BIRCH MOON MAGAZINE

BIRCH MOON MAGAZINE
DECEMBER 2010/JANUARY 2011SACRED EARTH RETREATS© Before printing this, please consider the environment!Note: This magazine is intended for the sharing of information about our evolution and the Earth, so please feel free to pass it on, or if you want to be removed from the circulation list, just send an email reply to info@arthurianschool.com with the word “unsubscribe” in the heading. Thank you.

(thanks to Koeka for photo)


Hi everyone!

As we reach the end of 2010 is always appropriate to reflect on the year, before moving on.

For me the year of 2010 was a bit like rolling a huge boulder out of the way - at times pretty hard going, but definitely worth it!

And despite all the wonderful places I was lucky enough to visit, probably the most thrilling moment was when two geese called Bridgit and Guinevere moved in to stay with me a few weeks ago. Why is it that the most simple things in life are often the most worth it?

I hope that you all are having a good rest over the last few days of the festive season- a time of goodwill and grace and preparation for a new year to begin.

I am looking forward to 2011. I hope you are too!!

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPLETING WHAT IS OUTSTANDING

The planet Mercury governing communication has been so-called “retrograde” which can often cause difficulties in communications and misunderstandings. On the 30th of December it is going direct and so things will start to even out again just in time for the new year.

But what is still most important - is to focus these last few days on completing all spiritual lessons that we have been faced with, and making sure that we start the new year with no extra baggage.

The way to do this is through paying attention. Let go of anything that you feel oppressed by still or where you feel you are not being served in your life. The year of 2011 is energetically much lighter than 2010 and so these last few days are the last opportunity to release old emotional burdens and wrap up outworn affairs. Often at this time of the year it will involve family. Make sure you use every opportunity to deal with lingering issues that can – and now must be- resolved. Every last detail of the past that still limits us (such as limiting thoughts, relationships, health issues, homes, careers, illusions, delusions etc) must now be completed, finalised and wrapped up before we step into the new year.

And we have been forced to do so anyway!

A SIMPLE CEREMONY TO LET GO

If you feel like it, do a simple little ceremony on the 31st December to symbolise your letting go of everything that you no longer need in your life, and as a preparation for the new year:

burn a candle and watch it until it finally goes out, - throw a flower into a flowing river and see it drifting away, - go and stand on a rock and take a pebble or stone to throw into the sea, asking the depths of the ocean to gulp it away, - or go and stand on a hilltop or somewhere up high where you can let go of a feather, bless it and see it gently floating away.

The Earth is with you – she wants you to grow, she wants you to make life easier for yourself, - for others. She wants you to love, to learn, to hope.

She wants you to become what you have never been before…

MAY 2011, THE YEAR OF HOPE, CARRY YOUR FORWARD WITH LOVE AND JOY
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With blessings of Love Elizabeth
SACRED EARTH RETREATS©
PRINGLE BAYwww.arthurianschool.cominfo@arthurianschool.comtelephone: (0027) 28 273 8277 international 028 273 8277 local mobile: (0027) 783716343 international 0783716343 local“Revitalise and Enlighten your Life with the Moon”
THE BIRCH MOON CYCLE
2011 Phases of the Moon GREENWICH MEAN TIME New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter d h m d h m d h m d h m Jan 4 9 03 Jan 12 11 31 Jan 19 21 21 Jan 26 12 57 Feb 3 2 31 Feb 11 7 18 Feb 18 8 36 Feb 24 23 26 Mar 4 20 46 Mar 12 23 45 Mar 19 18 10 Mar 26 12 07 Apr 3 14 32 Apr 11 12 05 Apr 18 2 44 Apr 25 2 47 May 3 6 51 May 10 20 33 May 17 11 09 May 24 18 52 Jun 1 21 03 Jun 9 2 11 Jun 15 20 14 Jun 23 11 48 New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter d h m d h m d h m d h m Jul 1 8 54 Jul 8 6 29 Jul 15 6 40 Jul 23 5 02 Jul 30 18 40 Aug 6 11 08 Aug 13 18 57 Aug 21 21 54 Aug 29 3 04 Sep 4 17 39 Sep 12 9 27 Sep 20 13 39 Sep 27 11 09 Oct 4 3 15 Oct 12 2 06 Oct 20 3 30 Oct 26 19 56 Nov 2 16 38 Nov 10 20 16 Nov 18 15 09 Nov 25 6 10 Dec 2 9 52 Dec 10 14 36 Dec 18 0 48
CURRENT MOON CYCLE AS PER MAYANS: (my underlining):
13 December 2010 - 9 January 2011
In the Rhythmic Moon we ask ourselves: How can I extend my equality to others? This moon we take the self-empowerment we generated in the Overtone Moon and extend it to others. The lizard is the sixth totem animal in the 13 Moon calendar. The Lizard is a master dreamer and shapeshifter. It is attuned to the subtle vibrations of the Earth making it able to detect what needs balancing. Lizard is also associated with the power of change and new beginnings, presenting us the opportunity to gracefully shed old patterns and embody new ones.

Welcome to the Rhythmic Lizard Moon of the Noos-Letter
With this edition of the Noos-letter of the Foundation for the Law of Time, we enter the Rhythmic Lizard Moon of Equality. This is the sixth moon of the Planetary Service Wavespell. Since the purpose of the annual 13 Moon wavespell is to determine how to live our lives in accordance with the Earth in a way that brings about a greater state of peace, during this moon we learn a fundamental lesson for creating peace: equality.
Watch the movement of this moon's totem animal, the lizard: It moves with perfect rhythmic equality. In the pulsar cosmology of the wavespell, the sixth position or tone, corresponding to the sixth moon, belongs to the first dimension life pulsar. This position is where, like the lizard, we extend the rhythm of our action and command equality! What does this mean? First of all, in our mind when we equalize our thoughts and bring ourselves to a state of equanimity, then nothing can really disturb us. All thoughts have equal value; each disappears just as it appeared. What excited us a moment ago is replaced by another thought that appears to occupy our mind. When we do not value one thought or life activity over another then we are commanding equality. Doing the dishes is as important as writing that next song.
When we command equality we are balancing our life. When we treat everyone as equals (in lak'ech!), knowing everyone to have the same ultimate soul potential as ourselves, and not favouring anyone whether they believe as we do or not, then we are commanding equality. When we command equality we are taking a positive step toward the noosphere. In the noosphere the equalization of thought and life brings about universal telepathy, which can only occur when we are at peace with ourselves and no one is deemed mentally, spiritually or morally inferior or superior to anyone else.

http://app.streamsend.com/private/tUGM/Cl2/p7eSGNU/browse/13073195 - thanks from Nicole Brandt


WHAT ARE THE PLANETS UP TO AT THE MOMENT?

Jupiter has been shining brightly until around midnight and is on 4th January only 0.5 degrees from Uranus. The waning moon is near Venus, the bright morning star on 31st December. Saturn is also in the morning sky and rapidly brightening. There is a partial sun eclipse on 4th January for Europe, North Africa and West Asia, best seen in northern Sweden.


MATTERS OF EARTH CONCERN

1. SAVE THE FORESTS (thanks to Jules/Kirsty for passing this on to create awareness and action)

Dear friends,Have a look at this:http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests


I've just signed up to support the save our forests petition. The government is planning to sell off all our forests. I've just signed up and wanted to let you know about it. The more of us take part, the stronger the message will be.Please sign the petition now:http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forestsThanks,Kirsty

2. WHITE LIONS (thanks to Tatiana for passing this on)

Dear Friends and pride members Please read our newsletter attached, for important updates. With the shocking news that the South African courts have ruled in favour of Canned Hunting, our urgent call for funds to expand the White Lions protected area is more imperative than ever. This unfortunate outcome makes a mockery of the Global White Lion Protection Trust’s campaign over nearly two decades for the rights of lions. No civilized society can condone the brutality of breeding wild predators in cages for bloodsport. (see: www.whitelionshomeland.org) To pressurize the S.African government to place an immediate moratorium on canned hunting, please contact the international advocacy group, AVAAZ, and express your condemnation of an institutionalized malpractice that is destroying our wildlife forever. www.avaaz.org. Over the years I have been working for the White Lions’ protection, zoos around the globe have taken South Africa’s White Lions into captivity, unfortunately in many cases supporting the Canned Hunting industry in this process, and giving little or nothing back to the conservation of this critically endangered animal in its natural endemic habitat. But Ouwehands Zoo (Netherlands) is taking the lead and changing this in its long-term commitment to responsible conservation methods. See our newsletter. from Linda Tucker
http://whitelions.org/lists/dl.php?id=42 to download the bulletin.


3.AND THE WHALES (thanks to Karen for passing this on to share!)

...The Whale... If you read a recent front page story of the San Francisco Chronicle, you would have read about a female humpback whale who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth. A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallon Islands (outside the Golden Gate ) and radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed them gently around as she was thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth said her eyes were following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.
May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you. And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.I pass this on to you, my friends, in the same spirit.

Save the Earth....It's the only planet with chocolate!

