miramiramazing

One thing leads to another. Once again the serpent has lead me to " The Alchemy of Dance " a very interesting article by Leslie Zehr

Alchemy can take many forms. In essence, it is the process of transformation or transmutation. Like an algebraic equation it is very basic, yet fixed. As we insert an infinite number of variables, we arrive at infinite possible outcomes; yet all of them have passed through the same process or equation. The fact that it is so basic is what makes alchemy applicable to everything around us.

The period of time in which we are living is a very significant period in history. We are approaching the end of a great spiritual cycle . We are in the 'quickening' phase just before birth. People are going through huge spiritual transformations in order to prepare for this birth. It is only natural that many new forms of "alchemy" arise aiding us in this transition. Each individual constitutes a variable; using our equation, each person can attain the gold in their own personal way.

Alchemy need not be restricted to the lab; we can find it "in vivo" in all aspects of life. The Alchemy of Dance is a process of transformation by the transmutation of energy and spiritual awareness through movement. In this type of alchemy, the body, and more specifically the womb, becomes the alchemical vessel. This is merely the first phase of a larger process called the Universal Dancer, smaller cycles within a larger cycle creating the spiral to the infinite.

The last card of the Tarot, the Universe, is often referred to as the Universal Dancer . It is the point where we are fully integrated with all of life and dance with the Universe. In the Alchemy of Dance, the first stage of Universal Dancer, we explore the feminine side of this aspect. We do this by dancing the subtle earth rhythms and reconnecting with the divine feminine through Sacred Dance. The woman prepares her body to become the vessel, the primordial waters for birthing the masculine or manifested (Self/Horus).

The origins of Sacred Dance date back to the beginning of time. Most tribal cultures still maintain some type of Sacred Dance. It may be performed by shamans or tribal members depending on the intention behind the dance. Tribal cultures still maintain the connection to the earth. Whether it is conscious or unintentional, it still exists. Research has been done confirming the healing properties of this type of dance.

http://www.alchemylab.com/AJ6-3.htm#Leslie_Zehr_

Interesting Samhain information there in Mermaidstail blog

This time of the year, energetically is a fascinating, magical, mysterious time of the year , whatever name you give to it.

The feelings and thoughts that are aroused are archetypal. We are reminded of transition and separation and the illusion of separation. We respond with both humour and seriousness.

For me this time of the year is a bit like Avalon. Avalon is still there but we have lost the ability to see it and part the mists, The " other world " is still there , as always , only at this time of the year we are more in contact with it.

Today I am reflecting on my own Pagan roots. I grew up celebrating the old Latvian pagan traditions without knowing what lay behind them. My family scoffed at these pagan things but, they were, nevertheless, part of our culture, tradition and heritage, so they were observed in a way Christamas or Easter are observed by non- Christians.

Many of the elements of Halloween and Samhain are there I'm trying to remember. My memory is hazy.. but , even there the mist is lifting.
Going KEKATAS,( Cheka –tahs ) as it is called in Latvian,or Budeli was a major part of the whole winter season and of all its celebrations—Martini, Michaelmas, Meteni, and especially Christmas. Meteni was the last opportunity of the year to go kekatas, because this was purely a winter form of entertainment. The English counterpart to the kekatas is the mummers,( anyone know what mummers are ? ) while the Americanized version of the Celtic tradition is Halloween. The Meteni time of year also corresponds to the Mardi Gras and Carnival season, with all of its revelry, trickery and costumes.

Latvian kekatas’ costumes usually depict animals (wolf, goat, bear, horse, rabbit, heron, etc.), humans (the tall lady, the short man, a man dressed as a woman and vice versa, bear-tamer, gypsy, etc.) or common objects (bundle of straw, head of cabbage, moon, etc.). Sometimes death is also depicted, but usually the costumes do not depict gory or horrific monsters, as is common in Halloween celebrations. The main goal is to just hide your identity.

So here I am , a cocktail of all-sorts free to reflect upon and pick and choose my own identity. Sometimes exploring identity by the wearing of a mask or by wandering around in the amazing maze of reflective mirrors that is often called Life .