17. Resilient Star of Hope

During the Solstice Season the
Winter Holidays, are wrapped in 
a moist, reflective Dark cocoon. 
Christmas lights twinkle like the 
eyes of a child, restoring faith 
and wonder to our inner-Child.

Christmas movies with hopeful 
story-lines depict ordinary people 
conquering life's many challenges. 
With a bit of Magic, the ordinary 
becomes extraordinary, Heroic
characters find their way Home.

Just as the three Wise Men were
guided by an illuminant Star of Hope, 
we're guided by Messengers of Light.
Angels, symbols and animals appear 
in dreams, illuminating our choices, 
repetitive numbers catch our eye. 

A random book falls off a shelf, 
demanding attention and words 
from pages offer timely wisdom. 
Walking through a park, sunlight 
filters through the trees offering 
us sudden insight and inspiration.

Synchronistic events unfold, as 
Divinely inspired Interventions, 
as GOD responds to our prayers.
During moments of Self-doubt, 
when we feel aimless and lost,
Creative Spirit offers us hope.

The Star of Hope, when it appears,
reveals Divinity as a Third Point of 
awareness, igniting consciousness. 
Life is seen from a new perspective,
that reveals solutions we previously 
never imagined could be possible. 

Surrendering Human Ego to Divine Will,
fear transforms into trust of an unseen
force, that grounds the Light of Truth.
With renewed strength and confidence, 
action is taken in the world, as Love's 
resilience, reveals the authentic Self. 

As the world continues to descend
into unimaginable depths of darkness,
we witness horrific acts of violence.
Standing as clear beacons of truth, 
we must continue to radiate Light,
and embody love and compassion.

"Peace Be Still, and Know I am God."

As we emerge from the Lunar Eclipse 
on 12/21/10, the veils between Worlds
will continue to be thin. Pay attention. 

May we all remain open to Miracles! 

Blessings at Winter Solstice. 

Radiate your Light! 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

m/s.sage
Sunday, 12-12-10

Re-write, 11-14-15

(Isis attacks on Paris 11-11-15)

16. Resilient Reconstruction / Towering Vortex

Powerful, destructive, Natural Forces 
in the forms of disasters, accidents, loss, 
illness and trauma, re-focus our attention.
Threatening old, out-dated, conditioned, 
belief structures, they challenge us to 
dig deep, to rise up to the occasion.


Recovering after traumatic "Storms" 
in our lives, requires courage, stamina, 
compassion, time, and resourcefulness.
Focusing on immediate issues at hand, 
we walk, through the rubble, carefully 
one step at a time, praying gratitude. 

Locking eyes with the darkness of a 
 vast, terrifying, collective shadow,
at times can shake us to our knees.
Begging for mercy and the safety of 
loved ones, we search the horizon 
for any sign of the Star of Hope. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Exploring a career opportunity, 
at a Conference in Pacific Grove, 
the brakes went out in my truck.
Nearing an intersection, unable 
to stop, I heard my deceased  
Father say, "pump the breaks!" 

Without hesitation, I responded to 
his words and the vehicle came to 
a stop, preventing a fatal collision. 
I felt protected by Angels, coasting 
into my cousin's driveway to assess 
damage and call AAA for assistance.

 
All plans for the weekend, were put 
on hold, by an unexpected situation, 
involving forces beyond my control.
 Unable to reach emergency contacts,
feeling totally dis-connected and alone,
terror quickly welled up inside of me.

Taking a moment to regroup, I prayed
for strength to surrender to the process, 
and was graced by a Divine Presence. 
The grace of GOD, came to my rescue 
working as a Tow Truck Driver and a  
generous Spirit Sister at the conference. 

The man behind the counter at "Midas", 
where my truck was towed, also radiated 
the abundant light of an Angelic Being. 
Within an hour, I was back on the road, 
but as the Sun set, a Rainstorm hit, 
and I could not see the road signs.

After missing several exits, guided by 
my Father's voice again, I was turned 
in a correct North- Eastern direction. 
Any attempt to drive my vehicle home 
without fixing it, would have been fatal, 
yet the thought had crossed my mind. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I began to contemplate how many other 
times I put myself at risk to show up, 
be there and offer support to others. 
Through this question, I see a pattern, 
that has run its course in my life; one
resulting in me abandoning myself. 