SOME CHANNELLED PERSPECTIVES TO HELP ON OUR JOURNEYS:
Reorienting to the New Timeline

1) An emotional upgrade…the loss of more of our ego-created selves so that we can inhabit more of our authentic self and live directly from the heart. Loss = mourning, so if you spent the last month crying over spilled milk, welcome to the hormonally imbalanced. We are mourning the loss of more outdated aspects of ourselves (those things that we thought we would be, do or have in this lifetime, but didn't) which of course can also create a fleeting identity crisis leaving us vulnerable and skinless…pervious to all lower forms of energy and feeling as though we have no protection from societal forces of harshness. We are slowly coming out of a very inward period where even getting the mail may have felt like torture.This sloughing-off included everything from releasing played-out relationships & responsibilities to shedding more preconceived ideas of who we thought we were and what we thought we were here to contribute... and everything in between. The reconnection of this higher level, heart-based intelligence required an extensive rewire and manifested as a zombie-like state, a complete lack of interest in living…not even so much an interest in dying, just an overwhelming indifference to life... and of course with a side dish of physical misery to boot.This disconnect period may have surfaced in a myriad of ways for you but the most obvious symptom of the void is that it is difficult-to-impossible to feel good or connected to anything in any realm.Some common side effects are as follows: disinterest in our passions, purpose, potential, projects, creativity, all those things we normally enjoy, etc...the inability to connect to our higher guidance... financial hardship/sluggishness...lack of desire to care for/nurture our bodies/exercise/eat well (even the foods we eat seem tired and unappealing)…feeling constantly dissatisfied yet not knowing how to feel fulfilled/can manifest as hunger that won't go away even after a meal, unsatisfying sleep, etc…wanting/needing to be alone and feeling relentlessly fatigued.These periods are some of the most difficult to navigate on the ascension journey, but the undeniable truth is, they eventually and always bring us to a higher and better-feeling place. Even when we don't think we will survive it, and we have absolutely convinced ourselves that we are completely delusional and that nothing good will ever come of sacrificing a decade or two of our lives …something beautiful and amazing always pops thru…and just in the nick of time. 2. On a physical level, we have been undergoing some MASSIVE etheric reconstructive brain surgery…some of which is still "bleeding" into December and will not be complete until the beginning of January as we find our new footing and try to make sense of this new reality we are adjusting our focus to. If you have been experiencing a literal inability to focus or make cognitive sense of things (what I call left-brain dead), or an unusual amount of spinning/dizziness/vertigo/loss of balance/eye issues/burning, itching & watery eyes/spaciness and/or sinus headaches & migraines...most likely its related to this upgrade. This extensive brain rewiring manifested as the result of joining polarized spiritual forces within the 6th and 7th chakras (pituitary/pineal glands)... the blending of the divine feminine and masculine energies that are fully responsible for our entrance and focus (hence vision issues) into galactic consciousness via the higher mind. The Andromedans reassure us that this recalibration period was quite an extraordinary event, and one that completes the release from karmic re-creation…the universally heralded and perceptual "shift of the ages".As we reorient ourselves to the new timeline and our physical bodies begin to harmonize with the new frequencies, we will begin to see, feel, and experience new dimensional patterns based in a higher reality construct. The secrets once hidden from our mortal sight will become available to us and our vision will become keener... our perceptions, more profound.In other words, the shift from November to January is a deeply physical one and is resulting in our reconnection to unity consciousness and divine love. In fact, I am told that November was primarily a biological restructuring period and one that required us to be completely unplugged from our current level of consciousness so that we could be reoriented to the new timeline. Make no mistake…this recent disconnect was the mother-load of all disconnects. If your wheels came off like mine did, its simply because its time for a new set. The ReconnectAfter a disconnect period, there is always a reconnect period…albeit to a higher level/frequency…which is what we are in the process of assimilating to now. Though technically we are still between worlds, the Pleiadians share that as a result of this recent reconnection, those who partake in and are aligned with the divine developments on earth will experience a great shift in mind, body and spirit…a harmonizing shift that will offer us the ability to further stabilize ourselves in the increasing frequencies, to maintain equilibrium in our cells, and to consciously coexist with our brothers and sisters of divine heritage as reconnected galactic humans in 2011."We would like to welcome you to this new level of human existence, we are beyond delighted to greet you here. What you have been accustomed to experiencing prior to this dimensional shift is far from what you will be able to experience now. Look for big changes in your inner and outer world…the macro and the micro." -Pleiadian High CouncilWhat Next?"There is a tide coming that is preparing to wash away all that is not in alignment with the new. This tide is offering each way shower the full ability to step into unity consciousness and to take part in the planning and preparation period for the next and final stage of the planetary ascension"

"As you walk forth into the month of December, you will be embraced by more loving energies, but you will also be called to complete many outworn tasks, behaviors, relationships, and activities that have held you bound. Realize that these next 6 weeks are a gift and will serve you well should you be willing to first let go and then fully open yourself to receiving. We cannot stress this enough... completion is the overriding energy of December with regard to your new beginnings." "The next two months in earth-time will be centered around love. The love quotient in each and every one of you has risen significantly and now that you are moving into the unity timeline, a dimension of oneness, you will be vibrationally eligible to receive all the blessings of love's grace." -Spiritual HierarchyPhysical HappeningsWe have been rapidly and intensively changing on a cellular level, preparing our new human templates...which are meticulously designed to operate on the new timeline…for a very long time. These upgraded biology suits will hold more light and participate seamlessly with ascended living. This is very exciting, however it unfortunately also means some physical discomfort.The list of symptoms is long and varies as usual, but the most intense symptoms this time around (especially last month) seemed to manifest in the head/neck area.As mentioned earlier, the pituitary/pineal activations created lots of dizziness/vertigo/loss of balance/vision problems/burning, itchy & watery eyes/spaciness and/or sinus headaches & migraines, stuffed/runny nose, post nasal drip, inability to focus, migraines, sinus headaches, fatigue, sleep changes (insomnia/deep sleeps…up at night, down during the day), night sweats, wild and vivid dreams, etc.There were also those who experienced flu-like symptoms with lots of muscle aches, neck stiffness/pain, sore throat, mouth/teeth pain, clogged ears and tons of back pain (fluctuating between lower/upper/middle…sometimes all three).We also experienced a major solar plexus (power) activation in the beginning of December which may have created temporary waves of stomach pains & digestion issues as well as the usual heart opening and grounding symptoms: heartburn/indigestion, soreness behind the heart, nausea, palpitations and rapid heart beat...lower back/leg aches, sharp shooting pains in rectum/tailbone area, sore ankles, legs and feet, intestinal clearings (candida/skin rashes/inflammations) etc.We are going thru major and magnificent biological changes needed for our new life experiences so its very important to listen to what our body's are telling us….even if it is diametrically opposed to all we have been taught. Protein cravings are very common during major integrations, as well as periods of no appetite…or you may even need a random carb fix at 3am during one of those insomnia streaks. When in doubt, nurture yourself like a pregnant woman… give your body what it wants/needs when you can and don't hold back…even & especially if that means 15 hours of sleep and a steak for breakfast.Reporting to you for the last time this year…see you on the other side of that sandwich!Wishing you and yours a sacred holiday season, and enough energy to survive it ; ))Laurenwww.ThinkWithYourHeart.net

The Shift from 2010 to 2011: Tools for a new Paradigm! My work in 2010 in preparation for 2011 has led me to some very astounding insights and experiences that I would like to share with you all. The return of the Divine Feminine to our consciousness has created great healing of the wounded male energies. These wounded male energies were brought on by the imbalance of male and female energies in our consciousness over the last thousands of years. The more our awareness of the Divine Feminine grows within, the more we become aware of the Divine Masculine within each of us. Each year our awareness of the Divine Feminine grows and each cycle can be identified with certain energies: for example, 2010 was very much about the impact of the Divine Feminine upon our physical bodies. 2011 is very much about the Divine Feminine Power of our souls.

Many blessings, Joy, Delight, Laughter, Gratitude, Appreciation and Love,Jhadten Jewall

Extracts from: APOLOGIES TO THE DIVINE FEMININE (from a warrior in transition) September 20th, 2010 under Soul Blog

I apologize for my inability to distinguish the benevolent warrior from the heartless
warrior, a reflection of my own confusion dealing with the battlefields of yore.
When I opened my heart too wide, I was vulnerable to attack from warring
factions. I was conditioned to believe that I had to stay rigid, focused, prepared for any eventuality, in the desire to protect myself and others from attack.
But I went too far, and closed too tight, and eradicated the bridge between our hearts. I am seeing this now and I am sorry.
I apologize for my perpetual absence, a reflection of my own inner absence, my inability to connect from a heart jammed tight by unresolved emotions that I did not have the tools to work through. I still lack many of these tools, but I am open to their emergence.
I apologize for not seeing you, my eyes blinded by congealed rage and unshed tears. If it is any consolation, and I imagine it is not, I could not see myself either. I saw only that which served my hyper-vigilance, my warrior focus. My mirror was a battlefield.
I apologize for my ungrounded materialism, my power driven tyrannies, my obsession with accumulation. Somehow I imagined that accumulation would protect me and those close to me, but I failed to recognize that it just perpetuated the madness. I also apologize for my egoic abuses, a reflection of my own misguided ego, pumped up to deal with an inherently competitive world. I couldn’t distinguish the healthy, confident ego from the cocky, unhealthy ego. I went much too far in the wrong direction.
I apologize for my horrifying acts of violence, a reflection of my own congealed rage, my own inability to distinguish real enemies from friends. There are no words that can undo what I have done in those moments of madness. I know this, I do. I would hide my face in shame, but that won’t make things better. I need to own my misdeeds, and then find a way to believe in my capacity to move from a more loving place. I call out to other male warriors to be accountable for the actions of our gender, not in a way that is self-hating, but in a way that is courageously self-honest and genuinely compassionate. The heartfelt warrior acknowledges the error of his ways, and has the courage to do all he can to make amends over time.
I apologize for my inability to develop a conscious relationship. You were right there with your beautiful heart on your sleeve but I was too attached to my individualism and afraid of this unknown terrain. I know the forests, the marketplace and the ways of the outer world so well, but my inner geography is foreign to me. You called me to a place I was ill-prepared to go, although I sensed, below the surface of my bravado, that you called me home.
I am grateful for your willingness to believe that who I was in those rare moments of vulnerability was the real me. You were right- the real me lives inside of my heart- but a few moments now and then was the most I could handle. I saw you as dangerous, for in your presence I began to taste a surrendered way of being. Nonetheless, your faith in my goodness kept me going through many a battle, and restored my faith in life when I most needed it. You were the light at the end of a barbaric tunnel, and I am blessed.
I am grateful for Grandmother, for no one saw my tenderness more clearly. I am grateful for Mother, for choosing to bring me into being and for nourishing my body until I could find my feet. I am grateful for Mother Earth, for grounding my expansion and enlivening my spirit. I am grateful for the Divine Mother, the real Mother of us all. I now feel her divine presence, so close. Fiercely compassionate, she was always right here, breathing life into me, holding me safe. I sit in her lap as she breathes me.
I had always believed that sensitivity is impossible to hold to in a harsh world. Yet in this moment, I feel sensitive, but without the fragility. I am still wearing armour but there is a shift in the direction of my intensity. I can linger in the heart-space a little longer than I once could, I am softening in places. After so many lifetimes with weapon in hand, a tenderling warrior is being birthed in the core of my being. He is confused, but he intuitively knows that this is the way home.
Please don’t give up on me or my fellow warriors. Forgive us our misdeeds, or, at the least, be open to the possibility that we will change as the trail expands to meet our shifting intentionality. The day will come when our warrior spirit loses its harsh edge, and comes into alignment with benevolent action. Some of us are already there, and many more of us will follow. The road to transformation is dependent on a bridge between genders, a benevolent bridge that celebrates our differences with respect and kindness. That work must begin with healing the rifts along the gender continuum, working hard to heal the collective heart until one day we can stand on a bridge across forever, hands held together, hearts open and alight, embracing the sacred masculine and divine feminine living at the heart of us all. I will meet you there.
May you feel the love of the Divine Mother crashing down on your heartfelt shores, graciously lifting you up above the madness of the world, nestling you in the grateful arms of those you have nurtured. Those of us who have received your blessings may not always acknowledge it, but your acts of love have landed within us, growing us stronger and infusing us with love’s light.
Thank you.

