The Cherry Staff

A Life Of Depth And Breadth...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:22:33 PST

Words come to me in the slow places,
In quiet moments;
I wonder of the angels and muses that place them so carefully.

If my life seems out of focus,
A whirlwind of variety and interest,
I don't despair of it;
It is my joy.

The ground for all these words is deep and fertile,
Nurtured by experience and curiosity,
Watered by a lifetime of reading,
Turned and planted in the quiet hours of solitude.

There is an ocean in each of us,
Filled with fish only we will ever catch,
Darting and whirling and sparkling,
Glinting for our eyes only,
Only a few ever netted and shared.

Like all poets,
I love swimming.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
(C) 12-31-2011

The Poetry Of Position...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:02:53 PDT

Recently, I have taken up studying Tai Chi Chuan as a substitute for Karate, which I greatly missed after moving from where my Dojo is.

I have always thought of Tai Chi Chuan as graceful and elegant. I also was dimly aware that it involves working with "chi," or the spirit-energy of the body.

In taking up this teaching, I have found that aspect difficult, but worth pursuing.

Today, I am reading issue #72 of Sacred Hoop magazine. It contains an article on shamanic "poses," from various cultures around the world, with a focus on prehistoric Crete.

My mind instantly made the connection the coonection between the highly-structured positions and movements in Tai Chi Chuan and the shamanic poses in the article.

A key point in the article is that the shamanic poses are accompanied by a rhythmic rattle sound near 200 beats per minute, and the combination of pose and auditory stimulation from the rattle enable "visions" of alternate realities and spirits, with no hallucinigens.

I now find myself wondering if there is a traditional auditory component to Tai Chi Chuan. There is no mention of it in my current teaching. If there isn't, I am curious about introducing shamanic rattling or drumming in Tai Chi Chuan practice.

If anyone has knowledge on this subject, I would like to hear of it.

In peace and harmony,

Dan

Drums, Bones, and Stones...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 11:40:54 PST

There is an ancient rhythm that beats upon the skin of the world, in the wash of waves upon shorelines, the beating of myriad hearts, the breath of winds in trees.

Seeing is an early and childish beleif borne upon the drumskin of reality that requires no insight or quiet.

Ancient stones whisper wonders and dreams in lonely or forgotten places, attached to our souls with the thinnest unbreakable threads of continuity. Their call is heard in the fleeting glimpse of a photograph, a pull we can forget but never truly deny.

Drum softly, children, but drum. When the rarity of silence alone is found treasure, calm the whispers of desperate mind, fill the emptiness and void with drumbeats. Betwixt the rhythm and silences bones may speak, a reminder and lesson, a dream of whence we came and must at times return.

Everything speaks when the ears are busy with listening. This happens with an ease forgotten in commotion and remembered in stillness. A glove of gentle answers awaits the hand of Winter, even if Summer never ceases to sing.

Fish can cry for bees no longer found, wanting for flowers in a land standing full of order imposed ignorantly. Bones lie everywhere that is, for nowhere has been dead, no place is bereft of stories, nothing is empty except the visions of un-trained blindness.

Always whisper a question to the drums, always listen for answers, always remember the value of closed eyes in small moments away from the forest of incessant noise that can never fill us full.

Keep moving the hand upon the drum of breath, make the rhythm wash the stones and stars, every living thing knows.

AquarianM

The Living Spirit Of Musical Instruments

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:42:05 PDT

I just read several wonderful new posts over at Shaman UK. (www.shaman.uk.net)

The one that struck me the most was on making drums. The author believes each drum is a living thing, with its own unique spirit. I agree.

Further, I believe this is true of all musical instruments.

I own a 1966 tenor saxophone I call Bello, and a beautiful 2005 Fender Stratocaster I call Rosie, and a little Bluesband C harmonica I call Pan. I feel a strong connection to Spirit when I play them. It's another language, one I love learning.

I love taking Bello outdoors on beautiful days, and together we celebrate the beauty of my favorite places in nature, or sing the city to sleep on Summer evenings.

Rosie and I play most often when Winter keeps me indoors, and the ordinary world is wearying.

