SHINING LOTUS™ METAPHYSICAL BOOKSTORE NEWSLETTER
The Original Metaphysical Bookstore, since 1972
JANUARY 2015
2178 South Colorado Blvd, Denver Colorado 80222
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in this issue
WHERE ARE YOU GOING…AND HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GET THERE… by Mario C. Veo
GNOSTIC BELIEF AND RITUAL IN THE BIBLE by Bruce Johnson
MO’S KEEP IT SIMPLE SERIES: THOTH-THE ALEISTER CROWLEY TAROT with Mo Abdelbaki
PLANETS AND POSSIBILITIES: A LOOK AT THE ASTROLOGY OF JANUARY by Sally Shotwell
MOON MESSAGES by Marci McCaffery
AN EVENING OF PSYCHIC ENTERTAINMENT & MAGICAL WONDERS with Erica Sodos
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WHERE ARE YOU GOING…AND HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GET THERE…
by Mario C. Veo
When I first started on my Journey, I was a very enthusiastic Seeker – more accurately I was a ‘Workshop Junkie’. I couldn’t wait for the local New Age Newsletter to arrive so that I could hold my pen – poised with quivering anticipation – and select the classes I so hopefully thought would lead me to ‘Enlightenment’ (or at least to Ascension)… ah, the good old days of innocent desire.
So, now that I am older (and not necessarily ‘wiser’) I have learned to pace myself and , while I may not fully agree with the facile adage (“You seek for the Truth to the Ends of the World, only to find yourself there“), still I have uncovered a few, small morsels of ‘Truth’… so, here goes:
- You cannot ‘find’ yourself until you Know who you are
- Stop looking for answers outside of yourself…you are the Key to Happiness
- Only by knowing who you are can you choose what works for you
- Once you are firmly centered in you Beauty/Gifts/Radiance… only then are you Empowered
- Only when you are Empowered can you Attract/Manifest whatever you desire… effortlessly
- and another thing (this one IS important, so pay attention) –
If you are struggling with something – be it pain, sorrow, woundedness, lack – and you try to ‘Manifest’ whatever you so deeply yearn for… then the only thing you can attract is more of the same!
(sorry, the Law: As Within, so Without does not lie)
So, are we doomed to forever walk this Earth like some Ancient Mariner with an Albatross around our neck? (for those of you without a classical English education, this is a reference to quite an ominous piece of poetry about the Karma generated by some misguided Innocent who did not know better) Sorry, I deviate… to get back to our little talk…
No, we are not quite so ‘powerless’… yes, we can Manifest, quite effectively actually… but only if you know ‘the Rules'(which, of course – as so often happens – ‘They’ do not want to share with you. “hey, you are not part of ‘The Secret Circle‘… nor do you know ‘The Secret Handshake’…“, ehm, as I was saying…)
Well, if you know anything about me, then you know I am not too fond of stupid Rules… in fact, I take quite a pleasure in breaking them (I am nothing if not constant). In fact, I find it quite titillating to teach these so called ‘Secrets’ to those who are now ready. As this IS the New Year, we are dedicating this month to exploring the ‘Truth’ about Manifestation… Self-Empowerment… Happiness and Prosperity. Heck, there is sooo much Beauty and Joy out there, why should you be without? Join us… if you dare…
TUESDAY CLASSES IN JANUARY
LOVE YOURSELF AND ALL WILL LOVE YOU TOO… OR ‘HOW TO ATTRACT ALL YOU DESIRE’
Tue, Jan 6, 2015 – 6:30 to 8 pm – $20.
BLESSING FROM SPIRIT…HAPPINESS & PROSPERITY UNLIMITED!
Tue, Jan 13, 2015 – 6:30 to 8 pm – $20.
NEW BEGINNINGS… NEW YOU… NEW LIFE… IF YOU DARE!
Tue, Jan 20, 2015 – 6:30 to 8 pm – $20.
AWAKENING THE CHAKRAS…& THE POWER OF THE ELEMENTS OF CREATION
Tue, Jan 27, 2015 – 6:30 to 8 pm – $20.
