate answer. “An author: because I love words, a hedgewitch: because I love the natural world, a spiritual facilitator: because my workshops and training courses touch the lives of others and bring them healing, peace, joy and magic, and a photographer: because I love playing with light.”

All of these different things mean a very busy schedule for this naturally warm and gentle lady. How does she relax when she has the time? “I sing and play Bodhran (traditional Irish drum) in a Celtic band called Wyld Angelica. As to how I unwind – within nature and naturally!”

So what would Sally say is her philosophy? “Fulfilment comes once our soul force is fully awakened. It is a magical process; an incredible journey and is what I teach on my courses and through my books. My spiritual philosophy is quite simple really – Love!”

Images © Sally Morningstar

Sally runs training courses, a psychic, divinatory and healing consultancy as well as a distance learning apprenticeship program. Her healing techniques can be found in her latest book - The Art of Wiccan Healing (Hay House). For further information visit Sally’s own website: www.sallymorningstar.com

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Lifewave TM : The energy enhancer patch . . . is a new performance enhancing product and technology that utilizes the human bodies’ electromagnetic field (aura) to passively transmit instructions to the body which allow for the conversion of fats into energy. Vision’s General Manager, John Addey took the product to Carole Chui (Vision’s resident Aura photographer) for testing. ifewave TM patches are produced in the USA by the world leader in the emerging field of organically constructed Nano-antennas. These are used in the passive frequency modulation of the human bodies magnetic field, are now available in the UK. Made of a ‘special’ water, amino acids and organics and contained in a fabric they work at

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John (who has been using the patches for about 2 months) then placed the patches in different acupuncture points throughout his body as suggested in the instructions, On the chest near the shoulders Inside the wrists, Below the knee Near the ankles The colouring changed dramatically within a couple of minutes of placing the patches. It also showed that whilst most parts of John’s body was ‘in

100% efficiency for 12 hours.

They are completely safe to use, clinical and University studies have shown up to 40% increases in energy, endurance, stamina and strength within minutes of applying. Consequently more and more sporting professionals and athletes are using the patches daily.

If this all sounds a bit too technological for you and you just want to know what they are good for – read on!

Vision took Lifewave TM patches to Carole Chui, who has a piece of equipment which when connected to her computer, interprets information on a persons aura and produces a photograph showing the auras in full colour.

balance’ the patches definitely helped correct other imbalances when placed on his wrist. The other really noticeable change is that of the size of the aura. Before John put on the patches the aura was patchy and small – almost immediately afterwards the aura was full and glowing clearly: the sign of good health! “The results reaffirm what I had experienced on a personal basis whilst wearing the patches prior to visiting Carole.

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I must emphasize that I am not involved with any physical activities except the occasional day of Carp fishing. Prior to taking the Lifewave TM Energy patches, after a full day fishing I would return home mentally and physically exhausted.

The following four weekends, whilst wearing the patch I noticed a marked increase in my energy and stamina levels.

I then stopped wearing the energy patches.

I then tried the Quiet Rest TM patches and used them for 3 consecutive nights. The change in my nasal passages was amazing, it felt as if my nose and passages had been syringed and was completely clear allowing me to breath much more easily. When I stopped placing the patches - two very noticeable changes happened.

I was exhausted after my next full day fishing!

My head felt congested and my sinuses seemed blocked again!

Consequently, I now wear the patches religiously and feel great.”

This is what others have to say about the patches: Over 130 golfing professionals use Lifewave TM energy patches. LPGA Tour Hall of Fame Professional, World Golf Hall of Fame, JoAnne Carner “I use the patches every time I play and it makes a huge difference in my energy levels and my breathing. I feel like I am able to get more oxygen to my brain with very little effort because of the extra energy I get from the patches. I can concentrate and focus much better now, which is so important.”

Cyle Sage Now the worlds fastest swimmer – Triathlon 2005 “Yesterday I had the fastest swim of the day including all the pros at the St. Anthony’s Triathlon in St. Petersburg, Florida wearing LifewaveTM patches. They now say I am the fastest swimmer in the world in the triathlon . . . as in the race, I beat the World’s No 1 ranked triathlon swimmer.”

England’s Nick Job defied winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour to card a one under par 71 and win the £22,500 first prize at the Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open at The Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course near Kelso. Nick is now a firm believer in Lifewave TM energy patches.

Vision will continue to monitor the potential uses of these patches, including on pets (see next month’s issue).

Kazuko Ikeda and Rhonda Smith-Sanchez show off their patches after completing their trip to the North Pole!

The patches are available through a network of distributors or from the website (downside is the products are priced in US$) but your credit card provider will charge your account in GB £s. If you are interested in becoming a distributor see Lifewave TM advert on page 35.

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Tune in to your Native American Michael Dimitri

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acred Sound is the sound that emanates from an individual or instrument, when they or it are connected by an audible tone to the power centre of the person’s physical body and their higher self.

The human voice is just one aspect of sacred sound, but one which everyone can achieve – and you don’t need to be Pavarotti to do it!

Every race and culture on the planet has their own interpretation of what they believe to be Sacred Sound and how to achieve it. Although the techniques and in some cases the rationale behind the practice may differ slightly, there is one common denominator that binds them, and that is the answer to the question: where does sacred sound come from? The answer is: ‘from within’.

I am not qualified to explain exactly how the Buddhists, the Egyptians, or the Australian aborigines arrived at their individual methods simply because they are not cultures that I resonate with nor are they cultures that I have spent years investigating. However I can talk about my own journey of discovery and what I’ve learned about these other cultures and the differences in relation to the way I practice.

I try to enlighten my students so that they may obtain their Sacred Sound regardless of their religious, spiritual or cultural upbringing. I believe that mantras, chants, the use of sacred syllables and other ancient timehonoured practices are a form of attaining Sacred Sound, but they are not necessarily the only way and they may not be for everybody.

In the traditional Native American way, the belief is that when we sing, The Creator recognises us. This doesn’t mean that unless we are all singers, God will never hear us. What it does mean is that is that if we don’t use

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our voice in the way that it was intended for us to use, The Creator won’t be able to distinguish Billy from Bobby, or Mary from Sue and, more importantly, may not hear our individual prayers or recognise our healing efforts.

The way in which we use our voice is the key. We all have fingerprints and no two are the same; the same applies to our voices – each and every one of us has a harmonic frequency that resonates inside of us that is totally unique. When we learn how to tap into that frequency (that is born when we are born and is totally indicative to ourselves) with our voices, we are speaking/singing the truth and the Creator always recognises the truth. That truth is Sacred Sound. It is the communication with our inner and higher self and it has been my experience

chakra); e (the solar plexus chakra); f (the heart chakra); g (the throat chakra); a (the brow chakra); and b (the crown chakra).

Here is simple exercise for you to practice. Find a quiet space: stand upright with your legs shoulder-length apart. Close your eyes and try to clear your mind of all thought. Place the palm of you hand lightly on your stomach just above your belly button (the location of the solar plexus chakra). The reason that I have picked this chakra is because many consider this to be ‘the power centre’.

Take 3 deep breaths, making sure to exhale slowly between each inhale. Now take one more deep breath and sing “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”. Try to make the note last as long as your breath does.

Imagine that the note is coming from

each and every one of us “has a harmonic frequency that resonates inside of us that is totally unique.” that not only is it the most truest of communication, but is also the purest form of healing for our environment and the people around us. The best aspect is that you don’t have to be a Native American, a student of Buddha, a Hindu, a Spiritualist or a Roman Catholic; in fact, the only prerequisite is that you were born and have a belief in a higher power, whatever it may be.

The body is divided up into hundreds of power centres (or chakras) however, for our Sacred Sound purposes, we only have to concern ourselves with the main seven. These are: the base (or root), the sacral, the solar plexus, the heart, the throat, the brow (or third eye) and the crown.

Each chakra has a note associated with it, working from the base: middle c (the root chakra); d (the sacral

where your hand is and not your throat.

Pay particular attention to the way your body feels as you do this. Now do this 3 more times and each time pay as close attention as you can to the way this makes you feel.

Do not worry about which note that you are singing, just try to keep it as even as you exhale. Listen to the note, focus on the note, does it feel different from when you started? Is there a buzzing sensation inside, almost like a metallic vibration? You may experience this sensation in a different part of your body to where you are concentrating, if so, that is ok.

Continue this exercise until you feel or hear a definite change from when you started. If you don’t sense a change the first time you try, don’t get discouraged, you are learning something

new and everybody is different. In the 25 years that I have been studying and practicing, I have never known of anyone who didn’t get it eventually.

The buzzing sensation that you will experience happens when you are tapped into your body’s harmonic structure. This is the beginning of discovering your Sacred Sound. The ultimate goal is to be able to tap into this frequency at will and with all of the power centres at the same time. The healing part of your Sacred Sound depends on how much of a power centre that you tap into and for what reason.

Imagine a world where everyone who speaks (or sings) is tapped into the frequency that The Creator gifted us with.

There would be no illness, no deceit, no wars, only truth and harmony because, like a smile, it would affect the whole planet.