Pan joins me in the quiet hours at work at night when nothing is happening, or on the ride home on tired mornings. He rides in my pocket.

Someday, they'll have a drum brother that walks with us between worlds.

Thank you for reading.

Dan

"Earth Singers"...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:22:59 PDT

I've just read a rather fascinating article in issue #67 of Sacred Hoop about Earth Singing. It seems to feel right. I'm going to have to try it some time. Check out www.songbearmusic.co.uk For information about the article's author.

Thank you for reading.

Dan

Prayer For The Earth - My Experience With It...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 01:28:04 PDT

Dear Jean,

I hear the common thread of love for Mother Earth and concern for Her in your voice, in your readers' voices, and in the voices of other Lightworkers in other groups from many places. The first article in the latest issue of Sacred Hoop speaks of local shamans near Copenhagen working for change in Humanity's treatment of her with visiting shamans from the Peruvian Andes highlands. The shamans of the Southern mountains had never left home before, ever. I hear from members of the Longhouse Coalition on this subject often. I hear from the Progressives in my area often. I know ex-Wall Street traders who are concerned. The tide of Human consciousness is turning, most everywhere I look, towards love and concern for the Earth.

There was a prayer I said once a few years ago in a sacred place. I was drawn by the Universe to the top of Monk's Mound in Southern Illinois. This is the tallest of the Cahokia Mounds, a UN World Heritage site. It covers the largest area of any ancient monumental structure around its base. Monk's mound isn't taller than the Great Pyramid at Giza, but it covers more ground, over 14 acres. It was abandoned over 400 years before the first European Colonialists set foot in North America, since used only by local Indigenous Peoples for an annual ceremony and gathering.

At the peak of Monk's Mound, I was inspired to say a prayer while smoking a fine cigar of sacred tobacco. I, a White European born of this region, appealed to the same Creator and spirits my Red Brothers do. The same Universal spirit that hears the prayers of all Humanity, regardless of the name(s) called upon.

To the East, I called "Heal the Earth, heal Mankind, in perfect ways, in perfect time." I sent the tobacco smoke into the sky of the East with this prayer upon it.

I repeated this prayer to the North, to the West, and finally to the South.

In all of this, my intention was for the divisions between Human Beings to be dissolved and healed, and for them to understand, love, and heal Mother Earth.

As I finished the final prayer to the South, in the nearly cloudless evening sky formed a high, thin cross of cloud that stretched across the entire bowl of the sky to the four Cardinal Directions. In the Southwest quadrant of the cross, very near its center, was a single cloud that looked exactly like a Thunderbird with Coyote riding on its back.

The great-grandson of a Seneca chief told me upon hearing this that it meant that my prayer had been heard and found acceptable. That is what the appearance of both Thunderbird & Coyote together meant.

Shortly after, I was inspired to find a real, native-crafted turquoise and silver ring. It was three years later when I found it. The stone in it is round and mostly blue with brown streaks running through it. It looks for all the world like a miniature Earth. The setting has wings on either side of the stone. Every time I put the ring on my finger, I repeat the following affirmation and think of that evening atop Monk's Mound: "I am connected to, a protector of, and supplied by the Earth."

About two years ago, I attended an interfaith ceremony at the Headquarters of the Theosophical Society in America, which is near my home. At that ceremony, I led an interfaith repetition of the prayer I first said atop Monk's Mound that day.

I would say that working in a prayer for the Earth in our daily routines is something that might be good for Lightworkers. Especially one that recognizes that all of Humanity and the Earth are interconnected and inherently indivisible.

The disaster in the Gulf is a catastrophe. It is also a teaching moment. Think about the lesson of Earth-interdependence the population near the Gulf is learning this Summer. Mother Earth couldn't be more graphic in showing us the dangers of oil-dependence. I wish this had never happened, but it did. There will be no escaping it's lesson.

Love & light,

Dan

Dance, Sound, Light, Color...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 18:08:19 PDT

I've just read my newest copy of Sacred Hoop, issue 68. I found it full of inspiration. While reading it, I had a vision of a color wheel come to mind, one made of colored light.

