Archive for the ‘Travel and Leisure’ Category

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While studying Amazonian shamans who use ayahuasca and Peruvian coastal healers who use mescaline cactus to treat psychological illness, Marlene Dobkin de Rios learned about the naipes cards—fortune-telling cards similar to the tarot used as part of the healers’ method of diagnosis. Immersing herself in their culture, she began telling fortunes with the naipes cards and was surprised by the intimacy it induced in the native people she was trying to study as well as the profoundly accurate results she encountered. Finding herself pulled further and further into Peruvian culture, in 1977 Dobkin de Rios was initiated into the sacred mystical order of Septrionismo, which emphasizes specific techniques—such as meditation, ritual, and reflection—to manage one’s future rather than depending solely on fate and fortune.

Explaining how to use the naipes cards as well as examining the practices of the Septrionic Order, Dobkin de Rios explores her experiences with both traditions through the lens of her anthropological and psychological training, describing how these diverse encounters opened her mind to the powers of divination as well as taught her the means of directing her own destiny.

MARLENE DOBKIN DE RIOS, Ph.D., is a medical anthropologist, associate clinical professor of psychiatry and human behavior at the University of California, Irvine, and professor emerita of anthropology at California State University, Fullerton, where she taught from 1969–2000. A former Fulbright scholar and the author of several hundred professional articles and eight books, including The Psychedelic Journey of Marlene Dobkin de Rios, she lives in Placentia, California.

Marlene’s publisher, Inner Traditions, was kind enough to share an excerpt of a chapter from her book -

Fate, Fortune, and Mysticism in the Peruvian Amazon: The Septrionic Order and the Naipes Card

as seen here. Enjoy and check out the book here on Amazon.

Book Excerpt

Chapter 1
The History and the Structure of the Naipes

The naipes are used often by folk healers who cure with herbs or psychedelic plants in a society in which witchcraft beliefs exist and people often expect that illness is caused by the evil will of others. The cards become a psychological adjunct to a healer’s therapy, a sort of intake procedure to learn more about their clients so that the healer can appear to be omnipotent and replete with knowledge and power. We cannot talk about the naipes as a divination technique without understanding the context in which these cards are used, particularly among the urban poor of Belen, who live in abject poverty in their shantytown. Healers are able to manipulate situations of misfortune that dog the steps of the urban poor as the healers diagnose illness and misfortune, appearing all-powerful and worthy of their fees.

I first ran into the naipes in Peru when, as a graduate student, I was sent by the Institute of Social Psychiatry at San Marcos University on the north coast of Peru to a special village, Salas, an hour and a half outside of Chiclayo. It was said that there more than a hundred folk healers used, in healing rituals, the San Pedro cactus laden with mescaline. Attending a healing ceremony one night in Salas, I heard a folk healer tell his wife to bring the naipes down to the area where the patients were seated. Having a long-term interest in fortune-telling, I asked the healer to tell me more about the naipes. He brushed me off, but this sparked my interest, which had been dormant for a number of years. When I arrived in Peru, I was game for divination techniques. In the marketplace in the nearby city of Chiclayo I purchased a pamphlet said to be written by Napoleon’s spiritual adviser, Madame LeNormand.

Madame LeNormand was born in a small village in France in 1773 and arrived in Paris when she was twenty-one years old. She opened a salon and read the fortunes of a number of highly placed individuals who were politically active in the French Revolution, including Robespierre. Apparently, Josephine de Beauharnais, later married to Napoleon Bonaparte, was one of her clients, and Madame Marie was reputed to have regularly read the naipes for Napoleon.

Most of the booklets based on her system agree on basic principles. Certain days of the week are most propitious for a reading–Friday, Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, for example. The client must cut the cards only with the left hand, which is nearest to the heart, or else the fortune obtained is thought not to be accurate. The person who takes it upon himself to read the cards must be sincere and strong and not frivolous. This card reader should also be observant and wash his hands and face before using the cards. Dropping a card while reading a fortune is said to bring bad luck. If we can get to the heart of the divining cards by using a rational mathematical probability statistic and examine the technique in light of what I have called an “ethno-projective device,” we can learn a good deal about traditional folk psychotherapy.