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A

hierarchy of gods dominated the lives of the ancient Greeks – Zeus was the chief deity. The populace looked to the gods for answers and felt that they would earn favour through prayer, ritual and worship. The Greeks were very mystical and superstitious, using crystals in many of their spiritual practices.

The word ‘crystal’’ is actually derived from the Greek “krystallos”’, meaning “ice”’ The Ancient Greeks discovered quartz crystals in high mountainous regions and believed these to be a form of water, frozen so hard, that they could never melt.

Crystals had a huge influence in the Greek’s spiritual life. They were used by both the common people and their priests/priestesses alike. In early Greek times many Greeks attended the Temple of Apollo to consult with the Oracle of Delphi.

The Oracle was an order of female priestesses who were believed to be conduits of the gods, able to bring forth holy truth and prophecy.

When consulting the oracle, the inquisitor, if wealthy enough, would have worn a piece of sapphire jewellery as they believed that this would help them to decipher the Oracle’s most cryptic predictions. Once a question was posed, the priestess would sit upon a tripod over a fissure in the earth in a lower chamber of the temple. They would then throw in frankincense and myrrh and inhale the concoction of incense and smoke, whilst holding a quartz crystal point in each hand.

The Oracles spoke in riddles, testing the minds and patience of those seeking council.

Such warnings and advice figure prominently in Greek mythology.

Medicine, healing and spirituality were very much intertwined and many Greeks sought help from the gods. The god Apollo was the main deity for assistance with health problems but from around the sixth century BC many turned to the god Asclepios instead. Healing centres called Asclepeia were built for those in poor health. Here, they could bathe, sleep and meditate. The priests encouraged sleep as it was believed that during sleep Asclepios would appear and cure all ailments.

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Angel Therapist and Louise Hay practitioner Shelley Dudley delves into crystals and their use in Ancient Greece.

Aquamarine – This stone held the essence and spirit of the sea. Ancient Greeks wore it believing it would protect them whilst at sea and to prevent sea sickness. Aquamarine is seen a “stone of courage” It is excellent for healing the heart chakra.

Garnet – This was used to attract a new love or to help to win back an estranged love. Garnet remains a “stone of commitment.” The loving powers of garnet reflect devotion, bringing the love of others.

Amethyst – The Ancient Greeks believed that anyone wearing amethyst jewellery or drinking from an amethyst cup would be immune from intoxication!

Amethyst is a ‘stone of meditation’ and it also protects the person from negative energies.

Blue Topaz – Ancient Greeks referred to this as ‘the stone of strength,’ helping warriors to improve their performance.

It is used to assist one in bringing the body, mind and spirit into union with Universal Energy.

Tsavorite – This was used to contact with/ to receive information from the gods who represented learning, prudence and wisdom of magic and is still used to stimulate knowledge.

Agate (Dendritic) – This was used to produce plentiful crops. Today it is still used to heal the Earth, by stimulating peacefulness within the structure of the inner environment.

Pearl – A symbol of purity, innocence and peace it was dedicated to Artemis, the moon goddess. Pearls were braided into the hair of the bride and sewn in the dress as a sign of respect and to show purity, as it still is today.

Clear Quartz – The Greeks believed this crystal could help them communicate with the gods: we still use it today to connect with the spirit world.

It is seen as a “stone of power” and helps to repel any negative energy.

Sun Stone - It was thought to represent the sun god, bringing life and abundance to those fortunate enough to carry/wear it. It was often used as ornamental patterning on goblets and plates. Today it can be used to dissipate fearfulness, to alleviate stress and increase vitality.

If the priest felt it appropriate, he would also use crystal healing on the patient.

With all due ceremony, the priest would clothe himself in robes and don religious regalia, including a breastplate studded with crystals: chalcedony (agate), citrine, jade and ruby (there is reference to this in the Old Testament). After consulting with Asclepios, the priest would lay the individual on a marble couch and arrange the necessary crystals on the chakras and meridian points of the patient’s body. Which particular crystals were used and the different crystal layouts can only be conjecture as no records have been found on this subject.

The Ancient Greeks used crystals not just for healing but also for enhancement of their lives too. They either carried them or wore them as jewellery, believing that each crystal had a unique property that they could utilise for their own benefit: By the latter part of the fourth century BC, Hippocrates “the father of modern medicine” suggested that illness was due to natural causes rather than the will of the gods. He believed in continual assessment of symptoms to determine the cause. Treatment could be in the form of herbal remedies or special diets, rest or even surgery if required.

This marked the beginning of a slow decline in the use of crystals and many of the other natural forms of healing both in Greece and in much of the civilised world.

Crystals, however, still remain important to the Greeks, there are many crystal healers still practicing in Greece today. Much of the mythology surrounding Ancient Greece is still respected but the spiritual beliefs have changed with evolution. It can be seen that the Greek’s beliefs surrounding properties of certain crystals have endured the test of time while others are being used for different purposes due to different interpretations by man over the centuries. Ancient Greek traditions involving crystals have also endured such as bridal pearls and the essence of love in garnet. Man has realised the importance of crystals throughout history and their popularity will be everlasting.

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56 Vision 9

Roger J Burman of the British School of Spiritual Knowledge (BSSK) reveals that it’s not just humans who can see Spirit or reincarnate… your beloved cat or dog have spirit guides and may have had a past-life possibly with you!

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nimals contain Spirit – just as we are Spirit inside a human body.

Like us, animals reincarnate and complete a spiritual journey, although one much less complex than our own.

Unlike most humans, many animals can see Spirit and can communicate telepathically.

You may have noticed a pet cat or dog watch something moving in a room, when to our eyes there is nothing there. The pet is seeing Spirit, either the human or animal variety. Animals have spirit guides just as we have, but their role is nothing like the one of guiding and tuition of those that guide spirit incarnated in human form.

We have a pet cat, which is black and white. She has four white paws and so is named Sox. She has a ginger tom for a guide, named Marmalade. He often teases her by being high up, where she cannot reach him, although she tries to do so.

A mammal can reincarnate as any other mammal except a human.

Birds reincarnate as any variety of bird, reptiles as any form of reptile and so on.

The reason a dog can’t come back as a human or indeed, that we can’t come back as a dog is because the type of spirit that occupies the human form is

behaviour patterns. If you notice a cat with dog-like behaviour, or a dog with cat-like behaviour, it is remembering being the other species.

Sox the cat for instance, often behaves like a dog. She is aggressive towards any visitors who come to our boat. She needs to be let out in the morning to patrol the boat, and jumps on to the side to greet us when we return, swishing her tail and mewing much as a dog would jump up, wag his tail and whine in excitement.

She has also been a monkey in her past lives that we know of. She investigates grapes, oranges, pineapple and bananas. She clearly thinks she should like them and shows signs of great excitement at the smell of a banana being peeled for instance. She is just as clearly surprised when offered a piece and discovering that she doesn’t like it! She occasionally will run sideways, skipping on all four legs, just like a monkey. Dog and monkey are her 2 most common ‘other animal’ behaviours, but she has others. She is a fascinating case study.

Because pets reincarnate, we need not grieve deeply when they die.

Animals have lives both in the wild and in close contact with humans. When they share lives with humans, they will often

us, animals do not suffer the “Unlike same complete memory loss on incarnation. They can sometimes remember their past lives ” different to that of a dog and occupies the most evolved species on any planet of incarnation (considering man as the most evolved species on Earth may take a bit of a leap, but technically if not spiritually it is the case).

Unlike us, animals do not suffer the same complete memory loss on incarnation. They can sometimes remember their past lives and this is what is showing through in odd

have a small number of people they prefer. Sox for example, has been our pet three times in our current lives, twice as a cat and once as a dog. She has also been our pet several times in our past lives.

This is why we have a deep bond with her, due to the familiarity on the spiritual level. It is the same with human friendship, members of the same soul group often feel close.

When we write our life-plans,

we include in them whether we want any pets and if so, which spirit we would like to be those pets. Our interaction with pets is a part of the syllabus of learning about “unconditional love”. We can be with our pets again once we are back in spirit.

Sometimes a pet that has returned to spirit, wishes to communicate with us while we are still here on Earth. My own experience of this happened in my car (a common place for spirit communication). We had a family pet dog, a pointer called Jack, who had died. Several years later, I passed the kennels where we had got him as a puppy. It made me think of him. I then had a strong “wet dog” smell in the car.

This puzzled me at the time, because no other dog had been in the car since he died. When I asked my guide he said Jack had often tried to communicate and this was the first time I had noticed it.

He got my attention through the smell sensation.

As many may have observed, a pet can be a substitute for a child, parent or friend. Recognising this fact is a spiritual experience, as is recognising all the emotions of care, responsibility, concern, pain of loss, guilt, joy and happiness that can be generated by the presence of a human in your life that can be similarly generated by a pet.

A pet gives love unconditionally.

Many will still offer love even if abused or neglected. They are a great learning ‘tool’ for us to know what love is and all homes should have one. If we could extend our love of pets to love of nature, of the environment, of our fellow man and of the planet, what a better world we would create.

Roger J Burman, B.A is the co-founder of The British School of Spiritual Knowledge [BSSK], whose offices are in Hull, East Yorkshire.