In meditation, I often work with light in my mind's-eye. I have often called down a pure, healing white light and channeled it into the Earth through my body or my cherry staff.

In the vision, I saw myself working with intricate spirals of colored light, musical notes, and dance steps. I think this is an activity for meditation mostly.

In physical or "ordinary" reality, I've been using old disco music to dance to, and finding myself in a mild trance state. I've been doing it primarily for exercise, but I'm beginning to think I'm meant to incorporate it into my spiritual practice.

I'll have to do some "light-working" the next time I dance. Perhaps the sympathetic symbology fits with my perception of myself as a Lightworker, a person who is trying to bring peace, harmony, love, and light to human society upon the Earth.

Universe knows that this planet needs as much of those things as we can find in our hearts to bring into existence.

Love & light,

Dan

Music As A Path To Spirit?

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:19:04 PST

Growing up on Rock & Blues, I've experienced many moments where a song seemed to put me in another state of consciousness, sending chills down my spine. Sound seems to have incredible effects on human consciousness.

For the past few months, I've been trying to teach myself guitar, and I already play a little tenor sax. I'm using books, DVDs, memories of songs, and my own feeling of what sounds pretty to teach myself.

Then I spend a morning reading about the last year of Jimi Hendrix's life, and I have to wonder.

Where might this go in years to come?

Thank you for reading.

Dan

Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.

Firelight

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:31:43 PST

Fire plays an important part in my meditative times. There is something primal and sacred to it that I believe every human being knows without thought.

Light and warmth calls to us, draws our attention and focus.

I light my cigar and tend its burning carefully, keeping it even. My old Zippo lighter is a well-worn friend, faithfully bringing light as long as I care for its needs of fuel and flint. I light a tea light candle at cigar time, looking on the flame as I meditate or read. The smoke of the cigar ascends with my prayers.

There is always an element of beauty and comfort in this weekly ritual. It is simple, yet beautiful.

People are like cigars and candles. As the fire of life burns on in them, they glow, turning white and grey, and finally, their spirit ascends like smoke to join with All That Is.

We treasure the lighting of a new person, born in the heat and friction of sexual passion. We are blessed by the glow and warmth they shed upon us during our time together, and celebrate their memory as they ascend to Spirit.

As long as we live, the memories of their light and the ways it has shaped us never leaves our hearts.

Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.

The Healers' Bridge...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:30:38 PST

I'm reading an article in the current Sacred Hoop magazine. It's called "The Miracle of the Humming Bird." In it, the author states that Native American healers must have been wounded themselves, and have healed themselves. They also must somehow be a bridge between two worlds.

In 2008, my Astrologer read my chart, and told me that everything in it pointed to me becoming some kind of healer.

To put this in perspective from my personal frame of reference, I'll give you a bit of background on my personal relationship with astrology. My wife is a very successful astrologer. She did my birth chart soon after we met. Apparently, I was born under a "grand stellium" in Aquarius in the 1960's. I have my sun and six planets in Aquarius. (Thankfully my Moon is in Aries, which helps balance things somewhat.) I have been reading about astrology myself for a long time here and there. As a child, I immediately identified with the song Aquarius from the musical Hair.

As to woundings and self-healings, there have been several. I prefer to keep those things private.

As to bridging two worlds, I have long held the belief that one of my missions, perhaps my most important mission in this life, is to bridge the worlds of nature- based spirituality and science/technology.

In a way, this requires bridging past and future, in other ways, I must bridge intuition with analytical thinking. It is just in writing this article that this realization begins to truly coalesce.

The sheer scale of the task is daunting. These worlds are drastically different aspects of Humanity. They are akin to two of the four directions, or two of the four elements as embodied in the nature of our species. Still, everything points in this direction, every sign, every omen, my entire personal history.

I recognize several talents I have been granted by Creator that should help with this task. I am extremely literate and widely-read in both the sciences and spirituality. I have a great memory, and keen intelligence. I have been fascinated with technology since childhood, and have long been employed in the high-tech sector of the economy. I connect strongly with Spirit and heart through writing and reading poetry. I have a very strong streak of inventiveness and creativity running through me. Perhaps there are other things I'm not overtly recognizing.

