Home in Barcelona once again. A month on the road visiting friends, dancing at festivals and teaching new students. I can truly say I LOVE my life. Each person I come in contact with gives me reasons to smile, new ideas to think about and amazing experiences to remember.
My trip started in Seattle to visit my very best friend in the world, T, and go to the final Oracle Gathering, the Fountain. Another transformational experience as I bonded with old friends and met new ones. I realized a few things in my time there, the most important is that the Oracle experience is something that must live on. Eight years ago a group of people put together something that became more than they could have expected. The impact on the immediate community is easy to see, but what only those that have stepped outside can understand is that the rest of the world has felt its impact as well. The cosmic consciousness has shifted and the fountain overflows spilling the Oracle magick into the soil, seeping into the water supply and slowly touching every person on earth. Europe craves for the shift from festival fun to intentional gathering. And so I implore those with the power to manifest its future, pass it on, allow those of us that can envision a future to take the reins and carry it forward... to follow your legacy and create a new future...
Being at the Fountain, I was reminded once again of the incredible community of artists that create so much from so little. Ferrous Metalsome built a magickal fountain that was the visible centerpiece for the entire weekend:
"The Oracle Fountain, made of Martinistic stainless steel, surplus boiler lids and mild steel parts, rises 9 1/2' tall from a 4' lower basin. Its waters can flow at a rapid rate of 80G/min or adjust to a languid drip. The beautiful rustic finish is preserved through the organic oxidation process given to natural environments experiencing time, water and air. It is dedicated to the Universal Archetype of Water."
This fountain would be an amazing addition to any location and is actually for sale. If I still lived in the US, I'd grab it. An inclusive installation into your business front, private garden, nursery, etc. is included in the purchase and they are happy to fulfill further aesthetic desires you may have upon purchase of this splendid and symbolic sculpture. Contact me for more details if you're interested.
When my time at Oracle was done, I returned to Seattle. The ride lead to new realizations as Bob, Traeger and I explored topics of community and music. Deep gratitude for that special ride and lots of love for Bob for always being there when I least expect it.
Another two days with T completed my trip to Seattle and I am happy to report that I still have the world's best best friend. This is a woman with so much to give and every time I am amazed at her strength to not only persevere, but to flourish. I love you T!
Next stop, my true home, the land of my birth, the one place on earth that I hold most dear... Miami. Being picked up at the airport by most of my family brought tears to my eyes. We are a strange bunch, but through it all we are family. I had the pleasure of seeing all of my immediate family this trip, something that hasn't happened in a while. I got to meet new additions (hi Laura) and hang out with my rockin' nephew/godson. We are all adults now, well most of us, Stephanie still acts like a bratty kid (just kidding!), and so our conversations are deeper, richer... with just the right amount of Soler sarcasm to make us bust out laughing. Oh, and our family lineage gets stranger every time we talk about it... pirate tracking treasure hunters that were also James Bond like spies... ask me sometime and I'll tell you some great stories. I now have them recorded in my mother's own words on my phone!
The ultimate highlight of my Miami experience, in addition to spending lots of time with Mom, was all of the students and clients I had the privilege to work with. Each class was amazing, each person a unique experience, and I feel honored to be a part of the journeys. Thank you all for allowing me to teach you and for giving me back many lessons.
I want to give a few shout outs to the businesses that support me while I am in Miami:
Self-Enrichment CenterAlina, you have created a magickal location and I thank you for allowing me to be a part of it. Great classrooms, treatment center and practitioners.
The Nail Bar by Michelle CondeWhen you are in need of a high quality manicure and/or pedicure with full spa treatment and all the extras, this is where you should go. From simple elegance to funky designs, you'll have something that is not only beautiful, but durable.
Healing Art and the Healingstar of PeaceFredda Psaltis has created a pendant that brings together the power of peace with the Tree of Life. It has so much healing power that I find it hard to take mine off. In addition to this amazing pendant, she paints beautiful artwork embedded with healing symbolism. If you are looking for something that is elegant, unique and powerful, check out her work.
Good News ShowBlog Talk Radio show that brings good news from around the nation.
Think HolisticWant to know what's going on in Miami, sign up for their newsletter. Classes, retreats, transformational products... they have it all!