The author has written three books of channelled philosophy and a number of articles. The School promotes Healing and Harmony events for the public and runs courses and workshops. Visit www.bssk.co.uk or call 01482 620337.

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Money Magnet Spell.

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ello to all the readers of Vision Magazine! I am Andrea the new Coven Corner Witch. I have been a practising Solitary Witch for 15 years. I look forward to writing this column each month, sharing my thoughts and answering your letters. Hopefully I will be able to help you resolve some of your problems and share some of the knowledge I have gained over the years, including rituals and spell work.

My philosophy is always to try and think positive thoughts. I try to only do things that have good intentions and that will not have a detrimental effect on anyone or anything, including our environment.

I’ve always seen Spirit since I was a little child.

My family were all spiritual, so they have never tried to suppress my ability. Grandma was a medium and I could always see the spirits she spoke to. I used to predict things even then. I knew my auntie had had a baby girl – an hour later granddad came and told us about it – my announcement coincided with the time of the birth too! I was also a fan of ghost stories and witchcraft when I was younger.

Wicca attracted me from the beginning because it was nature-based and using the elements and forces of nature was so important to me. I love to feel at one with nature and to be able to focus my thoughts on something and make it happen. I was 21 when I joined a coven for a year and then became a solitary witch.

Andrea

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Quite often we find that we are short of money to pay bills or buy essentials, so this is a spell to help attract money into your life, which will help to solve the problem.

This spell is best performed on a Thursday under the influence of a New Moon. Thursday is ruled by the planet Jupiter, which is associated with money, lending, matters of expansion, legal issues and higher education.

Ingredients: 1 – One Pound coin.

1 – Carnelian crystal.

1 – Bottle of Sandalwood or Lavender oil.

1 – Piece of green cloth or paper.

1 – Small length of golden ribbon or cord.

First of all you must cleanse the Carnelian crystal in a glass of water containing a pinch of salt. Place the glass on a windowsill in the moonlight for a full night or for a full day in bright sunlight.

The next step is to gather all your ingredients together and place them on your altar (if you have one). Then you need to cast a protective circle around yourself and the room by imagining a pure white or gold light emanating from your fingertips. Draw around the room with this light and say out loud that ‘The Circle is cast!’. After you have done this, take the pound coin and the carnelian crystal and anoint them both with a few drops of your chosen oil. Place them both on the green cloth/paper and tie it up with the golden ribbon. As you do this, visualise your newly created ‘Money Magnet’ drawing money towards you. To complete the spell recite the following: “If it harm none - so mote it be”. Now close your circle by going round the room again and drawing the light back into your fingers. Say out loud that ‘The Circle is closed’. Now place your money magnet in your pocket or bag and make sure you carry it around with you.

N.B. You must always have an outlet for money spells as magick takes the most direct route.

Make sure you have a positive route for it to use, eg a job, lottery ticket or premium bonds to name but a few.

Goddess of the Month

Bast/Bastet The Egyptian Goddess Bast is known as the ‘Cat Goddess’.

Patron of the sun (originally),the moon (after the Greeks associated her with Artemis), cats, women, fertility, secrets, music, dance, pleasure, joy and guardian of the family.

Her worship was centred in Bubastis, in the kingdom of Lower Egypt, but she was venerated throughout the land.

Bast was daughter of Ra, sister of Horus and wife of Ptah.

Bast can be called upon to protect your feline friends, as well as to protect the house and help you flourish in art and music.

Sibling Rivalry My family has been through a really rough patch lately, but the problem is that no-one seems to realise how much it has affected me – they only worry about my little sister. Even though I have tried, I just can’t seem to let go of my resentment and jealousy towards her. It’s really starting to get me down because we used to be so close and now we can’t seem to be in the same room together for more than a few minutes without arguing. Is there anything you can recommend to help me let go?

Samantha Buckett, Sunderland.

Andrea says: In families it is very common for brothers and sisters to fight and argue. This is not only very stressful for the individuals involved, but also to any other family members. To help this spell work you must really want to put disputes in the past and think positive thoughts.

Ingredients: Some paper Scissors Pen Glue Rubber band Sugar

Bring back the love Love Spells are always to be used with great thought and care. You should never name anyone in particular in a love spell as everyone has free will. If you name someone, you would effectively be manipulating their will – a practice not appropriate to the practice of witchcraft. However, love spells can be used to help bring two people back together if that is truly meant to be. Here is a spell that can do just that. You should perform this spell on the Friday of the new moon.

Cut out two figures from the paper that represent you and your sister. Then write the name of the person represented on each cut out figure. Now glue the paper figures together saying: “Issues resolved, Issues dissolved, Love is within us Love surrounds us” Say this three times. Then say “So it is done”.

Now roll up your paper figures that have been glued together and place a rubber band around them. Cover the outside of the rolled-up paper in glue and coat it in the sugar, making sure it is completely covered.

When it is dry place it somewhere safe and watch the sugar sweeten your relationship.

If you have a question or need help with a problem, you can write to Coven Corner at the Vision address or email covencorner@visionmagazine.uk.com Please remember that we may not be able to respond to all your letters, but we will try to cover all the subjects on these pages.

The witches’ kitchen

Each month we’ll bring you tips on herbs and their magical and healing properties for you to build up your own witches’ kitchen.

GINGER

If you eat ginger before spell work it will enhance the power of your spell or ritual, due to the warming effect that ginger has (especially love spells).

Ginger powder can be sprinkled into your pocket or purse to attract money and can also be used in spells for success, or to make sure your spell work is successful.

Ingredients: 1 - Pink Candle 1 - Bottle of Lavender Oil 1 - Photograph of you both together or alternatively two separate photos.

1 - Envelope A few rose petals Place all of the Ingredients on your altar, anoint the pink candle with a few drops of lavender oil and then light your candle. Place the rose petals on top of your photo ( if you have two photos place them together). As you do this, imagine the distance between yourselves growing smallerand smaller, both physically and in your hearts and minds.

Then say “ Venus Venus Mother of mine Bring us back together In a very short time If it be right Let this spell work If it is not Let the feelings disperse” Repeat this three times, then say “So Mote it Be”.

After you have performed the spell, place the photo (photos) in the envelope with the rose petals and seal the envelope with the candle wax, then let the candle burn right down, ensuring it is safe and cannot be blown over. Put the envelope well away from prying eyes

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Clint Denyer explores the Greek roots of astrology

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he Hellenistic era began when Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire. The kingdoms founded by Alexander’s generals were quickly supplanted by the Roman and Parthian Empires. By contrast, Greek culture dominated the Near East for nearly a thousand years, until the Arab conquests. This was partly due to the large number of Greek colonies which Alexander and his successors founded throughout their realms. There had been Greek colonies before, of course, but the Hellenistic era saw a different sort of colony. They were not independent communities founded by a city-state, as Miletus or Syracuse had been. The Hellenistic colonies had local autonomy, but not true independence or freedom. They were meant to provide security and local government for the Macedonian kings. Thus, they were founded wherever Alexander or one of his successors ruled, from Egypt to India.

We know that there were Greek colonies in Mesopotamia, the home of astrology. Indeed, one of the two capitals of the Seleucid kingdom was Seleucia on the Tigris, some 90 miles north of Babylon. When it was founded, many of Babylon’s inhabitants were deported to the new city. Babylon itself also had a Greek settlement. Remains of Greek-style houses, a theatre, a gymnasium, and Greek inscriptions were found there by the excavators.

A number of factors in Greek life

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prepared the way for ‘Horoscopy”. Horoscopy means the drawing up of Horoscopes and the art of casting Horoscopes, by the positioning and understanding of the stars and constellations and each planet in our solar system.

Greek religion was basically similar to that of Mesopotamia. It was polytheistic (the people worshipped many different gods and goddesses) and the heavenly bodies were thought to be divine, although they were not major deities. Few Greek cities had cults of the sun and moon, let alone the lesser planets. Divination was definitely an important institution, just as it was in Mesopotamia. Several important philosophers and scientists did promote the divinity of the planets, notably Plato and Aristotle.

There is a Greek root to all the individual star-signs: Aries – Latin for ‘the Ram’ (Krios in Greek), not to be confused with the Greek war-god Ares. Aries the ram is connected with several different possible rams in mythology. However, the most common

association in ancient sources is that this is the friendly ram with a golden fleece that carried Phirxus and Helle across the Straight of Hellespont.

Taurus – this constellation takes its name from the Greek Tauros, meaning ‘the Bull’. In the most ancient versions, Zeus (chief Olympian god) fell in love with Europa, daughter of the king of Tyre. For some strange reason, Zeus transformed himself into the shape of a beautiful white bull in order to attract Europa to him.

Gemini – ‘Gemini’ is the Latin translation of the Greek Didymoi, ‘the Twins’. Many potential candidates were suggested as Gemini’s original twins, but many ancient sources attribute them to being Castor and Pollux. Castor and Pollux were twin brothers and sons of a mortal woman Leda – however they had

different fathers. Pollux was a son of the chief Olympian god Zeus, and thus Pollux was immortal and would live forever.

Castor was the son of a mortal man, and he could die. Their love and devotion for one another was legendary, and they never separated from one another.

(asini). Most ancient sources agree on these asses being placed in the sky by the Greek god of wine and ecstasy, Dionysus.