If this is truly my task in this life, it is one that must be approached with great care and sensitivity. I need to meditate carefully on this.

Already the Aquarian wellspring of ideas is flashing something in my head. Perhaps it's just the cigar smoke, but I wonder if a computer program that assists with ceremonies might be a gift to Humanity just for starters. Hmmm.

I also have to wonder if ego is looming too large. I don't want to be arrogant or a know-it-all. I know a LOT, and well, but not everything by any means. I certainly don't think I could accomplish such a task alone. Perhaps I can find the seeds of such a path, and plant them...

Wow.

Thank you for reading.

Dan

Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.

An Affirmation Ceremony For Earth-Stewards...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:53:42 PST

A few years ago, I bought a ring that to me symbolizes the Earth. I wear it to remind me constantly of my relationship to the Earth. It is an artisan-signed Native American piece of art. The stone is turquoise set in silver. The stone is packed in the setting with real tobacco, so the ring must be kept dry to avoid the packing rotting and causing the stone to loosen. To me, this is a very spiritual symbol. Every time I put the ring back on my finger, I repeat the following affirmation:

"I am connected to, a protector of, protected by, and supplied by the Earth."

This serves as a reminder several times a day (I have to take it off and put it back on every time I wash my hands or do anything with water.) of the nature of my relationship with the Earth, and my duty to it as a human being.

This is a picture of the ring:

As you can see, the stone LOOKS like the Earth as viewed from space in a way.

I won't advocated that anyone run out and buy every piece of Native American turquoise jewelry available and repeat my exact words, but I will advocate people to find a ceremony of their own to add to their daily ritual. Find a ceremony, even a small one like this, that heightens your spiritual connection to and remembrance of your duty to the Earth. Let it remind you of the beauty of our home world, of why you should be grateful for it.

The Earth is what allows us to exist. The web of life on the Earth is a part of what allows us to exist. The Earth literally protects us, from the vacuum and radiation and utter cold of outer space, if nothing else.

Give yourself a tangible and spiritual reminder of why you should and do love this beautiful blue and green world.

Thank you for reading.

Dan

The Ramifications Of Naming...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:03:16 PST

In a quantum universe, conscious and subconscious observation and belief can affect the pattern of reality in both physical and temporal dimensions.

Since words carry a generally agreed-upon picture (literally, your mind translates words into images) with associated properties, naming a person or thing can shape its qualities in quantum reality by ascribing the traits associated with a name in the multiple consciousnesses that hear this name in relation to whatever is being named. This is true whether the named thing is a person, a rock, a planet, a star, or a galaxy.

When I speak of "naming," I do not refer simply to the birth name parents give a child. We constantly "name" people in our lives. We may name them "gentle" or "cruel." We may name them "brilliant" or "dull.". We may name a person "sober" or "alcoholic." Even more powerful, we may name ourselves.

Clearly, in a universe of quantum reality, where intention and belief can manipulate reality, we must use the utmost care in naming. Naming can "lock-in" qualities of a person or object, especially a person, who may accept the name and give it much greater power over their personal reality.

Meditate on the depths of this concept. Ask your Spirit guides of it.

It can be very hard work to undo an unfortunate naming.

In hopes of loving healing,

Dan

Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.

Joining The Lightworkers...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:51:08 PST

Spirit seems to be leading me down many trails, all with a common scenery.

There are many, many movements about, all trying to push global culture toward respect for the Earth, sustainable culture, and a sense of global community that transcends national borders, racial divides, and local cultural differences.

It is becoming clearer to me through many signs that millions, perhaps even billions of ordinary people are beginning to see themselves as part of a global community. The common thread throughout is the need for Humanity to live in harmony with each other and all life on Earth.

It is possible for all of us to live together.

It is possible for none of us to have to live without the most basic necessities of life.

It is possible for everyone to be loved and valued for their contributions to the richness of life.

