The Parallel Community is a Parallel Community linking network and a platform where people can express and develop their positive Newsletter contribution for change - human, social, ecological, creative and February 2013 spiritual.

21st DECEMBER 2012

We asked you to share with Parallel Community members your experiences of this special day… Solstice in Denmark

PC member Lesley Weldon writes .. streaked with bands of frozen snow and covered in footprints of local wild deer. At the end of December 2012 I joined Marcus Mason and friends travelling to the beautiful Isle of Møn in Denmark Jupiter had us writing out our visions for the future world to celebrate the Winter Solstice and Saturn required us to bring and welcome the Galactic those visions into the present by Rebirth. living them now.

Twenty-six people in total met, Chiron took us out on to the land from many countries, to work again to a twin-chambered burial together for 3½ days to create a mound called Klekkendehøj, where sacred space where the incoming having entered on hands and energies of the new World could knees we, men on one side and anchor easily into the Earth’s women on the other, invoked energy grid. We worked with the healing for the Earth. Mary Michael line, also known as the Rainbow Serpent or the Great Female Dragon. (Interesting numerology: 26 = 8 We participated in men’s and women’s circles and went = infinity = Parallel Community! There were also 8 men to into the dark to ready ourselves for the solstice ceremony. the 18 women). We met in sacred ceremony to greet the We aligned ourselves with openness to the spiritual land with our intentions, and then wisdom, love and will that Uranus, Neptune proceeded to travel the solar system by and Pluto bring, and then anchored that intent working with our Chakras and the Planets. with a fire ceremony. The Sun opened our hearts to the ‘Essence Before sunrise on the 21st we travelled to Kong of I Am’ and the transformational and Asgershøj and entered another beautiful burial creative golden light of possibility. mound to sit in silent darkness until emerging We visited the beautiful Dolmen of into the sunrise of the new world. And very Sprovedyssen, sat in its snow-filled interior powerful and beautiful it was. We then had a and listened to beautiful music from the fire ceremony to send to Spirit all our Jupiter Tales of Hoffman connecting us with the visions; this was blessed by the slow and Moon, and in my personal case, the amazing graceful flight of a heron that passed over us as white spar stones of Duloe Stone Circle, so the last vision entered the flames. far away back home in . The winter Solstice ceremony itself took place We journeyed to a large long barrow, Gronsalen, to work in a North Star Medicine Wheel in the grounds with Mars and the Asteroids. Dusk came early to the Isle of of Bakkegaard Pension, where we were staying. We were Møn and the farmland surrounding the barrow was positioned to represent the Galaxy, the men as the Galactic Centre and the women the Galactic spiral arms. It was a very powerful experience. Afterwards everything

1 looked exactly the same, but we all from our altar into the Baltic Sea. knew that nothing would ever be the same again! All of this was supported by the wonderful food so lovingly created, The afternoon saw many of us and the generous hospitality so walking to the incredible white chalk freely given by our warm and cliffs of Møns Klint, where five brave appreciative hosts Vivi and Uffe. souls walked down the several Thank you both. hundred steps to place the water

21.12.2012 at Treviscoe (1)

Ba and Lindsey, core team members, write …

At 7pm on 21.12.2012, about 45 people braved the howling which set us on the path of peace. Our intention was taken wind and rain to attend a ceremony at Treviscoe, from the Lord’s Prayer. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Trencrom, West Cornwall. As the rain lashed down we all Heaven”. After this the roaring fire, the delicious food and gathered round the Seed of Life. The ceremony began by hot mulled fruit juice went down wonderfully well. honouring the four directions, along with our guides and Because of the weather, and the extraordinarily high energy ascended masters, inviting them to join with us all in the of the day, this was not for the faint-hearted, and it was heartfelt service. Ba Miller explained about the significance quite a struggle for everyone as we were all dripping wet, of the Solstice, and the particular significance on this very cold and tired. But despite the difficulties, the occasion at this special time in our history. ceremony was completed to the best of our abilities. After blessing the collection basket with mantras, this was The following day, Ba and Lindsey went to the heart shaped placed in the centre of the Seed of Life, and everyone was hole, and were both very moved by the energy and invited to place their own individual prayers and thoughts vibration from it. It felt as though the very earth itself was into the basket, along with a wide variety of heart-shaped pulsating. The plan is to plant a Peace rose on top of this objects. While this was gently progressing, we all chanted heart, to commemorate and to honour all the love, light, the Gayatri Mantra, and then OMs for peace, harmony, and peace and good wishes that went into Mother Earth that love. night. It felt, that next morning, as though all our thoughts, The basket with all its heart-shaped objects, prayers and wishes, and intentions had been accepted, firmly grounded, good thoughts was then carried to a particular spot that and rooted in. had been dowsed for, and placed into a heart-shaped hole Thank you to all who attended. It was an honour and cut into the turf. The energy was then rooted in and the privilege to be present, and may all those loving vibrations basket covered with sacred holy ash and a sacred cloth be radiated from that sacred piece of ground out into the from India. Following this we gathered round the Hopi world to expand and blossom. Circle, to close the ceremony with love and gratitude. SO BE IT. Everyone then escaped the wind and rain, and gathered in Ba’s home, for a sharing which included a beautiful song

