THE BADGER Winter 2023 - Spring 2024 Year 9 Volume 2

THE BADGER

The Badger is a fierce animal, very much respected and honored both in Northern American Native traditions and in European Celtic ones.

A badger will not let go and will continue tenaciously to look for another way to tackle his/her goal, just like a good healer will not let go his/her search until the best solution is found for the person in need. Badgers have their homes underground, so that they can go to the roots of things, the good healer does the same and keeps looking until she/he can find the most profound reason for a dis-ease or a psychological issue.

We use the term healer in the very broad sense of somebody who takes care of a another person, be it a MD, a nurse, a psychotherapist, a physiotherapist, a masseuse, a spiritual healer. Whenever there is a person in need and somebody who takes care of her/him, that is a healer.

Sometimes the need is subtler and more profound than a simple medical intervention, the human touch is needed and it really is the Panacea that cures all diseases.

We believe all artistic expressions in their beauty, science for everyday life, spirituality, philosophy, food and the healing arts are beneficial to restoring that balance, health and sense of worth that each and every human being deserves.

We offer you THE BADGER, the persistent healer, all the articles come from experts in different fields, each person has his/her own idea of what a balanced life is, they are here to pass on information, give inspiration, receive your comments, suggestions, contributions.

Each human being holds in his/her hands at least one of the keys, let's continue our quest!

THE BADGER

YEAR 9 VOLUME 2

Dear Readers, Despite the technical issues, however late, here we are celebrating the winter season and its many gifts, as well as opening up to the promises of spring!

I wish us all a year of newfound Humanity amid the noises of war around the world, let’s keep high the light of Spirit, so that we can all evolve and transmute into our best versions.

May this wish spread around the globe and beyond, attracting the pure vibration of universal love and compassion.

In this volume you will find frequent mentions of the drum and drumming as a sacred activity, this is also an invitation to learn from our personal inner drum: our heartbeat, listening to its rhythm will lead us towards other people, however different from us.

Have a serene 2024 for yourself and all your relations.

Antonella Vicini THE BADGER Director Lay out Antonella Vicini Cover Photo Antonella Vicini

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CONTENTS A Blessing

F.Rico

Dancing the Dance

G. Rael

Lampedusa and Beyond

A. Vicini

Poetry

Pohaikalani

Voices from the Stars

L.Bottagisio

Amor Azul

A. Brizzi

Reborn with Memories

C. Murgan

CONTENTS On Drum

A. Vicini

The Muses Beckon

J. Peters

Chakras

C. Corte

The Authors

short bios and photos

Thanks

and links to previous volumes

Adverts

products and services we believe in

A BLESSING FOR 2024 Francis Rico We’re spiralling in an immense vortex of radiance – of light – of stars – of time and space – of life and death here on our little planet.

We all know it. We’re at a cosmic moment of transition – a transition that can be felt in our bones, in our joy, in our grief, in our Spirit, and in every aspect of our relationships with each other - and with the way our world has been organized.

As we turn from Winter towards Spring, the fresh winds of change stir and bless all of Creation – including us!

What we’re arriving at is an expansive new relationship with our star - our sun – a relationship that has traditionally been expressed in our Northern Hemisphere as a time of darkness – with short days, and with long nights – all that.

But now, we recognize that we are one world – that at the December Solstice the longest night is simultaneously the shortest night. And the shortest day is the longest day! We recognize that while we live in a locality, we are connected and touched by everyone and everything that is happening anywhere in the world.

In our Winter, the “Light” hasn’t gone anywhere! And rather than pretend praying for the return of the Light, the gift of this moment is that we recognize that now, it’s US - we ARE the Light.

What IS possible and would be exceedingly helpful to ourselves and to all we share life with, is for us to allow ourselves to experience a new relationship with Light – with the profound vibrational harmony between light and dark.

In “Being & Vibration – Entering the New World” ** Grandfather Joseph Rael – Beautiful Painted Arrow – is clear that our personal sense of the dark “shadow” self – and of darkness as a force of evil – is an illusion created by low awareness.

When the “sunlight” of the sun of our awareness is low on our horizon, our shadow is projected far - wherever we look. But when our awareness is high, like in the mid-day sun, we still have a shadow, but it is clearly ours, tight within the circle of our being – and it is not projected out onto others. We know that we are responsible for our thoughts and actions – our perceptions are a measure of our awareness.

And - we can clearly see what IS, not what we think, or fear, or hope – but what actually IS. So, this season turning brings us very practical gifts for moving into this coming year – nothing woo-woo, nothing from the realm of endless explanations: YOU are the harmony between light and dark – and light and dark are in love with each other. YOU are the harmony between active and receptive.

YOU are the harmony resolving the illusions of dualism, of “us and them” – of all forms of adversarial and reactive polarization.

YOU are the Harmony of the real relationship of all that is, of our voices singing the song of Creation flowering.

With this Season turning, allow yourself the experience of moving into harmony.

You’ll be energetically supporting something that is well within our evolutionary potential: our alignment with the Great Harmony of life - with the great flowing YES that is the life affirming heart within us, and all that is.

You know how to do this! Create a simple living ceremony of celebration – acknowledging life in its many dimensions and directions, and together with family, friends, and community, move into deep listening to the harmony of creation singing within you, singing within life.

If we are going to bring peace on earth into reality and shift our planets’ operating system from ruthless predatory exploitation to loving, caring, respect and compassionate regard for all beings, then, THAT it going to have to start somewhere!

The one bringing Light is obvious, right?

It’s you.

You are essential to life here and now. That bright burning YES within you is a blessing, a gift of radiance to our world.

Bring it on!

With love

Francis Rico Teotihuacan, Mexico

NOTE: *https://millichapbooks.com/shop/p/being-vibration-entering-the-new-world-byjoseph-rael-beautiful-painted-arrow

DANCING THE DANCE Geraldine Rael During the dark times of Covid, I prayed for my loved ones, my friends, I prayed for my Father, Beautiful Painted Arrow, the communities he had created around the world and I prayed for all the people in the world.

In the stillness of the world stopping us in our tracks, I had a lot of time to reflect about my role in my father’s community since it consisted of three women and myself. I was at a loss. How can I grow my own following to build on my father’s legacy?

During this dark, DARK time I prayed, I prayed to the Ancestors, I prayed to God, I prayed with tears running down my face. Out loud I prayed: “How am I going to create a following to keep my father’s teachings, alive, I do not have much community on the ground.” Creator of all that is, I ask you for guidance.”

It was right about 9 months later that I received a message on my Facebook page about one of my father’s teachings that I had reposted. It was from a woman who lived locally and had read one of his books. I invited her out to see my father’s Sound Peace Chamber. I told her of the honor I’d been gifted by my father to keep his work relevant. I spoke of how I struggled in building a larger community. I then showed her his art on the walls gave her another book. She soon shared it with a friend of hers who might be interested in drumming for us.

Her friend was wowed by the chamber itself, the art and especially the drumming and chanting, she definitely felt “at home” with chanting & drumming!

She and her husband owned several coffee shops, including the one she operates near our local College. She also spoke of her experience before coming out to the chamber, she saw an Eagle swoop down towards the window where she stood in her home as she was on the phone to her friend who had been in contact with me. It was then she KNEW it was a sign, she NEEDED to meet me. I immediately liked her, she was a warm and genuine person. This woman is now our Drum chief!

About a month later a third woman, who had recently visited the Chamber, rang me and asked if she could bring a group of likeminded people out, so we arranged the date. After the visit, while she was serving customers in her café’ a young man noticed the book she was reading (it was Sound by BPA), he had read it and loved it, he was then surprised and delighted when he was told that she’d been to meet Joseph’s daughter Geraldine and had visited her Sound Peace chamber the very day before.

He went on to say that some while before, while waiting for their dinner reservation, he and his wife were looking at books in Maria’s Bookshop in Durango. He told her the book jumped off the shelf in front of him! He picked it up and glanced at a few pages. He realized he needed to read this book, so he paid for it.

This young man did not return to her coffee shop until the day before she and the group of 7 were scheduled to come out. She had had no way of reaching him to see if he’d like to come along to see the Sound Peace chamber and meet Joseph Rael’s eldest daughter, he just so happened to stroll into the coffee shop, so he came along too. They came in March 2023. Some knew of my father’s teachings and there were a few that didn’t.

As they filed into the chamber, I spoke to a woman, saying, “You sure do look familiar, I’ve seen you somewhere.” She said: “I am from Swannanoa peace chamber.” To add to the shock of this, before she was invited out, she didn’t even know my name or what my association was.

I introduced myself and gave them a 20-minute presentation about my father and about my role as the eldest daughter. I do my best to see that my father’s teachings, his art, and his books remain relevant and can continue to take you by the hand, leading you to a place of inspiration and higher consciousness.

He wants his visions of the Long Dance, Drum dance & most of all his Sun Moon Dance to thrive into the future to bring healing to the World. I am to do my best to empower Women because, in his words: “This was once a matriarchal society, that needs to return so there will be Peace.”