Canceling a conditioned belief that, 
"I don't deserve to put myself first", 
I re-write the narrative of my story. 
Navigating heaps of disappointment, 
shattered expectations and denials, 
I re-organize, transforming my chaos. 

The resilience of my re-construction, 
allows me to move forward with new 
insight, renewed strength and diligence. 
" The gift of my New Brakes allows me to 
Stop, and change direction confidently, 
without relying on inertia and gravity. " 
(Wisdom from Elder Cousin)  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My truck being towed to "Midas" is a 
metaphor attuned to King Midas, who 
desired to turn all he touched into Gold. 
(This left him alone without true intimacy.) 
Sometimes impulsively pursuing alluring 
golden fantasy of what we think we want, 
manifests challenging, unexpected results. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I pray gratitude for supportive family, 
and friends who helped me survive 
during a very difficult time of need. 
Eventually hearing their loving voices, 
grounded me enough to think clearly, 
reflect, create a new plan of action. 

I pray gratitude for Angelic Guidance, 
and the adventuring Spirit of my Father, 
whose wisdom was music to my Soul. 
Affected the gravitational impact of 
this situation, I am forever changed, 
and welcome time for re-integration. 

As a Spiritual Warrior, I realize 
alone-ness = all-one-ness with life. 
And so it is. Blessed Be. Amen

m/s.sage Friday, 11-19-10

Re-write, Monday, 11-1-15

Twitter: InnerPeaceSage
FB: Sandra M. Shaw-Kovacs, MA, CHT

15- Resilient Lord Pan / Devil - Seductive Temptation

I have been told I have no sense 
of humor, yet I find myself laughing
at my life's occasional Be-Devilments.
Navigating the maze of Life's seductive
Temptations, I try to avoid emotional 
entrapments, and familial mind-fields.

Adjusting to my morning landscape, I 
breathe deep, in meditation, stretch 
and ground myself with chakra yoga.
Following my Breath, I relax into my 
experience, returning to Center with 
the  awareness of a Higher Presence.

Visualizing my inner-serpent rising, 
along my spine, I bow to the inner- 
Phoenix poised gracefully before me. 
I am aware of inner-Turtle watching 
my back, pacing inner-Tiger to my
right and inner-Dragon to my left.

Inner- Bear Woman rests in the
Dreamtime, while inner- Lady 
Cougar paces near my heart.
Spider Woman weaves caution 
into her Dream Catcher, sensing
Pan's addictive patterns surfacing. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Cultivating faith in Self, we face 
initiations guided by Ancestors, 
Angels and our inner-Animals.
Lord Pan can help us connect 
with Nature, enjoy the sensual, 
tactile, aspects of being Human.

Listening to inner-knowing, 
Artists trust Creative Processes, 
allowing them to unfold naturally.
Exploring what attracts and repels 
us, our creations anchor personal 
and universal insight within Souls.

Accepting that we are responsible 
for our own success and happiness, 
we learn to set healthy boundaries.
Uniting our inner-Male and Female 
within Sacred Spaces, for healing, 
Spirit is free to inspire and nourish.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keeping our senses and pleasure 
receptors open, we can attune to joy, 
affection and touch, inspiring vitality.
In a World, moving increasing toward 
virtual reality, we must discern what's 
 hurtful and what revitalizes purpose. 

When we are not true to ourselves,
we live in denial, trying to believe
illusions and projections are real. 
Embodying our authentic Self, we 
thrive in the NOW, embodying truth, 
regardless of the criticism of others.  

Tempering Love and Wisdom, with
discernment, we can open our hearts,
to other potential, spiritual beloveds. 
Sharing the sensual pleasures of life, 
with others, helps us to relax into 
connecting with deep satisfaction.

The Shadow side of Pan/Devil can 
spin quite a romantic illusion, being 
the master of disguising lust as love.
He/She looks so good, sauntering 
across the dance floor in Prada or 
Cowboy Boots and faded Jeans.

We are lured in by a seductive 
walk, talk, tie, song, vehicle,
work of art, words of prose. 
We see what we want to see,
hear what we want to hear,
within our own projections. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giving ourselves a break, we can say 
YES to enjoying a bath and massage, 
or joining friends for a favorite meal. 
Giving our inner-Child permission to
come out and play, in healthy ways 
with creative others, restores flow. 