From Yael and Doug Powell
at Circle of Light www.circleoflight.net (thanks to Gisela for sharing this):
“I want you to imagine for a moment being this free, this clear -- that everyone whom you encounter is brand new and exciting. Only your heart is present. There are no stories of the ego mind, no past, no entanglements. Only Love and the rush of life that pours through you, asking for your will as the heart of God that it may be known, made manifest before you, as the dancing streams of life, painting pictures on the canvas of Creation -- powered, beloved ones, by Love. To experience this freedom is beyond forgiveness. It returns you to the place where there is only One -- one life, one energy and one experience that is that mystery of eternal bliss and endless joy whose pulse beat is acknowledged by your heart and sets the rhythm to entrain all Creation, to open every heart brand new to the experience of ecstasy, expanding joy and more Love, ever multiplied by your acceptance. So, rather than seeking to forgive the past and wrestling with the stories of your many lives, return, beloved ones, to your heart and become again the Moment of Creation that is "en-conscious-ed" by you, that is given definition by your hearts, given direction by your choice, now. You come once again to the gift of being present as life comes forth continually, beyond time and the dream of space. Are you willing to let it blossom brand new as the energy, the glory and the joy that is life moving forth as you? In an instant you are free to love completely, to be the present heart of God made continually new, to be moving perfectly in alignment with the Now, accepting that the Moment of Creation is you and it is yours, beloved ones, to direct all the energy of life -- the atomic explosion of Creation itself.”
START LIVING IN THE 5TH DIMENSION – A NEW YEAR RESOLUTION FOR 2011?!!!
(from Chapter 33 of Diana Cooper book 2012 AND BEYOND-
an invitation to meet the challenges
and opportunities ahead)
1. TREAT OTHERS, AS YOU WOULD LIKE THEM TO TREAT YOU
2. ONLY DO THINGS THAT ARE FOR YOUR HIGHEST GOOD
3. KEEP YOUR HEART OPEN
4. PRIORITISE YOUR LIFE SO THAT YOU HAVE MORE LEISURE
5. TREAT THINGS LIGHTLY SO THAT YOU ENJOY FUN AND LAUGHTER
6. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH HIGH FREQUENCY PEOPLE
7. KEEP YOUR HOME IN THE VIBRATION OF THE 5TH DIMENSION
8. EMANATE A VIBRATION THAT ATTRACTS WORK THAT SATISFIES YOU
9. LIVE WITH ABUNDANCE CONSCIOUSNESS
10. LIVE AS A MASTER
11. CONNECT CONSTANTLY WITH YOUR EARTH STAR CHAKRA (12 inches/30 cm below the feet) THROUGH YOUR CONNECTION WITH THE EARTH
12. HAVE A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH PLANTS TREES AND ALL OF NATURE
13. WALK WITH THE ELEMENTALS, ANGELS AND SPIRIT WORLD
14. LISTEN TO THE DIVINE PROMPTINGS
15. EAT APPROPRIATE FOOD
16. HAVE A SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE TO ALL THINGS – Look for the highest perspective in all situations and people. Bless that which is of lower frequency to bring it up to a higher level.
17. RADIATE WISDOM FROM YOUR SOLAR PLEXUS
18. WORK WITH YOUR 12 CHAKRAS (Earth Star, base, sacral, navel, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, crown, causal, soul star and Stellar Gateway chakras.)
19. CONNECT WITH ARCHANGEL METATRON (his gold and orange light will help you with your ascension path)
20. REMEMBER YOU ARE PART OF ONENESS
21. INVOKE 5TH DIMENSIONAL BUBBLES (Archangel Sandalphon will place a 5th dimensional bubble around you if you ask him)

AND THREE ADDITIONAL ONES THAT I PERSONALLY USE AND FIND HELPFUL TO REMEMBER….
1. BE POSITIVE ABOUT LIFE AND GOOD THINGS WILL AUTOMATICALLY COME TO YOU
2. “RETRAIN” CONDITIONED THOUGHTS OF JUDGING OTHERS WITH A SIMPLE THOUGHT:
LET PEACE FILL MY HEART
3. SEND POWER TO ALL FIFTH DIMENSIONAL BEINGS - THEY ARE ASSISTING US!


EATING MEDITATION

On the solstice I had a great experience of taking part in an Essene Silent Ritual Meal and I so enjoyed it that I wanted to also share it with you.
ESSENE SILENT RITUAL MEAL
(With special thanks to Karin for the following explanation about the meal):

A basic belief of the Essenes (a group of spiritually minded people living during the time of the Master Jesus) was the need to harmonise the earthly and heavenly forces, as is seen in their morning and evening communions and their noon peace contemplations.

They felt that the food they ate was created by the holy Stream of Life combining the elements of earth, air, fire and water and that this food therefore represented the meeting place of the Earthly Mother and the Heavenly Father. The obvious next step from this belief is to attune oneself to these forces, thus allowing them to be assimilated into your own material being, for physical, mental/emotional and spiritual healing, guidance and growth.

Our Silent ritual meal is a modern day interpretation of this harmonising process. The ritual, before the meal is taken, is to raise our level of consciousness and concentrate our awareness, in order to better link, with, and absorb these forces as we eat in silence.

Practical details: The eating place will have been dedicated and consecrated before the ritual begins, lighting will be subdued and the room full of the fragrance of essential oils and the sound of gentle music. You will each be met by the celebrant who will wash and dry your hands as a mark of service, humility and cleansing of the outer world. Only raw food is eaten and everyone wears white for the special occasion. No eating utensils are used and everything is eaten with the fingers.

PRAYER DEDICATION AT THE BEGINNING OF MEAL (to be said out loud at the beginning of the meal):

Celebrant (person who has organised the meal)
Earth Mother, we thank You for this gift of the food of life.

Participants
With awareness and understanding, we will eat.

Celebrant
Angel of air, as we eat so we take the breath of life, which is in all that lives.

Participants
Through this food may we draw of your power for life.

Celebrant
Angel of sun, from this food let us draw the fire of life.

Participants
Let the fire of creation be absorbed into and perpetuated, within each of us.

Celebrant
Angel of water, we recognise the water of life within this food.

Participants
Through the power of the angel of water, we are aware in our food, of the life blood of our earthly mother.
******

Applying this to every day life:
I have since then tried to incorporate - as a daily practice - a simplified version of above to least one meal in my day:

1. Washing my hands and then drying them with a special intention of doing a simple ritual for peace
2. eating a plate of only raw food
3. eating with my fingers (using no utensils such as knives or forks)
4. eating in silence
5. focusing my mind and thoughts on peace (for my own life and also for areas where there is conflict on the planet)

I cannot tell you how amazing this simple practice of an eating meditation is already transforming my life! I felt much more satisfied after the meal with not so many cravings afterwards and there is something magical about eating with one’s fingers- much more satisfying and connecting. Also one is forced to eat much more slowly and the food is absorbed more easily.

UPCOMING SACRED EARTH RETREATS
GIVE YOURSELF THE GREATEST GIFT FOR 2011!
Come and join us on a spiritual discovery of the AncientCivilisations - they had wisdom and truly loved the Earth…

See the attached document called
MOON MAGAZINE 2011 RETREATS INFORMATION

Learn to travel with spiritual intent.

SACRED EARTH RETREATS ©PRINGLE BAYwww.arthurianschool.cominfo@arthurianschool.comtelephone: (0027) 28 273 8277 international- 028 273 8277 localmobile: (0027) 783716343 international- 0783716343 local
This magazine’s stated intention is to be for the highest Good of All and to harm no one.“Revitalise and Enlighten your Life with the Moon”__________________________________________________________

SACRED EARTH RETREATS 2011

GIVE YOURSELF THE GREATEST GIFT FOR 2011!
Come and join us on a spiritual discovery of the AncientCivilisations : they had wisdom and truly loved the Earth

Learn to travel with spiritual intent

**********************

SACRED EARTH RETREATS©
For the love of the Earth and building a new future
NORTHERN INDIA
1-13 MARCH 2011

OLD DELHI, JAIPUR THE MUGHAL PINK CITY,
SUNRISE OVER THE TAJ MAHAL, VARANASI ON THE GANGES RIVER, A GANGES CRUISE, AMRITSAR, “THE LAKE OF IMMORTAL NECTAR”, THE GOLDEN TEMPLE, DHARAMSALA: LITTLE LHASA IN INDIA, NAMGYAL MONASTERY AND THE TIBETAN LIBRARY,
REMOTE VILLAGES IN THE HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS,
TEMPLES AND ASHRAMS OF RISHIKESH

SUFI-HINDU-BUDDHA-SIKH-TIBETAN SPIRITUAL THREAD

Is India really so daunting?
Going to India has always been something of a daunting prospect for me- the image of a country with such great poverty and a matter of fact approach to death and human suffering was not very inviting. But what I have learnt through my travels to foreign countries - so totally different to what I know, is to keep an open mind and realise how much we rely on misperceptions and images created by others.

