AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

© 2018 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter April 2018

by Mario C. Veo

It started well past Spring when this little leaf decided to finally emerge, the last of the many. All others had long since grown to their full size, and now, adorned in bright colors, they tittered and twirled… and just plain ignored this new comer. No matter how much he tried, no matter how nice and polite he was, they just snubbed him… “Too little by far… Not one of us… A discard, just not good enough… Who does he think he is, trying to buddy up to his betters… Shame, I say, shame on him…” And so he sat, alone, rejected and dejected, with no-one to call friend… sigh…

Seasons warmed, the Sun grew bright, the grass greener and all other leaves fatter and stronger, all clamoring together in a social cacophony, a togetherness that was not quite complete… for the little leaf had not grown, much, was still shunned, ignored and discarded… and now he sat, morosely staring into nothing, for nothing was expected of him… Oh, what a future to not contemplate…

… Days passed and seasons grew, until one day, late into summer, this new breeze came along, with scents from lands far away, and a most curious outlook on life. “Well, here’s another foreigner…” the other leaves all said “Why is he here … he’s not one of us … Don’t trust him, he smells funny …” and so they all turned their conceited back on him, denying him even the most common courtesies.

But the breeze didn’t care – he’d seen his share of bigots, of intolerant small-minds, and these were not even that good at their elitist arrogance… So he did what most mature beings would do – pay no attention to the foolish… and leave them to their own self-created corruption… But, as he was about to depart, he noticed the little leaf, sitting apart from this vile crowd… and something made him stop “Well, color me curious … here’s one who survived the madness”

And so he approached, and took the time to introduce himself… and slowly, barely trusting, the little leaf responded… and the two began to talk, sharing ribald stories of his wild, foreign travels in return for a deeper insight in others’ folly… “Life is a great journey… you get to choose what to fill it with”. Day after day they met, sharing and bonding, growing closer and closer… until the final season was upon them. Already many leaves had started to fall, losing their bright colors in favor of browns and russets, covering the ground as a multi-colored carpet – a splash of blush against the graying skies.

… Still the little leaf hung on, desiring one more conversation with his intriguing friend… which he did, and now content, he readied himself to wait for his end.

Not wanting to follow others [for now he knew that he would never be like them – nor would he want to] and so he sat, all alone on the barren branch… still contemplating… nothing… As the fallen leaves grew brittle, crushed and broken by the harsh, cold winds, here came a little boy, looking for treasure – hoping to find at least one ‘pretty leaf’ to add to his collection.

With eyes downcast, all he saw was moldy pieces, unsightly and unpleasant to behold …everywhere ugliness… Disheartened  he turned to go until he heard a murmur, a sigh… he looked up and his eyes lit up with joy and expectation… There, perched all alone, was the most beautiful, perfect leaf he’d ever seen… radiantly dressed in autumn colors, still bright with life  “Will you come with me…” he asked, hoping…”You’re so beautiful, I can only ask if you join me and my collection… I promise to take good care of you…” Intrigued the little leaf stopped, and for a moment pondered about choices and futures… and without more thought, gently let go of the branch and lightly flitted into the boy’s hand…

And so began a most unusual journey… of show-and-tell… of sharing proudly with a little blonde girl… of being framed and shyly given as a birthday present… of  witnessing young love grow and blossom… of marriage and children born… of family dinners and togetherness… of truth, respect, and joy…

Here he is now, still in his glorious colors, framed and displayed in a special place, looking down at his family… finally knowing the meaning of a life well spent… sigh…

Mario C. Veo is a teacher of Spiritual Science and a Healing Arts Practitioner. He teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation and the Expansion of Consciousness. Mario is available for personal guidance and consultations on Tuesdays and monthly on the last Sunday at the Shining Lotus™ Bookstore.

SAVE YOURSELF, SAVE YOURSELF... THE SKY IS FALLING!

© 2018 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter April 2018

by Mario C. Veo

It looks like everyday there is more bad news, new catastrophes, increased conflict / anger / derision / belittlement / senseless violence… until we are told that “The future looks bad… very bad…” So, what are we to do with all this? We cannot deny that “We live in interesting times” [as great Chinese Sages once said] … and that there’s more still to come … but, take it from me, it does get better.

So, what’s really going on? Any Healer out there will tell you about a ‘healing crisis’ – basically a process where the body is getting rid of all its toxins, all that nastiness that festered inside… and spews it all out. Yep, quite an uncomfortable process… but how else would you get rid of such corruption once it’s inside you? Now the body goes through aches and pains, some purging, and even awful headaches and metal confusion… it can get so bad that people have resorted to going back to assimilating more toxins in the desperate attempt to ease the pain… Foolish, all this does is recreate more pain, more aches, more spewing…

Now, some will turn to medication, to various drugs and alcohol in the futile attempt to ‘soften’ this passage… others will seek support groups, where they can share their pain and struggles with like-minded souls… Well, if you’ve ever tried to kick an addiction, or even go on a strict diet, you’ll know that it isn’t as easy as that. It’s not in the support that success lies, but in personal desire to want to heal, to change, to get better… Yes, don’t get me wrong, I’m all in favor of support, take any and all encouragement you need, find skilled, kind, loving people who can hold you, encourage and guide you through this process… just remember that it is your Right to reclaim a state of health…

O.K., some of you are wondering what all this has to do with our daily ‘bad news and catastrophes’… Simple, the country is detoxing, its purging itself of all that is corrupt, all that is filled with pus, all that is dark and evil / greedy / self-serving… all this is being brought forth and openly revealed… so that we can once again be healthy… Yes, do support those who are guiding this process, do encourage Light to reveal corruption, do hold those in authority accountable… and do welcome this ‘healing crisis’, no matter how painful… and for yourself?

