Diary of a Heretic

I  don’t  know  what  planets  are  transiting  at  the moment but there seems to be numerous disagreements, power plays and unchecked egos going around. It appears   we   have   quite   a   few ‘spiritually   based’  people with unbridled egos seeing themselves as the only sun in their individual universes.

You may think that there is no harm in that, but I guess the potential for harm does come down to how each of our ‘conscious thinking selves’ operates in our community and how our ego manifests, particularly if we live life with no thought other than looking after our own interests.

As humans we have altruistic origins, but it’s apparent our selfishness, aggression and egocentricity can clearly get way out of hand at times if we are not fully grounded. The danger lies when the pendulum falls too much towards “Numero Uno” – when the feelings of others are no longer a source of concern, or when our conscience is no longer concerned by our words and actions.

Whether we realise it or not we all have the gift of humility; it comes from our heart centre which is often subdued when the ego of our conscious mind overrides our understanding of others and their feelings. We must never forget that although each of us in our own mind is the centre of the universe, it really only exists in our minds.

“Humility is not a weakness, rather it is the ability to evaluate your strengths and failings objectively. Humility leads to self-respect that is grounded in reality. Ego says you are never wrong and that those who question you are disloyal and should be squashed. Humility brings you back to earth.” – Rolf Dobelli

The year is racing ahead and we are now at the point between lightness and darkness. The Autumn Equinox is a perfect occasion to consider balance and harmony and how those forces are at work within your life. It is important at this time to remember that the only constant in life is change; decisions are made and actions are generated. Life can present us with a variety of tragedy, mediocrity and moments of tremendous joy. While the past cannot be altered, the bountiful harvest of wisdom gained from each experience is truly a gift. With a perceptive mind, we can locate those grains of wisdom and insight to plant as seeds for a more gratifying future.

On reflection of what has been happening these past few years I realised that it is now four years that Axis Mundi was started. In March 2008 this little newsletter grew substantially and moved to its own website and was renamed the “Axis Mundi Newsletter”.

Since then the Axis Mundi has evolved further and has featured articles and artwork by many different contributors not only from the core group of writers from SOL, but also from people not affiliated with the group, from Australia and overseas. In June 2011 it took a giant step in its evolution with a total redesign of its appearance and presentation so it looked less like a website and more like a magazine.

I would like to take this opportunity to give a big thank you to Jenny Taylor and all our wonderful contributors for their dedication and hard work over the past four years. Hopefully it will continue to expand its horizons over the years to come.

“A flock of sheep that leisurely pass by,
One after one; the sound of rain, and bees
Murmuring; the fall of rivers, winds and seas,
Smooth fields, white sheets of water, and pure sky;
I have thought of all by turns, and yet do lie
Sleepless!”

William Wordsworth

I have major problems sleeping of late; I have gone from a person who has no trouble sleeping anywhere under any condition to a person who is totally sleep deprived. I lay for hours in bed each night tossing and turning with my mind busily chatting away.

So what is it that is keeping sleep from knocking on my door? Is it 2012’s cosmic shift, the increase in solar flare activity, pole shifts or is it a combination of all of these things? I am really not sure! Perhaps it is the universe’s way of making me consider some drastic changes to my life. Well I am all ears! I am only too happy to rid myself of any self-imposed encumbrances that are preventing me from realising self-actualisation. I will do whatever it takes to be able to fall into that deep state of uninterrupted slumber once more.

Ah to sleep perchance to dream, ah there’s the rub and unless that can occur all my dreams are just not going to be realised……sigh.

So sweet dreams everyone, hopefully we will get some soon.

During 2012 I suspect we will see more and more people seeking answers to life’s questions, and some will no doubt be going through a process of great transformation.

Interestingly, in numerology 2012 adds up to a Universal 5 number, (2+0+1+2=5), and 5 represents a restless intensity which seeks freedom to express its self through bold action and impulsive behaviour. So I guess we can expect the unexpected, especially as the number 5 also represents the hot planet Mercury, which forecasts at the very least an energetic and eventful year.