Picture courtesy of Geraldine Rael (copyright © Joseph Rael) The art piece reads: After the seeds have been Planted, Mother Earth and Father Sun wake them out of their dream time that they may become.

What I want to make known is that my prayers were answered! I believe it is because I took the Sun Moon Dance back to the origin.

The Dance felt so blessed! I was overwhelmed with happiness!

An elder man of my father’s community from Gold Hill came to me asking to dance.

He asked to go in the second night as he didn’t think he could go the entire length of the ceremony. He hadn’t come prepared to dance, Spirit had called him, the songs and the drums had called to him. I sent him in, it was the right thing to do.

It got back to me that some of the dancers were wondering why was this person allowed to come in, so late? I went up to the arbor the next morning and after sunrise service, I called all the dancers to assemble in the arbor. I let them know that this man had started this work with my father. I let them know that without this man and many others early on, without these dedicated persons believing in my father’s work, we would not be standing in this arbor today.

It was with deep respect and much humbleness that I have allowed this man to come into the Dance after it started.

In support of a dancer a Navajo man had come to be on the crew. Before leaving he shared with me that our Sun Moon ceremony was new to him and that he was skeptical at first, but that he saw nothing but beauty and that he will be returning to support next year. I share this story, because it tells me that it is possible for my fellow Native People to embrace my father’s ceremony that was given from Spirit for All the People.

My father had said to me once before: “If you BELIEVE, it is so!” Every Dance that every Chief guides brings something forth.

Blessing to all of you during our winter hibernation and rejuvenation.

Geraldine Rael Edited by Antonella Vicini NOTE: the above article is an excerpt of two pieces written by Geraldine Rael for Seeds of Peace, they appeared in August and December 2023.

LAMPEDUSA and BEYOND Antonella Vicini The quiet waves lap softly and slowly the white sanded shores already heavy with tourists in search of sun and relaxation.

How can we?

So close to us is the open sea, where too many have lost their lives and hopes in the impossible dream of a life beyond the sea: where life is easy, food is plentiful and everything seems available, within reach for everybody.

After long and perilous journeys, after leaving behind the well-known houses, villages, cities, the wild country with its intense colors and wisdom.

Eventually, they reach the sea with its promises, for many it is an unusual and possibly scary sight. This is not the end of their odyssey, but often the beginning of a descent in hell.

Too many children, women and men die in this phase, sold like cattle from one “organization” to another. They are beaten up, abused, raped, tortured, killed; they are powerless and poor, because all their money was spent to buy a “safe journey” to Europe.

The survivors, now tired and desperate, accept the horrible conditions of travel by sea, often locked in the hull of a rickety boat. They throw their hearts beyond the obstacles and start the (hopefully) last leg of their interminable journey.

Mothers and children, children alone, they represent the only hope left for a better life, adult men (even if their ages vary and they grow up much quicker during their travels). They all look towards us Europeans as the answer to their prayers. But we have not yet been able to find good coherent answers to their pleas for help, neither in our own countries nor in theirs. Those lands that are rich beyond belief, yet they are now impoverished by the western world greed and desire for resources and supremacy. Too often the local governments are even harsher and ruthless in exploiting both the land and the people.

I believe that the many immigrants will eventually win our hearts: they are strong, young yet they carry the wisdom of ancient times, they are our roots as the human species. If we want to survive as human beings, we must unite our efforts to protect and care for our planet: starting with a deeper care for each other.

We have gone as far as we could as individuals, now it’s time to return to community, to think, love, grow and prosper together as the human species on earth.

We have created powerful machines that we might lose contact and control over. The prophetic film THE MATRIX comes to mind! This is present and imminent danger, not of losing the war with the machine, but of losing ourselves in the now inane rush towards??????.......

The wars, the abuses, the merciless attitude of whoever sends young people to die senselessly in conflicts that are not for survival, but for supremacy all these aspects make me think more and more that we are divorcing our human nature, we are becoming machine like: we can make money, we can make love, we can make war…… where are our souls in all this?

A vibrant and lively heartbeat emanates and resonates from a huge traditional native drum played by many drummers in a simultaneous, intense, heart breaking, yet joyously resilient beat.

When the image opens up, we can see the scope of the director’s vision: hundreds of native dancers in their colorful outfits circle around the drum, sharing with us immobile spectators the intensity, deep presence and sheer beauty of their rhythmic steps.

Once the camera has risen even further in the sky, the impression is of a living and breathing Mandala, a representation of what is alive, healthy and real in our world: our connection to nature, the one within and the one without.

Martin Scorsese, in his movie Killings of the Flower Moon, has painted an epic masterpiece telling us the story of modern America, not just the story of an obscure tribe in Oklahoma and its neighboring white village.

If I think about it a little longer, I realize Mr. Scorsese has told the story of the western world and the loss of our humanity, drowned in our desire for gold/money/treasures: all the material objects of desire, to the detriment of the nutrients of our souls.

When did we choose food and shelter over our spirit?

When did we start believing they were more important than anything else?

When we believe that material goods are the only goal to obtain, whatever and whoever is in the way becomes an obstacle to be eliminated.

When we think that other people are less important than us, then we can eliminate them without feeling guilty for our actions.

I asked myself: if this movie were a dream, how would I interpret it? Since every aspect of a dream is about the dreamer, I would have to confront the most uncomfortable parts of me. And yet, that final image, that vibrant alive mandala is our hope for the future.

Another great epic comes to mind: both Avatar movies remind us of who we are and who we can really be when we embrace each other, support each other and love also what is different from us, but never straying away from nature and our spirit. Just like the ending in Mr. Scorsese’s film, there seems to be hope for our future as the human species.

I wish us all an enlightened 2024.

Antonella Vicini

POETRY Wai A Kāne He ui, he nīnau E ui aku ana au iā ʻoe Aia i hea ka wai a Kāne?

Aia i kahikina a ka lā Puka i Haʻehaʻe Aia i laila ka wai a Kāne.

E ui aku ana au iā ʻoe Aia i hea ka wai a Kāne?

Aia i Kaulanakala, I ka pae ʻōpua i ke kai, Eia mai ana ma Nīhoa Ma ka mole mai ʻo Lehua Aia i laila ka wai a Kāne.

E ui aku ana au iā ʻoe Aia i hea ka wai a Kāne?

Aia i ke kuahiwi, I ke kualono, I ke awāwa, I ke kahawai, Aia i laila ka wai a Kāne E ui aku ana au iā ʻoe Aia i hea ka wai a Kāne?

Aia i kai, i ka moana, I ke kualau, i ke ānuenue, I ka punohu, i ka uakoko, I ka ʻālewalewa, Aia i laila ka wai a Kāne

E ui aku ana au iā ʻoe Aia i hea ka wai a Kāne?

Aia i luna ka wai a Kāne I ke ao uli, i ke ao ʻeleʻele, I ke ao panopano, i ke ao pōpolohuamea a Kāne lā ē, Aia i laila ka wai a Kane E ui aku ana au iā ʻoe Aia i hea ka wai a Kāne?

Aia i lalo, i ka honua I ka wai hū, i ka kau a Kāne me Kanaloa He waipuna, he wai e inu, He wai e mana, E ola nō, ʻeā!

Rough Interpretation by Pohaikalani A query, a question, I am going to ask you: Where are the waters of Kāne?

It is in the eastern sun, Emerging at Haʻehaʻe, The water of Kāne is there.

I am imploring you; Where are the waters of Kāne?

It is in the west, in the ocean cloudbanks, Arriving in Nīhoa at the base of Lehua; The water of Kāne are there.

I am beseeching you; Where are the waters of Kāne?

It is in the mountains, in the peaks, In the valleys, in the streams; The waters of Kāne are there.

I am petitioning you; Where are the waters of Kāne?

It is in the ocean, in the sea, In sea squalls, in rainbows, In red bows, in low bows, suspended bow; The waters of Kāne are there.

I am entreating you; Where are the waters of Kāne?

In the blue clouds, the black clouds, The shiny clouds, the violet black ones of Kāne, The waters of Kāne are there.

I am soliciting you; Where are the waters of Kāne?

It is below, in the earth, in bubbling springs, In the water stationed by Kane and Kanaloa. It is a bubbling spring, it is water to drink, It is water for mana, it is water for life. Grant life, it is so!

Pohaikalani Photos by Kai Markell

NOTE: I suggest you listen to these renditions of this traditional chant dedicated to Ka Wai Kane https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMoNzMCnp1Q (the first part of the recording) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry9WNmOYR2I&t=94s

VOICES FROM THE STARS MARS THE WARRIOR From Samhain to Beltane

Laura Bottagisio The alteration of the climate produced by the reckless use of geoengineering is profoundly changing natural cycles, undermining the very life of the three kingdoms: plant, animal and human, which are increasingly affected by this deliberate alteration.

What cannot be altered for now is the continuous light/dark play that exists between the Earth and the Sun during the annual cycle, which has its four cornerstones in the two solstices and the two equinoxes, astrologically connected to the four cardinal signs: Aries Cancer Libra and Capricornus, at the beginning of the four seasons.