A country of incredibly beauty
It is indisputable that India is a country of incredible natural beauty- just looking at the magnificent images of their temples and mountains open up windows in the mind.

The spirituality of India
And above all - India has always been a place of spiritual teaching and knowledge. So much of what we know and practice today comes from India! It has had the most incredible impact on our western civilisation and still to this day India retains its ancient knowledge and spiritual gifts. In very few places can one find so many cornerstone spiritual beliefs- whether it is the wealth of Sufi (Islam) teachings that are still available to us, or the practise of the Hindu religion - one of the oldest in the world. Or the sermons of an enlightened Buddha and the beliefs of the Sikhs that are over 500 years old. Or Tibetan Buddhism that is still practised in the foothills of the Himalays of Northern India.

Earth perspective
Even from an Earth perspective, India has an important role to play for the future- it has a strong link to Peru.

In his book SERPENT OF LIGHT 2012 Drunvalo Melchizedek explains how the kundalini energy of the Earth in India has transferred to Peru to become awakened there for the New Age of Aquarius - indicating a strong link between the spiritual earth energy of ancient India and the awakening spirituality of Peru.

And so from an Earth point of view, the mighty Himalayan mountains of Northern India are very much linked to the Andean mountains or “sacred Apu” - of Peru!

A varied country!
And it is a misconception to think of India as a single country. Some say that in European terms it would be seen as at least twenty countries, because of the variety of people and their distinctive terrains! Any trip to India needs to do justice to that rich diversity – honouring, appreciating and respecting each area and its people.

What the journey will be about
Our journey in March will be a pilgrimage that explores the important Northern India area - and its rich heritage of enlightened teachers and teachings that have helped us as a humanity to look deeper into the meaning of life and why we are here.

A very balanced trip
Many trips are organised to India, but I believe that this trip is one of the best balanced ones to give you a very varied and extensive spiritual experience of India. It has been planned to facilitate every type of experience - from visiting ancient sites, remote villages, modern cities, relaxation, comfort and so much more. And it is being organised with the intention to show you an authentic side of India and the warm hospitality and care of its people.

The mind awakening inspiration of India
If you are called to India, come and be part of something quite extraordinary! Join me on an adventure to an exotic country where every day will awaken your mind with inspiration - and change your perceptions and attitudes to daily life forever…

With love
Elizabeth
SACRED EARTH RETREATS©
www.arthurianschool.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COST, FLIGHTS AND OTHER RELEVANT DETAILS CONTACT ELIZABETH:
info@arthurianschool.com
Tel 028-273 8277
Cell 078 371 6343

TIMING
The trip starts off with an Ash full moon and finishes on a dark moon – working very much with a moon that is taking us back to the past.
The trip has also been specifically planned to not fall in the Monsoon season when there are very heavy rains and it is extremely hot in India!

THE TRIP FOCUS

The trip to India will focus on a living experience of the spirit of northern India and its people- through:
*receiving teachings about its different spiritual paths
*being entertained by music and dance
*the rich experiences of travelling by train and road to see the many different faces of the people of Northern India.

ITINERARY
(subject to final details to be confirmed closer to the time)

Day-wise itinerary

Day 01 (Monday) February 28, 11: ARRIVALS IN DELHI
Arrive Delhi by international flight
Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel
Accommodation: Oberoi Maidens

Day 02 (Tuesday) March 01, 11: WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION TO SUFI
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast: Meet at 8 a.m. in the hotel dining room.
Morning: Begin with an introduction to the program followed by a presentation with special reference to Sufism.
Afternoon: Visit some of Sufi’s most important sites in Old Delhi; the Qutb Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid and Chandi Chowk.
Evening: An exclusive performance of devotional music by Sufi musicians is an otherworldly experience!
Accommodation: Oberoi Maidens

Day 03 (Wednesday) March 02, 11: JAIPUR & AGRA
Meals Included: Breakfast
Early morning transfer to railway station. Leave for JAIPUR by Shatabdi Express.
Breakfast: [packed breakfasts will be provided on board train]
Morning: Visit Jaipur the Mughal pink city
Afternoon: Drive to Agra and check-in at hotel
Evening: A presentation outlines the construction and history of the Taj Mahal.
Accommodation: Jaypee Palace

Day 04 (Thursday) March 03, 11: SUNRISE OVER THE TAJ MAHAL
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast: Early morning tea and coffee. Full Breakfast upon return from the Taj Mahal.
Morning: Experience sunrise over the Taj Mahal by 'Tongas'. Explore the Taj complex, which includes a Mosque on the western side and a matching Rest House on the east, and learn about this remarkable monument to love.
Afternoon: Return to hotel and at leisure
Accommodation: Jaypee Palace

Day 05 (Friday) March 04, 11: HINDUISM CENTRAL: VARANASI ON THE GANGES
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Drive / train to Varanasi
Afternoon: A presentation introduces the Hindu concept of death — appropriate, given that Varanasi is the place where all Hindus wish to die, as it grants them a sure passage to heaven.
Evening: Witness “Aarti at the Ganges”
Accommodation: The Gateway Ganges

Day 06 (Saturday) March 05, 11: GANGES SUNRISE CRUISE AND BUDDHA’S FIRST SERMON AT SARNATH
Meals Included: Breakfast
Early Morning: Leave the hotel at first light for a sunrise cruise on the Ganges. View hundreds of bathers taking their holy bath to cleanse them of their sins. Learn about Hindu life and its relationship to the river and its matter-of-fact attitude to death at the cremation ghats. Afterward, a guided walk through the alleys that line the riverbanks to explore shops and temples. Visit a unique temple, home to sadhus - Hindu holy men who have renounced their modern lives. Conversations with some of these men to share insights into their ascetic lives.
Breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast, visit the silk weavers’ quarters to witness firsthand the ancient system of silk weaving where, for generations, Muslims have been the master designers and Hindus the weavers.
Afternoon: Drive to Sarnath, also called Deer Park, where Buddha preached his first sermon more than 2,500 years ago. This suburb of Varanasi is now home to numerous Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, founded by monks from around the Mahayana Buddhist world (from Japan, Korea, Nepal and Tibet.) Learn about the basics of Buddhism, the life of Buddha and the Emperor Ashoka.
Evening: Exerience Kathak, a performance of Indian classical dance
Accommodation: The Gateway Ganges

Day 07 (Sunday) March 06, 11:
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Transfer to rail station to board a train to Delhi
Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel
Evening: At leisure
Accommodation: Oberoi Maidens

Day 8 (Monday) March 07, 11: TO AMRITSAR, “THE LAKE OF IMMORTAL NECTAR”
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Train/drive from Delhi to Amritsar
Meeting & assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel
Evening: A presentation introduces Sikhism and its holiest shrine, the Golden Temple
Accommodation: Ritz Plaza

Day 9 (Tuesday) March 08, 11: THE GOLDEN TEMPLE
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast: In the hotel, upon return from the Golden Temple.
Morning: Depart the hotel pre-dawn to witness the sunrise ceremony that officially opens the Golden Temple each morning. In addition to being the holy of holies for Sikhs, this is one of the most sacred sites in all of India. The spirituality here is palpable. Return to the hotel for breakfast then set off on the drive to Dharamsala, in the foothills of the Himalaya.
Afternoon: Arrive in Dharamsala and check in to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the peaceful setting.
Evening: A presentation introduces Tibetan Buddhism, also called Mahayana Buddhism.
Accommodation: Chonor House

Day 10 (Wednesday) March 09, 11: DHARAMSALA: LITTLE LHASA IN INDIA
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Journey to nearby monastery for an audience with a Buddhist monk for an introduction to Buddhist meditation. Walk the grounds of the monastery with a monk, who explains life in the monastery and the symbolism of the statues and paintings.
Afternoon: Visit Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture, which was founded to preserve Tibetan art and culture in exile, a treasure trove of all things Tibetan.
Evening: A presentation details the role of the Dalai Lama as spiritual teacher to people worldwide.
Accommodation: Chonor House

Day 11 (Thursday) March 10, 11 NAMGYAL MONASTERY AND THE TIBETAN LIBRARY
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Explore Namgyal Monastery, the personal monastery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Lunch at local restaurant
Afternoon: Visit the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, a repository for ancient cultural objects and books from Tibet.
Optional Dinner: Celebrate your journey – Tibetan Theme in the hotel.
Evening: Enjoy a cultural performance featuring the traditional song and dance of Tibet.
Accommodation: Chonor House

Day 12 (Friday) March 11, 11: RISHIKESH
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Drive/train to Haridwar railway station
On arrival, drive to Rishikesh and check in hotel.
Evening: A presentation introduces the origins and history of Hinduism, the oldest of the world’s major religions.
Accommodation: Glass House On the Ganges

Day 13 (Saturday) March 12, 11: REMOTE VILLAGES IN THE HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Walk on footpaths above the river to reach a Gujar village. As you hike, explore daily life in the remote hill villages. Breathe in the fresh, mountain air and take in the natural beauty as you walk along a bridal path cut into the steep Himalayan hillside, with the Ganges River roaring below. Visit the village of a local tribal community called “Gujars” and meet the inhabitants. Visit their community school to learn the status and methodology of primary education in India. Then descend to the riverbanks where a boat awaits to ferry you across the Ganges to return to the hotel.
Afternoon: Walk amidst the ghats, through the alleys of Rishikesh and visit the ashram made famous by the Beatles. Meet and chat with some of the wandering ascetics, called sadhus, who frequent this and other pilgrimage sites.
Evening: “Attend Aarti at Triveni Ghat”
Accommodation: Glass House On the Ganges

Day 14 (Sunday) March 13, 11: TEMPLES AND ASHRAMS OF RISHIKESH
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning and afternoon: Explore the incredible temples and ashrams of Rishikesh
Accommodation: Glass House On the Ganges

Day 15 (Monday) March 14, 11: RETURN TO DELHI FOR DEPARTURES
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Drive/Train back to Delhi
END OF PROGRAM
Late night departures. Leave Delhi by international flight



SACRED EARTH RETREATS©
For the love of the Earth and building a new future
MACHU PICCHU, PERU
3-15 APRIL 2011
Tarot- the Star

According to Diana Cooper in her book 2012 AND BEYOND Machu Picchu holds the spiritual planetary chakra of the CROWN for the planet.