Mario C. Veo was born in Italy and grew up in Africa. From an early age his love for Spirituality and Metaphysics led him to explore a wide range of disciplines. He has studied with Sufis, Shamans and Spiritual Masters from around the world. Mario is a senior T’ai Chi and Chi Gong instructor, a Spiritual Counselor, Shaman and Healer, and teaches classes and individuals on Personal Transformation, Empowerment, Manifestation and Spiritual Alignments. He is available for personal guidance and consultations.
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BUSINESS ASTROLOGY or “How to Thrive in Business, Not just Survive in these Modern Times
with Marci McCaffery
Monday, January 19, 2015. 7 – 9 pm. $20.
Are you just starting a business or struggling with your current one?
Are you an entrepreneur, a business woman, or a professional struggling to stay afloat in these auspicious times?
Would it be of value for you to evaluate your compatibility of a prospective business partner?
Astrology can make the critical difference between a business that starts off with momentum and one that limps along.
• Discover the best times to begin a business for optimum success.
• Learn how to thrive not just survive in your current business.
• Learn how to maximize your business success and minimize your challenges.
• Discover how to use the planets, the houses, the retrogrades, the lunar cycles and the elements as a part of your successful business strategy.
Call to reserve your space: 303 758-9113
Marcia McCaffery is an NCGR certified astrological advisor, a spiritual advisor, and an accredited business/ life direction coach with a private practice in the Denver area. She has had lifelong involvement with meditation and the healing arts. She is a featured astrological consultant at Shining Lotus™ Metaphysical Bookstore. Contact Marci at stardirection@comcast.net.
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GNOSTIC BELIEF AND RITUAL IN THE BIBLE
by Bruce Johnson
Jesus studied in the ancient mystery schools of the Essenes, who like the Nazarenes and Orphites, were one of the many sects of the Gnostics that flourished around the Middle East up to the fourth century A.D. Gnostic philosophy, ceremony, and symbolism in its various forms can be readily seen in the life of Jesus and throughout the Bible.
Early Christianity, who after relentlessly persecuting and killing Gnostics as heretics and burning their books, ultimately adopted many aspects of Gnosticism as its own. Gnostic doctrine included-God as a Trinity, the eternal dual forces of light and darkness, six periods of creation, hierarchies of good and evil angels, spiritual and physical rebirth of the soul, and the ultimate ascension of mortals into the Kingdom of the Father.
Some of the well known Gnostic symbols borrowed by the Christian Church are-The Good Shepherd and his sheep, The Lamb of God, the Woman clothed in the Sun, astrological amulets and gemstones, the Seven Sounds or Trumpets, the Star of Initiation, pillars in the Temple of God, the Tree of Life, the Four Living Creatures, and the Serpent or Dragon of Chaos, among others.
Gnostic traditions, rituals, and sacraments that Jesus participated in during his ministry on Earth encompass-the bread and wine ceremony, baptism by fire and water, anointing with oils, teaching the uninitiated in parables, private prayer, loving one’s enemies, fasting, women as well as men initiated into the mysteries, healing the sick, and casting out evil spirits.
Gnostic wisdom that was considered heretical and blindly rejected by the compilers of the Bible included the teachings- Jehovah was not the ultimate God, but only a lesser subordinate who created the material worlds, humanity attained God through effort and spiritual initiation, and not through the sacrifice of a divine individual, spiritual and physical spheres of being were created through Emanation of an unfathomable non-physical, non-personal God, the Laws of Reincarnation and Evolution, astrology, karmic responsibility versus a mythical Original Sin/ Salvation doctrine, and the philosophy that all claimed appearances of God in the Bible were only messengers reflecting various levels of spiritual advancement, and not God, who they knew to be infinite and invisible, and had never been seen by any man or woman.
C. W. King’s book-The Gnostics and Their Remains(currently out of print), is a classic work on Gnosticism, whose modern advocates include Carl Jung and G. I. Gurdjieff. Facsimile copies and e-reader copies are available on the internet.