The four seasonal periods reach their peak in the following 45 days, they establish the connection and resonance between earthly cycles and cosmic cycles, therefore they are very important moments for the evolution of the Planet and its inhabitants.

The reference astrological signs are Scorpio Aquarius Taurus and Leo, on a cosmic level they are reflected in the four royal stars, alpha stars of the four respective constellations: Antares, Fomalhaut, Aldebaran and Regulus. They are the signs of the so-called 'fixed cross', the cross of the incarnation which in the 'life death rebirth' cycle realizes the Divine Project on Earth. It is therefore vitally important for us to introject this becoming to complete the part and role that falls to us in this great Plan.

INITIATION YEAR On November 1st, under the sign of Scorpio, as defined by ancient traditions, the 'Initiatory New Year' begins, the wave of life is internalized and in mid-spring, under the sign of Taurus, it is externalized and takes renewed form.

Just as Nature, under the November, sky closes in on itself and in May presents itself in its bright colors, so we resonate with it.

The 1st of November/1st of May axis divides the two annual periods: the one in which the hours of darkness prevail, and one in which the days become longer and sunlight appears in all its power.

Symbolically it represents the journey of the soul from the darkness of how the immobile raw material, after challenges and touching trials, reappears in all its resplendent luminosity and cosmic quality.

Celtic tradition associates these two holidays with Samhain and Beltaine.

From November 2023 to May 2024, the presence of Mars the Warrior transiting the winter signs will bring about important transformations on this path that can be salvific or 'demonic', depending on what we choose it to be.

Let us try to decode its directives and suggestions as a driving force in the service of the Light.

This planetary passage activates, or stokes, the sequence of signs from Scorpio to Taurus. Sagittarius Capricornus Aquarius Pisces and Aries are hit by this energy of Mars which brings out, right in the presence of the gods, all our human parts linked to the egoic personality and, freeing it, puts it at the service of the High.

The manifestation of only egoic action, which inevitably leads to suffering, has the aim of giving us the opportunity to recognize the state of separation that holds us, to evolve the vision of ourselves and perceive ourselves as incarnated souls, imprisoned in destructive thought-forms which must be replaced with new and more suitable ones for active participation in clear resonance with celestial directives.

Thought forms of courage or anger are both expressions of Martian energy, however emitted from two internal locations of very different frequencies.

The warrior strength of Mars can be used to activate our celestial origin or to annihilate it and 'hand it over' to those who want to subjugate it. The decision, as always, is up to us, since it is only our responsibility to become aware that we are Light.

THE PATH OF MARS from November 23 to May24 At the outbreak of war in the Middle East at the end of October, Mars had just entered Scorpio, one of its preferred locations. The Initiatory New Year was literally clouded and drowned in fear, in pain, in the suffering of atrocities perpetrated against human beings, producing profound terror. The darkness took advantage of the power of Mars in Scorpio to endorse and declare an atrocious fratricidal war.

By changing frequency and elevating ourselves to the power of Light, Mars in Scorpio gives us the strength and opportunity to access the Celestial Entities that we can contact only if appropriately positioned in our inner center, the pulsating soul Heart, in tune with the cosmic breath.

The transition to the Age of Aquarius is very painful for humanity, we can transform ourselves into valiant warriors for this just cause if we make the Supreme Will our own. Our weapons then become Christlike love and non-submission to the degenerate dictates that are daily served to us with the aim of clouding the mind and obscuring the vision of the Whole.

Entering the tunnel from Samhain (Scorpio) and exiting it in Beltaine (Taurus) means retracing the stages that the soul itself experiences from the moment of conception until almost birth, when it finds itself incorporated into a new identity.

We can have a new identity if we allow ourselves to be accompanied and supported by the vital flow that Mars is capable of activating in us during these months.

In this process of 'straightening', Mars-Ares becomes an indomitable force indispensable for overcoming obstacles and impediments that wear down the will to work for the common good and for an equally common rebirth of beauty.

In order to fulfill its precious task of opening a breach in the thick fog of our thoughts and creating the golden bridge that connects the physical heart to the soul Heart, now Mars can only travel this path of darkness, where the most insidious flattery of the ego lives with the majestic preciousness of the virtues not yet recognized, the former to disintegrate them, the latter to glorify them and make them germinate.

Mars in Sagittarius from November 24 2023 to January 4 2024 The resonance between Mars, planet of fire, and Sagittarius, sign of fire, is also evident in their symbolism: the arrow that points and launches towards the center of the universe.

Upon entering Sagittarius, Mars merges with the Sun and, together, they powerfully activate that fiery intent which collects all the examinations of those who yearn to make the divine breath their own and projects them directly into the frequency of light. In that period Mercury is also in Sagittarius and activates our superior mental aspect which can thus reflect the New Ideas and the New Paradigms in the thoughts of the ordinary daily routine (lower mind).

The last days of December are decisive, starting from the winter solstice, when the Sun, Mars and Mercury transit in alignment with the Galactic Center since it is from that place that winds blow (enriched by information particles the Spirilles), these particles are evolutionary for our planet and for the entire solar system. In that period let us open ourselves with our minds and hearts to draw on this fire of love and then manifest it in life.

Mars in Capricornus from January 5th to February 12th The fighting spirit of Mars focuses on new projects aimed at bringing together those men/women of good will who aspire to create a world of light. The Christic light that Capricornus contains in its inner core, it is well defended from attacks by 'hackers', begins to flow and pervade us. Now in which we can focus on ourselves and become active by learning to defend and protect our soul Heart from any flattery or fear that the world of the ego offers us. At the entry of Mars into Capricornus no planet is hosted in the Air signs, confirming the need for personal and individual inner work.

Mars in Aquarius from February 13th to March 22nd Triumphal entry into Aquarius! Mars meets Pluto, which has just entered Aquarius, and lets its powerful transforming energy pass through it. In symbiosis for a few days, the two planets emanate the desire for total rebirth from their ashes, suggesting that nothing can ever be the same as before and that everything old we carry with us becomes an increasingly heavier burden that hinders and stops the journey. Every attachment becomes a memory, beautiful or not, but absolutely a memory. Renewal is the key word of this passage of Mars in Aquarius, a sign that offers us the possibility of opening a permanent channel between the lower mind linked to matter and the higher mind which draws directly from the cosmic dimension. Aquarius is of the Air element and tones our 'muscles of consciousness' to bring us closer to those who vibrate with our frequency. It is time to form a luminous network made of golden weavings that, all united, connect us in the heart.

Mars in Pisces from March 23 to April 30 It is around the Spring Equinox that Mars enters Pisces. The Golden Network takes shape in the invisible etheric world and spreads around in the souls who are ready to collaborate with the Beings of Light.

Mars in Aries from May 1st (Beltain) to June 9th And it is precisely on Beltaine, on May 1st, that Mars enters Aries, a sign in which it is the undisputed lord. We have reached the goal of the first hemicycle that began in November, on a spiral path that leads us to Life, the real one, the one supported by our Solar Angel. Mars in Aries is the tangible and visible proof of our new beginning, cleansed of the toxicities of a mentality that had enslaved itself to the 'puppeteers' and is now free to savor the beauty of being at the service of the Light.

Transforming the heaviness of iron into the brightness of gold is the alchemical process that this transit of Mars requires of us in the next six months. In simpler words it invites us to turn off the pretensions of the Ego and turn on the magnificence of our Higher Self to become true collaborators in the work of transmutation that leads us towards the New World.

Our heart, physical and soul, will thank you.

Happy Transmutation!

Laura Bottagisio

Edited and Translated by Antonella Vicini

SAHMAINE 2023

BELTAINE 2024

AMOR AZUL Aldo Brizzi This article is the result of a long conversation with Aldo Brizzi at his home in Salvadore de Bahia, Brazil, during an afternoon of exchanges and profound insights.

The first idea, that later inspired the new opera by Aldo Brizzi and Gilberto Gil, came to a Brazilian scholar Rogerio Duarte(1) who studied Sanskrit while he was in prison, he translated different texts from Sanskrit into Brazilian. Later on, he asked some musicians to write songs for these earlier translations that were published together with the book.

When he translated the Gitagovinda (2) in the early 2000, he asked Aldo (around 2008) to put it to music. Aldo wrote some music and songs, Graca sung it, the style was a homage to Wagner, since he was influenced by Indian philosophy, but Aldo felt that it was the right choice for the matter at hand. Rogerio Duarte called him to encourage Aldo to compose an opera.

Aldo wanted to keep the metric present in the Sanskrit original using the folk songs of Brazil.

During a tour in Italy, Aldo asked Gilberto Gil to be Jayadeva, the storyteller. After a concert at Aldo’s home: in 2016 Gilberto Gil and Aldo started to work together on this project.

This was a very long process indeed, a long gestation for such a monumental project.

They started the work even without a producer. Gilberto Gil insisted that they had to put the world in front of the fait accompli: so that the completed opera would find its best producers.