Peru is an extraordinary place to visit - no one can truly explain it until you have been there!

So reach for your dream, and come and join me on an unforgettable trip to Peru and Machu Picchu in 2011. It will be something that is so precious – an awakening of your heart…

Love
Elizabeth
SACRED EARTH RETREATS
www.arthurianschool.com
LEARNING FROM ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS
"I share my abundance of knowledge, gifts and love with others-Salandra Hartwegii (Cup of Gold flower of HAWAII)"

ITINERARY

3 April (Sunday) ARRIVAL IN LIMA PERU
Arrive Lima International Airport Peru
(for South Africans: Johannesburg/Cape Town - Buenos Aires- Lima)
Transfer to hostal in Lima
Overnight in Lima (capital of Peru that is on the Pacific Ocean)

4 April (Monday) - ARRIVAL IN CUSCO WHERE RETREAT STARTS
Transfer to Lima International Airport for flight to Cusco
Fly the short distance (45 mins) between Lima and Cusco (the INCA capital that is inland and where the retreat starts the next day)
Transfer to hostal in Cusco
Day of resting because of high altitude and jet lag (many time changes)!
Overnight in Cusco

Day One of Retreat (Tuesday)
5 April
Breakfast
*First meeting of the group and meditation to open your Heart connection to Peru
*Visiting and exploring the wonder of the waterways at TAMPUMACHAY
Resting to further acclimatise to altitude and prepare for next day early journey to Machu Picchu Pueblo
Overnight in Cusco

Day Two of Retreat (Wednesday)
6 April

Early Breakfast
Transfer for train to MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO (doing the picturesque train journey through the mountains leading to Machu Picchu Pueblo, the little village just below MACHU PICCHU where you can see the landscape changing from cultivated land to Cloud Forest with its tropical plants and waterfalls- this is the area along which the INCA walking trail also goes)
Free day to explore MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO and its colourful markets
*Group meeting and important preparation for visit to MACHU PICCHU, citadel of the INCA above the clouds!
Overnight MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO

Day Three of Retreat (Thursday)
7 April

Early morning start (4am!) to be in line to catch the first bus to MACHU PICCHU
*Greeting the sunrise at MACHU PICCHU! - special ceremony at the TEMPLE OF THE SUN
*Group meditation at the INTIHUATANA STONE (a cosmic portal) to help you open your heart connection to the Earth
Exploring the city of MACHU PICCHU with its amazing awareness of nature and architecture- a life changing experience!
Overnight MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO

Day Four of Retreat (Friday)
8 April
Early morning meditation (optional)
Breakfast
*Visit to hot springs (Aguas Calientes)
*Day of integration (group meeting to discuss and work with experiences)

(OPTIONAL: For those who are energetic and want to experience something similar to the INCA TRAIL, you can return to MACHU PICCHU to climb HUAYNA PICCHU PEAK and you will then need an extra approx $56- it is well worth the climb with magnificent views of the city of MACHU PICCHU and the surrounding valleys and mountains from the top of HUAYNA PICCHU PEAK –it takes 2-3 hours of quite steep climbing on steps up the mountain which is very similar to some of the climbs on the Inca trail but more spectacular 360 degree views. Alternatively, you can take a gentle walk to a nearby waterfall).
Overnight MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO

Day Five of Retreat (Saturday)
9 April
Early Breakfast
Transfer back by train to OLLANTAYTAMBO (a very beautiful rural village with spectacular Inca ruins)
Check into hostal where we will be staying.
Free day to explore OLLANTAYTAMBO
*Optional visit to Hearts café –funding a charity for women and children
Overnight OLLANTAYTAMBO

Day Six of Retreat (Sunday)
10 April

Early morning meditation (optional)
Breakfast
*Visiting spectacular OLLANTAYTAMBO INCA RUINS AND TEMPLES
*Group meeting to discuss and integrate experiences
Overnight in OLLANTAYTAMBO

Day Seven of Retreat (Monday)
11 April

Early morning meditation (optional)
Breakfast
*Visiting the amazing circles of MORAY (a place that is very connected to the Stars/Cosmos and where it is said experimentation with plants took place)
*Doing Heart meditation
Transfer to PISAC (another small traditional Inca village where we will be staying for the next few days)
Overnight PISAC

Day Eight of Retreat (Tuesday)
12 April
Early morning meditation (optional)
Breakfast
*Meditation day- working with crystals and the Earth
* Inca despacho ceremony with shaman
Overnight in PISAC

Day Nine of Retreat (Wednesday)
13 April
Early morning meditation (optional)
Breakfast
*Nature trail to visit PISAC RUINS (the most powerful and interesting ruins after Machu Picchu)- approx 3 hours
Overnight in PISAC

Day Ten of Retreat (Thursday)
14 April

Early morning meditation (optional)
Breakfast
*SAN PEDRO/AYAHUASKA SACRED PLANT MEDICINE CEREMONY (Optional)
Overnight in PISAC

Day Eleven of Retreat (Friday)
15 April
Breakfast
Closing meditation and meeting
LUNCH TIME: END OF RETREAT

Retreat fee: R11 040
Note: this amount of R11 040 works out for the above 13day/12 night period of the scheduled programme as R849 (around $113) per day. If you compare this with ordinary packages offered on the INCA trails on the internet, it is still well below- here are some comparisons:
4 day/3 night trail: $523 ($131 per day)
5 day/4 nights adventure: $1338 ($266 per day)
The trail packages normally include supper and dinner but only offer camping in tents and in some instances you have to hire the equipment

Retreat trip cost includes:
* Greeting and accompanying you on your flights from South Africa (Cape Town) until Cusco in Peru where the retreat starts
* Accommodation (x2/3 sharing) for 12 nights (3-15 April) at unique and beautifully appointed local hostals with en suite bathroom
* All breakfasts (12)
* All taxi/bus transfers for period (3-15 April) - as per above itinerary
*All transportation to sites in air conditioned minivans
* Return train trip to Machu Picchu Pueblo
* All entrance fees to sacred sites on retreat itinerary
* Full day entrance and return bus ticket to Machu Picchu
* Guided sunrise and Intihuatana Stone meditations at Machu Picchu
* Entrance to hot springs
*Spiritual facilitator and trip leader, Elizabeth, personally accompanying all sacred site trips and visits with you
* all meditations and ceremonies
* Inca despacho ceremony with shaman

Additional items to be paid by yourself in Peru:
*Airport taxes which are never included in any airtickets (approx$45)
*Lunch and suppers (approx $12-15 per day )
*Optional Ayahuaska/San pedro ceremony ($50)
*Optional climb up Huayna Picchu Peak ($56)
*Additional transfers back from Pisac to Cusco and Lima after the
retreat depending on what excursion you choose (approx. $30)
*Excursions (see below)
*Drinks and tipping (tipping is not expected in Peru but in a
poor country much appreciated)
*Items of a personal nature
*Souveniers
*Travel and holiday insurance

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS GROUP IS LIMITED TO 12 PEOPLE ONLY

FLIGHTS

3 tickets for South Africans: CAPE TOWN- BUENOS AIRES (Air Malaysia) – LIMA (Taca Airlines)- CUSCO (Taca Airlines) return, or you can fly with SAA via BRAZIL:

Estimate in the region of (depending on dollar rate and availability): R12 000

It makes a big difference if you book early – you can do your own research, or I can refer you to a website or travel agent who often does bookings for the group to do a quote for you.

Notes

SOME PRELIMINARY NOTES

Background
SACRED EARTH RETREATS are designed to facilitate the sharing of my (Elizabeth’s) interest and experience in working with the Ancestors and Ancient Civilisations. To help you become more aware of energy at these Ancient Sites through the opening of your heart and so find a greater spiritual connection to yourself and the Earth.

The word “spiritual” is therefore linked to the heart and that embraces all ways and philosophies..
.
About the groups
Small groups, ethical and affordable pricing and fun… with an opening of the heart and a deeper connection with the Earth and your soul.

I have facilitated many spiritual groups through the years and always set an intention to attract people to the retreat journey that have soul and heart connections – and so very often special friendships and connections are formed that stay with you long after the retreat ends.

This is not an ordinary TOURIST journey! Everyone travels with a sacred intention for personal spiritual growth, having deep respect for the ancient civilisations and places we visit and learn from.

On the practical side, most tour operators do two or more sites and places in a day which leaves very little time than just to have a walk around, get some interesting facts and take some photographs. On this trip you will see some of the most important sites and areas related to the Inca civilisation ,but more importantly you will also be able to be quiet and experience the special atmosphere of each place at times that are most beneficial. You can only feel the profound effect of a sacred place when you are able to go within, be still and become more than an ordinary tourist.

Such an experience can have a life changing effect on you!

You are encouraged to go within when we visit an ancient site so that you are able to energetically tune into the site with a positive intention.

After each visit to a sacred place, we have the opportunity to share our experiences as a group and work with integrating these gifts we receive from the special places we visit so as to make it a spiritual journey in the true sense of the word.

Participants are encouraged to go with an intention to enjoy the trip, but also contribute something by way of charity to the local people in need and the animals. This is part of living from the Heart!

Please note that nothing on the scheduled programme is compulsory- it there to help and assist you to have a spiritual experience of Peru, but it is up to you as to how and when you want to join in. Having said that, I would encourage you to do take part in as much as you can, because very often it is by taking yourself out of your comfort zone that magic happens!

What is so special about the trip in 2011?
The dates chosen above are given to me under guidance to make sure that the trip will be safe and happen at the most auspicious and spiritually awakening times of that year to be in Peru. The April trip 2011 has these special features:

It is the end of the rainy season so the weather is mild and not cold at night. During this time of our trip we will have a new moon growing into a full moon during the journey.
Also bear in mind that we are nearing the landmark of 2012, so this year of 2011 will be crucial for our development and growth before that very significant time for our planet.