Bruce Johnson has over 30 years of study in the fields of Ancient Wisdom and occultism. He has taught classes on a wide range of topics, from Atlantis to mediums to Zoroaster. He is also a spiritualist minister, with a background in spiritual astrology. He lives in Colorado with his wife and their cat.
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MO’S KEEP IT SIMPLE SERIES: THOTH – THE ALEISTER CROWLEY TAROT with Mo Abdelbaki
Mo Abdelbaki
Saturday, January 17, 2015. 1 – 5 pm. $40.
Join Mo for a fantastic 4-hour class centering on the magical messages and clear insight found in the Thoth deck. Learn the back story of one of the most popular tarot decks in history. Learn how to read the intricate images created by Lady Frieda Harris according to instructions from Aleister Crowley. Call 303-758-9113 to register.
~~from Wikipedia.
The Thoth Tarot was originally painted by Lady Frieda Harris according to detailed instructions for Aleister Crowley. Crowley referred to this deck as The Book Of Thoth, and also wrote a book of that title intended for use with the deck. Crowley originally intended the Thoth deck to be a six-month project aimed at updating the traditional pictorial symbolism of the tarot. However, the project was to span five years, between 1938 and 1943, as its scope grew ever wider. The illustrations of the Thoth deck are rich in symbolism, based upon Crowley’s stated desire to incorporate symbols from many disparate disciplines, including science and philosophy, as well as to draw on his extensive knowledge of various occult system.
Crowley and Harris were meticulous in their work, and Harris painted some of the cards as many as eight times.The current edition of the U.S. Games Systems deck contains two prototypes of The Magus card as painted by Lady Harris, each making use of markedly different style and symbols. These were never intended to be a part of the deck proper but were completed by Lady Harris but rejected by Crowley. They are included as a bonus treat for aficionados of the deck. Neither Harris nor Crowley lived to see the deck published. The first full publication was by Ordo Templi Orientis in 1969, although this initial printing was seen by many to be of inferior quality, and in 1977 Harris’ paintings were rephotographed for a second edition. A further update with new photography took place in 1986, while the current edition is based on a revision of this update which was first printed in 1996.
Mo Abdelbaki – Some consider him a local celebrity – reclusive and yet prolific. Of Egyptian heritage, Mo has been a student of the mysteries for over fifty years and has been a professional consultant for over thirty. His intensive studies have encompassed Vedic Astrology, Tarot, I Ching, Hermetic Qabalism, Runes and numerous other spiritual systems.
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PLANETS AND POSSIBILITIES: A Look at the Astrology of January
by Sally Shotwell
In welcoming 2015 into our lives we’re bringing valuable knowledge and experiences last year made available to us. 2014 carried with it the continuous influence of Pluto(God of the Underworld) in achievement-oriented Capricorn clashing with revolutionary Uranus in aggressive Aries, each wanting to dominate enormous personal and global changes. While we kept our bearings in the midst of fluctuating circumstances, we gained expertise in remaining flexible and grounded. This will serve us well as we relinquish emotionally-charged expectations which are no longer feasible and allow our lives to expand.
This ability to cope will be useful January 3 as the Sun(our consciousness) and Pluto in foundation-oriented Capricorn face a tense situation with unpredictable Uranus. Capricorn values tradition yet is wise and understands how to take advantage of the new through the study of the ebb and flow of cycles. This approach allows us all to embrace a healthy perspective of what’s transpiring. Granted, this all takes time but we have help along the way.
The Full Moon(culmination) in sensitive, watery Cancer opposite the Sun in Capricorn January 4 reminds us to celebrate the earthly opportunities offered us. The Sabian Symbol states: “In a sumptuous dining hall, guests relax after partaking of a huge banquet; the need that exists at an early stage of human growth to materialize the concept of fulfillment.” Devising ways to nurture our need for fulfillment doesn’t necessarily require elaborate preparations but, rather, the awareness of what brings us pleasure. Positive feelings foster resilience which fuels all levels of our functioning and will give ‘ummph’ to Mercury(communication) entering humanitarian Aquarius also on January 4.
Where do we seek pleasure?
What aspects of our lives do we most enjoy?