The naipes help healers to tap in to the causality of illness while, at the same time, allowing them to present themselves as all-powerful. This cannot help but dispel fear, anxiety, and self-doubts in their patients and provide a high expectation of cure. This personal influence of healers increases their manipulation of the patient’s anxieties and provides a path toward eventual cure.

The naipes are not simple amusement for the clients, but rather are used by them and healers as a diagnostic technique, especially when most clients believe that illness is caused by evil willing or witchcraft machinations on the part of “others.” The healers manipulate a category that I call misfortune cards to plumb the depths of interpersonal conflicts, material loss, and sickness or death of loved ones to make their diagnosis.

Reading the Naipes

To read the naipes, the cards are laid out on a flat surface in the form of a cross, called St. Andres. A picture card representing the client–called the interested party–is placed in the center of the cross, and a frame is made of cards, which encloses the picture card representing the interested party. The frame consists of three additional cards, which are placed on the left side of the client’s picture card, three below this picture card, three on the right side, and three above the client’s central picture card. Beneath the card representing the interested party is an extra card, which the client doesn’t see until the very end of the reading. This card is deemed to shed light on some aspect of the reading.

The total number of cards read is eighteen. Effectively, this type of reading permits a large number of possibilities for each reading and four major story lines for each part of the reading.

A probability statistical analysis of the naipes indicates that in an average reading of eighteen cards, the probability that at least one misfortune card occurs is 99.76 chances out of l00. Two misfortune cards will occur at a probability of 97.40 chances in l00. For three misfortune cards to appear, the statistic drops to 87.3 chances in 100. By the time we reach four misfortune cards, we are close to a 50 percent probability. Because each misfortune card is modified by preceding and sequential cards, an interpreter is in a position to construct a story line quite possibly focusing on interpersonal conflict, material loss, or illness. Thus, the deck is loaded not in the direction of good fortune, but rather to highlight stress and conflict that may be present in the sociocultural milieu. I have called this fortune’s malice, from a line in the poem “De Gustibus” by Robert Browning.

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More about Kala Ambrose: Kala Ambrose is an award winning author, intuitive and host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Her thought-provoking interviews entice listeners to tune in around the globe! Described by her guests and listeners as discerning, empowering and inspiring, she speaks with world renowned authors, artists, teachers and researchers delving into metaphysical, holistic and paranormal topics. Kala lectures on Wisdom Teachings, Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine). Her new book, The Awakened Aura: Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body will be available in November 2011.

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Treme soundtrack

Season Two of the HBO series Treme premieres tonight, Sunday April 24th at 10pm.  I’ve eagerly awaited the return of the series, longing to be virtually as close as I can to the city of New Orleans.  The series has received Emmy and Grammy nominations as it portrays the rebuilding and restructuring of New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Season One was set in Fall 2005, three months after the storm and the breaking of the levees in the Ninth Ward unleashed the flood waters into the city.

Treme expresses the vibe and soul of the city while addressing the depth of loss felt by the residents both emotionally and physically. As the city struggles to rebuild, it’s left to the people to carry on, generate sparks of hope, and become the voice of the city as they endure hardships and struggle to rebuild. John Goodman spoke eloquently in Season One about the state of the city and the nation and if truly his character is gone from the show, he will be missed.  The writing and acting on the show is superb and the music is the virtual icing on the cake. To know New Orleans is to understand the music and Treme pulls it all together, stirring it up in a delicious gumbo served hot and spicy.  Seeing Kermit Ruffins on the show each week is pure eye and music candy and the cameo appearance of the delightful John Boutte’ invites us all into the Treme. It’s always a treat to hear them both while in New Orleans and an incredible pleasure to have their music on the show and available as a soundtrack.