Surrendering all resistance to what is 
right and just, we manifest dreams 
on clear waves, of pure intention.
Allowing Pan to amuse us from
time to time, breathes life back
into our weary, daily routines.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Being rather than Doing, 
Receiving as well as Giving,
agreeing to feed Feminine first,
inner-knowing deepens as we 
take action, transforming our
World as the Feminine rises."
Ariel Spilsbury ( Planetary Mystic)


m/s.sage
Sunday, 10-24-10

Re-write, Sunday, 10-31-15
Blessings at Samhain!

Twitter- InnerPeaceSage
FB: Sandra M. Shaw-Kovacs, MA, CHT

14- Resilient Artisans / Temperance

" When the Spirit does not work with 
the Hand, there is no Art." (Da Vinci)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blending colorful, playful, sensual
experiences of Life, true Visionary 
Artisans share creative connections.
Lightening tones and Darkening hues, 
we mix Sacred Values with Intention 
to explore all kinds of relationships.

Active imagination, allows the  
invisible to become visible, allows
all possibilities in the Dreamtime. 
Exploring Light, Shadow, Texture, 
Line, Shape and Form, we embody 
changing rhythms of exploration.

Riding waves of creative passion 
into expressive release, Self-Love 
replaces resistance and blockages.
During moments of shared Creative 
Expression, Artists become united 
as one pulsing, Universal Heart Beat.

Maintaining Presence, while creating
art, music, dance, etc., chronic issues 
can be transformed, the truth revealed.
As conscious healers, we shift our focus 
 to be inclusive, co-operative, of service,
illuminating others with Divine Light.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The Body is an Ally, a source
of Wisdom that will show up in
your writing and visualizations."
(Lynn Andrews)

Spirit Breathes Life thru us into form, 
rejuvenating Soul, with the intention
to Live, enjoy, experience, thrive. 
Creative Expression helps us identify 
and transform, the Mask of our False 
Self, exposing the essence of truth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Positive, life affirming gatherings, 
promote innovative communication,
for sharing and community building. 
Uniting with drumming, chanting, 
singing, dancing, eating, painting 
and/or storytelling, we Pray Peace.

Self-reliance grows when we Love, 
accept, acknowledge and care for our 
Self first,unconditionally, then others.
Remaining receptive with an open heart, 
synchronicity attunes our consciousness, 
reaffirming our faith in creative forces.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Meditating, before touching pencil 
to paper, brush to canvas, hand to 
clay, we align with Divine Source. 
Open Senses and Keen Intuition, 
allow us to see Nature reflecting 
the Essence of our inner-Beauty.

Inhaling the Rainbow Colors of Life 
into our Heart Center and all Energy 
Centers, we invite Life to flow in us. 
Surfing collective innovative waves, 
we connect with others to give birth 
to amazing, unique, manifestations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
" Allow your Heartbeat to match the
Pulse of the Universe to match your
Nature with Mother Nature." 
(J. Campbell)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Taking a cleansing Breath, we let go 
of all that blocks our intuitive, creative 
flow, and feel free to be our ourselves. 
Relaxing into the containment of our own 
skin, we blaze new, unique career trails,
Walking our Talk in non-ordinary ways.

Feeling our connection with all Life,
we balance inner-Light and Shadow, 
inner-Masculine and inner-Feminine. 
The quality and vitality of our Life,
reveals the health of our personal
power and Creative Resilience.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Follow your Bliss..The goal of the
Journey is to discover yourself
as consciousness." (Joseph Campbell)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is not the situations in our Lives that
define us, but how we respond to those
initiations / challenges, that reveals the
true nature of our current state of being.

"Art is the set of Wings that carries us
out of our own entanglements." 
(J. Campbell) 

" Where there is a Way or Path, it is 
someone else's Path. If you follow 
someone else's Way, you will not 
realize your full potential."
( Joseph Campbell )

by m/s.sage

Wednesday, 9/22/10

Re-write, Friday, 10-30-15

#13- Resilient Wounded Healer / Death

Chiron / The Wounded Healer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
"Accepting the Fate of Ending Cycles, 
it is time to cleanse and simplify,
daily rituals and surroundings,
for the Archetypal Journey
into the Underworld."
m/s.sage

The Mythic Character, Chiron
is associated with Scorpio, the
experience of Death and Dying. 
As Wounded Healers, we now  
prepare to enter our inner-Caves
for healing and grieving our losses.