However, there are several different variations as to what these asses were and why Dionysus placed them in the constellation of Cancer.

Cancer – ‘the Crab’ (Karkinos in Greek, Cancer in Latin); according to most ancient authorities, the crab was one of Hera’s animals. This particular crab was the crab which was unceremoniously crushed by Hercules in his 2nd of 12 labours. Interestingly enough, this constellation was also associated with the term ‘the Asses’ Crib’ or ‘the Asses’ Manger’. The reason for this association is that in the constellation of Cancer there are two stars named ‘the Asses’

Leo – Latin for ‘the Lion’, called Leon in the original Greek. No controversy here.

Ancient sources relate that the Lion was known as being the King of all the beasts.

Most of the ancient sources likewise identify this lion as being the beast known as the Nemean Lion, which Hercules had to dispose of in the 1st of his 12 labours.

Virgo – ‘the Virgin’ in Latin, whose Greek name was Parthenos. Confusion and chaos run wild in the naming of and mythology behind the constellation of Virgo (I bet that drives Virgos crazy!).

Ancient sources do agree on associating Virgo with the maiden aspect of what’s called the ‘tripartite Mother Goddess’ (maiden, mother, crone).

Libra – Latin for ‘the Balance’ or ‘the Scales’, from the equivalent Greek word Zygos. This sign was originally called ‘the Claws’, which were attached to the constellation of Scorpio; the later idea of a balance most likely derived from the relative equality of day and night at the autumnal equinox.

Scorpio – Latin for ‘the Scorpion’ (Skorpios in Greek). This fearsome Scorpion figured in an argument between the wild, untamed, virgin goddess of the hunt, Artemis and the legendary gigantic Greek hunter Orion.

Sagittarius – ‘the Archer’ in Latin, called Toxotes in Greek. Of all the 12 zodiac signs, Sagittarius has what likely could be considered as the most controversial and/or disputed origin.

Most modern sources (and apparently some ancient sources) like to identify Sagittarius, the archer, with a kindly mentor centaur (horse with a man’s body from the waist up), Chiron (or Cheiron).

Most centaurs were wild, warring, lustful beasts. However - kindly, wise Chiron was the exception to this rule, and he was a teacher/mentor to many of the Greek heroes (such as Achilles, Jason, and Asclepius.

Capricorn – is a wee bit confusing.

Capricorn - Capricornus is a Latin compound of ‘she-goat’ (Capra) and ‘horn’ (cornus),

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which translates the original Greek Aegocerus, ‘goat-horned’. It is associated with being a Goat Horn, however it is also traditionally depicted as being a ‘sea goat’ (a goat with a fish tail).

Aquarius – called by the Greeks Hydrochoos, ‘the WaterPourer’. ‘Aquarius’ is a Latin translation of the Greek name.

According to the most ancient sources, Hydrochoos was considered to be Ganymede, the beloved cupbearer of Zeus (the chief Olympian god). Other later versions say that Aquarius was Deucalion, a Greek Noah, who was (with his wife) the only survivor of a great flood.

Pisces called Ichtyes (‘the fishes’) by the Greeks, ‘Pisces’ being the Latin translation. In the constellation of Pisces there’s a big fish and a little fish. Aphrodite and her son, Ichthus (some versions say the god Eros was her son), were being pursued by a huge monster fish by the name of Typhon. In order to escape their nasty, monstrous pursuer, Aphrodite turns herself and her son into fishes. Together they then hid from the monster fish, Typhon, in the Euphrates River.

The naming of the constellations by the ancient Greeks most likely occurred sometime between the 6th - 5th centuries B.C. However, the first satisfactory evidence of an extensive set of Greek constellations existing comes from the 4th century B.C. astronomer Eudoxus (390 – 340 BC). The works of Eudoxus are lost, but are contained in the writings of another Greek, Aratus of Soli (315 – 245 BC). Aratus’ poetry “Phaenomena” provides a complete guide to the constellations known to the ancient Greeks as laid down by Eudoxus. Eudoxus had allegedly learned the constellations from priests in Egypt and then introduced them to Greece. It’s appears more likely, however, that the cosmological idea of naming the constellations was appropriated from the Greek’s neighbours the Babylonians and Sumerians. Upon the Greeks “borrowing” the constellations (and utilizing a few of the same figures and symbols) they then went about devising many of their own unique names and explanations as to how all the different animals and people had got into the sky. The ancient Greeks originally gave us 48 ‘classical’ constellations. Since then, more and more constellations have been added - and today there are now a total of 88.

The Babylonians and the Egyptians had also previously founded the cosmological concept that each year the Sun passed through divisions or sectors in the sky which were located on an imaginary circle called the “ecliptic.” It is believed that the archetypal concept of a “world soul” ruled by divisions or sectors came first. Then, later, (based on these pre-existing imagined divisions) came the naming of the actual constellations in the sky.

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December forecast

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y and large December is going to be a calm and peaceful period for the majority of Sagittarians, and therein lies the problem because there are a lot of Saggies out there who simply don’t want a calm and peaceful period!

They want the bright lights and a taste of life in the fast lane – they want to make love while doing a free fall parachute jump – they want to run naked across the moonlight heather with Heathcliff (or Cathy) in hot pursuit, and the whole package of Christmas shopping, turkey stuffing, old repeats of “Only Fools And Horses” on the box, being nice to children and kind to pets. Buying lots of presents that no one really wants and no one can really afford, just isn’t going to crack the magic for them. So they’ll do what they always do (do what we all always do) which is simply to get on with things, make the best of them, have as good a time as they can on a limited budget, and keep the secret beauty of their wild and wonderful dreams locked away within the inner spirit of their souls. Sad, innit?

Cash & Careers: From a purely work and business point of view there probably isn’t a great deal happening

24 Nov – 21 Dec throughout December so you might just as well chill and take each day as it comes. Do what you have to do or are asked to do, and if there’s spare time on your hands, well I guess you can always write your Christmas cards in the boss’s time. This “slow” period may be quite a boon if it gives you some time to take a long term look at your career profile and to consider changes that can enhance that profile once the new year has kicked in; safe may be secure but it’s also very stagnating, both spiritually and psychologically. Sagittarian parents may be spending more than on their kids this year, and although it’s nice to know you’ve got it to spend: is little Johnny’s new computer more important than a new bedroom carpet or some necessary repairs to that old boiler of yours?

Obviously, you must define your own priorities relative to your spending power, but this might not be the best of years for blowing a packet on unappreciative children when there are some other priorities that do need to be considered.

Romance & Relationships: While you should have no problem getting into the Christmas spirit, there are still a few moods of nostalgia and reflection that might catch you out when you look back to previous Christmastimes and you may drink more than just one isolated toast to absent friends! This time round, it should be a very quiet homefire kind of holiday; if you’re looking for peace and calm you should be well contented but if it’s excitement, adventure and drama you’re after, the only place you’re likely to find those commodities is on the television, and even then, only if you’re lucky! You’ll keep your cool and do your thing, but there will be a little voice somewhere deep down inside your psyche that keeps saying over and over again “yeah, okay, but next year is going to be different.”

Where romantic aspects are concerned there is an ongoing mood of camaraderie and companionship but no startling events that are going to rock any of the family’s boats. Be calm and serene and watch out for icebergs.

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December forecast

ecause travel aspects for late December are going to be very important it would seem prudent to make sure that all flight tickets and other documentation including passports are in order and that motor cars are well serviced and free from mysterious squeaks and rattles. There will be reunions in December (somewhat logical) but some of these reunions have a strong overseas connection. Cash aspects are okay if you work within budgets – and this statement not only applies to you but also to lovers and partners. No good you being careful with cash if your other half is blowing a wad of dosh on their own needful things. Romantic and emotional aspects have a warm and cuddly feel to them, but for what it’s worth, there could be a few minor points of friction with brothers and/or sisters and likewise inlaws. Furthermore, while there could be some concern with you for the health or welfare of an elderly person, in my opinion there is nothing to worry about and you really mustn’t allow yourself to feel guilty about having a good time on your own and under your own steam.

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24 Nov – 21 Dec

Cash & Careers: Not a lot

Romance & Relationships:

happening during December where jobs and careers are concerned – it’s a rather quiet chilled out period and if nothing else it should allow you to catch your breath and tidy a few loose ends that have accumulated over the year. Because there isn’t an avalanche of hard cash rolling in you’ll be inclined to fret a bit over money and will feel that you have to work within some pretty stringent budgets. On the home front it might worry you slightly if a partner is spending far more than you feel that they should be on things you don’t consider to be important. Travel aspects in late December will be significant for a very high percentage of Capricorns, and although Christmas will be a very different Christmas to some you’ve known over the last few years it may well turn out to be not nearly as expensive as you imagine. Indeed, if there is a wee bit of a cash boost between December 23rd and 28th I wouldn’t be at all surprised,

Apart from one minor area of tension between the 10th and the 15th when there’ll be some domestic disagreement over financial priorities, December should be a pretty good month for one to one relationships. Established unions benefit from the enjoyment of more quality time being dedicated to them while new romantic attachments become likely for single members of the sign, especially between the 2nd and the 9th and the 17th and 27th. Relationships with

and it looks as though it might be coming from a most unexpected source.

other members of the family may be just a little bit strained over the holiday period, especially if there is one particular individual who simply can’t get into the Christmas spirit and is intent on pouring cold water over everyone else’s good time. My advice? Give this particular person, probably a female, a wide birth, and let ‘em stew in their own juice. Generally speaking you are going to have a pretty full agenda over the holiday, and although it might not be the traditional Christmas of years gone by, there are lots of laughs and high spirits and you are going to have a marvellous time, even if not every single soul around you is on your wavelength.