Why should I not do the INCA TRAIL instead?

The INCA trail is very famous and with reason because of Peru’s beautiful nature! But you need to think about it carefully and find out what exactly is your intention to travel. If you are an avid and very enthusiastic walker who enjoys nature and being with outdoor groups but really don’t want to experience much more than the special nature part of Peru, then I would definitely say doing the Trail is for you. Make sure you are very fit, especially if you don’t live at high altitude. Peru takes a different fitness because of the high mountains you climb on the trail and also if it is in winter it is freezing in the tents offered on the trails.

The train journey we take to Machu Picchu Pueblo follows the path of the Inca trail along the Urubamba river so you will definitely see some of the amazing views of the trail on our journey there.

Very importantly, the INCA trail packages only take you a short visit to Machu Picchu – normally a morning/afternoon and by the time you get there you are exhausted and not often in the mood for climbing a lot of steps and exploring! The trail is therefore not going to give anything but at most a short and often tourist experience (with the usual tour guides that work in Peru on the Inca trail are not shamans) of Machu Picchu - a missed opportunity to be at one of the most famous Sacred Sites in the world.

I am interested in ancient civilisations and nature and how we can learn from them for our evolution on a personal and collective level as humans and so the retreat trip is structured to give you both- to experience and get the benefit of tuning into nature on a different level as those ancient civilisations did through meditation and ceremony, and still see and walk a lot in nature. You can also do additional hiking on the trip if you want to. The retreat caters for people with ages from 30-70 and so, for example, if we go and see one of the ruins in the area, you have an option of hiking down a trail instead of catching the bus back to where we are staying. And you are able to climb the famous Huyna Picchu peak at Machu Picchu if you feel up to it.

Most people see themselves as beyond camping and therefore the trip is planned with the luxury of a clean and warm bed!

The prices of the Trail (usually 3-5 days) vary but many have found that when they add on all the extras of accommodation, transport and meals etc outside the trail, it is not really such a cheap option as they originally thought. But see what works for you!

A comment by a recent participant who did the SACRED EARTH retreat first and then the Inca trail:

Had such a wonderful time and was really able to flow with the experiences that presented themselves to me. Think I was in the right space though because of the very special and sacred time that we all shared in those first 10 days on the retreat. The Inca trail was very challenging and incredibly beautiful but I missed being 'held' in that spiritual and safe space that I experienced within our group -

What do I need to know about food?
All breakfasts are included in the retreat. It is normally a simple continental breakfast with fresh fruit juice, fruit, bread and coffee/tea. Occasionally it also has some added extras such as cheese, cereal etc.

Lunch and supper are not included in the overall costing of the retreat. This is to keep the cost of the trip flexible and make it easy for each person individually to decide what they would like to eat and also how much they want to spend on food. For some people it is a priority, whereas others they would prefer to have more simple meals and spend their money on buying souveniers etc. So instead of prepaying for meals you may not like or want to have, you have the choice and you will be given ample suggestions as to where to find good local food on our visit. Most of the food in the Sacred Valley is fresh and grown locally with fantastic salads and products such as quinoa soup etc. You can also try the local meat varieties such as Alpacha. There are a range of types of food available (from fast food to traditional) and also in terms of budget - so from experience over the years with groups, making your own choice is best and keeps it simple and enjoyable! You are able to experiment with the type of restaurants and even if on occasion don’t feel like eating out in a restaurant, some of the accommodation offer facilities for preparing your own meal from fresh produce in the local markets. This can be an interesting, authentic and enjoyable aspect of your visit to Peru.

Budget on about $12-20 as an average cost per day for meals and eating out.

Currencies
The local currency in Peru is SOLES and there are about 3 SOLES to 1 US DOLLAR.

What is the accommodation like?
The Sacred Valley is not an area where you will find 5 star luxury hotels easily and as the SACRED EARTH RETREATS are planned to make it affordable to most people on a budget (without having to do camping or backpacking!), the rooms are simple but still enjoyable and in tune with the general atmosphere of Peru. Most accommodation establishments that call themselves hotels or hostals are really simple hotels that provide fair and basic accommodation. The accommodation chosen on this trip is clean, has an interesting and scenic aspect to it, has en suite bathrooms and also hot water- not a given even in some of the more expensive hostals! Be prepared to have your basic needs met, but nothing luxurious. Accommodation in Peru countryside vary quite a lot and so it is important to know through experience which ones offer what they say on the internet!

How do we travel?
We travel as a group together in an air conditioned micro bus for most of the way. It is only possible to go to Machu Picchu Pueblo (the village just below Machu Picchu) by train and so we will be catching a train on our way there. It is truly a beautiful journey there along the Urubamba River.

Entrance fees
There are different options regarding the type of tickets that are available depending on what you want to do in Peru, but all entrance tickets are included in the price of the trip so you don’t need to worry about which ones are best suited to your needs and are the most economical.

What do I need to know about weather?
When packing it is best to bring layers that you can put on and take off. You will be given more information about what to pack etc closer to the trip. You can buy very cheap plastic ponchos for any occasional down pour that may happen in the afternoon, although it is already in April at the end of the rainy season. It is not cold at night as it is in August of the year when it is winter in Peru.

Machu Picchu is high altitude but part of the Cloud forest, so the weather is mild, but you will need sun hats and sunscreen for the Inca Sun!

Do I have to worry about altitude sickness?

It is an important aspect to think about and to do some preparation for before the trip.

If you have a history of strokes or very high blood pressure you will not be able to take the high altitude pills that you can take if you are in fact not able to cope with the altitude when you are in Peru. There are certain simple procedures that can be followed to help you adjust and it is advisable for you to arrive a day or two before the retreat starts, to make sure that you are rested and over any side effects of having to adjust to the high altitude of Peru. Cusco the main capital is the highest altitude you will be at and since that is at the beginning of the trip, it is important to rest the day you arrive and if possible even sleep! Machu Picchu is lower than Cusco so once you have adjusted to the altitude in Cusco you will be fine for the rest of the trip.

Altitude sickness is unpredictable and although it will be good for you to become fit and trim before the trip, it does not necessarily mean you will not be affected. Often it affects younger and more fit persons more than if you are older and not so fit!

On some level the altitude is symbolic of ascending also in your body and so at the end of the trip you will find that not only are you emotionally and mentally a lot sharper, your body will also be more efficient because it has learnt to use oxygen more efficiently. In all the years that I have taken groups to Peru (over three years now and at least 2/3 times per year) I have not had anyone who has had life threatening/serious complications, although often I have made sure that people stay in bed the first day they arrive and just sleep because of the first symptoms they have of altitude sickness.

Also, many people complain about having stomach upsets in Peru because of the different conditions with water. It is recommended that you only drink bottled water and there are other measures that you can take to make sure you get over any complaint quickly. Very often it is a way for the body to detox, but it need not ruin your trip and also when you are with a group you have the comfort of knowing that you are supported and that if you need any medical attention is easy to find for you. Consider medical insurance that covers all kinds of eventualities.

What is the Ayahuaska/San pedro ceremony with a Peruvian Shaman?
Some of you may have read about these on the internet, and there are many different accounts of the working of these sacred healing plants that have been used by the Peruvian and South American shamans for thousands of years.

It is a completely safe experience and I only use a very skilled and trustworthy shaman that works from the Heart and is able to lead the ceremony for the group. I have done these ceremonies many times and cannot begin to explain the positive benefits it has had in my life. However, one has to be ready for the experience and so it is done at the end of our trip when you will have had a lot of time to prepare energetically for a shamanic journey with the plant.
Please let me know if you need more information about this and you don’t need to decide before the trip if you want to do the ceremony. You can decide when we are in Peru and you will have an opportunity to discuss any questions and concerns with the shaman.

MACHU PICCHU AND THE SACRED VALLEY (BACKGROUND)

The Sacred Valley of Machu Picchu PERU holds some of the most feminine and important energies for our planet. It has a simplicity and gentleness of the Heart that one cannot truly understand - until one has been there.

This amazing feeling of peace and connection to the Heart comes from an ancient heritage born in Peru where the indigenous people have always understood and communicated with the more subtle energies of Mother Nature. Being in tune with these cosmic energies of Pachamama - as they affectionately call her - they have always treated the Earth as a living energetic being that creates life for them and their children.
But even more than that. Peru has the wonder of Machu Picchu.

Many are intrigued about why so many people are drawn to visit the lost city of Machu Picchu at this time in our world. IT IS SAID TO BE THE MOST VISITED PLACE IN SOUTH AMERICA!

Built as a place that is literally “above the clouds,” it is said that its purpose was to commune with the gods from above, a sacred place where humans and the cosmic gods of Nature could safely meet without any interference.

The concept of building a city of the size and magnitude of Machu Picchu even now seems ridiculous. Yet this was done painstakingly and with the most incredible amount of patience and aptitude. The people of Machu Picchu knew what they were doing- they had a master plan that was so brilliantly conceived that we now need to find the same to build and create our own sustainable world for the future!

When you look at Machu Picchu, its ultimate genius is that of working with the hazards of the elements. High up on the top of a mountain, dealing safely with the force of the elements and most importantly rain, had to be a priority. And so structures were conceived and taken from ancient civilisations of the past that made sure that there was incredible security in the face of heavy cloud bursts, earth quakes, torrential rain- for this was after all a place of the Gods and with it came the raw elemental forces of nature! And so even today you will see a system of conducting water that ensures that these channels of water still function with water to this day. Stones were built in an inherent pyramid structure using bedrock and so the entire city is still standing in very much the way it was built - after thousands of years in the most daunting of locations.

Machu Picchu holds a vital key to our future.

And everywhere you look in Peru there is water! Waterfalls cascading down from the pure white snow on the magestic Andes Mountains, the rushing waters of the mighty Urubamba River that winds its way through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, the ancient INCA waterways that are still functional and used by the local people on their farms and in the rural villages – it does not matter - wherever you look there is water!