After some legal issues, eventually Aldo and Gilberto decided to use a different text as a basis for their opera, starting the composition all over again.

Andre Vallias, a Brazilian poet, started to work with them on the new text for the opera. It took them another 2 years to complete the opera!

Gilberto Gil and Aldo Brizzi

Besides the Gitagovinda text, they used as inspiration also the Megadhuta (3), the famous poem by Kalidasa, that describes the beauty of India from the sky.

The ending and the beginning of the opera contains the Song of Songs (4). The erotic feeling created in the Song of Songs perfectly echoes the languid and sensual atmosphere of the Sanskrit poem.

Going beyond the original texts and the traditions they come from, the authors can explore the world of mysticism the world over.

During the intense ending, when the divine couple retires in bliss, the gopis (her friends) become apsaras (nymphs), so the authors tells us, through the immortal song of songs, the workings of life, how life reproduces itself, perfecting and completing Krsna’s work: the god of physical enjoyment as well as an absolute principle at the center of the universe.

This enormous work of research and translation, as well as composition of original music, was completed in 2019 with the creation of the opera Amor Azul, a 3 hour profound journey into the world of sensual mysticism.

The orchestra and choir are made of 160 people, plus 6 soloists, Gilberto Gil and two Indian Dancers who show pieces inspired by the dance style Bharata Natyam (5).

Aldo and Gilberto’s goal is the creation of a contemporary opera where the deeprooted beating of percussions, connected to the gods of the terreiros, is paired with the majestic sound of traditional opera, and it is also open to the rhythms of the Indian tradition.

The singers, choir and full orchestra in Paris

Listening to Amor Azul is like listening to the soul of the world, where there are no barriers, no boundaries, no separation among cultures, traditions, music and dance, where the words are sung in complete joy as a hymn to life.

Every aspect is linked to the rest of the opera, everything is interconnected and thrives in this environment, I like to think that this is how we could all live, if we allowed it.

So far, the opera has been shown in concert form only in Paris, in 2021, it will be represented in the same format in Brazil, starting next summer-autumn season by the Nucleo Opera de Bahia that has been working on it since its completion.

Aldo Brizzi

Interview collected and written by Antonella Vicini Photos of the Paris concert supplied by Aldo Brizzi

NOTES Aldo Brizzi’s Opera Dos Terreiros will be part of the Olympics of the Arts in Paris 2024. If you are interested in this opera you can read our article in THE BADGER Year 6 Volume 2 (2020).

1. Rogério Duarte Guimarães OMC (Ubaíra, April 10, 1939 – Brasília, April 14, 2016) was a Brazilian designer, illustrator, musician, composer, writer, intellectual, translator and teacher.

Duarte is considered one of the key figures in the development of the Tropicália movement and was best known for his work in graphic design. He worked with many authors of Brazilian popular music, such as Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, João Gilberto and Jorge Ben Jor. 2. The Gita Govinda (Sanskrit: गीतगोिव�म्) is a work composed by the 12th-century Hindu poet, Jayadeva. It describes the relationship between Krishna, Radha and the gopis (female cow herders) of Vrindavan.

The Gita Govinda is divided into twelve chapters, and it describes the love of Krishna for Radha, the milkmaid, his faithlessness and subsequent return to her. The entire poem is a metaphor of the human soul's straying from its true allegiance with the divine, yet returning at length to the God which created it.

3.Meghadūta (Sanskrit: मेघदू त literally Cloud Messenger) is a lyric poem written by Kālidāsa (c.

4th–5th century CE), certainly one of the greatest Sanskrit poets. It describes how a yakṣa (or nature spirit), who had been banished by his master to a remote region for a year, asked a cloud to take a message of love to his wife. The yakṣa accomplishes this by describing the many beautiful sights the cloud will see on its northward course to the city of Alakā, where his wife awaits his return. The poem was well-known in Sanskrit literature and inspired other poems as well as paintings and miniatures.

4. The Song of Songs, also called the Canticle of Canticles or the Song of Solomon, is an erotic poem. It is unique within the Hebrew Bible because it shows no interest in Law or Covenant or the God of Israel, nor does it teach or explore wisdom; instead, it celebrates sexual love, giving "the voices of two lovers, praising each other, yearning for each other”. The two lovers are in harmony, each desiring the other and rejoicing in sexual intimacy. The women of Jerusalem form a chorus to the lovers, functioning as an audience whose participation in the lovers' erotic encounters facilitates the participation of the reader. Though scholars have different opinions about its composition, with estimates ranging from the 10th to 2nd century BCE, linguistic analysis suggest an origin in 3rd century.

5. Bharatanatyam is an Indian classical dance form that originated in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the nine Indian classical dance forms, and expresses Hindu religious themes, spiritual ideas, and abstract concepts. The dance is accompanied by music and a singer. The performance repertoire of Bharatanatyam includes nrita (pure dance), nritya (solo expressive dance) and natya (group dramatic dance).

Ragunath Manet and Swati

REBORN WITH MEMORIES Claudiu Murgan I became aware of myself when I turned three. I didn’t know the concept of age, but my mother made concerted efforts, through persuasive repetition, to make me repeat this magic number that seemed to make her happy when I answered correctly.

I remember bath time and the first reflection in the mirror. White, translucent skin, exposing here and there sinuous lines of dark colour on my legs and hands.

“Mammy, who painted under my skin?” I asked innocently.

She giggled while clenching the sponge filled with water and soap.

“Those are veins through which blood flows. That’s what keeps you moving. Look,” she said, twisting her naked arms up so I could see the crook of her elbow where veins created patterns similar to the ones on my body.

“Who put them there?” I asked.

She gently continued to rub my skin as if an invisible and persistent layer of dirt had to be removed.

“The Creator. We are of divine origin.”

“How do you know?”

She stopped her calligraphy on my skin and fixed me with her turquoise eyes through the blonde hair that had escaped the bun.

I always wondered why mom’s patience during my baths increased tenfold.

She would move the sponge in slow strokes, from under the chin to my belly, then on the side, up and down the arms, then on the back. The legs were last.

She was never in a hurry, as if she was studying me while looking for physical changes that would alarm any mother.

A soothing atmosphere engulfed me every time she initiated the routine. Restless inside, I wanted this weekly activity to end quickly. Wooden animals and heroes sculpted by my father were waiting for me to engage them in games that my mind couldn’t stop creating anew.

But my eagerness subsided, melted, under the spell of a loved one.

I stayed docile under her touch, memorizing the itinerary she was drawing on my body. Somehow, the head didn’t require the same attention. A quick wash and rinse sufficed. I noticed this discrimination of treating different parts of my body when I turned five. By now, the counting was second nature, and my memory was sharper.

“How are we of divine origin, Mammy?”

She never answered this question. We were in the kitchen this time. She was peeling potatoes for a stew while I was drawing the ocean, the whales, and the fishes with colouring pens on pieces of paper my father took as payment for a day’s fish catch.

Mom didn’t stop the flow of her right hand holding the knife as she was expecting me to bring up a subject barely discussed amongst us.

“Previous generations were marked by divinity in a way that will be revealed to you soon. Never skipped a generation, never followed a gender pattern. It is written that the ancestors watch over each newborn, assess his or her strengths, character, and decision making ability, then infuse the body’s energy with a divine stamp.

“We should see such signs in you soon,” Mom said without raising her eyes to check my reaction.

The unrelenting investigation of my body, I thought, and immediately a current coursed through me confirming my assumption. Would Mom show me her marks of divine origin? Or Dad? I didn’t dare ask, afraid of rejection.

“Your father was not the only child, but the youngest of three. One of his sisters has the signs. And I have them too,” Mom added after a longer pause.

My whales were happy in the water, waves smashing against their dorsal fins.

“You will turn six in four months. I’ll stop reading your thoughts.”

“Why?” I asked.

“By our customs, you’ll be considered a matured individual. The appearance of the divine on your skin confers to you total privacy of thought. Memories will surface.”

“Memories?”

“We are reborn with memories. And it is our duty as keepers of wisdom and knowledge to share it within the community.”

“Everything we remember?” I asked, not realizing the weight of the responsibility I would have if chosen.

“Written records are elusive and frail. Water, fire, and mold could devour a whole library if neglect settles in. Our race lost so many valuable teachings, technologies, poems, and hymns when trust was placed in perishable media. The small number of volumes in our possession are kept to remind us of the skills and creativity we have.”

The chicken breast cut in small cubes by her precise moves were dropped into the boiling water in the pot.

“Maybe the scribes pleaded with the Creator to spare their work,” I said while colouring the sun and dotting the sky with flocks of birds, tiny broken lines in a Vshaped arrangement.

“Maybe,” Mom agreed.

“I like my drawings to be different according to whether I am sad or joyful. I choose the colours that match my mood. I think the scribes got tired of copying the same books over and over and requested a favour from the Creator.”

Mom chuckled. Her palms where red from the effort of peeling and cutting and from washing the pots. She sat in front of me at the table, reaching for my hands. I felt her warmth transferring to me like a mucuna vine wrapping around the tree that will become its home.