21.12.2012 at Treviscoe (2)

Core team member Lynn Forrest writes …

New Year, New Start. We often think of a new year in this celebrating with for many years - the Seed of Life group way. Gives us a reason to start afresh, tackle something based near Trencrom in west Cornwall - and found that we've been putting off or leave things behind us that just even on the stormiest night of the year, around 30 people don't fit with how we are feeling. took the opportunity to come together to re-unite in love and friendship at a sacred site. Many of them spoke around Much has been made of 21:12:12. Well, those of us still the circle with a new confidence and commitment, bringing here made it through what turned out to be just another through the very best of who they are. For me, this is the day. However, many many people took the opportunity to key to the transition we have made from 'the old world' to make new pledges, commit to a better way of life and forge the new; the real meaning of the ancient prophecies new friendships. I joined with a group I have been 2

(Mayan and otherwise) that we got so hooked up on last This is why many of us are finding ourselves quieter, more year. It is a great joy to know that we really do have choice still, some inactive; so that we have a chance in this new about our lives and lots of us are putting positive action in year to observe, consider and do things differently. For place to do something about it after the furore of 2012. some, illness has brought us to a halt; for others, the lack of forward movement with plans. Even the weather has We are still in a bit of a holding pattern for a couple of produced the ability to spend quiet time inside (literally and months until we get used to this new perception. We are metaphorically), northern or southern hemisphere, beginning to realise that we don't have to put up with wherever you live. things if we don't want to; we don't have to take on board other people's horror stories and woes to the extent This is a great time to take the opportunity to begin anew. that we turn the negativity on ourselves. We can be mindful Whilst the year finds its feet and things are slow to move and make a conscious choice for what we admit to our lives, out, rediscover your own passions, strengths and whilst simply having compassion for others and their awareness. Bring all of who you are to the party and set circumstances. Doing that leaves us in our power and your intent for joy, love and compassion. Then as the Spring encourages a change in energy for others to make their and Autumn Equinoxes set us on the next part of the wheel own choices. Should we make a choice to intervene or join of the year, use that energy to spiral out into your true self. in, we often find ourselves dealing with our own process We can and will make a difference to our world this year: brought on by that choice. What we did doesn't always let's make it a really good and sustainable one. make a difference in the way we thought it would, if at all.

To connect or not to connect?

Core team member Nathascha Heijen writes of her personal 2012 winter solstice experience, at Avebury …

During our adventures on the Magical Spiritual Journey to Avebury & Stonehenge which took place from December 14 to 23, a theme kept coming back over and over again: the feeling of being separated versus a feeling of being connected to the web of life. In different situations and variable depths, all of us brave adventurers experienced a feeling of separation or isolation. It came in its most deeply felt form of primal separation from the Source, to a more tangible feeling of separation like that of feeling separated from a group, from nature or from a concept. This theme was so persistently present for all of our group members that I suspected no coincidence here! This might be something that is playing out in the wider field of the human consciousness. Maybe a collective healing is taking place?

