spirals, shamanism, synchronicity

[rafromca]

My trip to New York to see Tony seemed to incorporate some spiral imagery that I thought I’d share with you (particularly Gary, as I wanted to share a little of my first time experience with shamanism). On Monday August 3rd my sister and I decided to go to the Guggenheim and there on the spiraling ramp we met up with a childhood friend of my son whom I hadn’t seen since my son’s death. Oh my. We went back to our hotel to prepare to attend Tony’s talk at the Roosevelt. My sister and I were feeling the impact of our running into my son’s friend, but my sister was dwelling on the fact that we had met on a spiral staircase. She wants to search the web for spiral meanings. I’m not sure but perhaps it reminded her of Blake’s painting of Jacob’s Ladder. She didn’t find anthing of interest but I checked Tony’s forum to see if there were any posts. Nothing much I could see except—wait a minute—is that a spiral? We went to listen to Tony’s talk at the Roosevelt and during q&a, one scientist was disputing the idea of time having two dimensions and the idea that it could be circular. My sister was muttering—It is not circular; it spirals! I was thinking—she’s like a dog with a bone on this spiral business.

After Tony’s wonderful talk, another art museum, a lovely lunch with Martin and Tony, and finally a broadway show, we left the city for the country air; (hallelujah!) We had signed up for a workshop on shamanic reiki healing and early on in the first session the facilitator spoke of the centre—vortex, spiral. The spiral part went over my head but not to be missed by my dear sister. She had a question for the facilitator—what’s the purpose/meaning of the spiral? The facilitator did not want\ to answer this question as she is facilitating an experience and the experience may generate the answer. Ok, my sister relents. I’m thinking—my sister is really fixated. One of the first experiences we have entails partnering with another person and sharing our visions of the other’s spirit animal. My partner tells me she sees spirals, and sort of a deer’s face. Might that be a ram I wonder, and what the heck, did she say spirals? Ok now I am a bit fixated. Later in the program we release some negative dysfunctional stuff into the vortex spiral centre and replacing the empty space with some light. Hmm… So what does this mean? Something to mull over. My sister and I go to the book store at the institute and I see many books I would like to buy, but trying to show some restraint I purchase only one on Art and Spirituality. I know this is the one I want to buy. . Heading back on the train I discover there is a chapter on spirals and the infinite journey. Ok now I am feeling the universe is pushing me toward some understanding. There may be recurrence but it may be with an expanded consciousness. What do you think?

[SM Kovalinsky]

As usual, Ruth, another fascinating story from you! This must be about the 5th or 6th intriguing tale of Ruth since I met you some 15 months ago. The Spiral Staircase, by the way, was a film that was an absolute favorite my husband and mine! And a spiral ramp: the plot thickens. I really liked Lois, and found her soft, refined, and charming ( and you too, I sensed a kindred spirit in you)---I must ponder this all more, but thanks, and when Gary pops back in, I am sure he will have much to say on shamanism aspecs! Thanks so much

[SM Kovalinsky]

addendum: I of course see something EXTREMELY positive about the boyhood friend being on a spiral ramp ( mull that over with the Yi JIng i sent you!!! )

[klaatu]

Hello Rafromca and SM. (May I call you SM?)

Just out of interest, a guy called Geoff Ward has recently published a book: "Spirals: The Pattern of Existence" which is available from Amazon - and I believe there's a Youtube post of Mr. Ward discussing his theories.

Haven't read the book myself (it's on my "must read" list, which now numbers about 250+......I really must organise that second mortgage!) but I saw it advertised advertised in Fortean Times or some such publication a couple of months back and thought it might be of interest to you.

[klaatu]

While I'm thinking about spirals, perhaps I should also mention the work of T.C. Lethbridge, a retired archaeologist who became a dowser and, working completely in isolation, came up with a theory of existence which dealt with (amongst other things) spirals, precognition, dreams and deja vu.

I think Lethbridge's work would be right up Tony's street, if he isn't already aware of it. His books are out of print, but an overview - The Essential T C Lethbridge edited by Tom Graves - may still be available, and a lengthy summary of the man and his work appears in Colin Wilson's Mysteries.

[rafromca]

Klaatu:

Thank you so much for those referrals. I think I must pursue this topic, and appreciate any suggestions along the way.

SM: Thanks for your kindness as always. It has been a strange trip hasn't it?

[Anthony Peake]

Klaatu,

I was introduced to the work of Tom Lethbridge by the writings of Colin Wilson. Colin knew Tom very well. Indeed I have recently re-read Colin's book Mysteries. In this Colin has a whole chapter on Tom and his work with pendulums and dowsing. As I recall Tom was particularly interested in spirals!

Ruth,

Great to hear that your Retreat went well. It was a delight to meet you and Lois and I felt that we had too little time together to really develop some of our ideas. Maybe next time!

Tony

[David Campbell]

I don't know if this is a synchronicity or not but the spiral as an ancient motif reminded me of a recent post I made here which touched upon Australian aboriginal message sticks. These have spiraling grooves which are thought to be tactile mnemonic aids in the transmission of oral tradition. Not directly related except by connotative linkage, the spiral motif which appears all over the world from Megalithic Europe to the mounds of North America to the petroglyphs in Brazil and Mexico have been interpreted by many in the alternative history community, of which IIRC, Colin Wilson can be included, as literal representations of an ancient cosmic (in the astronomical sense) event.

[Draheste]

I have read with interest your post about synchronicity and the spiral and even thought of a symbolical meaning of the meeting of the dead son's friend on a spiral case. The spiral is a symbol of infinite, life and also of a spiritual quest. I thought that your daemon was showing you, that you were on a good way into your spiritual quest and in your life.
Then, this morning, I was reading "Goddess, Myths of the female divine, by Leeming" And a story about Hainuwele, the coconut palm goddess of Indonesia. She is killed by her people, in order for them to die and reborn again, passing through a gate in the underworld. That gate was a huge spiral. I leave to you the interpretation of all of this.

Also, that book provided another noticeable synchronicity. I was thinking and reading about the daemon, when I read the myth of the Aboriginal people from Arnehmland in Australia andthe story of Kunapipi, the creator and goddess teaching men to sing and to go to sacred places, especially caves where 'Kunapipi sings loundly and introduce the initiate to his/hers Twin Souls, the one residing with the goddess.' Another case of Deamon in myths.

[A Dark Philosopher]

To me the symbolism is quite clear, but admittedly that is probably something to do with my years spent in Esoteric circles.

The Spiral of Time is a very ancient belief which has mirrors throughout Freemasonry, Knights Templar, Golden Dawn et al traditions.

If we consider ITLAD/CTF to be about Subjective consciousness, that being YOU - the individual, then we each have our spiral of time, existing in concentric circles almost to infinity, but not quite. In CtCw I talk of Consciousness Fields, or seas to continue the Bucket and Sea analogy. In this sea exists all our individual spirals, like droplets in a vast ocean, each creating its own ripples, interracting with others but ultimately finite.

The spiral is a beautiful example of how pure Mathematics is, for the Golden Ratio, Phi and Fibonnacci sequence all help to describe perfect arcs and spirals which is one of the reasons that Esoteric Philosophy and Mathematics/Geometry are so intrinsically linked.