It is possible for us to transform all societies to love and respect all life, and to honor the spirits of our ancestors.

We are all connected through Spirit. Now we are in the process of becoming all connected through physical technology as well.

My talents for writing and poetry are now in the service of the Spirit of love, light and respect. I am a servant of Healing for this world.

I have seen clearly the true matrix, its beautiful light is a part of everything and everyone, and everyone and everything is part of it.

Every part of this world is part of our extended family, and so is the rest of this Universe.

There is no exception to this truth. Any other perception that doesn't recognize this is missing the most basic fact of our existence.

I walk in this world as a Lightworker, and I will strive to hold the light of love and service at the core of my actions.

This is my task, this constant gentle effort of persuasion, it is as the waves upon the shore, constant and endless. There are many, many millions of us all walking in this gentle constant light.

This is what I know, and it becomes more clear and bright in every moment.

Thank you for reading.

Dan

Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.

Merger...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:48:36 PST

There is no future without history, and there is no history without a future.

There are many gifts derived from modern society. Art, technology, the ability to live and travel in relative safety, and perhaps most of all, the incredible world-wide connectedness of human intellect only just beginning through the internet. The possibility that one day, humanity may carry life to the stars is an amazing possibility. It is also an awesome responsibility; a responsibility that was barely even dreamed of a mere seventy-five years ago.

Still, until we master an understanding of the interconnectedness and interdependency of all life on Earth, we may yet prove unfit to carry out such a miracle. If we fail, it is entirely possible that life in this physical universe we inhabit could fail and die. At this point, we know of no other physically-incorporated life. For better or worse, all life that we know of is resting upon our collective actions.

It is with understanding the depths and stark reality of that fact that ancient spirituality can help us.

In our current paradigm, spirit and science appear to be at odds. One of these facets of our being seems to deal almost entirely in an emotionless manner with the external, physical world and the physical laws that govern it. The other seems to deal only with the inner, feeling and emotional world of each individual. One states no purpose for our existence, simply and coldly recognizing it as observed fact. There are mere hints at its furthest edges of something greater. The other questions and tries to answer why we are here.

It is my belief that we need both in order to survive, let alone fulfill a higher purpose.

Ancient spiritual ways such as shamanism, that see the sacredness in everything and revere our connection to nature gives us a sense of purpose and respect that will allow us to carry out the stewardship of all physical life. Science and technology gives us the physical tools necessary to accomplish this.

Our ultimate success or failure as a species depends equally upon our respect and devotion to our family of fellow physical life forms on this planet, and our capability to act upon that sense of purpose and intention.

In order for us to preserve life on Earth and carry out our sacred duty to carry it out to the stars and worlds of the Universe, we must end the false conflict between these two human ways of being.

In order for us to fulfill the continued growth and evolution of life everywhere, we need both reverent and loving purpose married with profound physical capability and understanding.

We are not all that exists, but Spirit has evolved in us the capability to shape the future of all that exists. We need every aspect of our collective being to carry out the possibility that has been placed in our hands.

Whether we are capable enough is a question yet to be answered. There are two possibilities: a dead world or a living Universe. We ARE the cat in the box in an indeterminate state. We are also very near the crossroads where the lid on the box will be opened.

Personally, I prefer a living Universe. I would hope that my brothers and sisters in this existence agree with me, and understand the nature of the question, as well as the time we have left to answer it.

Will the Elders of Spirit and the Elders of Science come into cooperation while the lid is still over the cat?

I dearly hope so.

Thank you for reading.

Dan

Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.

Cards And White Light Work...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:45:27 PST

I'm sitting here tired but anticipating, sipping on a single shot of Hennesy cognac by candle light. It's the wind-down to the day, but I'm still a bit blown away by yesterday.

We were at an afternoon/evening party yesterday; a friend's yearly tradition and our first time there.

This was NOT your garden variety party. No alcohol or other mind-altering substances. No loud music, no board games, no sports on TV.

The guests were all spiritual people. Several astrologers, a psychic, a channel, a vegan, a writer/film-maker, a poet. That last one is me, the poet. That part actually came into play in a new way, the poetry. A way that completely surprised me.