Transformational Energy Therapies by Belkis Galainena - 305-458-6181
Belkis offers BodyTalk, Reiki and Matrix Energetics. I had a session and was blown away by the BodyTalk experience. Definitely something to look into.
Healing Massages and Energy Healing by Paula Hiebert - Massage Therapist
Working out of the Self-Enrichment Center, Paula combines Energy Healing with Massage Therapy to give you a 2-for-1 experience. You walk out of her sessions feeling relaxes and healthy. Worth every minute!
And a special thanks to Diana Saiz who hosts amazing gatherings at her house. I would love to include your meetup group, but I couldn't find it. I will include it next time.
There are so many more I could mention, but I will stop here. I will be back again soon for more healing, classes and empowerments. If you're interested in working with me, all you have to do is send me an e-mail.
A fond farewell to Miami as I flew back to Europe to an ancient lands that calls to me... Greece. My ties there are strong and as the plane landed I could feel the familiar energy of Dionysis welcoming me back. Thanks to my friend Brian, I was greeted by a warm smile and a snappy comment about my favorite hat. Brian and his amazing wife Anne have been living in Greece for a year plus and he was happy to help me get some supplies before putting me on a train to Thessaloniki so I could go to Aurora Festival for the weekend.
Getting to Thessaloniki was easy enough, though it did involve quite a bit of waiting and lots of sleeping on the train, but the real challenge was getting to Aspravolta, a small beach town about an hour away from Thessaloniki where the festival was actually being held. Thanks to the kindness of a taxi driver and a group of Greeks I met at the bus stop, I made it there without a hitch. I pitched my tent in the dark and headed off to explore what was around.
Given the huge length of this message, I'm only going to give you the highlights....
Blessings to Jaia for the opportunity to be a part of the festival at all. Thank God you answered the phone Yannis, I am truly thankful.
I send a huge amount of hugs and gratitude to Sharon Joy who literally brought me in to a whole new family. Just when I thought I was all alone, the universe put this amazing goddess in front of me that I had actually met online several years before when we negotiated artists contracts. Sharon, her best friend Jeremy, and Vlad were stage managing the Alternative Stage. From Saturday night on, this was home.
The stage was coordinated by
Ultimae Records, a label filled with so much ambient and downtempo yumminess that I felt like I was floating in sonic bliss. So many artists to name... special hugs to those that not only moved my body, but also provided hours of conversation that moved my mind: Tajmahal, Gaudi, Nova, AES Dana, Tripswitch, Solar Fields... Thank you for allowing me into the family. I can't wait until next year.
Two last things to mention about Aurora Festival. First of all, if you are looking for new clothes, you have to check out Psylo. I've actually bought from their store in Camden Town, London as well as their booths in other festivals, but this time I got to know one of the founders and I realized that I really love what they make. More than that, I like the overall feel of the energy. Just the right about the hippie love and business savvy. The ironic part is that I actually bought a pair of Buddahful pants from the booth this time - I guess I just have to support the Seattle family wherever I am. ;)
My final note about Aurora Festival is a big shout out to the proud papa... Ace Ventura. Thank you for giving me one last reason to dance my booty off. Killer set!
After it was all over, good-byes were said... I returned to Anne and Brian's place for one last blissful night in Athens. We had an amazing dinner looking out at the skyline that includes the Acropolis and so much more. We ate, drank and reminisced about the early days of Progressive Networks, AKA RealNetworks, east coast vs west coast people and the bureaucratic garbage that goes on at any job, regardless of the industry. It was a pleasure spending a night with a couple that is living their dreams and loving life. Thank you for taking such good care of me.
And now I return to my current home, the Spanish sun bathes me and I remember that Barcelona holds a magick for me... a place to recharge and continue my projects. I work on classes here next weekend and at the end of the month in London, I plan trips to paint and remodel a huge military truck, I connect with family and friends, I listen to the exploits of my life-partner, and most importantly, I take care of myself. There are many new people in my life after this month and to each of them I bow low and say... I welcome all that I may learn from you.
Embrace all that you are, for it is the balance between light and darkness that brings peace and acceptance...
Pictures can be found
here