Luxor Temple at Night

Back from another, my 36th!, group to Egypt. Each of us returned gradually during this week, floating and swirling like leaves back down to earth. The sense of comraderie and caring amongst the group was evident from the first gathering at Logan to begin our long flight. This was a harmonious gathering of old souls, each being a strong individual and yet able to work in co operation with others. There were no big egos or reincarnated Ramses or Nefertitis, no spiritual snobbery or elitism. Just a kind and compassionate group of seekers and adventurers, open to the moment.

Egypt was wondrous as always, and the only unpleasant weather was the day we toured Giza Plateau. There was a fierce wind and sandstorm, most unusual for this time of year. It made the pyramids look as if they were fading into another dimension and caused us to rush the startled vendors in search of cotton scarves to protect our faces.

Oddly,  only a few were up for climbing inside to the King’s Chamber, but those who did were blessed with a special gift. As we ascended to the top of the Grand Gallery, we heard the most beautiful, etherial chanting echoing from the granite walls. Inside there were three women and one man, eyes closed and in deep meditative state. A few of us silently took places seated on the floor and we were bathed in this heavenly sound and vibration. Their voices were magnificent and when the chanting ended, all bowed to one another and departed without a word. It was one of those magical synchronistic moments that doesn’t call for words, only an open heart and deep sense of gratitude. I have no idea who these lovely people were or what country they came from, but I thank them for sharing those sacred moments with strangers. It is so true that there are no strangers, only friends we have not yet met…

The above photo revealed literally hundreds of energy orbs, as did every photo taken in the temple that night. We were also thrilled by an enormous golden/orange shooting star as we entered the temple; this spectacular site passed too quickly for anyone to catch a photo.

The next tour is already forming, to take place in late January 2010. It will be my last for some time, as I am involved in other projects. If your heart calls you to come home to Egypt, you are most welcome to join me.

See website for all details.

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photo credit: Martin_Finlayson

I am posting the Fall 2009 schedule for those who visit my blog but are not on my main mailing list. The Soul Journey workshops, which I created and have taught since 1980 covering wide range of topics, are intended to guide and instruct others along the spiritual path.

I have had many of the same students now for over 25 years who come and go, always touching back for a renewal of energy and affirmation of their own inner guidance. Many now have practices and schools of their own throughout the US. Some have become mentoring students who will soon receive certification as Transformational Healers through the Thoth School of Transformational Healing. I do not endorse guru worship or the following of any dogma, but greatly enjoy assisting others in finding their own unique soul path. Enlightenment is available to all, no matter what faith or calling, no matter where you have been or what burdens you carry. I am honored to serve in this process.

In this time of great testing and challenge, we are being called to step fully upon the path and to stand in the light of our own Being. As a world community of Light, we are making a difference in the outcome of this great experiment that is human life on Earth. Yes, you are an essential part of the grid encircling and holding our precious planet and you are greatly needed here to hold your unique vibration.

Stand firmly in what you know to be Truth, be Fully Present, radiate Love. All is unfolding in Divine and Perfect Order.

Peace is at hand.

Fall, 2009 Soul Journey Workshops with Katrina

Transformations Center for Healing, Barnstable Harbor, MA

Aligning with Your Soul Purpose

Sunday, September 13, 2009, 12-5pm

Identify passions, gifts and abilities that you are to share with the world. Celebrate your Heart Song and manifest your ideal work with a powerful intention ceremony.

The Inner World of Dreams 
Sunday,
September 27, 2009, 12-5pm

Learn the language of your subconscious and higher self. Discern precognitive, past life, spirit visitation, healing dreams. You can dream your own guidance clearly and recall in detail!

Intuition to Enhance Your Life 
Sunday,
October 18, 2009 12-5pm

Use your intuitive skills in all levels of decision-making. Become adept at both opening and closing the psychic channels to maintain clear boundaries and good health. Detect and clear unwanted energies and raise your vibration as a clear channel.

Workshop fee, materials included: $75. Your place is held with receipt of registration and full payment. Cancellation with less than 48 hours notice, no refunds. With more that 48 hr notice, credit toward future workshop minus $10

Name_______________________________________________________________
Address______________________________________________________________
Email____________________________________Phone_______________________
Workshop Title & Date__________________________________Check enc._______

Please send this form and payment to: Katrina Valenzuela/Transformations Center, 275 Mill Way, Box 999, Barnstable, MA 02630 
 Tel: 508-362-7474 transform999@aol.com/ details at www.transformationscenter.com

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Search for the Zar

In this excerpt from a soon-to-be published book by Katrina Valenzuela (Khadija), we learn about the Zar, an Egyptian ritual performed to appease spirits (the Jinn) and relieve the stresses of life.