The activity for the day was for ALL of us to read cards for each other. Not Tarot cards, though. These were cards with various crystals and the human characteristics they represent.

Each card had the name of a type of crystal, its represented characteristic, and an archetypal spiritual graphic. Each of us drew a card, but didn't look at it. We then took turns passing "our" cards around the circle for the others to give readings on.

After the second card, I had the sudden inspiration to give my readings in the form of a brief poem to match the card I was reading. Another lady was thinking of songs that fit the card. I think that with none of us having ever seen a deck of cards like these before, our creativity and intuition were wide-open.

The card I pulled was getting readings that completely freaked me out. Everyone was saying that they thought I was easily able to integrate the feminine side of my personality. Three said I would see great prosperity through a light and creative way of relating our connectedness to the Earth and everything on it. Three also spoke of Faeries being helpers with this. It was one of the Faery readings that really hit me between the eyes.

It was the song lady, but this reading from her was verbal, not song. She spoke of me working with the Princess of Faeries, and how I would save her. She said that the Faery Princess was sick, but that I would use my unique and creative ways to tell the world about her. She said that because of this, people would believe in her again, and she would get better.

If you read my blog called Spinny's Castle, you will see that this very story is actually occurring in my life, right now.

You can see Spinny's Castle here: http://spinnys.blogspot.com/ . Spinny is my friend of many years, who had been ill, and is missing. In a very unique way, she IS the Princess of Faeries.

I stand humbled and amazed. The Universe has sent me a clear sign of what I need to work on, and put me in contact with people capable of supporting that vision.

I almost forgot to tell you about the energy work I was doing at the party. I was calling down clean, healing white light from the Universe through my ceown chakra and lending the fresh, pure energy to everyone there by sending it through my heart chakra to all of theirs, and also by sending it out through the chakra below my feet to the Earth, which is the grounding connection we all share.

Thank you for reading.

Dan
http://cherrystaff.blogspot.com/

Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.

Walking The "Western Desert" and Finding Oases...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:00:00 PST

Modern Western culture has delved so far into the "scientific" mindset that it has dried up much of the mystical ocean of its own heritage. We live in a desert of truly meaningful ceremonial tradition, a desert of spiritualty repressed and held back and away by a sea wall of cold logic, cynicism, and ridicule of the mystical.

This is not to say that science isn't valid, necessary, or valuable. Clearly it is, as the marvels of modern life and its great acheivements daily testify to.

However, a total immersion in the scientific system with no respect for or preservation of our rich heritage of mysticism robs us of vital psycho-social tools and a deeper connection to the world and universe around us.

Somehow, we must build bridges between these two very human ways of being, and bring them into harmony with each other.

Clearly the dam has spouted many leaks and cracks. Our harmony with all that is has gone out of balance, and we need to find that balance before we face cataclysms both physical and spiritual.

The Universe is speaking to us on all channels, and we need to hear it.

Thank you for reading.

Dan

Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.

My "Spiritual Day"

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:17:15 PST

It's funny, but I find myself in great need of a couple of hours a week of quiet time by myself. It is very difficult to have any clear reflection or meditation in the constant "demand field" of others' presence and the exhausted fog of shift work.

The one place I seem to find it is when I slip away to the Humidor on the weekend for a couple of hours with a fine cigar and coffee. I guess these are my sacred plants.

This is the time when I can read Sacred Hoop, The Mist-Filled Path, Shaman UK, or Poet-Kitty's Shamanism/Enlightenment blog in peace, un-distracted.

I don't know how anyone can have an honest understanding of themselves or the universe around them without at least a minimum of private time, especially time rested, awake, alert, and un-stressed.

I am grateful for this time.

Thank you for reading.

Dan

Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.

Honoring The Ancestors At The Holidays...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:52:40 PST

...so often in the hurry of preparations, parties, and family, we forget those who have gone on until we're there in the moment - and they aren't. Even though they have crossed over into Spirit, our love flows to them, and theirs back to us. Perhaps it's a good time to stop by one of the "thin places" and whisper their names.