December forecast

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s you might imagine December (and Christmas) is a period wherein family unity is a high priority, and while relationships with other members of the family will be enjoying an all time high, there is some sense of dispersion– other people do different things with their Christmases this year; people will be on the move and travelling while you remain relatively static, and while you should have a very calm and happy Christmas around the tree or in front of the box, you will be mindful of other folk who are climbing Everest or hang gliding above the great wall of China. (More probably they’re having a Christmas bash in Benidorm without you, but I’m sure you get my drift…). Notwithstanding, there is cash in your kitty, there are half a dozen people around you who need you like crazy and love you to bits, and there are some lovely presents and love tokens coming your way… So count your blessings and enjoy. The weather in Benidorm is probably rubbish anyway.

21 Jan – 19 Feb

Cash & Careers: Whether you

Romance & Relationships:

expect it to be or not, December is going to be a very busy month and you may find yourself working some long hours of overtime, especially if you’re having to cover for other people who don’t share the same degree of career dedication as you seem to have. On the up side December is going to be a very prosperous month – even if a big chunk of the money you’re earning doesn’t land in your bank account until January. Also it is in this period that you will come to the attention of bosses and bigwigs and there must inevitably be a career short cut to a higher rung on the ladder presented to you within the next few weeks. Don’t think twice – take it!

Christmas will be a homefire affair, but with more cash in the kitty than you’ve had in previous years, and therefore there is going to be some splashing out on presents and treats. It is worth noting that you will be on the receiving end of this bounty just as much as being the one who provides it for others.

Relationships within the family framework are never tighter, never closer and never better than they are likely to be this December.

True there will be toasts drunk to absent friends, and in some ways there might be quite as many people around you as usual – be that as it may, the spiritual and emotional bonds are profound and there is plenty of room for consolidation and reunion in the new year. On a purely romantic basis, then yes, here again we see a pattern of unity and solidarity with great pleasure being taken from the small things in life. Established unions become stronger, casual affairs become something more permanent, and even the nerdiest anorak in the world may find themselves with a boyfriend or girlfriend over the Christmas holiday. December 25th and 26th sees you strongly in the role of the host or hostess, but there could be some reversal of this role between the 27th and the 31st especially if you suddenly decide to make an 11th hour journey for the new year bun fights.

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December forecast

f in any way you were guilty of having rocked someone’s boat in November, you’ll be working hard throughout December to put things back onto an even keel. Not because you particularly want to, but because it is your easiest option. While there is no shortage of people around you who love and respect you – who will be showing you just how much by what they say and also by what they do – you will still be aware of the fact that there are a few folk who simply do not understand you and have no real idea of what it is like to be you. This is something for which you yourself are partly to blame because at the end of the day people will only see what you want them to see or are prepared to show them.

And thus, it might be a very good New Year’s resolution to be a lot more open with your emotions and a lot more candid with your words. If you don’t like the way a certain conversation is going either over Christmas lunch or Boxing Day dinner, do not hold your peace but make sure your voice and your opinions are heard.

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20 Feb – 20 Mar

Cash & Careers: There are some

Romance & Relationships:

fairly intense work pressures around the 5th 6th 7th and 8th but after that it’s more or less plain sailing through to the Christmas break. There will be some friction and ill-feeling around the 22nd 23rd when you are imposed upon by a colleague who takes far too many things for granted, but this is sorted out quickly and you’ll be able to close the office doors early on the 24th and start getting into the Christmas spirit – which oddly enough, might be a bit easier said than done. You’re not exactly saying “bah” or “humbug” but there’s nothing new or greatly exciting here, which is fine if you’re looking for a rest, but not quite so fine if you’re not.

As a matter of fact, even the most conservative and sedate Pisceans may find themselves looking for a bit of the action before the end of the Christmas break – and while their chances of finding it are not very high, at least this is an indication that there is a bit of life in the old dog yet.

On all levels emotional relationships and affairs of the heart seem stable and secure. Nobody is going to do any great boat rocking, and if there are a few things that annoy you, you’ll put the Piscean lid on the pressure cooker and keep things on hold until after the break. However, beneath the surface of your day to day Christmas festivities there will be a quiet note of nostalgia singing a sad note over a minor chord within your mind, and more so than usual you will be looking back over the years (five, ten, twenty or fifty) and while not pining for the old days, you’ll nonetheless be highly mindful of them. Some of you will wake up on the morning of the 25th and think “Happy Christmas” while others are going to wake up and think “Oh no!.” You’ll share your Happy Christmas energy with all and sundry while keeping your “Oh no!” feelings and emotions very much to yourself.

December forecast

S

trong travel aspects auger well for you this December and it may well be that this Christmas turns out to be very different to some you have known over the last few years. It is also a time for reviewing your lifestyle and exploring other options that bring a greater degree of freedom – indeed there are some very original ideas coming to the fore, but not everyone is going to be as enthusiastic as you are yourself.

While it is true that you will be taking a lot of inspiration from other people around you, it is only from people who carry a bright “yes” energy with them.

Other stick in the muds who seem to resonate around the “ooh no we can’t do that” vibration or more pertinently, “oh no, you can’t do that” are going to annoy you a great deal and you may well find yourself making some very quiet and very secret plans before Big Ben chimes the midnight hour of the New Year. This seems somewhat inevitable, and you are right to keep those plans and ambitions to yourself for the time being.

21 Mar – 20 Apr

Cash & Careers: A lot of people are going to expect a lot of different things from you throughout December and it won’t always be easy to please everyone all the time; especially if you’re having to be in two places at once. The closer you get to Christmas the more the tension mounts, especially if you have unusual Christmas plans this year which are going to cost a lot more money to than the usual Yuletide programme of festivities.

As far as work routines are concerned, quite honestly I don’t think this is going to be a particularly busy month and there may well be a few times when you find yourself wondering why you bothered turning up for work at all… I think you’ll be squirreling money away throughout the month but this year there seems to be a special reason: it’s almost as though you know in advance that Christmas is going to be very expensive this time round.

Romance & Relationships: Relationships with family get a major

boost at this time as some old wounds are healed, forgotten and forgiven, and a mood of camaraderie blossoms between parents and children and children and parents. In one-to-one emotional relationships with lovers and partners there may well be a ripple of tension beneath the surface as agendas take different paths. Ladies will say that their guys are rushing in where angels fear to tread; guys will think that their ladies are dragging their heels – and sometime pouring cold water over a spontaneous burst of Arian enthusiasm. I don’t think that there’s going to be any open warfare but there certainly could be more than a few hostile moods in the middle of the month. These, hopefully, evaporate over the holiday: it’s as though a truce is signed enabling everyone to get on with the business of having a good time. Even so, female Arians will feel they are losing some control over male partners, and male Arians will find themselves resenting the reticence of their wives and girlfriends.

December forecast

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ecember and Christmas, not always the best of times for the Bulls, promises to be very different this year. There is an element of sparkle and excitement in the wind that moves you forwards at a rapid rate of knots towards targets and ambitions that you perhaps had felt were too far out of reach. Now they become within reach and your whole future starts looking brighter and better than it has done for years! There is a great sense of family fusion and long term plans involving other members of family.

If there is a damp squib around you over the Christmas period, be positive about it insofar as it is only one damp squib, and in the past you’ve had to deal with dozens. It will be an especially expensive Christmas period, but you’ll be spending your money in very untraditional ways, and more on yourself than on other people. And that should make a very refreshing change.

Cash & Career: Probably a quiet first week of the month, but that will be changing rapidly on or around the 7th. You’ll

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21 Apr – 21 May

experience an intensive work burn for six or seven days that will leave you tired but not particularly stressed. Make a point of insisting on immediate payment for December contracts and projects because you won’t want monies owing to you deferred to next year. Christmas is coming and because there are (as with Aries and Capricorn) some very special Christmas plans this year that are going to cost a few bob, you will want your cash in hand and not sitting in someone else’s bank account. Travel aspects are very strong for the late December period, along with a few family reunions… and of course, some of those reunions you can put down to the festive season, but there are just a couple that might have nothing to do with Christmas at all. As far as career aspects are concerned, this is very much a planning period, with the emphasis on the long term. Other people (especially a younger male and a contemporary female) will have a profound influence over some of your choices and options.

Romance & Relationships: I think

that December is going to be a rather lovely month for

relationships and affairs of the heart – which is a bit unusual really, because normally December (and especially Christmas) can be the kiss of death for Taurean lovers!