Show creator David Simon is quoted as saying… “We are following the actual timeline of post-Katrina New Orleans as a means of understanding what happened – and what didn’t happen – when an American city suffered a near-death experience. In doing so, we’re trying to address ourselves to what the American experiment has become and what possibilities remain for us. We are an urban people now. How we live together – and of what we are capable or incapable of achieving as an urban people is going to define our future. New Orleans and its recent history speaks to that.”

Treme is accomplishing what others have tried to do and failed, which is to portray Louisiana and New Orleans with an authentic flair, in a veritable soul concoction of people, music, big hearts, art, and passion.  From the touching portrayal of Big Chief Lambreaux ‘s resurrection of the Big Chief’s parade (played by Clarke Peters) to the talented musicians and chefs struggling to keep the music and artistry alive, the show continues to inspire, educate and entertain.  Viva La Treme!

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More about Kala Ambrose: Kala Ambrose is an award winning author, intuitive and host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Her thought-provoking interviews entice listeners to tune in around the globe! Described by her guests and listeners as discerning, empowering and inspiring, she speaks with world renowned authors, artists, teachers and researchers delving into metaphysical, holistic and paranormal topics. Kala lectures on Wisdom Teachings, Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine). Her new book, The Awakened Aura: Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body will be available in November 2011 through Llewellyn Publishing.

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Omega's 2011 Course Catalog

Founded in 1977, Omega Institute for Holistic Studies is the nation’s most trusted source for wellness and personal growth. As a nonprofit organization, Omega offers diverse and innovative educational experiences that inspire an integrated approach to personal and social change. Located on 195 acres in the beautiful Hudson Valley, Omega welcomes more than 23,000 people to its workshops, conferences, and retreats in Rhinebeck, New York, and at exceptional locations around the world.

In response to the growing number of returning veterans in need of support, Omega Institute is hosting a helpful retreat for the fifth consecutive year. Omega today welcomed veterans and their spouses, who were sponsored to take a 5-day meditation retreat aimed at providing tools for dealing with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The retreat, taught by Zen Buddhist monk, Vietnam veteran, and author Claude Anshin Thomas, is taking place on Omega’s Rhinebeck, New York, campus April 20–24, 2011.

“We believe it is crucial to support our veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress, which is common in the aftermath of returning home. We hope this work can make a meaningful contribution to healing those who have gone to war, and help the larger society find ways to create nonviolent solutions to conflict resolution.” said Carla Goldstein, chief external affairs officer and director of the Women’s Institute at Omega.

The veterans retreat at Omega has grown in enrollment from 12 participants in 2007, to more than 60 this year. Thanks to generous donations Omega received to its scholarship fund, the program has been underwritten since 2008, allowing increased access to veterans of any war, and their family members and friends. Scholarships substantially cover the cost of tuition, accommodations, and meals on campus, and up to $100 in travel expenses. Thomas does not accept payment for his teachings. As a result, Omega Institute is donating a portion of the retreat’s proceeds to the Zaltho Foundation, zaltho.org.

“We who have fought in war know intimately about life and death,” says Claude Anshin Thomas. “We who have been wounded by war—physically, psychologically, and spiritually—need to come together in order to support each other.”

Thomas, a Vietnam veteran, is author of At Hell’s Gate and the founder of Zaltho Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes peace and nonviolence. Thomas received numerous awards, including the Purple Heart, for his service in the Vietnam War. After struggling with his re-entry into life at home, he studied mindfulness meditation with Thich Nhat Hanh. During the retreat, Thomas will share his inspiring story from combat to Buddhism as a road map for those who might feel trapped in cyclical patterns of response related to a traumatic experience.

Located on 195 acres in the beautiful Hudson Valley, Omega welcomes more than 23,000 people to its workshops, conferences, and retreats in Rhinebeck, New York, and at exceptional locations around the world.