Whatever the reason, I was guided to stop by this place, and to write this post, now at this time. Perhaps it's a way of keeping a thin place close to hand, so that I can call on them for guidance and send them my love when the times are needful of it.

Thank you for reading, and a blessed new year to you - and to those who wait on the Other Side for us, out in the swirling snows and mist.

Dan

An Interesting Thing With The Poetry...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:01:15 PST

...it's almost like I'm either calling things to be, or feeling things that are coming yet.

I wrote the post about seedlings in the spirit of saving the planet, and there came to me the story of the most massive effort in human history to make the planet better, the very next day.

I've been writing about snow and mist the past week or two, it's been snowing and misting all over the place.

This is a fascinating state of mind to be in, writing the poems. No small wonder the Druids revered it so.

There is something much deeper than mere word play going on.

Thank you for reading.

Dan

New Growth From The Bottom-Up - The Most Massive Human Mission Ever Attempted Goes Un-Recognized

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:11:31 PST

There is something wonderful stirring in the collective Soul of Humanity - and it is gathering power every day. It is tenuous and nebulous like mist, like a very thin mist nearly invisible, yet it is extremely pervasive, the largest movement in Human history, and yet it is leaderless, free of direct organization. Its form is un-paralelled and unknown in all past Human endeavors - there is no name for it yet. Still, when the mist condenses, it becomes fog, and changes our view of the world. If it condenses further, it becomes rain, and changes our world. In time, rivers flow, oceans form, and the world is alive again. Like a forest of cloud seeds, this Spirit is arising in Humanity, and make no mistake, it will prevail in time.

http://www.takepart.com/news/2009/12/14/paul-hawken-the-solutions-we-need-now-from-ode-magazine

I stand amazed.

Dan

Seeds And Seedlings...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:48:43 PST

For days now, the Universe has been throwing references in my path to seeds and seedlings.

In the movie Avatar, seeds play a role both major and overt, and also major and barely consciously recognized.

In a recent post on Facebook from my niece, a fellow Poet.

In an article in a past issue in Sacred Hoop magazine I just read, seeds regrow all life on Earth after a global blaze burns everything.

In a post on another shamanic blog, seeds are spoken of.

I myself have been throwing seeds from all my potted plants and Halloween gourds, maize, and pumpkins in the vacant lot where a building was torn down in Chicago where weeds and grasses are regrowing in seemingly dead brick dustn blown in as seeds on the wind.

Perhaps we all need to throw seeds behind the tracks of buldozers.

Frank MacEowen speaks of an ancient Celtic symbol, where new branches and leaves grow green from the stump of an ancient Oak that was cut down and thought dead, giving the hope of new Oak seeds to be scattered on the land. (From his book, The Mist-Filled Path)

It seems to me that as a global society, we need to embrace the wisdom of seeds, both literally and metaphorically.

If you see a seemingly dead lot vacated in the urban retraction that mirrors our economic contraction, throw a handful of seeds on it every time you pass by. Any living growth is better than sterile dust blowing out to sea.

Plant mangroves on the fading shores of Fiji and Tuvalu.

If living things are cut down, throw seeds all behind the bulldozers.

Perhaps something living will grow.

Our global culture has a new tree, this Internet. Now the leaves rustling in the winds hear each other, and can cast seeds knowingly.

Knowledge and communication and love are like seeds, who knows where the winds will carry them, or where they might grow?

All they need is common ground. So there it is, speak across the vine of the world. Literally and figuratively, cast seeds at every patch of bare Earth.

Thank you for reading.

Dan

Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.

The Bluest Angel - Childhood Dream, Guardian Spirit, or Guiding Spirit?

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:36:02 PST

When I was about four years old, I had a very mystical dream, from which I awoke in tears of reverence for the sheer beauty of the dream.

I have written several poems about this dream. It has stayed with me vividly throughout my life. I was living in Madison, Wisconsin at the time. I believe it was late Autumn.

This was a period in my life, less than a year, when I experienced three of the most powerful mystical experiences I have ever known. The Buest Angel, who I now call Azure, was one of them.