Look within, cleanse and release all negativity, all distortions, all hurts / betrayals / past and present offenses… so you may stand fully in your own radiant Light, and hold this Healing Energy so all around you can benefit… This is a time of healing and revelation… embrace it, guide it, support it …

We dedicate this month’s classes to this process of personal healing and transformation, so all of us can support bringing Light to those who flounder in Darkness.

Mario C. Veo is a teacher of Spiritual Science and a Healing Arts Practitioner. He teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation and the Expansion of Consciousness. Mario is available for personal guidance and consultations on Tuesdays and monthly on the last Sunday at the Shining Lotus™ Bookstore.

PLANETS & POSSIBILITIES: A LOOK AT THE ASTROLOGY OF APRIL 2018

© 2018 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter April 2018

by Sally Shotwell

It's Spring and we embrace the idea of a personal renewal as Aries Season enfolds us in its initiating energies. The Sun (our consciousness),  Mercury (our thought porcesses) and Uranus (our authenticity) are all is this fiery, vibrant sign which is ruled by assertive Mars.  Because Mercury is retrograde until April 15, our focus,  which would normally tend toward the adventuresome, is concerned with our reconsidering our priorities and perceptions.  Along this same line, Mars (our vitality), Saturn (our maturity) and Pluto (transcendence) are hanging out in earthy, responsible Capricorn,  helping us use our resources wisely so we can take advantage of future opportunities.   

Are we aware of how we are responding to our environment?  The more connected we are, the more secure we feel about making decisions.

April 1 Mercury and the Sun are as one and this alignment is fine if we remember to monitor our responses since egos are involved.  April 2  Mars and Saturn are together and, again,  let's temper our actions since stress is in the air.

April 4 Mercury gets in a tussle with Mars which indicates heated interactions, these we know to avoid if at all possible.  The 5th Mercury becomes embroiled with Saturn and, here again, there's no meeting of the minds so let's not invest in an uncomfortable exchange.

April 7 things lighten up when lovely Venus in earthy, fertile Taurus communes with Saturn,  reassuring us about our judgment and the trustworthiness of  those around us.  On the 11th she interacts with Mars, creating a warm  and affectionate connection  and she follows on the 12th with a profound meeting with empathetic Neptune.  Neptune is in watery Pisces and he brings a soulfulness to this encounter. If we pause and allow this influence to seep into our being, we are renewed and can access our intuition. Is there time for stillness in our schedule?

April 14 expansive Jupiter, in intense and watery Scorpio, finds comradeship with relentless Pluto (whose home sign is Scorpio) and their combined power really encourages us to explore our full potential,  they don't play around. What are we discovering about ourself which has been concealed or denied?  Let's remember that Pluto digs up everything and frequently finds treasures.  Scorpio reveals them and we mustn't be afraid of this process!  It comes in handy when, also on the 14th, Mars touches base with Neptune and our psychic nature attunes us with others,  opening up possibilities we never would have dreamed of.  This is exciting and prepares us to take advantage of the upcoming New Moon!

April 15 is a day we've been waiting for - Mercury goes direct!   He's still in his shadow until the 29th but this is still an improvement and contributes greatly to the positive aura which envelopes the New Moon (new beginnings) in Aries.  It is aspected by Mars, Pluto, the Sun and Uranus  and the Sabian Symbol states "Through imagination a lost opportunity is regained:  Revision of attitude and inner revaluation."    With all these influences contributing to our mission to evolve,  we have guidance in preparing for changes in our lives and the inventive ways  to open our minds. Dane Rudhyar stresses  that what counts is "the development of UNDAUNTED FAITH in the pursuit of one's ideals"  even when it's hard to know what is success and failure.  

April 17 Venus and Jupiter interact and we may feel optimism but we may become careless due to too much of a good thing either feeling-was or with money.  She quickly moves on to fraternize with Pluto and our interactions are intense, perhaps deepening an established relationship.  Let's just remember the Pluto equates with Power so we need to be prepared for any eventuality. This also holds true on the 18th when the Sun embraces Uranus and can lead us to be surprisingly unrestrained in our dealings with others. This is a recipe for unexpected changes in situations. Saturn turns retrograde guiding us to persevere in getting organized for future developments (which, hopefully we're doing already).    

April 19 the Sun enters earthy, stable Taurus and we immediately feel a certain calm accompanying this sign ruled by the side of Venus who relishes Nature.  It's a fixed sign and committed to nurturing what Aries has created.  Let's take time to indulge our senses in honor of this event!  

April 22 Pluto turns retrograde and continues his many years residence in Capricorn but Uranus leaves Aries next month for Taurus.  This  should prove interesting.

April 24 Venus enters airy, communicative Gemini and her gaze begins to spread far and wide.  Should we be in a committed relationship, this could cause comment!  Mars and Jupiter combine their strength to be effective in challenges, let's just not engage them in interpersonal issues.

April 25 Mercury and Saturn are clashing which we know creates negative circumstances which we need to avoid and the 26th Mars and Pluto hug each other and can get up to all sorts of  power related business.  Let's remember to deep breathe!

  

April 29 the Full Moon (culmination) in Scorpio opposite the Taurus Sun brings up emotional issues relating to financial and other intense activities which can only be resolved by compromise which necessitates communication.  The Symbol states "A fellowship supper reunites old comrades:  The overtones of human relationships based on a community of work or experience."   We may not have obvious common ground to share but,  with an open mind, our social consciousness can expand to help us be inclusive.  We are all in this together! 

Blessings!

Sally Shotwell is a life-long student of esoteric spirituality whose focus on studies in Astrology have spanned decades. She has entertained and informed our readers with her articles for a few years now.