As we venture forth into this fantastic new landscape, it is important to know that there really is a higher plan and purpose at work. It just may be difficult at times to distinguish exactly what that higher plan is.

So now that we are being propelled forward at breakneck speed to live our truth, to embrace life with new vision and to live it to the max. The time is ripe, for each of us to rise above ourselves, and to be the change that we really want to see in the world.

So Happy New Year and blessings to everyone and let’s make sure whatever happens during 2012 we set aside time for some fun and laughter.

“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”

Kahlil Gibran

“AWAKEN CHAOS. AWAKEN TIAMAT. mu-al-li-da-at mu-um-mu, ti-amat rise”

The last few weeks have definitely been quite chaotic, which is why this issue of Axis Mundi is a few days late. It started off with my husband being rushed to hospital and spending a week in intensive care.  I then had a minor car accident and things have been skewwhiff from that point on.

Chaos theory attempts to explain the fact that complex and unpredictable results can and will occur in systems that are sensitive to their initial conditions. This is known as the Butterfly Effect. It states that, in theory, the flutter of a butterfly’s wings in one part of the world could, in fact, actually affect weather patterns in the opposite part of the world. In other words, it is possible that a very small occurrence can produce unpredictable and sometimes extreme results by triggering a series of increasingly significant events.

SOL’s last full moon circle was definitely a reverberation of the chaos reigning down upon and around us. This was the night of the 11:11:11 Gateway, a supposed collective, high-vibrational portal opening to assist the evolution of consciousness. Anyway with so many people meditating on this day, it was an excellent opportunity to ride the wave of such highly focussed energy.

One of the interesting happenings on that night occurred during the invocation of Tiamat, which was a translated Enochian invocation. I had left the last sentence in Enochian and as I was invoking Tiamat I felt her presence rush in with great force and pronouncing the last sentence with great fluency and power, leaving me shaken for a good period of the ritual and thus emphasising her creative energies of the Chaos Dragon and  the primordial goddess of the ocean.

No doubt this period of chaos will redefine our way of living and thinking over the next few months. The summer solstice will arrive before we know it and will no doubt bring with it an opportunity for us to stop and take stock and to assimilate all that has been rapidly developing over the past twelve months.

“Thrice the brinded cat hath mew’d.
Thrice and once, the hedge-pig whin’d.
Harpier cries:—’tis time! ’tis time!”

Yes indeed it was time for the annual Witches BalI. This year the Pagan Awareness Network hosted their annual ball at the Gaelic Hotel, Surry Hills.

The line-up for the night was Australia’s most loved folk rock band, Spiral Dance and the delightful Ms Penny Tickle who made her grand return to the stage.

This year the evening kicked off with its very own fashion parade, featuring the magical and mystical designs from Kylie Allerton’s  label “Morrigon clothing for the dark muse”.

It is always a big decision on what to wear for this grand event and this year the outfits were absolutely amazing. Such imagination and originality!  With so many incredible costumes to choose from, judging the best costume was very difficult but the winner this year went to the Green Man, who looked absolutely spectacular with his forest foliage.

It was definitely a night of fun, laughter and dance and I look forward to next year’s  exciting event.

See the October 2011 Axis Mundi for photographs.

The year is again getting away from me and here it  is September already and only three more months  to go to the end of the year.

The good news is that Axis Mundi now has an International Standard Serial Number, which means all issues will be archived in the National Library of Australia.  The National Library of Australia aims to build a comprehensive collection of Australian publications to ensure that Australians have access to their documentary heritage now and in the future.

The other good news is that Spring has finally made an appearance and it is now time to shake off the cold dark shackles of winter and step powerfully into the waking energy of this new season. So the big question is what are you really yearning for? What creative energy is developing and waiting to express itself through you?