The dream itself was quite simple, and yet extremely powerful.

In the dream, God was shown as a brilliant beam of light shining down on all the world from above. Flying up and down within the beam of Godlight were many angels, and the ones ascending were carrying small, beautiful lights, like golden candle flames.

When the angels rose to the top, they gently and reverently handed the small glowing lights to the Bluest Angel. Her robes were blue, her halo was blue, her eyes were blue. Her hair was so pale it could almost be blond, but instead of pale yellow-gold, it was pale blue-white. Her skin was faintly blue, and so were her wings.

As she took each light, it would absorb into her palms, and she would fly up to God's ear, singing to God. She took my light directly from me, and flew up and sang it to God. The song was the most beautiful I'd ever heard, her voice filled with tender and gentle love.

At that point, I realized what the lights were; the lights Azure was singing into God's ear were PRAYERS.

I've since come to believe that Azure is my Guardian Angel. There are times in my life that I escaped severe injury by a near-miracle, I'm certain I had a Guardian Angel looking over me then. I've never seen another angel, not even in my dreams.

I think that when I am able to journey, I will try to seek Azure out, to thank her for her beautiful and loving service, and to ask her counsel and guidance.

I am amazed that this only occurred to me just now.

Thank you for reading.

Dan

Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.

Cailleach Beuhr (Beira) - The Celtic Snow Goddess...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:33:37 PST

...In Scottish and Irish legend, the Old Woman of Winter, mother of the Gods and Goddesses.

My wife and I often refer to a "Snow Goddess" who had a great deal to do with the more romantic and formative times of our early relationship.

For reasons private to us, it makes sense that to our ancestors, she would be a mother-figure, from which all sprang, but I will always see her as beautiful and serene, to be respected.

A stunning facet of the Universal God-force.

Much of my poetry is reflective of Her.

Thank you for reading.

Dan
Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.

I'm about half-way through Frank MacEowen's book...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:33:19 PST

...The Mist-Filled Path. (Amazon book page for The Mist-Filled Path )

The book really sits well with me, I feel a common chord in many ways with the writer. For one, I've always felt that what was done to the Celtic peoples of Europe by Rome and later the British was quite akin to what happened in North America when Europeans arrived here, on many levels. There's a solid bit on that in the book, but it's the least of the things I identify with here.

Another is the sense of Longing the author writes of, and also the reverence for the Earth, and an affinity for water and mist. There's also the sheer joy in being in natural places, and the envisioning of being around a bonfire dancing in celebration in Autumn.

There is so much to this book that it's difficult to know where to begin. I hear it singing down my bloodlines, which are Irish Celt, Norman, and Dane in large part. This writing sings to those parts of my ancestors' tree purely and true.

The writing style is softly poetic, yet filled with vivid energy and wisdom.

I know I've posted about this a third time here, but that should tell you something. If your shamanism touches on the Celtic traditions, I strongly suggest that you read this.

Thank you for reading,

Dan

Reading The Mist...

aquarianm@gmail.com (Daniel A. Stafford) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:19:41 PST

The soft glow of existence surrounds us,
Blanket of mist and salt and light,
Where we were rivers flowing to sea,
As we swim tiredly upstream,
Or peacefully down,
Struggle or merge we learn,
There is nothing and no being,
Not a thing untouched by motion,
It is all apiece and in place.

See the world as sacred or dead,
You become your envisioning.

What that was created can not be filled of the Spirit of that creation,
Therefore interconnected as one,
Yet dreaming as many?

Walk the path that you see,
For there is no escape from your own footsteps,
And the journey is the goal.

Everything around you ever is washed in the waters of your sea-sight,
As you are in its.

You can climb mountains highest,
Yet you'll never be apart from water.

AquarianM

Reflections on Frank MacEowen's "The Mist-Filled Path."
Amazon book page for The Mist-Filled Path

We can be a tree carrying an axe,
We can be the fertile earth.

Words are the mind's bridge - its connection to all the universe.
Love is the heart's bridge - its connection to all other souls.
Loving words can work miracles.