Mars is the planet of action and it enters water sign Pisces January 12. Pisces is associated with the dreamy ability to reach beyond the rational mind for inspiration. It is quickly challenged by boundary setting Saturn in fiery, optimistic Sagittarius suggesting that discipline may combine with our creative thoughts incorporating a sense of realism to them.
What dreams have we been harboring at the edge of our consciousness?
The January 20 New Moon(beginnings) accompanying the Sun into brainy Aquarius should support our ongoing pursuit of meaning in our lives. The Symbol “An old adobe mission in California“; the power inherent in all great human works to endure beyond the workers’ life spans points to our efforts to identify where our vision and noble ideals lie. We have time on our side as mental Mercury begins a backward journey January 21(until Feb 12) insisting we pause for thought and patiently review plans, contracts and commitments.
This extends to relationships as well since January 27 affectionate Venus enters idealistic Pisces. This can possible encourage us to see others through rose-colored glasses. Mercury and the Sun join forces on the 30th to come to the rescue with the message to act with restraint relating in both personal and group endeavors. Self-sacrifice backfires and Aquarius encourages us to garner our resources to promote the Brotherhood of Man.
Until next month, Blessings!
Sally Shotwell is a life-long student of esoteric spirituality with a super-natural curiosity and an undying thirst for knowledge. Her focus on studies in Astrology have spanned decades, and have included studying with Mario C. Veo, John Joseph, Mark Husson and C. A. Brooks.
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THE HUMAN SPIRIT
by Drusant
The human spirit has fought eternally for the right to express itself openly and freely without fear of oppression or reprisal. I now fear again for our tomorrows, for our near future of regimented control and of this new and expanded science that can influence with programmed technology the direction of our thoughts and the formation of our beliefs.
The liberation of our soul is the life-long struggle of our being; it’s the natural instinct inherited from our source. It’s what every life form yearns for as it grows through dirt toward the sun, toward the light.
I believe light is the natural and all pervasive condition in the cosmos, whether the light is emitted from our own sun or from the great central sun. Darkness is only a veil that blocks the light. Darkness is the shadow of light whether expressed in metaphor in describing thought or in physical reality.
Mystics of the ancient past all speak of growing toward the light, of becoming less confused about what is—to see reality more clearly without bias or false belief. It is our inborn right and destiny to eventually seek more light, more clarity and more truth.
We evolve our individual spirit through many centuries of expression and experience. Wisdom seems to sprout slowly through these many eons of time but wisdom brings with it the respect and reverence for the life process.
As the depth of wisdom grows, so too do our perception of the greater shades of color grow. Wisdom shows the vast differences and similarities of one object compared to another. As our wisdom grows, so too do our fascination, imagination, ethics and integrity grow. These many qualities of the human soul are the natural by-product of wisdom, understanding and maturity.
As I look at the human experience today, I feel a foreboding as if this veil of darkness may be intentionally spread over the heads of our world population by unseen hands. I must first ask the question, “Is the author of this supposed veil still the product of a divine awareness such that as the veil becomes more heavy, more obvious, then will the human spirit fight back with greater vigor against darkness?”
Or, as seems more the case, is the human spirit being romanced into yet a deeper state of slumber? Sages of the past have left many carvings in stone so that the future may be reminded of this path toward the eternal quest of enlightenment and awakening from our slumber.
There are many reminders that life does have purpose and that it really does have value. We are not just tiny drops in this soup of creation. We are indeed capable of understanding creation and of being an active participant in that creation process rather than merely the insignificant and forgotten by-product of creation.
The natural objective and purpose of our life is to gain joy, to gain pleasure and caring for all life forms. We have the capacity to ask the questions: “Do those stars out there have awareness; do they know that I am asking these questions? Is there an unseen link between them and me? Where does this feeling inside me come from when I look out at them?” We may never know the answers to these multiple and varied questions but what is so magical is that we can at least ask the questions.