Kala Ambrose will be teaching at the Omega Institute June 24-26th with Elizabeth Harper as they present Energy Anatomy: Exploring and Healing Your Aura and Chakras. The aura and the chakras mirror our mental and emotional states, as well as the physical vitality of our body. When they are in harmony with our other energy bodies, we are able to manifest our full potential. Using a variety of exercises and techniques in individual and group sessions, we explore the keys to reading auras within ourself and others, and learn to cleanse, repair, protect, and strengthen our own aura and chakras.

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Hear ye, Hear ye, Spring is here and it’s time to gather the family and spend a weekend at the North Carolina Renaissance Faire. At The North Carolina Renaissance Faire, you can step back 400 years into time and history! This full scale, interactive theater experience is like no other. The Faire offers you a chance to visit the days of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I!

At this 16th Century Faire, you’ll find over 110 artisans hawking their wares, you’ll enjoy musicians, jugglers, and the ribaldry of actors in many distinct staging areas. You’ll see brave and bold knights competing for the favor of the Her Majesty’s Court (and for their lady’s affection) during any one of three full-contact jousts held in the Queen’s Tiltyard.

The NC Ren Faire offers Seven Stages of Entertainment Featuring Music, Dance, Magic, Comedy, Acrobatics, Puppetry and more.

The weekend of the April 9th & 10th will be the very popular Scottish themed Tartan Day!

DATES: April 2nd & 3rd, April 9th & 10th, April 16th & 17th.
LOCATION: KnightDale, NC

WEBSITE: http://ncrenfaire.org/

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Nerola Orange Blossom Candle

One of the aspects of Spring that I love the most is watching the light grow a little brighter each day.  Spring enhances and tantalizes all of our senses, from visually delighting our sight with the blossoming of plants, flowers and trees, to the sounds of the birds and other animals rustling around enjoying the warmer weather, to the intoxicating scents bursting forth from Mother Earth.  Spending time outdoors is the best gift we can give to our body, mind, spirit and our aura and energy bodies after a long cold winter inside.

Understandably, though many of us are currently afflicted by Spring Fever and have a natural desire to run to the islands to play, various commitments often keep us at our desks working at this time. One of my favorite things to do when I’m inside working and want to connect with light and the power of aromatherapy, is to light a scented candle nearby.  When I do, it seems to change the mood in my home and office creating a sense of calm and reverence. Depending upon the mood I’m in, I choose the candle that I feel which best lift, balance and lighten my spirit at the time.

The candle I’m currently in love with was a gift by a dear friend and it’s bringing me great joy!  It’s an enchanting blend called Nerola Orange Blossom, which is a soy candle made by Pacifica.  The legend of this scent is that a beautiful Italian princess lived in a village called Nerola in the 16th century. She so loved the scent of the orange flowers in the area that she began to bathe with them and use them to scent her clothing. Her signature scent became so popular in the village that others soon followed her lead and began using the flowers for themselves  The tradition continues and is shared in these beautiful candles and let me say, the scent is divine.  I so enjoy it in my home and the orange blossom scent is very purifying for the aura and to cleanse and clear stagnant energy in the home which gathered through the winter.  This beautiful candle burns for one hundred hours, giving me plenty of time to enjoy and shift the energy in home and body, mind and spirit from Winter to Spring.

As Summer approaches, I think I’m going to order another one of Pacifica’s candles Tahitian Gardenia, which sounds fantastico! Gardenia is one of my most favorite scents ever!

While I’m on the track of mentioning a few of my favorite things, I was recently introduced to this blog post about the Tarot.  Listing the Top 20 Tarot Card Blogs, I found it a great resource if you’re looking for more information on the Tarot. Listed as Number One is Mary K. Greer, whom I adore and have had as a guest here on the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show, where she shared 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card.

Happy Exploring and Happy Spring!

Much love,

*~Kala~*

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Explore Your Spirit with Kala - The App now on iTunes

Explore Your Spirit with Kala anywhere, anytime with The App!