The energy of spring is our call to wake up and stretch and move our bodies, ignite our creativity, and allow life to move through us.

So if you haven’t noticed, the winds of change have arrived and so we should heed the call of spring and go with this creative life force energy. Ride the energy of the element of Air and let your life force flourish. When you attune your personal energy to  the  changing  season,  you  allow life’s grace and ease to  surround  you  and  surprise you.

“The winds of change are always blowing
And every time I try to stay
The winds of change continue blowing
And they just carry me away.”
Willie Nelson

I am totally over winter now and can’t wait for the warmer weather. Spring is one of my favourite seasons of the year and my thoughts are turning to clearing out all my accumulated garbage on a mental, emotional and physical basis. I have been a bit slack with my fitness regime of late so that is one area that I will be injecting some rejuvenated energy in over the next few months.

Getting past procrastination is always the hardest part, and knowing what to cut away from one’s life is always a difficult decision.  It is getting on to six months since I left my day job and it has taken me that time to adjust to a new way of living. But now it is time for me to make space for growth and to allow space to breathe and be, to experience new joy and energy levels.

At SOL’s recent Imbolc ritual I had a profound meditation with the Goddess Brigid? she inspired me to get on with my vision and not to be side-tracked. Everyone made Moon Cards during the ritual which encapsulated all our hopes and desires for the coming months.

Bringing about change in our life can be a difficult process even if we know deep within us that it will eventually liberate us, utilising the essence of spring will connect us to the spirit of renewal, growth, expansion, and all that is creative. It is a time for the warrior within to emerge and it is a good time of year to cultivate this energy by strengthening our daily disciplines, overcoming blockages and creating new goals and creative projects, transforming dietary habits, and cleansing our bodies, and our homes. It is a time of hope, possibility, and inspiration. It is a time to stretch oneself as the new sapling that allows itself to bend in the wind.

“Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.”

I don’t know how everyone weathered the last three eclipses but I am feeling somewhat shell shocked.  The eclipses brought about six weeks of intensity and I am amazed at the amount of toxic muck that has risen to the surface. The whole month has played out like a dark surreal scene in Alice in Wonderland.

Eclipses especially lunar eclipses have a tendency to work on the emotions, the inner and hidden aspects of our psyche, so I am not surprised that the energies of the past few weeks have caused so much disharmony amongst so many people. In fact the July 1st eclipse brought with it a plethora of angry planets that were unable to cooperate with each other. No wonder the communications on Facebook of late were so heated at times.  There were definitely some very domineering people out there espousing very strong viewpoints and who were coercing people with excommunication if they didn’t agree with their terms and conditions.

I actually was one of many people that had been excommunicated from someone’s page for opposing a particular viewpoint. Well actually I wasn’t opposing I was just referring to a discrepancy in an argument. Evidently it was enough to be permanently extricated from the friends list. Actually it was more than being just unfriended, I was blocked, which prevented me from seeing their comments on anyone else?s wall.  Well it cuts both ways, but I guess what I have to say doesn’t rate that high on the Richter scale anyway.

Did you know that Facebook is a cause of stress with so many people? This stress includes the fear of missing important social information, fear of offending contacts, discomfort or guilt from rejecting user requests. In fact how many people have felt offended by somebody deleting them as an unwanted contact? Facebook has certainly become a social dilemma especially with so much cyber bullying and predator behaviour going around. Many people who started using Facebook for positive purposes have now found that the website has negatively impacted their actual life which is rather sad.

I have personally made so many wonderful friends on Facebook, it has opened up another dimension to communicate and network with people from all around the world.  Unfortunately today’s communities are often cyber communities where our main chats are via posts on the internet.  We don’t seem to have much time for actual face to face communication. It all becomes so impersonal, where people feel they can say hurtful things because they are not speaking directly face to face.

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we
perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with
others.”  ~ Anthony Robbins