Our thrust of curiosity will always carry us to newer questions and newer horizons. May those many questions always burn inside our chests; may we forever look to the stones and trees and stars and ponder the magnificent mysteries; may we forever find the source of joy buried deep within our being and may the fountain of inspiration bubble from the beat of our pulse, from our heart. May we forever make those choices between sadness and happiness; may we forever be free to choose the path of our desire. May we forever ask the questions, “Can the stars hear my thoughts and do they smile when I tell them how beautiful they are?”
We are all explorers. We are all sailors of the sea riding on these waters of deep mystery. May the winds be forever at our backs and may we find peace from turbulence and may we sail through these confusing waters toward grater clarity and solid understanding. May we come to enjoy our differences with honor and respect and may we value the path that brought us to this point of appreciation.
Drusant is the pen name of a long-time, faithful customer of the Shining Lotus™ Metaphysical Bookstore. A unendingly inquisitive mind that never stops asking ‘why?’ or ‘how?’, he continues to quest for esoteric, spiritual and paranormal answers in the Denver area. We are extremely grateful to him for allowing us to publish his creative writings in our newsletter and on our website. Go to www.shininglotus.com and find the search field, type “drusant” and enjoy some of his other articles.
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MOON MESSAGES
by Marci McCaffery
The season of light is upon us, even though the darkest day of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere), is almost here. The Winter Solstice and the New Moon are among two of five celestial events taking place. The Winter Solstice, which falls around the 21st of every December, is the Sun’s final turning point. It represents the shortest day of the year and the celebration of the return to light. The energy is PERFECT for setting our intentions and letting our light shine brighter than ever in 2015.
The New Moon falls just after the Solstice, at 0 degrees Capricorn, the most ambitious sign of the zodiac. It’s time to toughen up and create new beginings for personal and professional growth.
A supercharged cosmic force results, when unpredictable Uranus in fiery Aries, collides with cerebral Mercury and relationship oriented Venus, as it forms a conjunction with Pluto. This intense impact pushes us past the limits of ordinary logic, making the end of 2014 seem more like a new beginning. The next 4 weeks will profoundly affect the months ahead!
Expansive Jupiter’s retrograde shift, on December 8th limits our external expression of confidence and enthusiasm, as we search to find creative inspiration from within.
On December 24th, Saturn, the planet of karma and responsibility, enters a new cycle in Sagittarius for the next 2 ½ years. Taking personal responsibility for our beliefs and our actions is crutial. We can no longer be remain indifferent, during a time requiring discipline and commitment to achieve a goal of a higher vision.
Marcia McCaffery is an NCGR certified astrological advisor, a spiritual advisor, and an accredited business/ life direction coach with a private practice in the Denver area. She has had lifelong involvement with meditation and the healing arts. She is a featured astrological consultant at Shining Lotus™ Metaphysical Bookstore. Contact Marci at stardirection@comcast.net.
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AN EVENING OF PSYCHIC ENTERTAINMENT & MAGICAL WONDERS
with Erica Sodos
Monday, January 12, 2015. 7 – 9 pm. $20.
When it comes to psychic phenomenon you may have studied it all… Predictions, clairvoyance, telepathy and psychokinesis, but have you ever experienced these powers firsthand? Magical, witty and overflowing with charm, Erica Sodos will demonstrate her powers of intuition and extra sensory perception and will leave her audience thoroughly entertained and inspired. In addition to teaching about the history of psychic phenomenon and the secrets of access, Erica will also have the audience performing incredible feats of telepathy and empathy, believing in real magic and their own power. The highlight of the evening will be Erica’s psychic Q & A where she gazes into her crystal ball, psychically reads questions from various audience members and provides insightful answers. This evening will be part performance, part psychic readings and 100 percent fun and entertaining.
For the past year Erica has been performing her own monthly psychic show at the Mercury Café. She is excited to be presenting for the first time at the Metaphysical bookstore. Erica is a magician, psychic entertainer and motivational speaker. She has been inspiring people with her personal brand of ‘spiritainment’ for decades, be it at corporate functions, psychic fairs or private parties. She gives insightful private reading incorporating palmistry, tarot and a little bit of magic. Erica Sodos is known for her energetic stage presence, her telepathic abilities and her inspiring messages. Call 303-758-9113 to register.