This time round there seems to be a much greater degree of harmony and rapport between partners, probably because they will find themselves working towards common goals and targets with shared vision and enthusiasm. Relationships between parents and children seem to go through some beneficial shift of emphasis, especially where fathers and sons are concerned. However, a “daughter-in-law” is probably going to turn out to be a real pain and will be something of a drag on the high energy vibration that surrounds you at this time. She should be ignored – or someone needs to give her a very quiet but firm talking to. For younger members of the sign (14-19) there are some powerful and purely romantic energies effervescing between the 20th and the 27th while for more mature Taureans in stable relationships (maybe relationships that have not always been stable) there are delightful moments of intimacy and promises of mutual commitment.

December forecast

I

f Christmas turns out to be a bit on the quiet side this year there’s no harm in that as long as you’re getting what you want out of it – and I do think that you are going to be delighted with the mood and the ambience of this festive season. It brings you closer to people on a family level (as you might expect) and it also enhances the purely romantic vibrations. This year it is not what you get or what you do that counts, it’s who you do it with and what you are able to share – also, what other people are going to be able to share with you. Certainly, there may be a bit of tension in the wind between the 10th and the 18th and for a few days you will feel as though you’ve got your back to the wall, but it really is a temporary thing, soon sorted out and nipped in the bud.

Cash & Career: December opens on a quiet note – not much to do, most of it’s already done, and you get the feeling that it’s going to be a real easy ride through to the New Year. Then around December 10th the manure hits the fan

22 May – 21 June

and you’ll find yourself working 24/7 with emergency work routines, last minute orders, the demands of bosses and best friends, not to mention some feelings of unease in the pit of your stomach when you realise that you might not have quite as much cash as you thought you had! This is compounded when someone who owes you cash and has promised to pay you by a certain preChristmas date fails to do so, leaving you fuming and vowing never again to lend money to a friend.

Nevertheless you’ll scrape through in one piece and if the Christmas holiday turns out to be more restive than festive, you can consider this to be something of a boon and a blessing. If someone asks you to work overtime during the Christmas period you’re going to say no… and then maybe worry about it afterwards. There are work issues that nag beneath the surface, but you’ll have to put them on hold until the New Year, so relax and don’t worry.

Romance & Relationships: Romantic aspects may be quite pleasant between the 1st and the 9th but then there is a period between the 10th and 19th when there simply isn’t time for intimacy even if you are in the mood for love. Work pressures are going to get in the way of all that!

However, from the 21st or 22nd onwards the energies shift and change and Christmas itself should be a gentle period for lovers with plenty of opportunities for romantic interludes – although holding hands at the end of Bournemouth pier is more likely than making love on the beach of Bermuda Bay. They say that little things mean a lot, and it is the little things that really make a difference to your romantic profile over this period, measured by the attention and sensitive understanding of lovers and partners.

One small inexpensive gift from someone special will be more important than diamonds and pearls. It will be given to you as a Christmas gift but in reality it is a deeply meaningful love token.

O

December forecast

n the surface you’ll go through the usual routine of preparing for Christmas and all that the festive season entails, and where work routines are concerned, you’ll carry on slogging away as normal, not expecting very much, and not getting very much either. But on other levels, there are thrills of excitement – something is stirring in the jungle and the bush telegraph is beating with a new rhythm of expectation as your sexual agenda suddenly comes rushing to the fore. Expect some attention from a very attractive member of the opposite sex who will make it clear that they very much want you and will go to some very great lengths to get you! For some of you this will be quite enough to give you the strength to break free from old entanglements, while for others it will give you the strength to hang on in there with renewed confidence that things are going to change for the better in the New Year. On a much more parochial note, Cancerian parents may be disappointed with the actions and attitudes of their

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children – children who have grown up far too quickly and have come to expect far too much.

Cash & Career: If you are involved with the entertainment/Christmas industry this is going to be a very busy month for you and even if you’re not, the pressure seems to be on hot and hard right the way through until late on the 24th. The festive season doesn’t catch you out exactly, but you get there before you realise you’ve arrived, and I dare say there will be a flurry of last minute present buying (especially among Cancerian males). All Cancerians could do with being a bit security conscious when using credit/debit cards between the 19th and 24th and, of course, you wouldn’t be stupid enough to send someone some cash through the post folded inside their Christmas card, would you? No, of course you wouldn’t! If you’re expecting some kind of lull between the 27th and the New Year, forget it! You’re likely to be as busy as you were in the pre-Christmas rush.

22 June – 22 July

Romance & Relationships: In the nicest possible way December could be a dangerous month for Cancerians, especially those single souls who want to stay single and then meet someone who may well change their minds overnight. Two periods, the 2nd to the 7th and the 19th to the 25th auger well for new romances, sudden (fatal?) attractions and more than just a few innocent kisses under the mistletoe. In not such a nice way, December could also be a dangerous month for Cancerians who are searching for their freedom or who are trying to get out of relationships that are causing too much hurt and pain.

There is always the tendency to say “Oh I can’t do anything now, so I’ll wait until after Christmas” – which is understandable in many ways, but it does delay things and gives other people ample opportunity to persuade you to change your mind about things that you really shouldn’t change your mind about.

December forecast

D

ecember is a mish mash of a month and for different people Christmas is going to mean (and bring) different things. Parents with young children wrap their routines around the whims and wants of their kids, career minded men resent the holiday because there are other things they want to get on with. Timid women will become a bit bolder, bold women will become even bolder, naturally sexy people will be satiated.

However, at the back of all this mess, there’s an underlying note of hysteria deep within the psychological well-spring of all Leos that says “There’s got to be a bit more to life than this, hasn’t there?”

Absolutely true! The question is, of course, what are you going do about it?

Cash & Careers: Thank goodness there’s a better money mood prevalent throughout December than there was in November – and it stands to reason that there should be some notable

23 July – 22 Aug improvement in your own moods and attitudes because of this. A significant cash gain made on the 6th or 7th puts a satisfied smile on your face, and when an enemy or competitor falls flat on their face around the 15th your smile of satisfaction will stretch wider. Your mood darkens around the 20th or 21st when someone makes it clear that they expect you to spend some of your money on the Christmas thing.

Although you can hardly say no, there is still the ‘bah humbug’ syndrome lurking somewhere beneath the surface of your psyche and you’ll find yourself thinking that it would be so much nicer if Christmas came every two or three years rather than every twelve months.

This mood brightens markedly on the 23rd. It’s Christmas right? So it’s time for buying presents, right? So on the 23rd and 24th you will go out and buy presents. Some for other people... but mostly for yourself!

Romance & Relationships: Younger male Leos in search of love and conquest should have no great difficulty in achieving their aims this month, and younger female Leos looking for adoration and control should also be well pleased with the way their lives pan out.

The rest of us, living on Planet Normal, will battle on as we usually do, trying to make the best of what we’ve got, and putting a brave face on it if we haven’t got quite enough.

Gentlemen of the sign probably do better with their aims and ambitions than their female counterparts, especially if those female counterparts don’t have any particular aims and ambitions.

Maybe this is the crux of a problem, and ladies, it would be no bad thing if you regrouped and reorganised, and went out in search of a few new targets and aiming points.

After all, let’s face it, whatever a man can do, a woman can usually do better and behind every successful woman there is always a man who’s shocked and surprised. Did I say that?

D

December forecast

ecember will not be a boring month and although there is the usual Christmas agenda to be adhered to, there are other personal agendas vying for attention and priority, especially in all sexual and romantic scenarios, respective of age or sexual preference. Another key factor this month revolves around your own personal popularity; frankly you are going to be in demand! There are strong elements of social activity especially in the very early days of the month, and your bright sense of fun and good humour is going to be infectious. Girls are likely to do Draconian things with their hair (very long goes very short) boys may have a touch too much alcohol, and the older ones amongst us will paint the town red! Hey guys, it’s mid winter but it feels as though spring is in the air!

In many ways this Christmas is going to be very different from some you’ve known over the last few years, and I suspect radically different to Christmas of last year. If you care to look back over your

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shoulder and assess your achievement over the last twelve months you should have good cause to be amazed at just how far you have come.

Cash & Careers: New work routines and regimes kick in to your advantage and although December is going to be a busy month, there a buzz of brightness and enthusiasm that puts a smile on your face most days of the week.

You’ll find yourself moving towards December 25th like a kid who’s had a sneak preview of the pillow case at the bottom of the bed and has not found the content of that pillow case wanting.

Unlike some of the other Zodiac signs, there are not too many sharp edges in December, and it’s a brilliant period for making new friendships and business contacts that will serve you well in the New Year. In particular, a chance meeting with an old friend or colleague between the 18th and 22nd could lead to some interesting conversations and even more interesting business plans. If these are put into action (probably not until Feb/March 06), they could serve both parties remarkably well. A cash gift on Christmas Day (okay, so it could be a cheque) will raise

23 Aug – 22 Sept your eyebrow in surprise and a telephone call (3pm – 5pm) Boxing Day will have a powerful business (and possible romantic) connotation.

Romance & Relationships:

Quite frankly, December in general and Christmas in particular is a lovely period for all relationships and affairs of the heart, and Christmas itself should be a significantly romantic one, irrespective of your age and marital status. A very special gift and/or some really stunning good news on the 26th will make the holiday for you and there should be at least one surprise reunion.