Situations in which the feeling of separation arises and come to your attention, can be used as valuable opportunities disguised as challenges, and offered to you by your own inner Self. It seems to be asking us to investigate our usual pattern of behaviour. What can we learn from these challenges? What is the message your Soul would like you to know regarding your feeling of separation? I thoroughly investigated the situations I encountered on that particular journey and my own reactions to it, and concluded that my lesson was not to react with ‘separation’ (withdrawal from the situation or person) when I feel disappointed. Because disappointment is just an emotion that comes from my own expectations not being met. There’s no need to go into a fail-safe mode of disconnecting myself from the situation. Everything I need to change my expectations and therefore my experience of the situation is already within me.

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In my preferred reality there is a Great Web of Life where everything is connected to everything else with countless invisible threads of interconnectedness. But it is not always easy to keep this in mind. Certainly not when stuff happens that triggers a feeling of separation. However, when I deliberately choose to stay connected and to not withdraw from the situation and thus the web, I will not only discover the pleasant and less pleasant sides to me in others, but I will also find support, help and all ingredients of pure Magic (the Art of Change) in this eternal web. Well, unless I subconsciously go with a feeling of separation, in that case I will feel isolated and misunderstood: not the happiest place to be staying in. Thankfully it takes just one moment to CHOOSE to connect again. It is possible to control what we want to feel. Happiness, joy, connectedness: it is not something that happens to you, but rather you create it with every choice, thought, deed and word. You can find your balance by knowing and trusting that your true strength lies within. There you will find your unique connection to the all-pervading Web of Life. There you will find magic!

Choose to connect. Thirteen years Core team member Michael Baker writes of his experience of the solstice in Andalucia, Spain …

Thirteen years passed in a twinkling of the eye. count calendar of the Maya known as the Oxlajuj Baktun. Just think how special this was! We were alive for the Thirteen years ago I stood in the Inner Courtyard of Queens’ birthing of a new 5125 year era on 21st December 2012! Cambridge and gazed up at the sundial measuring time and astronomical events. The word “hor I zon” caught my Here in Andalucia, Spain, my wife and I were asked to focus attention and I found my thoughts wandering to Horus, for the winter solstice celebrations. Our venue lends itself with it was his right eye that represented the sun. Can you mountainous backdrops and amazing skylines for the rising imagine the connection? sun. The air is pure and unpolluted. The night-time panorama of celestial magnificence stretches from horizon For many spiritual traditions the sun has been regarded to horizon. directly or indirectly as a power beyond the physical nature of a sun in the sky. The Maya Indians were great Dawn came. I knew exactly where the sun would rise on the astronomers. Almost without exception their ancient cities solstice, because there are two small pyramids of the Sierra in Central America have an observatory at their centre. Blanca on the skyline. Gradually and in silence as the light grew, some 21 people made their way to the platform The occasions I’ve spent with the Maya since the 1980s where we had arranged to hold the first meditation of the prepared me for the deep understandings they had about day. global changes in or around winter solstice 2012. Underlying this was the importance of what the Maya refer An awe-filled silence, interjected by the occasional bird to as the seating or preparation time where “seeds” are song of greeting, was infused with deep red followed by sown. orange and then golden spectacle. The air was still and calm; we sat together in total silence for maybe 40 minutes The seeds I refer to are the seeds being planted as or more – time seemed totally irrelevant, but inwardly we conscious thoughts in people and in this case, time each connected with some very special essence of life, our expressed as years. lives, each other’s lives, the lives of everyone beyond the I began my journey of focussed intent toward Winter visible horizon. Solstice 2012 at the solstice of 1999. Somehow the 13 years Later the same morning, in fact in time for the 11.11am between then and this last winter solstice of December worldwide oneness meditation, 25 people joined together 2012 have passed so quickly. for a guided meditation led by Alice Friend, an artist, Peace Now I find myself being asked to write about what Pipe carrier and Reiki Master, on the same outdoor happened for us at the winter solstice 2012 - the ending of platform as the sunrise meditation. Words are totally this period and at the same time the beginning of new era. inadequate to describe the togetherness we all I use the word era to describe the enormous time period of experienced. 5125 years beginning 3014BC. This was an “Age” in a long 4