“I am glad their request was heard and acted upon.” Mom went along with my speculation. “It’s safer that our history is written on our skin and shared by many of us at the same time.”

I nodded, and sadness pushed down on my shoulders as I thought that that soon, ancient rules would prohibit Mom from knowing my needs. *

*

*

“Mom, Mom.” I flew down the stairs, two steps at a time, cheeks burning and heart pumping hard from my excitement.

“Mom, look!”

I knew I’d find her in the kitchen where the family magic happened through her never resting hands. She was the first to enter that space full of enigmatic combinations of ingredients and love, and the last one to leave it after each item used in the cooking process had been washed and put back in its place.

“I got a mark on my right thigh. Look!” I raised the edge of my short pants exposing an embossed, darker, jagged contour. I could feel the soft bump.

“What is it?”

Mom wiped her hands on a worn piece of cloth picked from the countertop and came closer. She squeezed her eyes and touched the sign, moving the finger along the line like trying to extract her own memories.

“This is your first, so I am allowed an interpretation. The next ones are for you to decipher.”

I nodded.

“Danubia is the name of the territory. Millenia ago, our ancestors originated there.

There is no memory beyond that point in time. There is memory of the first settlements, the first domesticated animals, and the creation of rituals.”

“Is this knowledge embedded in the sign?” I asked.

“Yes, it’s all there. You must focus and wait with patience. These stories will be told around the campfire in the summer and at the community gatherings after the harvests are secured and the snow outside tells us that another cycle has ended.”

I sat at the short end of the kitchen table, looking at my mother, but not really seeing her, gazing at an invisible point in the horizon.

“How many signs would I get?”

“None of us knows in advance. I think it depends on how much history each of them contains. Some of us poured these stories out for many years from only one or two signs. The history might go deep; details count; relationships and alliances are worth mentioning. The scale of time is important,” she said.

“Was this story told by others before? How do you know about it?”

She cracked a smile, her eyes in tears.

“I remember having this sign in a previous life, but …”

I waited patiently. “… but I feel yours goes deeper into the daily customs of the Danubians, their personal dramas and celebrations, their wars, and much more.”

She was not done. I kept looking at the horizon.

“Some stories repeat at certain intervals when the Divine thinks that the new generations might forget them or that there are not enough elders to share them.”

Mom walked away to check the pie in the oven, but I could see the smile that moved the corner of her mouth. Maybe she knew that the imprint on my skin was the beginning of a century-old saga that I would tell when in my old age. *

*

*

The shadows lingered on the book, making reading difficult. I was too lazy to crawl towards the remaining sunny spot on the bed.

The volume grew heavy in my hands as if the paper suddenly thickened, trying my strength. Black leather embossed with cursive silvery writing. The Book of Rituals.

I knew all the initiation steps by heart and even anticipated some of the questions I could be asked by the twelve children, ages six to eight, waiting for me outside. I was about to end the preparations for my fourth ceremony, and each time, the curiosity of the little ones would bubble up in similar inquiries.

The physical book represented an anchor in the past, a reminder that knowledge can still be preserved that way in certain circumstances. I pushed myself up off the wooden bed, putting aside the woollen blanket hanging on the edge.

My attention shifted to the bare walls of a charcoal-like colour, generations of candle smoke settling on the wood as a protective layer. The outside light didn’t enter, maintaining the main room in permanent semi-obscurity. This was the cottage of the initiators in which many thousands of us before me mentally prepared for ceremonies. No paintings, insignia, or any distracting objects, just one empowering carving above the entrance: When helping a brother, keep a mind void of expectations and a heart filled with Love.

A motivating message indeed, entrenched in our psyche since childhood.

The coolness of the floorboards sent a shiver through my entire body.

I need some drive, I thought, and pulled by the energy I’d just invoked, my right hand started tracing the contours of the signs on the opposite arm and shoulder, the legs and the chest. The energy was there, arising from the stories, poems, and experiences of the past generations. A soothing vibration reoriented my attention and charged every cell.

I closed my eyes so I could centre myself before standing up. I knew I might get dizzy if I didn’t give the energy enough time to dissipate through my body.

Outside, the children started to get louder in their interaction. I put on a sweater, tidied my hair with my fingers, and shoved a hat on top of it.

Two sips of water from the blue glass bottle reflecting the rays of sun reaching the table soothed my parched throat.

I opened the door of the cabin and stepped outside onto the porch. The chatter froze, and they all looked in my direction. Then, like well-trained cadets, they shuffled to the bench reserved for their age group.

Most of the six-year-olds received their first sign recently. The introverts were always harder to interact with. They needed special attention and some telepathic approach in piquing their interest and gaining their trust.

My bare feet welcomed the softness of the soil. The children were all barefoot as well. Maintaining the energetic umbilical cord to the earth was one of the first lessons we learned in school.

Towering pines defined the clearing, large enough to hold several cottages.

Straight, marked paths spread towards the nearby lake, the meditation patch, the herb garden, and the healing wheel—stones and crystals placed on the ground in a large circle.

The benches formed a U-shape in front of the initiators’ cottage.

I walked towards the children to a spot where the sunlight could still rest on my shoulders.

When the camp was nearly over, it was the time for questions and answers, an unrestrained chat that blurred the line between teacher and pupil. The children knew they were allowed to ask me anything within reason.

“How many signs have you been blessed with?” asked a blond boy, sitting on the bench for the six-year-olds.

I took a step closer, leaned forward and whispered. “George, you know that this question is on the list of forbidden ones. Are you trying to trick me?” Then, with a raised voice, “The number is not important, but the meaning is.”

“But when did they stop appearing for you?” George asked a pertinent question this time.

“Two years ago, when I turned fourteen. Somehow, I knew that the large dragon on my back completes the imprints.”

“A dragon!” Everyone murmured in admiration.

“Is it true that signs might disappear after the whole story is told?” An eightyear-old asked this after the commotion subsided.

“Yes, it’s true. If the story gets exhausted and the community learned from it and has an imprint of those experiences, the mark is gone.”

I walked to the spot from where I could face all three benches.

“Cases when a sign was replaced with a new one are rare. Maybe in extreme situations when messages have to be delivered for the survival of the community.”

They were engaged again as every detail would enhance the acuity of their reading of the signs.

“Would you tell us the story of the dragon?” Several of them pleaded with me at the same time.

I breathed in the fragrant air, infused with the smell of moss, pine, and moist leaves, that was sent by the gentle wind from the east. A baby storm was brewing.

We should be packed and be gone by the time the wet weather reaches this spot, I thought.

“This is a really long story. It stretches over multiple generations …”

“Of dragons?”

“Of dragons and humans,” I said. “This is the third consecutive life in which I’ve been chosen to tell the dragons’ stories.”

“You were reborn with so many memories,” Tania, an eight-year-old girl, tiny like a squirrel, said admiringly.

“Indeed. But I shared with other communities in my previous lives.”

Mouths rounded in awe and bodies leaned forward. There was no escape now. The web of magic they anticipated had to be unravelled with such an impact that the memories would last not only in this lifetime, but, if triggered properly, could be ignited in successive ones as well.

I sat on a stump on the invisible line making the U-shape of benches into a square.

“Dragons are not to be feared, but embraced for their purity, energy, and dedication to the highest purpose.”

None of them tried to interrupt with a bad joke or even a question. Unintentionally, I had them all in my net. I felt like a lucky fisherman.

“They are beautiful creatures, invisible to us when we don’t make the effort to raise our own vibration. These are the skills that we learn in school. Yes, we are the chosen ones, for the signs manifest through us and make us special, but if we apply the techniques deeply, we go to the next higher level.”

I pushed the soles of my feet down on the forest soil. My own energetic umbilical cord felt strong and reassuring.

“Dragons live in the ninth dimension and higher.” I started with the basics. “I mean the really old ones that are thousands of years old.”

I wanted to stand up and walk, propelled by the excitement I always had when talking about this subject, but I stayed put.

“There are gofer dragons as well; not to diminish their qualities and importance.

They whirl between different dimensions with orders, sanctions, and energetic downloads for those who require spiritual attention, a correctional nudge, or a lifechanging lesson.”

“My mom told me that they are bearers of light and carry the divine blueprint,” Tania interjected when I paused to gather my thoughts.

I nodded. A far-distant thunder had everyone’s head raised in its direction.

“Enough about dragons for now. Let’s recap what we’ve learned in the last three days,” I said and looked for my first target.

I picked an eight-year-old with freckles running wild on his cheeks.

“How do you bring out the whole story of a sign?”

The boy leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and without buying any time said, “Feeling its contour is important but the journey starts way before that, internally.”

He stopped, looking for confirmation.

“Continue,” I said.

“Our elders always encourage us to ask for help from our invisible guides. They give us strength and an inner ability to see what our eyes can’t perceive.”

“Very well. We must remember that we are not alone on this wonderful journey,” I said, knowing that they’d heard it many times before.

I drew a line in the soil with my toe, mentally choosing another question.