And Like All the Best Things in Life – It’s Free!

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2010 in Review - What Did We Discover and Uncover?

Looking back over the 2010 year, I was reminded that what we think about, we create in our world. Let’s take a look at what I wrote about this year to see how the world was unfolding. 2010 in Review – What Did We Discover and Uncover?  As I look it over, I see a collective journey moving into conscious thought and awakening. Now that the inner self for many has awakened, the years ahead will bring a time of action, rebirth and growth.

We began the year with my discussion about this new decade beginning in 2010, would mark the advent of a new Renaissance period. The New Year began with a full Blue Moon in conjunction with a Mercury Retrograde. I believe and feel that… ‘In this new decade, we are moving into a new Age of Enlightenment. The Aquarian information from the gods can no longer be contained, the Divine Feminine is being released in all her glory and we will once again see a Renaissance period, where great art, architecture, philosophy, literature and science will develop and flourish. During this decade the greatest minds will stir, to share, to illuminate and to build and create works and ideas that will be marveled around the world.’
Read the rest of the article here:

In Feb, I shared Seven Sacred Ways to celebrate Imbolc and the Goddess Energy. In the wisdom teachings of the Divine Feminine, there are certain earth cycles, which open a gateway between the higher planes of existence and the earth plane. These moments of enhanced connection allow us to view the rhythm and timing of the goddess in her form as mother nature. Imbolc is one of these powerful cycles of time throughout the year.  Many people are awakening again and connecting with the goddess energy and the natural laws of the universe.  Read the rest of the article here for the seven ways to connect…

Then came the launch of the Ask Kala column, where I invite you to email me with your metaphysical, spiritual and esoteric questions. One of my favorite questions of the year was.. ‘How can you communicate with someone who has passed on, after they have reincarnated again?’ This profound question is one that many have struggled with understanding the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Read my answer to this question here…

We looked into the eye of the tiger, as we celebrated the Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year is the most important traditional holiday in China and is also referred to as the Spring Festival. The date of the new year is based on a lunar calendar, which has been used for centuries and is much older than the solar Gregorian calendar used in the west for most events. In 2010, the White Tiger leaped into the year with his energy… Read the article here…

What’s going to happen in 2012 is a question on many minds and I sat down with Marie D. Jones, to interview her about her book – 2013: End of Days or New Beginning.  I delved into earth changes with Marie asking her questions including - ‘What are your thoughts about the earthquakes and tsunami’s occurring around the earth recently? Are there more to come? Also, what about the report that the 8.8 earthquake in Chile shifted the earth’s axis by eight centimeters, which removes 1.26 microseconds off of Earth’s daily rotation, therefore altering time?’ Read Marie’s answer here…

The explorations continued in the Ask Kala column, as millions are exploring their journey and life path and destiny. Another one of my favorite questions came from a man who wanted to know how to connect and find his spiritual teacher. Read my answer here…

In 2010, I traveled often and shared my experiences with readers. One of my favorite journeys was to return to my beloved New Orleans, which has suffered so greatly in the past decade. Through all of her troubles, she is still a beautiful jewel of a city and I was again, Charmed by the Spirit of New Orleans. Read about my journey through the city here..

Holidays play such an important role in our history, passage of time and destiny and in 2010, I touched into many of these holidays including Connecting to the Spirit of Cinco De Mayo and how our identity forms us and how our identities are merging into a new world. Read the article here…

Another favorite interview of the year was when I spoke with the legendary Stanton Friedman about startling new information about cures, theories and inventions which were formerly declared impossible. Stanton’s new book is Science Was Wrong and we discussed many of these theories as I asked him questions like – ‘You and the late Carl Sagan were class mates in the physics department at the University of Chicago for three years. You mention in Science Was Wrong and elsewhere that he was wrong about UFO’s, abductions, and government cover-ups. Did you two argue in physics class about these theories or  did the differences evolve at a later date?’ Read the article here…

I also took a turn away from traditional beliefs and invited readers to Embrace Mercury Retrogrades, rather than fear them.  I explained that… ‘What I am saying though, is while good old Merc causes his share of trouble when he goes retro, he also brings a wealth of opportunities and if you understand how the retrograde works, you can use this information to your advantage.’ Read my explanation here..