The final focus of the day was held starting at 3.30pm. Alloa Patricia and I felt deeply honoured to be carrying out Some 29 people gathered for the Guatemalan Fire this ceremony, having learnt it from Maya Elders; and that ceremony in our seven metre diameter medicine wheel. with the right intentions we were not stealing their spiritual This actually required careful facilitation in order that gold. everybody was smudged before entering from the East The ceremony began with calling in the seven directions: I direction. Lucas from the Netherlands was custodian of the managed to find enough wind in my lungs to blow the copal and incense burning; Alloa Patricia was the Fire conch. It finished about two hours later with participants Priestess. cleansing their personal sacred objects in the remaining An explanation was given to how the fire was prepared and smoke. why the Mayan Tzolkin calendar was used as sacred count 29 people from eight nations departed in silence, but by all of a 20 day “week” 13 times: 20 times 13 being linked with accounts very moved by the experience. Interestingly this the time we spend in our mother’s womb. ceremonial act took place not that far away from the departure point of many Conquistadores.

Walking the Pathway to Change in 2012

PC member Kay Cook writes …

Many ancient spiritual traditions take the view that 2012 is a very important year in the evolutionary cycles of mankind and life. It is said by some that many ancient prophecies from the ancient Maya to those of the Red Indians, Huna people of New Zealand, first nation Australians and the Northern peoples state there will be catastrophic events.

Many people who have looked deeper, including the indigenous shamans of the olden days and the present, speak of more hopeful prophecies, if mankind will learn certain lessons in sufficient numbers to uplift the collective vibrational field of humanity and the earth. The presence of a spiritual field “carrying” the energetic dialogue between humanity and the greater universe allows scope for a more uplifted vision of the future to express itself in the world of matter. In my view it is the uplifted collective consciousness or noosphere which is key to whether this process unfolds with devastation and violence, or with a greater grace and lesser violence.

The concept of humanity influencing how change is birthed is also mentioned in the great Icelandic poem, which in the English version is called ‘The Prophecy’. The need to "find the golden tablets in the grass" is spoken of by the Seeress.

The Seeress addresses Odin telling him that not to be distressed because it was meant to be this way; that following devastation a New Earth more beautiful than the old one will be born. If we seek and find the "golden tablets in the grass" then the changes will be born with greater ease.

To me the "golden tablets in the grass" refers to the need to see, feel, listen and intuit the patterns of wisdom which have been encoded within our own energy and the energy encoded in the energy within the earth; to start to unfold these patterns in everyday waking reality and to live them.

Has the collective consciousness of mankind evolved sufficiently for the upcoming changes to be born with a greater grace? I remain hopeful that this will happen in time. I personally feel that the extremes we are seeing in our world are symptomatic of the old paradigm co-existing with the paradigm which has already entered the "birth canal".

Do I feel afraid? Absolutely not. Some people have voiced concern about the choice I have made to relocate to Iceland in 2012, aware that there are volcanoes here.

My own belief is that fear would not be helpful because it lowers the vibrational frequency of the energy field or spirit. Holding aspirations high is helpful, looking for the best in people and situations and following our own dreams.

I can only say I feel very hopeful which does not mean that I take a utopian view of a world with no problems. Times of change in which inevitably the old paradigm will try to hold sway as the new one is born will bring uncertainty and upheaval.

Like the seeress in the poem ‘The Prophecy’ I feel a sense of "meant to be" of course hoping that we have discovered those "golden tablets"! I feel a sense or privilege in being alive now is all I can say.

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Walking the Pathway to Change in 2012

PC member Kirsten Bolwig writes …

Speaking at the United Nations last September, Evo Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, called for a new age to begin December 21, 2012. Morales said the date signals an end to individualism and capitalism and a turn toward the collective good.

“And I would like to say that according to the Maya calendar the 21 of December marks the end of the non-time and the beginning of time. It is the end of the Macha and the beginning of the Pacha; it is the end of selfishness and the beginning of brotherhood; it is the end of individualism and the beginning of collectivism: 21 of December this year. The scientists know very well that this marks the end of an anthropocentric life and the beginning of a bio-centric life. It is the end of hatred and the beginning of love, the end of lies and beginning of truth. It is the end of sadness and the beginning of joy, it is the end of division and the beginning of unity, and this is a theme to be developed. That is why we invite all of you, those of you who bet on mankind, we invite those who want to share their experiences for the good of mankind."