Younger Virgos (15 – 20) will find their hormones flying in the wind, and even the more mature amongst you will feel the flutter of heart strings. After all, romance ignores the years.

Virgoan females may find there is a special bond being forged between themselves and a very elderly person – is this the bond of forgiveness and reconciliation or the bond of respect and admiration? Very young Virgoan females will find themselves strongly attracted to a much older man. Very young Virgoan males will want to drink beer and play football.

December forecast

T

here would seem to be two distinct phases to the holiday season this year. Christmas may well be committed to family gatherings around the Christmas Tree with the inevitable rerun of “The Wizard Of Oz” and the rather turgid stuffed turkey. On the other hand the New Year has more connection with lovers and friends, spur of the moment parties and a bit of spontaneous combustion in affairs of the heart.

Single Libran ladies can be expected to score highly in this period, even though a third party may be criticising what they will call a flirtatious streak.

Male Librans also have a gratifying time, but curiously they seem to be much more interested in love and commitment and roots than wild opportunities with casual partners.

Some Libran parents might be put out by their children’s attitudes to Christmas gifts that come their way, but then if you’re going to give 14 year old Sabrina a Barbie doll to play with on Christmas morning, well I guess she probably would give you a funny look, wouldn’t she?

Don’t try fluffy slippers either!

23 sept – 23 Oct

Cash & Careers: There is an extremely intense work period between the 1st and the 8th as a carry over from November commitments, but once you’ve passed the 8th things start settling down to a much more leisurely pace and you should be able to enjoy a steady run up to the festive season. There’s a burst of panic activity on the 22nd 23rd when you’ll have to compensate for something you forgot to do a few weeks before, and if there are any office parties or works events being attended, watch your alcohol intake; someone may well be watching you to see how you function in social situations.

You won’t impress if you’re flat on your back or if you’re rediscovering the contents of your stomach in the toilets!

Looks like it could be a long noisy Christmas, and it certainly won’t be boring. Public sector workers may find they have to juggle a few work routines on the 27th 28th but beware of taking a sick day when you weren’t.

If you’re really not feeling so good, there should be plenty of sympathy

abounding, but if you’re faking it, you’ll be rumbled.

Romance & Relationships: There may be some caution and hesitancy in affairs of the heart between the 1st and the 5th but around the 6th or 7th the mood changes and lightens as your libido joins forces with your sense of humour and starts providing some excellent sexual opportunities – and perhaps in one or two unlikely places!

Certainly a member of the opposite sex will be out to please and impress and there should be an interesting travel aspect coming in around the 16th or 17th.

Even if it’s dressed up as a business trip, the word “pleasure” will be stamped across the front page of your passport.

In some ways, the actual holiday period, while pleasant enough in the usual ways, may be something of an anti-climax.

Many Librans will find themselves looking forward to the New Year, which promises to be a much sexier time – purely because of the people you’ll choose to have around you on from the 28th onwards.

A

December forecast

s was November, December continues to be a very self empowering month – you’re calling most if not all of the shots, and by and large you should be getting a favourable response from family and friends, as well as work mates and colleagues. A more ambient atmosphere at work makes any work load significantly more bearable, and although you might be very serious about your career there should be time and opportunity for a few laughs between 9 and 5; and probably even more fun to be had between 9 pm and midnight!

Christmas will be a light hearted affair, but some pre Christmas tension is likely to surface around the 20th.

This may be to such an extent that you find yourself contemplating a major re-scheduling of Christmas plans and timetables at the last minute.

Handle things carefully and with some degree of tact and this can quite easily be avoided. An unexpected Christmas visitor (almost certainly male) could cause some upset, but if you really don’t want them in your home, give them a cup of coffee and send them on their way.

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24 Oct – 23 Nov

Cash & Careers: A bad apple in

Romance & Relationships:

the work place should get kicked out of the barrel around this time: causing everyone else to sigh with relief and get on with things under a lighter atmosphere and a much brighter sense of camaraderie. It may well be that you have to take on a few extra responsibilities, but you should cope with this very well and it will be rewarding to recognise how much your efforts are appreciated. You’re probably going to be tempted to blow a big chunk of your Christmas budget sometime around the 14th or 15th on something you want for yourself that hasn’t anything to do with Christmas at all. My advice is to hang on and get it in the January sales and preserve the pounds you’ve got in your pocket. Obviously, for most people, Christmas is a time of R&R, but there is a part of you that’s going to be fretting, and maybe too much of the holiday will be spent thinking about career ambitions and various work projects. All of which can wait!

I wouldn’t accuse you of being smug or anything, but there is a deep rooted feeling of self satisfaction permeating the airspace around you – and to all intents and purposes December should be a far better period for you than November and October may have been. While your self confidence abounds, there may be someone close to you who is feeling very insecure and this will manifest itself in the form of possessiveness and/or jealousy. You will deal with this very differently than you might have done a few months ago, and if there are those who accuse you of being just a little bit cruel, you will feel compelled to point out that there are times when you have to be cruel to be kind. There is going to be a dangerous area between the 19th and 23rd when you could be tempted by the opposite sex, be aware that any infidelity is likely to be noticed.

Ladies of the sign may well be using their sexual graces to gain favour in high places while gentlemen Librans are more inclined to take out their cheque books.

FREE copy of Mia’s World for the FIRST 50 subscribers!

We have copies of renowned psychic Mia Dolan’s new book to give away to the first 50 subscribers this month – PLUS TWO FREE ISSUES! In the follow up to the Sunday Times bestseller, The Gift, you are taken on a further journey into the psychic world of Mia Dolan, one of Britain’s most gifted and best-known female psychics.

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For exclusive information on Mia Dolan and your other favourite authors, visit www.thorsonselement.com and register for Authortracker.

Mia’s previous book The Gift is available now in paperback in all good book stores.

Terms & Conditions: HarperCollins Publishers will provide one copy of Mia’s World to the first 50 subscribers on a first come, first-served basis; Vision will provide successful subscribers’ names and addresses to HarperCollins Publishers; HarperCollins Publishers will dispatch the prizes; Vision accepts no responsibility for the distribution of orders; offer open to UK residents over the age of 18; one entry per household; responsibility cannot be accepted for entries which are not

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Recommended The Enneagram of the Spirit by Mary Horsley (£14.99 Gaia Books. www.enneagramforthespirit.co.uk) Have you ever wondered what type of person you really are? Well now you can find out with this fascinating tome.

Dr Mary Horsley reveals the ancient wisdom of the Enneagram, a 9-pointed diagram which highlights the 9 basic personality traits exhibited by humans: the perfectionist, the giver, the performer, the romantic, the observer, the questioner, the epicure, the boss and the mediator.

If you’re a perfectionist you need to find time to play, and if you’re an observer, you need to get in touch with your body and feelings, and if you’re a boss, you need to listen to others (including family and friends) and relinquish control.

Mary has carefully included detailed

descriptions of how each personality’s energy runs, their personality traits, passions, repeating habits and virtues.

It is not as simple as it sounds, however: once you have picked your personality, you may also exhibit traits of the numbers on either side of you. Then there is the matter of working out your element (wood, fire, earth, water or air and which body organs each corresponds to) and understanding the way the changing seasons affect your health and state of mind.

The book also offers helpful tips designed to help, support and nurture each number: and thus help us all get along a bit better.

This is the perfect guidebook on how to make peace with your personality and understand those around you. It is fascinating grouping all of your friends and family into the various categories

A Little Angel Love

by Jacky Newcomb (Thorsons Element £5.99) Jacky Newcomb invites us to spread happiness and inspiration in her new book A Little Angel Love. This charming `book is full of real-life anecdotes of

meetings with Angels, which will uplift and comfort you. It also shows ways in which we can invite angels into our lives and ways we can be angels ourselves! I found this book totally inspirational and believe it would pull anyone out of a dark mood just by dipping into it. It will introduce you to Angels in all their forms, explain what they really look like and help to fill your life with the magic of angels. Jacky eases you into a life filled with angelic magic by helping you to contact angels and make them part of your daily life. I’m a practical person and although a believer, I tend to avoid anything that’s too sweet or too pretty.

Working with your Guardian Angel

by Theolyn Cortens (£9.99 Piatkus. www.soulshool.co.uk) This book is essentially a 12-week course on how to uncover your life’s purpose with the help of the angels.

Penned by the founder of Soul School, Theolyn Cortens, her candid prose accompanies you on that journey – and it is an enlightening trip.

Split into 4 main parts: fire, air, water and earth, each section focuses on how the reader can improve their life by focussing on what it is they really want and just going for it.

This is achieved by working with your guardian

76 Vision 9

and also discovering simple techniques and exercises you can do to improve yourself.

Clare Sheridan

This book is both sweet and pretty and I loved all of it! My recommendation: get A Little Angel Love!

Diana Jarvis Reader Offer: Vision readers can order a copy of A Little Angel Love by Jacky Newcomb at the special price of £4.99 (normally £5.99 rrp ) plus FREE postage & packing (normally £1.50) on all UK orders. Simply call the HarperCollins Hotline on 0870 787 1724 and quote Dept 716J. Or write to Mail Order Dept 716J, HarperCollinsPublishers, Westerhill Road, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow G64 1QT, enclosing a cheque made payable to HarperCollinsPublishers. Please allow 21 days for delivery. Closing date of offer is 14th December 2005.

angel to re-evaluate your life so far, rediscover your passions and strengths, identify bad habits that block you and realize an underlying purpose.