“What is the physical manifestation that one has been chosen to share his or her stories with another community?”

That was a contentious subject. Even if honourable by the ancient standards, leaving friends and family behind ignited sadness in the selected souls.

I pointed to a seven-year-old girl this time. Brown, short hair, her bright eyes dropped deep in the caverns of the eye sockets.

“The acknowledgement is a process that might take up to four weeks. Owls of different colours will crowd nearby in a spectacle of hoots and cries, setting the place for the hawks and lastly for the ravens. It’s a succession of birds that can’t be mistaken for anything else. Their gurgling croaks turn into harsh grating sounds that drive the family of the chosen one crazy,” she said in a high-pitched voice that contrasted with her gloomy presence.

“Sona is right. Are there any other phenomena that could indicate such selection?”

I asked.

I knew that what I was referring to was much less frequently encountered, but, in my opinion, more powerful.

“A body of water could spring out of the ground near the house,” Sona said, more asking than confirming.

I was delighted, so I pushed for more.

“What’s next after such manifestations are acknowledged?”

“The family must hang a quilt representing some of the signs carried by its members over the years. It’s the gesture of acceptance. Only then do the birds’ visits cease.”

“And the preparation for the trip then starts,” I said. “There is sadness of such loss, but I want you to consistently remind yourself that when spread, these stories will be enjoyed by many who survive on distant land.”

One hand shot up. It was Tania again. I nodded.

“But after our return home, could they distort the stories without us as a permanent check on their accuracy?”

“Tania, sometimes our stories make a full circle by reaching us here. Yes, they are changed by people’s imagination, the desire to please, or even by a pretence of ownership. We don’t mind. Our stories give purpose and create imaginary quilts in those listening to them.”

I moved my foot left and right, levelling the soil to create a new drawing board.

“Imagine those going through multiple lives and not remembering any of them.

How lucky are we?”

The thunder shook the ground again, telling us to pack up and go.

“Meet everyone here when you hear my whistle. Let’s move out before the pouring starts.”

I did not move. Thunder rolls were cracking the slowly darkening sky, closer and closer, prodding the forest for the best place to discharge.

The energy coursed through my feet, reassuring me not to be afraid. I’d be spared as I had not finished telling my stories. *

*

*

“How did it go?”

I was back from the camp. Mother and I were in the kitchen, facing each other over the table’s worn wooden top. I quietly sipped the cold-pressed vegetable juice. Her favourites: kale, celery, and carrots. Now, patties of the leftover fibre, mixed with eggs, salt, pepper, and turmeric, were frying in the pan.

The slightly open window facing the back yard let in a gentle breeze, diluting the dense vapours above the stove.

“Everyone was prepared. They are excited to be the chosen ones, to have a purpose,” I said.

“You were the same,” mother said, her gestures calm when setting a mug down.

I wanted her to read my thoughts again like she did before I turned six. I craved the intimacy of the effortless and silent communication that had put me at ease internally. But all that was not possible anymore. I was an adult myself, teaching others about life’s phases of storytelling.

“The times are changing, Mom,” I said, not totally sure that it was me expressing this thought. “These children want more than just hearing and retelling a story of an ancient past. I’ve accepted that I am just a bearer of the divine message, a message that doesn’t belong to me as soon as I release it into the world. But ...”

“Non-attachment is embedded into our DNA,” Mom interjected as if trying to end the emotional struggle I was facing.

“Maybe their DNA is changing.” Saying it out loud scared me. The daring words cut through millennia of customs, somehow diminishing the sacrifice of previous generations.

Mom picked up the mug and tilted it a bit, pretending, avoiding my gaze. Over time, I had learned the gestures she used when she was out of words.

“They feel responsible for the accuracy of the stories long after it ceases being their duty to maintain it. They are willing to accept slight alterations, but not distortions.”

“What are you saying?” Mom asked.

“These might be the generations that will never come back to us. Our numbers will dwindle, our own existence …”

I just couldn’t finish the damning sentence. Mom’s hands grabbed the edge of the table till the knuckles went white.

“What happens when they reach maturity?”

I had considered that scenario myself on the way back from the camp after reflecting on the children’s perception of their deeper obligation.

“Some might come back to give birth here, some will not. The strong-willed will not marry outside the community, keeping the customs intact even if travelling to faraway lands. For others, love will be stronger than the blood calling.”

My heart sank, heavy with the perspective of doom.

“How is this DNA mutation good for our people?” Mom said, staring at the empty mug.

“I don’t know, Mom. Maybe the Divine has a plan we need to follow. Maybe this is the price we must pay for who we are. I will keep the faith and carry on with my stories.”

Sharing the stories of Danubia and of the dragons was my life’s purpose. I will marry soon and have children who, once gone into the world, might forget the path back to the spiritual hive. I can only pray that would never happen to our family.

“Selfish or not, I am glad that this genetic mutation, as you call it, didn’t occur until now,” Mom said, a faint smile breaking her straight composure.

I leaned over, covered her hands with mine, and sent her a reassuring thought. “I too am glad, Mom.” THE END

Claudiu Murgau Images created by Antonella Vicini with Midjourney

ON DRUM Antonella Vicini “A flexible piece of wood, a long string, a stretched piece of leather, quite a lot of patience and determination and the first drum was made”.

The unknown inventor/artist/musician who first created this instrument was certainly not aware of its future, ubiquitous success. He/she had managed to recreate some natural sounds of nature, starting from our own heartbeat.

Since the deepest antiquity, the drum has accompanied human history in joy and in pain, in peace and in war, in celebration and in grief.

A simple shape, usually a circle large or small, holds a very long history.

For some people the drum is a feminine tool that becomes masculine only when it is played with drumsticks.

Whatever the form of percussion, shape of the drum, or style of music the drum immediately calls us to attention. It creates an atmosphere: it attracts or repels into its orbit and stories.

It is impossible to resist its call, something ancestral resounds from our depths and sings to us of ancient stories made anew by the drummer in that moment in time.

The first time I was exposed to the power of the drum was in my adolescence.

I was on a school trip to Assisi, the mystical capital of Italy. I was probably 16 or 17 then. We were welcomed by a group of local artists: some were musicians, some flagwavers of medieval tradition, the last ones were drummers playing metal drums. I felt surrounded by their sound, engulfed by the intense vibration reverberating all around me. I felt mesmerized, and transported back in time, exactly to the period they were re-enacting.

The second time I was exposed again to the power of the drum was during an unforgettable feast day in a Pueblo in New Mexico.

During the public dances there were about 50 drummers sitting around a huge wooden and leather drum held still by a wooden stand. The voice of the drum could be heard and felt everywhere in the huge, crowded plaza. The intense rhythm gave the dancers the pace they needed for their movements, so that the heavy ankle bells all sounded in unison with the chanting and beating on the drum.

I felt part of an immense circle of people, both present and in other dimensions all dancing together in gratitude for their lives and their abundant gifts.

The drum is sacred, like an altar, for many native traditions the world over.

The drum, like our heartbeat, accompanies our lives from birth to death.

It can make us dance in joy and ecstasy, reaching (for a moment) our divine essence.

The drum and its mysteries have accompanied me for a very long part of my life.

For this reason, I have chosen to dedicate space to the drum, asking people from different cultures to share their experience of the drum.

The following article from Jeff Peters touches the drum as the sound carpet for our inner journeys.

Antonella Vicini Note: The drum in the photo is a double hide native drum from USA, the drum I am most familiar with.

A.Vicini

THE MUSES BECKON Jeff Peters

Expanding my conscious thought parameters this morning, I visualize what appears to be a snippet, or slice of time, carved out of the immensity of all, within which so much focused attention is consumed. This seems to limit the opportunity for a more inclusive version of potential awaiting audience within my conscience to discover.

The linear time stamp of modern society appears to supersede any attempts at observing the effects beyond such a narrow portal view.

The force, or fire, I sense burning within me currently beckons a more inclusive version than this theoretical time-stamp slice of history we are living through.

Perhaps the current Scorpio (mystery, investigation, intensity, the shaman) zone of the cosmos the Sun is plowing through is stirring versions of the great mystery closer to the surface for examination. Many of the simplistic definitions of what life should, or maybe more specifically could be, are failing to compel compliance to follow along the well-trodden path that often seems bordered by hardened parameters beyond which one is advised not to venture.

As I sit with eyes closed this morning and contemplate options at broadening what is possible, if I were to take a chance and allow a drifting to what is just beyond those seemingly fixed, but actually fluid borders, outside of what actually is. My eyes are closed as I continue to type so as to not be influenced by the visual surroundings as I allow for the drifting to commence even more. I sense there are energies attempting to contact me that our busy life factors often will not allow to be present.

There is opportunity just beyond the perceived physical wherein altered versions of trajectories going forward exist. These are zones of influence where the steady ticktick-tock- of time fade into oblivion and a connective stream of substance awaits to flow more effectively between us as we discover more of the similarities, we all actually have as opposed the differences.