"From within the depths of sacred
inner-Wombs, we process emotions,
and shattered fragments of the Past.
With cleansing breaths of forgiveness,
we commune with Nature, replenishing
our Soul with Mother Earth's waters."
( Exerpts from Soul Questar Workbook ~ m/s.sage) 

(Photo by ~ D.S. Phillips) 

Several powerful Dreams, spoke to 
me early this morning; one in which
Heaven and Earth united, allowing
me to communicate with departed
Souls from the Hiroshima Bombing. 

The other involved the seduction
of a Past Lover by a Female Spy, 
and his dismemberment by a Dark
Warlord Boss and his Evil Gang.
At the end of the dream, a young
Male Child leaps into my arms.

Writing the detailed symbology
into my Dream Journal, I discover
a common theme, relating to the
Egyptian Myth of Isis and Osiris, 
involving the seduction, death,
dismemberment and resurrection
of Osiris and the birth of Horus. 

"It's said that after gathering the parts 
 of her loved husband, Isis grows wings,
hovers over Osiris,  and breathes Life
into him. Reviving him, they conceive
their son Horus, the Hawk God. Being
simultaneously alive and dead, Osiris
becomes God and King of the Afterlife."
(Egyptian Mythology) 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this Archetypal Myth, Isis and 
Osiris are symbols of the integrative
dance between inner-Male / Female.
This includes corresponding Shadow
Archetype projections, which Carl  
Jung describes as Anima and Animus. 
These shadow archetypes play out the
dramas of the collective unconscious.

In this divine inner-play, King Osiris 
(Patriarchy) is deconstructed by a 
jealous Male Shadow Figure and
reconstructed by a Divine Female 
Principle, the Goddess, Queen Isis. 
We see this playing out all around
us at this time and within us as 
well, when we examine ourselves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Frequently, we allow suppressed 
emotions to tear apart aspects of 
Self and /or sometimes our Mate. 
We play the blaming game and claim 
to be victims, resulting in the current 
fifty percent and rising, divorce rate. 

When we have the courage to turn
within and ask for Divine Guidance, 
we forgive Self, integrate lessons,
and take responsibility for our own
joy, health, wealth and happiness.

As a Phoenix Rises from the ashes, 
Chiron reminds us to transform the 
skeletons from our ancestral closet.
Pruning away the dead weight of 
all unfinished projects, recycling and
releasing old, unhealthy, Relations,
our resilient Souls spiral upward
as New Mythos, illuminating 
Creative Possibilities.

Shine your Light
*****

m/s.sage 

Saturday, 8/7/10
Re-write, Thursday, 10-29-15

Twitter: InnerPeaceSage
FB: Sandy Shaw-Kovacs

#12. Resilient Recovery / Hanged Man ~ Woman

Repeating Patterns in life
reoccur to reveal to us aspects 
of our Self in need of change. 
Whether we resist and react, 
or lovingly respond to what is
demanding focus, is a choice.

Refusal to acknowledge our 
addictive behaviors, can turn 
a world upside down, in chaos.
We remain suspended in dark
destructive cycles, until we 
awaken to live wiser choices.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One afternoon, I was engaged in
cleaning and sorting fresh organic
cilantro and basil to make pesto.
Stepping outside the kitchen door,
to place clean greens a refrigerator,
I tripped over a parked golf cart. 

Slamming on my internal brakes, 
the colander slipped off the plate
and fresh greens flew into the air.
Landing in disarray on a dog-haired 
door mat, I flew into a rage, upset
 that I wasted all that prep time.

I was convinced the Universe was 
conspiring against me, that it was 
the rug and the golf cart's fault. 
In reality, after calming down, I  
realized, I was being reminded to 
be mindful of what I am doing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emotional Triggers are Red Flags,
on our playing field of awareness, 
that signal it's time for a time-out.
Taking a break from the situation, 
we can reflect, see situations, 
people, events in a new Light.

This does not lessen or negate
deep feelings, but allows for the 
consideration of intentions of others.
The Golf Cart Driver, was not plotting
to trip me up, trigger my emotions, 
sabotage my culinary efforts.

Blaming others for exposing old
chronic wounds, perpetuates our 
Addictive Defenses, and stuckness.
Feelings of being wronged, does not
make us right, for all perception is 
relative to location and experience.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bargaining with denial, only
perpetuates the intensity of 
personal illusions of suffering.
It takes great courage, faith, 
trust and determination to face 
our Shadows and ask for help.