There are practical exercises throughout through which you get the opportunity to study your family tree, clarify your intentions to manifest what you desire, get rid of your gremlins, meditate to improve your spiritual power and to essentially follow the message of your soul no matter what may appear to stand in your way.

She also emphasises that it is essential to love and nurture yourself before you can do the same for anyone else.

Clare Sheridan

In Contact With The Spirit World: A Guide to Developing Mediumship CD by Vince Price (£10.95 Paradise Music. Available from Kalm Within, 3 Silver Street, Wellingborough, NN8 1BQ. Call 01933 226506).

This CD gently offers methods to help in the everyday contact of Spirit. Vince is a medium who offers clear and simple guidelines for developing your gifts with practical steps to help your psychic senses unfold naturally.

He has an easy voice to relax to and that combined with the soothing music in the background makes you feel like someone is gently massaging your spirit. Vince’s words of

experience open your mind to new possibility and psychic potential.

Awareness is the key and in an exercise aimed at developing mediumship, Vince shows how to open your mind and notice the signs and messages that Spirit may already be trying to give you. This CD is suited to all abilities, with an explanation of the chakras and what Spirit actually is, while addressing psychic protection and practical issues such as staying grounded.

If you are looking to connect with the world of Spirit, Vince can show you how your imagination is the key to opening the door.

Antonia Behan

Testimony of Light: An Extraordinary Message of Life after Death by Helen Greaves (£7.99 Ebury Publishing/Rider. www.eburypublishing.co.uk) Originally published in 1969, this is a remarkable testimony that life continues after death. Written

by Helen Greaves, it is a collection of ‘channelled’ communications from her late friend Frances Banks. Helen started receiving messages in 1965.

Frances was a nun in South Africa for part of her life and had been an avid researcher in the fields of spiritual knowledge before she died of cancer.

She began to communicate telepathically with Helen and gave her numerous accounts of life after death. These fascinating insights tell of a ‘convalescence’ period for spirits who have just passed over to adjust them to the spirit world: a

Living in Harmony CD by Brian Carter (£10.95 New World Music) I hate ironing. The monotony of ironing is described by some as therapeutic: I say if these people find ironing therapeutic they can do mine! However, this CD changed my ironing experience totally.

The very first track is called Sunrise ... in your heart and I really felt a beautiful sunrise in a place where I had no cares or worries. The track entitled The Beauty of the Forest is quite wonderful and it is interesting to note that Brian says it was ‘transmitted’ directly from the spirits to him. I would really find it difficult to choose a favourite track, the whole album is uplifting and enchanting.

This CD is also very relaxing as well as a perfect piece for meditation. The change in tempo from one track to another does not jar and the continued theme takes you to a special place and keeps you company while you are there. I’m not a fan of guitars featuring on this type of music, but on Living in Harmony the guitar is sensitive and enhances each piece. Cure your ironing blues with this gorgeous CD!

place where telepathy is the only form of communication. Every soul also has to review their life once they have passed over. Their spiritual progression in life determines where they progress in spirit as the learning is far from over after physical death.

Frances emphasizes the importance of light – it lifts the vibrations and helps us towards spiritual understanding and enlightenment. She explains that everyone is part of a unique ‘soul group’ in spirit which relate to people you are connected to on the earth plane in life.

This is not only a touching story and a true tribute to the power of friendship, but it also serves as comfort for anyone who has doubts about life after death.

Clare Sheridan

Reader Offer: New World Music is offering readers the opportunity of purchasing Living in Harmony at the special price of £8.95 (normally £10.95 rrp), plus FREE postage & packing (normally £1.95) . . . a saving of nearly £4! To order contact New World Music on 01986 891600, or write to: Living in Harmony/Vision Offer, New World Music, Harmony House, Hillside Road East, Bungay, Suffolk, NR35 1RX. Please quote reference code V1105.

For further information and a free catalogue call New World Music on 01986 891600 or visit www. Newworldmusic.com.

The closing date for the offer is 14th December 2005.

Diana Jarvis

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Send your events to: Day Tripper, Vision, 42a Main Street, Garforth, Leeds, LS25 1AA or email editor@visionmagazine.uk.com

Every Monday: Meditation class, Healthy Spirit shop, 37 Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, Manchester, 7.30pm.

Cost is £4. All levels are welcome. Call 0161 434 6784 for more details or to book.

Every Monday: An Evening of Clairvoyance, Chrystal Spiritual Centre, Lupton Avenue, Leeds. 7-9pm. Cost is £6 (includes a light buffet). Call 0113 249 5355 or visit www.chrystalspiritualcentre.co.uk for more details.

Every Tuesday: Spiritual Awareness Group, Spiritual Inspirations, 4 Hurn Road, Drayton, Norwich, Norfolk.

Develop your own spiritual gifts. Regular Groups link to angels, crystals and all aspects of the mind, body & spirit. Call 01603 897724, visit www.spiritualinspirations.co.uk email: info@spiritualinspirations.co.uk for more details.

Every Tuesday: Psychic and Tarot Night: Questions and answers with our Medium, Chrystal Spiritual Centre, Lupton Avenue, Leeds. 7-9pm. Cost is £5 (includes refreshments). Call 0113 249 5355 or visit www.chrystalspiritualcentre.co.uk for more details.

Every Wednesday: Crystal Ball and Tarot with Catt, Chrystal Spiritual Centre, Lupton Avenue, Leeds. 7-9pm.

Cost is £5 (includes refresthments). Call 0113 249 5355 or visit www.chrystalspiritualcentre.co.uk for more details.

Every Thursday: Open Circle with Andrew, Chrystal Spiritual Centre, Lupton Avenue, Leeds. 7-9pm. Cost is £4 (including refreshments). Call 0113 249 5355 or visit www.chrystalspiritualcentre.co.uk for more details.

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Every Friday: Evening of Clairvoyance with 2 mediums, Chrystal Spiritual Centre, Lupton Avenue, Leeds. 7-9pm.

Cost is £6 (including a light buffet). Call 0113 249 5355 or visit www.chrystalspiritualcentre.co.uk for more details.

November 7: Astral Travel as a tool for personal development - Free lecture; 7.30pm, 45 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, Details 020 7723 0544; web: www.iacworld.org; email: London@iacworld.org November 12 –13: Consciousness Development Program (Module 1); 1pm – 6.30pm, 45 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, Details 020 7723 0544; web: www.iacworld.org; email: London@iacworld.org. (Non-members: ?

95 advanced booking - ? 105 at the door).

November 19 - 20: British School of Spiritual Knowledge event, The Embassy Centre, Skegness. 10am-5pm daily. Over 80 stands. Admission is £3.50 (concessions £3) or £6 for a two-day pass. Entry is free for under-15s.

November 19: ‘Is the Earth a Zoo?’ talk with Clint Denyer, Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury. 5pm. Part of Clint’s Tour of Truth 2005/2006. Contact 0798 089 4420 or email cosmicrebirth@btopenworld.com for more details.

November 26: ‘Living in Resonance’ - a workshop featuring the use of sacred sound in releasing blockages and encouraging self-healing. Hillscourt Conference Centre, Rednal, Bromsgrove, 10.30am-4.30pm. Cost is £55. Contact BAST and Soundworks on 01273 835811 or email: soundworks@sacredsound.net November 28: Astral Travel as a tool for personal development - Free lecture; 7.30pm, 45 Great Cumberland Place,

Marble Arch, Details 020 7723 0544; web: www.iacworld.org; email: London@iacworld.org November 30 – December 6: Belly Dancing in Luxor, Egypt. Two hours of dance lessons and all sight seeing included, flights extra. Cost is £500.

Contact Anara on 07875 151794 / 01458 834438, email: anaradolphin@yahoo.co.uk December 1-2: Tarot Readings with Jacqui at the Equinox Centre, Tickhill Road. Maltby. Rotherham. Cost is £30:00: Call 01709 817030 to book a reading or for further details.

December 3 –4: Consciousness Development Program (Module 1); 1PM – 6.30PM, 45 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, Details 020 7723 0544; web: www.iacworld.org; email: London@iacworld.org. (Non-members: ?

95 advanced booking - ? 105 at the door).

December 2-4: Meditation, a practical approach – Warren Lee Cohan. Course fee £75, Meals £30, Accommodation £30.

Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex. Contact Emerson College on: 01342 822238.

December 10: Tai Chi day with Jo Webster. Day runs from 10.30am1.30pm, cost is £18. Manchester Buddhist Centre, Second Floor, 16-20 Turner Street, Manchester. Tel: 0161 833 2528 or email: health@bodywisenaturalhealth.co.uk December 14: PSI ghost-group. Second Wednesday of every month. 8pm at the Tap and Spile, Monkgate, York. Free social. Call Rachel Lacy on 07903 509126 or email: info@ghostfindergeneral.co.uk or visit www.ghostfindergeneral.co.uk