With the water comes the most beautiful natural landscape, magestic peaks of mountains and fields filled with fresh produce and a busy cultivation of the land.

Many travel the road along the Valley leading to Machu Picchu to soak up this wholeness in the landscape - making with each step a mindful exchange with cosmic nature that only knows one law – the law of always both giving and receiving to create perfect balance and harmony between human and nature.

All you need to do, is open your heart and come to listen to the VOICE OF PACHAMAMA! She will help you to live in harmony by linking into that higher consciousness of Love for Cosmic Nature - so reverently remembered in Peru. And with that you can spread the light of this LOVE and its true understanding to a world that is so much in need for it now. And build a new future!

We will be visiting the traditional villages and ancient nature temples and ruins of the area of the Sacred Valley of MACHU PICCHU to help you open your heart and sacred intuition with PACHAMAMA.

…many have come to Peru not quite knowing why, but all have returned knowing that it was meant to be - something that transformed their lives and old ideas and limitations to a new freedom and power – and having a deep knowing…. that it is possible to once again have a living relationship with the Earth…


SACRED EARTH RETREATS©
For the love of the Earth and building a new future
BODHI KHAYA SOUTH AFRICA
29-31 JULY 2011
Tarot- the Empress

South Africa has some incredible areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Many of them are still relatively undisturbed by human impact and has incredible purity. Bodhi Khaya Retreat Centre - near Stanford in the Overberg area (about an hour and half from Cape Town) - is one of these places of outstanding beauty.

Set in a place of tranquillity and peace, it is ideal for a retreat where you can just BE and connect with sacred nature.

Come and join me for a weekend in the heart of the Overberg area to have some wonderful soul food, earth meditation and nature walks!

Because - only when we are still can we truly connect with ourselves, the Earth and find that enduring Peace within - come and learn how Nature and the Earth can show you the way to the world unseen…

With love
Elizabeth
SACRED EARTH RETREATS©
www.arthurianschool.com
info@arthurianschool.com
Tel 028-273 8277
Cell 078 371 6343

PROGRAM
Friday 29 July
16h00:
Arrival at Bodhi Khaya and settling in
Supper
Meditation

Saturday 30 July
Early morning nature meditation
Breakfast
Nature walk through ancient milk wood forest
Lunch
Meditation
Labyrinth walk
Supper

Sunday 31 July
Early morning walk
Breakfast
Closing mediation 12h00

COST: R1 900
Includes:
Accommodation (sharing) for 2 nights
Breakfasts, lunches, suppers as above
Meditations and guided earth walks
________________________________________________________________________

SACRED EARTH RETREATS©
For the love of the Earth and building a new future
MEXICO & GUATEMALE
9-26 NOVEMBER 2011
Tarot- the Empress

TEOTIHUACAN PYRAMIDS, PALENQUE WATERFALLS,
TIKAL & TULUM RUINS


Cosmic Moment 11.11.11


Join us in Mexico for the historic moment of 11 minutes past 11h00 on 11 November 2011 (11.11.11)! During this time we will be at the awesome Teotihuacan Pyramids in Mexico to witness the opening of an energetic portal that will pour high frequency light onto the Earth - to mark the return of balance between feminine/masculine energies at a much higher level of consciousness.

Eleven is a master number and according to information channelled in 2012 AND BEYOND by Diana Cooper, 11.11 was set up as an energy in the collective consciousness aeons ago - even before Atlantis and Lemuria - to always set the new in motion.

Take advantage of this unique alignment in 2011 to raise your own frequency and that of the planet – to set in motion new opportunities of creating a miraculous world, where there is balance, our hearts are open and there is respect and love for everyone, the Earth and her creatures.

Let’s work towards creating great happiness for all!

COST: R18 200

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elizabeth Bardin
SACRED EARTH RETREATS©
www.arthurianschool.com
info@arthurianschool.com
Tel 028-273 8277
Cell 078 371 6343
BACKGROUND-

TWO COSMIC MOMENTS

“Cosmic moments” are huge energetic shifts that have been set up as beacons for us to reach a rise of consciousness by 2012 as predicted by the Mayan Calender. These down pours of light that are destined to come into our Earth are -according to channelled information - due to happen first at 11.11 am on 11 November 2011 and then again at 11.11 am on 21 December 2012.

And so we are being asked by the angelic realms to start building the energy and prepare ourselves for these two comic moments by becoming more aware of our own light. This in turn will magnify the cosmic opportunities for ourselves on a personal as well as a planetary level.

Diana Cooper’s channelled information in her book 2012 AND BEYOND describes the first cosmic moment of 11 November 2011 as one of CELEBRATION when:

“We are asked to celebrate our success to date and envision
how wonderful it will be in 2012”.

CREATING THE FUTURE FROM A VIBRATION OF CELEBRATION

Unlike our modern way of thinking, which is to celebrate only after something has happened, ancient civilisations knew that the key to successfully creating anything is to celebrate the success of that new venture at the beginning- BEFORE IT MANIFESTS! This sets a positive resonance in motion that will draw success to it like a magnet.

And so it is very important to start celebrating the success of the shift in 2012 – already in the year 2011.
TEOTIHUACAN PYRAMID COMPLEX MEXICO

During this very important cosmic moment of 11.11.11 we will be at the complex of Teotihuacan pyramids north of Mexico City. Teotihuacan has always been shrouded in mystery. The original civilisation that created this magnificent complex left massive ruins, but no trace has yet been found of a writing system and very little is known for sure about its inhabitants, who were succeeded first by the Toltecs and then by the Aztecs.

The Aztecs did not live in the city, but gave Teotichuacan and its major structures their current names. They considered Teotihuacan as a “Place of the Gods” – a place where, the Aztecs believed, the current world was created and so this is the perfect place to be on the date of 11.11.11 to mark the success and triumph of a new beginning.

THE FEMININE ENERGY OF MARY MAGDALENE

We will also be connecting with the energies of Mary Magdalene during this trip as we focus on bringing back the restoration of our feminine side- our intuition, creativity and flow – and discovering clues of these in the heritage left behind by the ancient civilisations of the Maya and Aztecs when we explore the beauty of their buildings, art and layout of cities.

THE TRIP

Our journey will start at Teotihuacan at the Temple of the Sun and the Moon where we will gather to do prayer for the Earth and humanity and one minute silence at 11 minutes past 11 on 11 November 2011.

We also visit the house and museum of Frida Kahlo, one of the most influential female painters of Mexico.

The day after, we travel east to the PALENQUE ruins and its nearby waterfalls of MISOL HA and AGUAS AZUL.

Palenque is said to be central in the spiral of the feminine earth grid that is held in South America as counter part to a masculine grid that was anchored in Egypt. These Mayan ruins are incredibly beautiful and play a significant role in the maintenance of the feminine energy for our planet. Much visited by spiritual groups from all over the world, it is something worth seeing. We will also see the crystal clear and pure waters of nearby waterfalls of Misol Ha and Aguas Azul - an area of incredible beauty, purity and love.

Next we visit the Mayan ruins of TIKAL in Guatemale. Guatemale is said to hold the COSMIC HEART spiritual planetary chakra and Tikal is a treasure that is mostly undisturbed by tourists. It is one of the more hidden wonders of the Maya and holds such a pure vibration that it is very similar to the high frequency energies of Machu Picchu in Peru. No wonder that the feminine grid that splits at Palenque goes through Tikal and then moves further down through Machu Picchu and then Easter Island. Its peace and magnificence is beyond words. You will love it.

Finally we visit TULUM in Mexico, the Mayan ruins along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea. One of the best preserved coastal Maya sites, it has many famous buildings with El Castillo, the Temple of the Frescoes and the Temple of the Descending God the most significant. There is a strong energetic link between Teotihuacan and Tulum and so it is fitting to end our energetic tour of the feminine energy at the Mayan and Aztec sites here at the ruins of Tulum.

We return to Mexico City by plane for a final visit to the capital of Mexico and its historical attractions before we catch our flight back home.

ITINERARY
(subject to final details to be confirmed closer to the time)

9 November (Wednesday)
ARRIVAL IN MEXICO CITY
Arrive Mexico City International Airport MEXICO
Transfer to hotel in Mexico City
Overnight in Mexico City

10 November (Thursday)
Breakfast included
Day of resting because of altitude and jet lag (many time changes)!
*First meeting of the group
Overnight in Mexico City

11 November (Friday)

Breakfast included
*Visit to pyramid complex of TEOTIHUACAN (AZTEC)
* Important 11.11.11 earth prayer and meditation
Overnight in Mexico City

12 November (Saturday)
Breakfast included
Visit to LA CASA AZUL, FRIDA KAHLO Art Museum and artistic area
Overnight bus to Palenque

13 November (Sunday)
Arrive Palenque and settling in
*Visit to PALENQUE RUINS (MAYAN)
Overnight Palenque

14 November (Monday)
*Visiting the wonderful waterfalls and waterways of Misol Ha and Aguas Azul
Overnight Palenque

15 November (Tuesday)
Travelling across Mexican border to Flores and then Tikal in Guatemale
Settling in at Tikal National Park
Overnight Tikal
16 November (Wednesday)
Breakfast included
*Visit to TIKAL RUINS (MAYAN)
Overnight Tikal

17 November (Thursday)
Breakfast included
*Early morning visit to TIKAL RUINS to see sunrise from Pyramid IV
Overnight Tikal

18 November (Friday)
Breakfast included
*Day of rest and integration
*OPTIONAL: For those who are energetic you can do more hikes in the Tikal National Park or take a bird watching tour
Overnight Tikal

19 November (Saturday)
Breakfast included
Travelling back to Palenque
Overnight Palenque

20 November (Sunday)
Free day- OPTIONAL: you can return to PALENQUE RUINS for a second visit, or do some hiking in the area
Overnight bus to Cancuun

21 November (Monday)
Transfer to Tulum village and settling in
Free day to rest after long bus journey.
OPTIONAL: explore beautiful beaches such as Ana Y Jose, do snorkelling at Gran Cemotes, see spider monkeys at Punta Laguna Nature Reserve, or swim with sea turtles at Turtle Bay
Overnight in Tulum