Procrastination, rationalization,
judgment and defensiveness, are 
ineffective forms of communication. 
When we alter our view point, shift 
perspectives, we loosen attachment, 
to the patterns of our dysfunction. 

Naming conditioned beliefs and 
behaviors, allows us to change,
magnetizing what we desire.
Non-Violent Communication 
techniques work effectively,
when mediating life conflict.

Removing attitudes of judgment 
and blame, allows us to shift from
Victim, into Self-empowerment.
Asking for Divine Guidance, we
open our awareness to a middle
way of seeing / being in the world. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Higher Guidance, helps us re-define 
what appears to be limitation, with
an inspiring Spirit of Innovation.
We can Shift from a competitive 
scarcity mentality into thoughts 
of abundance and collaboration.

"Listening to each other tell our 
Story with soft eyes and ears,
we can help each other heal.
Exploring the Dreaming Body 
we are spontaneously led to
the right place and right time 
to embrace Mentors to assist
us thru transition cycles." 
(Dreambody/Arnold Mindel) 

As we encourage each other 
to explore safe, creative ways to 
process challenges and initiations 
along our Life Path, we define the 
integrity of our Soul / Soul Quest.

m/s.sage 

Wednesday,  7/28/10

Re-write, Wednesday, 10-18-15

#11- Resilient Fire - Transforming Passion

Blessings on Independence Day!

Family and Friends gather together 
this day and eve, to celebrate a day 
of personal and national Freedom.
Where there is Light, there is 
Darkness and individual and 
collective Shadows arise. 

The World is entranced by 
Corporate media,to focus
on Consumerism and Greed.
Looking Hawk-like, at a bigger 
picture, I contemplate what
is necessary, to awaken us. 

Mankind's Desire for Freedom
and Mobility, come at a high 
price, accosting Mother Earth.
Resources squandered by the 
hour, result in the depleting
of her life blood, her vitality.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The World is a Vampire." 
(Smashing Pumpkins song / Whale Wars)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
I recently read an article, based 
on Stephanie Meyer’s Novel, about 
cultures' obsessions with Vampires.

My generations Vamps were 
Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, who 
romanticized the dark creatures.
Seeking integration, they are 
Metaphors for the obsessive, 
lusting, addictive shadow 
side within human nature.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fascinated with cross cultural 
Mythic Archetypes in Grad School, 
I created a short film for my class. 
Editing famous film clips from scenes 
in movies, like, Conan and Red Sonja,  
I depicted the Hero's/Heroine's Journey. 

At key moments in any Soul Quest, 
the initiate, is faced with a series 
of choices, to help them evolve. 
They must to tap into wisdom 
and courage to face their FEAR, 
 and understand consequences.

Healthy choice-making, involves 
intentional acts of loving kindness, 
compassion and service to others.
Each day, we stand at the nexus
of the Symbolic Cross, of Jesus,
centered in Past, Present, Future. 

The more conscious our choice- 
making from Spiritual Mythos, we 
create our own Heaven or Hell. 
At these holy crossroads, we reap 
the fruits of our labor; negative or 
positive, karma always returns.

While we occupy a Physical Body, 
we cannot out-run or escape our 
personal and collective Shadow.
We can however, transform and 
channel the passion of our desire 
 into Resilient, Creative Expression.

One of my favorite movies 
dealing with this subject matter 
is  "The Tango Lesson", a story 
of dancers who must learn to
sublimate and channel sensual 
passion into creative expression.
(See Link Below) 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Intense Passion when channeled
into disciplined Creative Expression,
shines the Light of Gifts and Talents,
regardless of opinions of others.
Struggling with the Inner-Beast, 
challenges the Self to dance with 
addictions, obsessions, compulsions.

Dancing in the flames of Desire,
I embody the Spark, of Creation 
without fear of getting burned.
My inner-Snake Woman bites into 
her sacred tail / tale of wisdom 
 for Healing, with this Medicine.

Emerging from Healing Crisis, 
I feel cleansed, purged of all
distorted views of myself, my 
relationships and World."

m/s.sage  

Monday, 7-4-10

( Excerpt from Soul Questar Workbook )

Twitter: InnerPeaceSage
FB: Sandy Shaw-Kovacs, MA, CHT 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoSfhKLgmho&NR=1

the tango lesson

www.youtube.com

The Tango Lesson

YO YO MA - Libertango from The Tango lesson

www.youtube.com

Daniel and The Lion / The 10th Tango Lesson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoPaEOkkFHY&NR=1