In my travels I journeyed to Rhinebeck NY to teach at the world famous Omega Institute during the time that Chelsea Clinton was preparing to be married in the lovely village of Rhinebeck.  I could easily understand why she chose the location, as the natural surroundings were so beautiful with the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains as a backdrop. I had quite the adventure in New York and you can read about it all including my bumping into a ghost here….

One of the features in my column here as the National Metaphysical Spirituality Writer for the Examiner, is Kala’s Quick Five, where I interview authors, teachers and researchers about their work. One of the most thought provoking books and authors I came across this year was Dr. Gabriel Constans, who wrote the book, Buddha’s Wife.  During my interview, Gabriel and I discussed what life was like during this time and I asked him, ‘Gabriel, thousands of books, texts and stories have followed Siddhartha’s path to becoming The Buddha (and his teachings), but little has been written about his wife Yasodhara, how she reacted to his leaving her and their newborn child in the middle of the night, and her desire to find compassion and enlightenment for herself and others. What prompted you to write this book?’ Read Gabriel’s answer here…

An interesting anomaly in 2010 was the overwhelming media focus on LeBron James and his decision to leave Cleveland this year. Moves like this always make the news, but the amount of media attention he received over this decision is unrivaled. I explored his astrological chart to determine why this attention was so hot about his move to the Miami Heat. Read my explanation here…

One of the most interesting animal stories of 2010, was about Paul the Psychic Octopus, who predicted the World Cup winners. His psychic predictions were so accurate that he drew media attention from around the world and even some death threats against him and his mother. Read the story here…

As a wisdom teacher, I love to share the history of the world, including the parts that have been conveniently swept under the rug from current society. It’s part of duty this lifetime to expose these hidden bits of our past and bring them back into the light.  This year I shared the spirit and history of the winter solstice/christmas/yule/holiday season. Enlightened minds read on here…

We wrapped up the year heralding the return of sentimental gifts for the holidays. I shared sentimental gifts which are thought-provoking, emotion filled, and packed full of memories to be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. This may indicate a new trend for the Christmas holiday where more consumers choose not to go into debt each year and instead create simple traditions shared with family and friends rather than blown out gift bonanzas.  Read about the sentimenal gifts here…

and lastly, I explored the celebration of Yule and how it continues into early January. Madrigal Feasts commemorate this holiday season and invited you to explore this tradition here…

Here we are dear readers, a new year has begun. What intentions will we create this year?

The future is now and each word, thought, action and deed we think and speak will set the direction and intention for our path.

I look forward to exploring with you this year for all the adventures that come our way.

Stay tuned as I’ll soon be discussing what the Chinese New Year and what the forecast for this year will bring.

Much love and joy to you all!

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Enjoyed this article? Kala welcomes your comments and reads them all. Don’t miss a thing! Subscribe by clicking the button at the top right corner of this article. By doing so, you’ll receive e-mail updates every time a new article by Kala Ambrose is posted – and it’s free! To read archived articles by Kala Ambrose, visit her main page at the National Haunted History Examiner and the National Metaphysical Spirituality Examiner.

More about Kala Ambrose: Kala Ambrose is an award winning author, intuitive and talk show host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Her thought-provoking interviews entice listeners to tune in around the globe! Described by her guests and listeners as discerning, empowering and inspiring, she speaks with world renowned authors, artists, teachers and researchers delving into metaphysical, holistic and paranormal topics. Kala’s book, 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled delves into the mysteries of ancient Egyptian mystery schools and explains their wisdom teachings. Kala Ambrose is a highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire. She lectures on the Ancient Wisdom Teachings of Egypt and the Mystery Schools, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom.

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