22 November (Tuesday)
Breakfast included
*Early morning visit to TULUM RUINS (MAYAN)
Overnight Tulum

23 November (Wednesday)
Breakfast included
Day of resting and integrating.
OPTIONAL: you can do some further sightseeing on your own
Overnight Tulum

24 November (Thursday)
Breakfast included
Transfer to Cancuun
Flight from Cancuun to Mexico City
Overnight Mexico City

25 November (Friday)
Breakfast included
Free day to see Mexico City

26 November (Saturday)
Breakfast included
Return flight home

(17 NIGHTS)

Retreat trip cost: R18 200

Included:
* All accommodation (x2/3 sharing) for 17 nights (9-26 November)
*Breakfasts as indicated
* All taxi/bus transfers for 17day period and transportation to sites on itinerary
* All entrance fees to sacred sites on itinerary
*Experienced trip and group facilitator Elizabeth Bardin accompanying you on trip and sacred site visits
*Eearth meditations and ceremonies
*Teaching of energy techniques at sacred sites and group energy work

Not included:
*International airfare to Mexico City (return) and any applicable airport taxes
*Airfare for flight between Cancuun and Mexico City (single) approx $180
*Lunch and suppers ($20-25 per day)
*Drinks and tipping
*Items of a personal nature
*Souveniers
*Travel and holiday insurance

PLEASE NOTE THIS TRIP IS LIMITED TO 11 PARTICIPANTS

SOME PRELIMINARY NOTES

What do I need to know about food?

Breakfasts are included in the retreat as indicated in the above itinerary. It is normally a varied buffet with some local Mexican dishes to try.

Lunch and supper are not included in the overall costing of the retreat. This is to keep the cost of the trip flexible and make it easy for each person individually to decide what they would like to eat and also how much they want to spend on food. For some people it is a priority, whereas others they would prefer to have more simple meals and spend their money on buying souveniers etc. So instead of prepaying for meals you may not like or want to have, you have the choice and you will be given ample suggestions as to where to find good local food on our visit- and to try some interesting options such as Mole (a kind of savoury chocolate!). There are a range of types of food available (from fast food to traditional) and also in terms of budget - so from experience over the years with groups, making your own choice is best and keeps it simple and enjoyable! You are able to experiment with the type of restaurants and even if on occasion don’t feel like eating out in a restaurant, some of the accommodation offer facilities for preparing your own meal from fresh produce in the local markets. This can be an interesting, authentic and enjoyable aspect of your visit to Mexico and Guatemale.

Budget on about $20-25 as an average cost per day for meals and eating out.

What is the accommodation like?
We stay in a small and very hospitable hotel in Mexico City that is very central to the old part of Mexico City and ideal for sightseeing. It has great breakfasts! In Palenque we stay in more rural bungalow accommodation that is close to the ruins- it is clean and wonderful to hear all the animals in the jungle around the area early morning and at night. The accommodation in Tikal is a small hotel inside the National Park and once again very special because it is right next to the ruins and very peaceful. The accommodation in Tulum is in a very lovely bed and breakfast hotel that is clean and well appointed. All accommodation chosen on this trip is clean, has an interesting and scenic aspect to them and there are en suite bathrooms and hot water. Be prepared to have your needs met, but nothing luxurious.

How do we travel?
We travel as a group together in an air conditioned first class bus overnight to Palenque and Cancuun. The buses in Mexico are very reliable, clean and comfortable – but be prepared for the two overnight trips that take about 12 hours with stops along the way.

We travel in smaller micro buses for our journey between Palenque and Flores/Tikal and these journeys are during the day, enabling you to see the beautiful countryside along the way.

After some long journeys by bus, we fly back from Cancuun to Mexico City at the end of the trip. This cost of approx $180 is not included in the retreat fee.

Entrance fees
All entrance tickets of the group visits mentioned in the above itinerary are included in the price of the trip, but where there are optional visits or you have a free day, the excursions are for your account.

What do I need to know about weather?
When packing it is best to bring layers that you can put on and take off. Although the trip will be in winter, the weather remains hot in Central America and best to bring clothes that light, natural and easy to dry. You will be given more information about what to pack and bring along closer to the trip. You can buy very cheap plastic ponchos there for any occasional down pour that may happen.

VISAS
If you hold a South African passport you will need a visa for Mexico, unless you have a current American visa in your passport. No visas are required for Guatemale.

Timing
The dates of the trip has been given under guidance to me as an auspicious time to go, both energetically and also taking into account the climate, something that is always important to consider when travelling in that part of the world. November is autumn/winter in Central America and so much cooler than in the middle of the year

WHAT MAKES SACRED EARTH RETREATS SO SPECIAL?

Trying to explain the phenomenal value of visiting Sacred Sites at this time of our evolution, is something I find hard to do, but here is what I believe is a good explanation given by the Mayan couple Patricia and Daniel Cardona:
“As we get closer to 2012, the energy field of Mother Earth is changing. The energy field is lightening and quickening. As the energy vibration of the planet changes so too does the energy field of each individual person need to change. As the energy vibration grows lighter and moves faster it is like being in a tornado: all those who are able to change with the energy vibration will move towards the center of the energy vibration. The space in the center of the energy vibration is quiet and peaceful. All those who are not able to change and is heavy and dense will move to the edge of the energy vibration field and experience the intensity of the energy at the outside of the energy vibration field.
I suspect that most people would rather be in the center of the energy vibration field, where it is quiet, peaceful and calm. In order to be in the center, it is necessary to change our personal energy vibration fields that surround our body. Therefore, the question is how do we change our own energy fields to go along with the changes that are occurring in the energy vibrational fields of Mother Earth?
One way to teach our own bodies energy field to vibrate along with that of Mother Earth is to work with the sacred energy sites on the planet. These sacred sites hold the keys to learning how to change our energy vibration fields.
There are sacred sites all over Mother Earth. Some of them are well known. We know they were used in the distant past, because the peoples of those times left monuments at these sites that still exist today. The pyramids of Egypt, the Sphinx, the Mayan Pyramids, Stonehenge, Mesa Verde, etc., are just a few of the well-known sacred sites. These sites hold knowledge, energy vibration and information that is still accessible today.
When we do sacred ceremony at these sites at specific times of the year (or at auspicious times also linked to the Sun and the Moon) it opens their nervous systems to previously unavailable information. Just as the frequencies and intensities of solar energy affect and change the leaves on trees at specific times of the year, solar frequencies at the vernal and autumnal equinox and summer and winter solstice (or other auspicious times) affect and change our nervous systems, allowing our energy vibrational fields to match those of the planet. These changes lead to greater connection with our universe, world and people on the planet, which are also vibrationally changing in this time of change. This greater connection to Cosmic Consciousness leads to greater knowing, which is a form of Intuition: knowing from feeling.
These changes in our nervous systems may initially be profound or subtle, but are always manifest. They manifest in unique ways in each individual depending on which physical and/or psychological blocks are present. As the blocks clear over time, a relationship with the greater consciousness becomes manifest for the individual. The individual begins to know beyond their current time frame or belief system. They come into Cosmic Consciousness.
These sacred sites hold information built into them in many ways. Buildings, temples and pyramids at these sites were constructed in certain patterns using sacred geometry to help activate the higher nervous system. Drawings and glyphs on pyramidal surfaces also represent sacred geometry as well as a form of record keeping. Meditation with sacred geometry can help the individual reawaken their body and nervous system to that of higher consciousness. As Hunbatz Men (Mayan Elder) says, "Information is stored in stone and bone." We can connect with that higher information in these sacred sites that hold that information.
Each site may have different guardians or spirit keepers who protect the site but also assist appropriate, respectful seekers. When asked for help they may help the individual bring information held at that site into their nervous system, which affects change and evolution.
The information available at these sites is not limited to any one group or school. It is truly ancient and beyond time. The New Age is really a return to Cosmic Consciousness. An opportunity to reconnect with that that is greater then the small Self, the separate Self, the Ego.”
SOME EXPERIENCES FROM PARTICIPANTS ON RECENT 2010 PERU AND EGYPT SACRED EARTH RETREATS:

Thanks for a fabulous experience in Egypt. Different from Peru- as expected- but very rewarding. Great group. I learnt a lot which will help me on my life long journey.
- Love Simon

These last two and half weeks have realised a 35 year yearning of my soul to come ‘home’ and how blessed we were to have you as our “spiritual” mentor. What a journey it has been and I thank you on all levels. Go well and keep in touch. With love and blessings - Colleen

The past two weeks have exceeded all expectations. To be truly able to tap into the energy of the sites has been remarkable. I know it has changed me forever. Thank you for your love and guidance and your belief in each and everyone of us. See you back in Pringle soon. Love and blessings – Viv

I am very grateful that I got to meet you in Egypt last year. You have really stolen a spot in my heart and become a part of the family in many ways. Thank you for the lessons I have learnt the past two weeks in Peru and for the special places you took us to! Looking forward to our reunion with the 12 special people. Love and light- Tania

Thank you for your kindness and sharing of your gifts. I enjoyed my trip immensely. See you in Cape Town, Much love – Maxine

Thank you for bringing this adventure to me. I cannot wait to see what happens next, My life will never be the same. And I know that’s a good thing, Thank you for everything -Varsha

Thank you for the adventure of a lifetime! For the awesome, enlightening moments and well as the “learning curve” moments. Take care on your journey in life. Luv – Louann



SACRED EARTH RETREATS©
For the love of the Earth and building a new future
REGULAR 2/4 DAY PERSONAL RETREATS
PRINGLE BAY

Regular individual retreats in Pringle Bay are also available on request. These are designed to help you remove deep energetic blocks that stop you from creating a more fulfilling life and future that is in accordance with your soul.

PLEASE EMAIL Elizabeth FOR MORE INFORMATION
SACRED EARTH RETREATS©
www.arthurianschool.com
info@arthurianschool.com
Tel 028-273 8277
Cell 078 371 6343



“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Mark Twain