Khadija describes her first clandestine experience in a Zar ceremony, arranged after considerable searching and effort, as the secret ritual is illegal in Egypt.  She is accompanied by her friend Mostafa, who had initially discouraged her determination to participate.

The story begins as they meet a tall, gaunt figure under a bridge, who guides them to a private home where the Zar takes place.

The mysterious stranger greets us in solemn monosyllables and we follow him in silence over unpaved roads, dodging muddy trenches and stray dogs, through the poorest section of Old Cairo to a small stucco house. My clothes are mud – spattered and dusty, but the sound of drumming and the wafting myrrh and frankincense cause my heart to leap with anticipation. A woman answers the door and takes us in with her wide dark eyes, assessing us in a suspicious manner as she adjusts her hijab in a modest gesture, covering the front of her hair. After extensive, huddled discussion among the group, the mood shifts entirely and we are suddenly welcomed in and embraced.  We are told we are the first newcomers to the group in years and so they were uneasy.

Because I speak Arabic, the women consider me one of their own; they become overprotective and feel free to ask direct questions about my marital status and personal life, which I answer as briefly as possible. “Yes, Mostafa and I are only friends. No, I am not presently married or engaged. No, my father does not know where I am.” Shaking their heads in astonishment, their eyes reveal both envy and disapproval. Still, I am taken under their wing with motherly concern and I feel completely safe.

Bathed in candle light, the living room of the small house is a sea of movement, heads swaying, eyes flickering in ecstatic trance, each lost in their own inner world.  Women who are more inhibited drape large black cotton scarves over their heads and their swaying creates a mysterious silhouette. The power of the experience overcomes me within moments and I join in, allowing the rhythm to move my body. Mostafa takes a doumbek and joins the small group of men on percussion, whose task is to keep the ayoub rhythm flowing unbroken for the duration of the ceremony.

There are no steps to learn, only to surrender to the hypnotic repetition of drums and chanting. Once inside the experience, I am beyond all thinking or self-consciousness and move in a way that is deeply familiar, instinctual, and primal.  To move from a trance state is as easy as breathing and I lose myself completely in the experience.

Suddenly a large, middle aged woman in a long, flower print dress drops to the floor writhing and shaking, the sheikha loudly calling out incantations to the Jinn that possesses her. Others rush to surround her while continuing their movements around the convulsing woman. They are entirely unperturbed by the situation as they offer support and a circle of safely for whatever she needs to go through.

The Jinn is finally appeased and the frenzied expression subsides. It is obvious that some part of the Zar experience is an outlet for the repressed lives of very poor women, a chance to act out some of the frustrations and anger at conditions that never change through generations. This is a powerful sisterhood of support and I am fortunate to have been allowed entry.  When the first muezzin call goes out over the city, all activity suddenly ceases and we silently file out into the hazy early morning, each going their way without a word. I leave Mostafa at Ramses Station to catch his train back to Upper Egypt. “Let’s go again in two weeks; maybe it will cure these headaches I have had for years,” he says. We agree to talk once we have integrated all that occurred in this long and strange night.

Back in Zemalek, I fall into my bed exhausted and dizzy, the hypnotic sound of the drums still echoing in my head as it leads me into a hallucinatory sleep… Suspended in a place between waking and dreaming, I am unable to move and yet so deeply relaxed that it does not frighten me. I am carried on this journey until the mid-morning muezzin intrudes, calling me to full wakefulness. I feel a lightness and joy in spite of my lack of deep sleep, as if a burden has been lifted.  My deep heartache over my recent life changes has dissolved and in its place is a sense of gratitude and rightness about this new phase of my life. Wherever I am led next in this mosaic of adventures, I feel open and prepared for the journey.

Khadija’s book is scheduled for publication in 2009. Khadija lived in Egypt and leads spiritual tours to Egypt and surrounding countries. Visit the website to learn more about her:

http://transformationscenter.com/

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photo credit: snowflakespice

What Dreamwork Can Do for You

• Learn To Interpret The Language Of Your Higher Self And To Trust Your Own Inner Wisdom.
• Gain Valuable Insight In Making Life Decisions.

• Distinguish Between The Many Types Of Dreams; Precognitive, Past Life, Healing, Spirit Visitation, Higher Conscious Dreams.
• Deepen Your Inner Awareness, Guidance And Dream Journaling Practice.
• Dream Clearly And Remember Your Dreams In Detail.
• Become a Lucid Dreamer and Rewrite your Life Script.
• Recognize important events and people in your life from the dream previews we all have. *See the following article entitled ‘Dream Lover’ for a true account of how I met my soul partner after many higher plane introductions.

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