This reminds me of the rhythmic percussion techniques used to entrain one’s consciousness to what the shamanic journey work can utilize. There is not an easy connection to the clock that is in use as you allow for your energy levels to expand into seemingly new territory, to us, but not to the energy of life itself.

Here we can get glimpses of alternative versions of ourselves and opportunities that are just right there awaiting our awareness of them.

The shamanist utilizes a unique version of energy vibration to allow a letting go of the everyday life factors while still in control, to discover options that we might not think of during our regular waking experience. Once the shamanistic state has been achieved it is amazing as to how many available energy beings present themselves to assist in contemplating what might be an appropriate path to follow. The work that proceeds while in these altered realms can take on relevance when one returns to ordinary reality.

One can then implement, in the so-called ordinary state, versions of what was perceived while in the journey mode. If one does not apply what one has learned while consulting with these assistants from the other side of the mirror than we will continue to have to attempt a version of survival within the precepts of what we are currently attempting to live through, and with, in our world.

Perhaps this last paragraph is worth expanding upon.

What is a shaman or the shamanic process?

This is probably the oldest human tradition upon the planet.

From way back into pre-historic times there is evidence from rock and cave art depicting versions of an essence that indicated awareness of factors to the earth journey that seemed to be accompanying us humans as we attempted to discover why we were here. Or, maybe to keep alive our connection to a larger field of being that appeared just outside our daily life dance, some were inspired to present pictorial versions of what they perceived. One of the shamanic tools utilized to intone our energy to the arena that is more than we might generally tune into is accomplished by the use of rhythmic percussion as well as sound methods that can be allowed to seep within and alter our conscience. The trick is to understand that meaningful use of these opportunities is critical by setting intentions as to where one might be headed leading up to jumping on the journey wagon.

While this can spontaneously transpire for some, the guidance of those who have already wandered these realms can initially be useful. I say this because there can be unhealthy distractions along the way. Always know that you are in control and trust whatever happens is meant to.

With practice you will discover regions of unique energy zones that are inhabited by beings you will recognize. They can communicate with you, but you have to learn how to listen. These beings, or assistants, as you will discover, have always existed and have likely been waiting for us to recognize their presence, or maybe to reawaken this awareness.

This is the realm of spirit. The reason for this existence is to help us in our soul growth should we lose sight of this directive we were born with.

This can lead to: what is soul?

One thing to be clear on, to begin with, is that soul is more of a verb than a noun. It is an action zone here on earth that is, or could be, constantly in motion and heading toward the next phase of change in growth. When we incarnate there is a more dynamic version of Soul that sends in a portion or hologram of itself to investigate and explore the processes of, in our case, earth walk as it makes mistakes and accomplishments in the soul growth adventure, and what it means to be human.

Soul is a matrix composed of a variety of levels of awareness. It is this matrix that we came to earth to discover and where and how our version of the soul growth dance we might tune into most effectively is headed. I would never try and portray this earth walk process as overtly easy. There is no end to the potential distractions to steer the human factor astray as it discovers how the soul will function through this myriad of opportunities being incarnate will throw at it. What to do, what to do, what to do? Free will.

How might we appropriately play with that factor? It is always there as an option.

That brings up the observation that there are signposts everywhere along the life path to serve as reminders for the soul journey you are on. One that crops up from time to time might be the symptom of synchronicity where you are drawn into a particular situation and you don’t know how, but paying attention you discover it to be most appropriate for your next step along the soul growth trail. If you are not familiar with the works of Joseph Campbell this would be worth familiarizing yourself with.

And a layer of disillusionment peels away from your vision. Bravo, keep going.

JOURNEYS Perhaps a sample journey from a while ago might inspire us to contemplate how we might be able to utilize this shamanic process: Setting the intention is critical in allowing for spirit to guide one appropriately on any journey. As for the past while, of maybe a year, there have been numerous occasions where muses have danced through my process of living. So, I decided to send out the call for, if possible, face-to-face interaction with this wonderful energy.

As the drumming commenced, I was drawn as usual to my sacred garden space where I was greeted by members of the spirit team. This is always a delightful encounter process and I requested the usual PPS (Power, Protection and Support) for the journey. This is critical and you will be provided with this just by intentionally requesting it. As this was intended by the shamanic focalizer to be an underworld or lower world journey to encounter spirit helper(s) for whatever purposes we sought, I stated I was interested in visiting with the muses.

One can never be sure just where a journey will lead, but heading for the lower world in my garden zone there is a curved descending tunnel path leading from the main chamber of my sacred island’s interior sanctuary that I head off on. I was greeted by the scientists and engineers in their appropriate chamber along the way and then by the mystics and wizards in their zone as I passed through.

Usually, this trek leads to an underground sea basin but along the way an opening in the tunnel wall appeared on my right. In peering in it was as if there was a swirling substantial colorful array of very fluid energies with almost a viscous membrane consistency but effervescent so it just brushed or flowed around me as I entered.

By this point the drum rhythm I was riding seems to infuse the whole of my consciousness as I began to perceive energy beings in the somewhat dim light of my surrounds. As my vision adjusted it was as if various forms from nature were combining in unique fashion that was unlike anything I would have expected. I could see pixy wings mounted on a bush. Tree-like beings spoke, water spirits danced on the surfaces of more than just water. Clouds formed the canopy of the forest and strange but delightful creatures I had never encountered up to this point wandered about. I became aware that the energy of the drum tone was animating the whole scene as shape shifting was just the nature of this place and was combining with my energy as a participant in an undulating dance of creation.

A message skirted within this matrix. It informed some aspect of me that spirits may not be the appropriate term to apply to what was transpiring. As all this is happening, the intensity of the vibrations of the drum ride have expanded awareness to be inclusive of everything. This is the realm the muses are inspiring me/us to explore without limitation. Willingness to allow for this exchange of substance is at the root of all art processes.

I can see that this is the basis of action, the spirit realm is a zone of information that can provide assistance or potential direction to allow your waking world adventure to grow and expand in ways you might not have thought possible. In the journey I recounted above the infusion from the muses, I can use as I fabricate art pieces at home. By the way, the “garden” is not static, change is something to be expected.

Here is how my current garden appears to me when I visit: (It was not the same at the time of the journey I offered above).

The magic available through journey work requires flexibility and plenty of latitude for unfolding to breathe into. While you may not grasp why or what exactly transpires it is advisable to keep a journal handy to take some notes when you come out of the journey so that you can look back upon some things that need reflection.

Even the writing down of things in your journal may be a discovery process as things you may not have noticed while in journey mode come through.

Here is one shorter journey also from many years ago, so you can see that the variety of what transpires is not fixed or static: It is a challenge to describe meeting with divine Mom, but I will try.

My sensing was more of a presence energizing the whole of the atmosphere with calmness and that everything was just fine. Now when the ancient ones showed themselves, they were embodied as my team of wise elders, these from many previous upper world journeys. The explanation was to act as intermediaries for the ancient ones energy. As I was attempting to request entrance into their energy field, I was reminded of something from an earlier shamanic teacher’s consideration.

That is, the way one asks spirit a question as being in one of two frequencies: petition or decree. While neither is better than the other, I gravitate toward the second. It is for this reason that personally requesting to step into a field of energy almost seems to not recognize an already existent resonance with this energy.

While sometimes that may be the case, I might phrase this question along the lines of: “allow for this field of energy I know to be present to amplify the current potential of what we need to accomplish”. As we proceeded through the journey and the drumming intensified the wise elders became quite animated with exuberance.

I was sweating by the time the drum call back came. These journeys can be quite exhilarating.

Jeff Peters

CHAKRAS Evolutionary Wheels 6. AJNA 7. SAHASRARA Chiara Corte In this article we will deal with both Chakras to complete the work offered so far.

Their functions, in my understanding of things, is so closely related as to be difficult to separate.

Traditionally, the seventh chakra is not talked about very much, besides there are no specific physical practices used for it.

My teacher, Master Gabriella Cella, transmitted this knowledge by saying that the seventh chakra opens only in two moments of life: at our birth and at our death.

After so many millennia of yoga practice, I dare say that something has probably changed: perhaps the veil enveloping and identifying us, that veil which opens only twice in life, can be explored a little.

In my personal experience, the seventh chakra is indeed closed, but with practice it can be made at least transparent: "Oh, you sun that are like a lid that covers the ultimate truth" and can only function in accordance with Ajna: the centre of command.

The seventh Chakra, Sahasrara, is the access point of the Spirit, the point of contact of the Soul with our Individual Soul, it is the point where the Creative Spirit of the Universe infuses our personal Prana and thus initiates and maintains the vital process.

Sahasrara Cakra is the access point, Ajna cakra is the point of distribution and management of this vital force throughout the body.

The Universal Plasma enters the individual and gives Individual Prana keeps alive and organizes the living being.

him/her

life.

Yoga is the discipline that allows us to consciously move prana in the body and in the entire energy system, so that the individual can benefit from it as much as possible at all levels: physical, mental, energetic and spiritual.

If Ajna is not active, the entire chakra system is out of balance. When Ajna is not active: universal energy cannot enter, it cannot flow properly in the body.

All the rebalancing work done by the cakras in the body finds its fulfilment in the activation of the sixth chakra. Without the activation of the sixth chakra, the entire system cannot really function.

Awareness activates the sixth chakra; therefore, the individual can open up to awareness particularly through the body and the entire sensory system.

This process is the path that promotes and favours healing as we have explained in these articles.

A perfect healing can be achieved only when Ajna reaches the ability to open upwards, towards Sahasrara and thus allowing himself/herself to be illuminated, nourished and consoled by the sacred presence of the Universal Spirit.

Surrender to the Spirit is considered as healing, so that the entire body-system, the individual, vibrates harmoniously with the rest of creation.

It is thus understandable how, traditionally, this was only possible with the surrender of the body to the earth.

Following the millenary perseverance of the masters who preceded us, today we are perhaps allowed to live a new, healed part of life, a more conscious, enlightened, loving, completely surrendered to the spirit life, yet embodied in this matter.

This is the perfect balance of Purusa and Prakriti: Spirit and Matter the dancers of creation, creative and creator.

The seventh-sixth chakra complex lives in the contemplation of silence and at the same time is aimed at listening to the music of the stars, to the original, primordial vibration: to the OM. When Ajna is turned towards Sahasrara it listens to the individual Bija Mantras, when it is turned towards the body can correct and self-correct through the appropriate asanas and the necessary awareness, if there is dissonance.

In my imagination Ajna is like an orchestra conductor, pervaded by music and able to harmonize his/her immense and varied orchestra. This is how I understand the function of Ajna, the command center and this is how I understand the conjunction between the seventh and sixth chakras.

If Ajna works without opening to Sahasrara, she is like a technically very prepared orchestra conductor, but only when she is in connection with Sahasrara is she truly inspired and releases true creative magic: it generates healing.

Healing means alignment with Universal Energy, when the Individual Prana finds itself aligned with Universal Prana which is of the same nature.

On a physical level, working on Ajna means working on the nervous system.

1) Kala asana, time is the most suitable position to calm and rebalance the central and peripheral nervous system and prepares the body for silence.

Starting from Tadasana, I push the weight of the whole body on one side maintaining a single line from the foot to the shoulder, the opposite foot pushes and only the heel lifts, the inhale accompanies the outward movement. The exhale brings the body back to the center. A new inhale moves the body to the other side. A new inhale leads to repeating the gesture following a pendulum movement calibrated to the personal breathing rhythm. Slowing down the movement gradually keeps the breathing connected to the movement which tends to return to immobility, only the echo of this movement remains in the mind and the breathing is quieter.

On an energetic level, working on Ajna means working on the realignment of all the chakras through the chanting of the Bija Mantras, in order from the first to the sixth: LAM, VAM, RAM, YAM, HAM, OM.

2) Sacred Mountain Position, Parvatasana sitting cross-legged in a correct and comfortable position that can be held for a long time, I bring my hands in Namaskara Mudra, inhale and raise my hands up above my head, then my arms widen and return to the body and when they pass near the pelvis, the exhale pushes the voice to pronounce the Bija Mantra LAM, on the inhale the hands go back to the sky and on the second turn, slowly passing under the navel the voice and the exhale sing the Bija mantra VAM , and again I inhale and stretch out my arms with palms together and on the third turn, passing near the navel, I pronounce the Bija mantra Ram, then on the fourth turn passing next to the heart I pronounce the Bija Mantra Yam, at the throat HAM at the forehead OM. In the end, I remain quiet, contemplating the silence.

On a subtle level, we use meditation with the support of the image of the infinity symbol between the eyes associated with breathing in order to work with AjnaSahasrara.

3) Sitting in a comfortable position, having harmonized, and cleaned the chakras, we work more directly on the sixth chakra through the complex work of concentration on the dynamic shape of the infinity symbol, an inverted eight, superimposing this image on the eyes. With eyes closed, when inhaling from the central point between the eyebrows, follow the contour of the eyebrow arch from the inside of the skull to the right, around the right eye and exhaling, then descend downwards, inhaling, cross in the direction of the arch left, and having reached the apex of the left orbit, exhale and go down around the left eye. A new inhalation leads us to cross from left to right and the cycle begins again. Infinitely, effortlessly.

Now we can effectively work directly on the sixth chakra by going into 4) The Dolphin position or Arda Shirsasana or preparatory position of the Shirsasana Starting from Vajra asana, I place my fingers crossed, except for the little fingers which remain together, on the ground in front of me, my elbows resting on my knees.

In this confined space, I rest my head against my hands and my forehead resting on the ground at the precise point of my hairline.

Then I push my legs to straighten and point my tailbone upwards, straightening my back. I remain still, calming my breathing and enjoying the internal vision thus reversed.

Reverse your point of view and contemplate.

Evolving also means seeing things from a different perspective and taking an upsidedown position opens the possibility of accessing this other vision.

Ajna can transcend space and look at the world from an acquired new, more transparent vision of Sahasrara and allows us to cross the boundaries of this material dimension.

Finally, I work simultaneously on Sahasrara and Ajna and all the chakras in the position of 5) Shavasana. I lie down completely in a supine position, taking care to place all the vertebrae on the ground, especially carefully stretching the cervical spine. I listen to the breath, I bring my attention to Sahasrara and Muladhara at the same time, I accept the Prana that enters my body at the same time from both ends.

I accept the nourishment of my entire being reconnected to the energies that come from the lower Muladhara and Sahasrara. I contemplate the meeting of such pranic currents in each chakra and observe each of them moving and spreading, radiating Prana in all directions simultaneously.

I contemplate my full potential. I contemplate my realignment.

I can now contemplate my healing.

Chiara Corte Texts and original drawings Edited and Translated by Antonella Vicini NOTE: If someone, having practiced in recent years by following this process, has comments, suggestions to share or questions to ask, he/she can contact me at the following e-mail address reikichiaracorte@gmail.com We are pleased to announce that THE BADGER will publish in 2024 a book by Chiara Corte on The Evolutionary Wheels.

AUTHORS

Antonella Vicini Writer and editor of THE BADGER, author of Talking with Gods, Sages, Fairies.... (a novel published in 2014). Steeped in classical and indological studies, I have spent all my life learning from people as well as from the ancient texts that keep revealing their immortal, thus contemporary teachings. I am happy when I can share new visions and face new challenges. I am a professional rebirther and trainer (since 1987), Reiki master since 1991, stress management and leadership trainer, writer and visionary. I also lead workshops on shamanic journeying and soul healing. I am deeply grateful to all my teachers and elders. Badger Medicine Spirit

Laura Bottagisio www.laurabottagisio.com is an astrologer and seeker. She started studying astrology at the beginnings of the 80's with Lisa Morpurgo, she later worked with the Cosmos Institute of Milan, where she learnt about the theory and practice of Vibrational Waters. She has attended seminars with gerard Athias and Jp Brebion on new medicine and bio analogy. She shares her discoveries in her blog. She also creates tableaux with recycled materials, in this way she creates images out of emotions and inner worlds.

Francis Rico www.shaman.zone.com Musician, feral shaman, and author Francis Rico combines ancient and modern wisdom assisting clients, students and fellow adventurers in awakening to the gift of their lives. His book, A Shaman's Guide To Deep Beauty, shares stories and lessons from a lifetime of dedication to the shamanic pathways and teachers of indigenous wisdom traditions. As a guide to the world's sacred sites, Francis brings insight, humor, and music along on every journey. His home lies in Northern California, where he shares the beauty of the wild coastal mesas, cliffs, and ocean.

Claudiu Murgan started writing Science Fiction when he was 11-years old. Since then he met remarkable writers that helped him improved his own trade. Claudiu's experience in various industries such as IT, renewable energy, real estate and finance, helped him create complex but real characters that brought forward meaningful messages. Claudiu is one of the co-founders of the Immigrant Writers Association in Toronto, and the Vice President of Authorpedia.org, the world's only encyclopedia for authors. You can hear the radio and TV interview Claudiu gave in the last 12 months on his website www.claudiumurgan.com

Chiara Corte is a Reiki Master of Usui Shiki Ryoko system and a Reiki pratictioner since 2005. Yoga teacher of Yoga Ratna school since 2003 and yoga student since 1990. Naturopath of Jean Monnet high school in Bruxells since 2012. In 2006 she published “Yoga and Dance” Editoriale il delfino, Milano. She is the author of several specialized articles in different magazines. Currently she teaches yoga in Italy and in France (since 2001). She also teaches Italian language, literature and History in Italian high school (since 1998). In 1994 she obtained the license for teaching disabled people. She completed her MA in Precolombian American Ethnology in 1991.

Pohaikalani He Inoa Nō

My name chant is Pohaikalani. Poe-high-kah-lah-knee Means: “The gatherer in heaven”.

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I was born on the island of Oʻahu in the district called Kapahulu. I was lucky to look up and be able to see Kaimana Hila (Diamond Head) each day. I am honored to be able to write and share with you a part of Hāwaiʻi you may not know.

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