Transcript of speech by Evo Morales Ayma, President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, at the General Assembly of the United Nations on September 26, 2012.

Sent by Core Team member Annie Turner …. "There are three kinds of people in the world, those who are asleep, those who are stirring, and those who are awake. If you try to wake up the sleeping, he will just mumble and go back to sleep. If you wake up the stirring, he will wake up just long enough to curse you and then go back to sleep. Instead of trying to wake them up, if you come across someone who is asleep or stirring what you should do is, fluff their pillow, tuck them in, and kiss them on the forehead. The important joy for those who are awake is to seek each other out, connect with others who are awake, talk, sing and celebrate together. This will create a groundswell of awareness. As this groundswell increases and spreads out, it will awaken the stirring and will begin to stir those who are still sleeping.” (quotation attributed to R Buckminster Fuller)

The Well of Life

The hand of destiny is stirring The waters within the well of life A little faster now, and so Those in tune with the flow Cannot feel the movement And the speed of the water Carrying them thus; until

They look back and see

The place from whence they came A moment of observance from enough Will be the time when the people create the moment When the overlap of past and present ends When the difference between what is and what could be Is seen by enough people as though for the first time In this moment of observance the concurrence of old and new ceases the new gains precedence and is set free to grow and to flourish – a new mind and a new way of being as the old is moved to be held within the atrophy of time.

Kay Cook

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Plastic Bottles

What can we do with all the plastic bottles in our waste dumps? Click here for a few ideas …

http://inspirationgreen.com/plastic- bottle-homes.html

Archaeological Investigations at Carwynnen Quoit

PC member Pip Richards writes to update us on progress with the restoration of Carwynnen Quoit, near .

After three years of The Parallel Community fundraising by the will be entertained to Sustainable Trust in a see a photograph of difficult financial Hamish, kindly donated climate, the by Ba. He is pictured archaeologists started with dark hair dowsing work with gusto in early near the collapsed July last year. We quoit. The Michael Line planned to hold two roars across the field community digs, the first nearby. Shortly after to dig 20 investigative Hamish's death, Andy pits and the second Norfolk, chairman of the during autumn to locate trustees, and I planted the exact socket holes an Oak tree in the field where the three orthostats, or upright stones, had originally to commemorate his life. At the beginning of the project been located before the monument collapsed in 1966. the West Cornwall dowsers were invited to identify one of the pits to investigate. Pit 50, as it became known, proved We intended to involve the 'wider community' as required quite productive, yielding parts of clay pipe, pottery from by our main funders, the Heritage Lottery Fund, but were several eras, a musket ball, a overwhelmed by the warm worked and shaped granite response we have received stone the size of a man’s from almost everyone we head; and, deep in the have encountered in the ground, two large shaped and course of the project. More weathered pieces of granite. than 350 people came to our open day on the 30th Jacky Nowakowski, September, many with archaeology team leader, historic and personal tales states, “Our major discovery to tell about the was a largely intact and well- monument. preserved artificial chamber “floor”. That this survived at We have started to all was partly to do with the document the diversity of fact that when the three (from the library of Professor Charles Thomas) the project at granite uprights and the www.giantsquoit.org massive mushroom-shaped capstone collapsed in the 1960s earth tremor, they had fallen right on top of the

7 area where they had once stood, and this heap of stones so do please take advantage if there are any facets of the had therefore protected the ground beneath. project that interest you. The more input the merrier!

“The ‘floor’ of the monument, an intact stone pavement, I have been surprised to find that a project which by some is made up of two elements. One is a narrow strip of may seem to be a dry academic exercise has blossomed compacted small stones which formed a hard-standing into something so interesting and diverse. We are really surface arranged in a doughnut-like circuit. At the front happy to have brought so much joy to all those involved, end of the monument, a fine narrow strip of the pavement from the volunteer diggers, some of whom have written extended well beyond the shelter of the capstone. poems, made sketches and clever digital photographs, to the children of the local primary school in Troon who “This is the first time that the original footprint of a enjoyed making flags, painting model quoits with monument of this type and great antiquity has been homemade mud and charcoal paint, and finding flints. We revealed by excavation in Cornwall. It shows that wider understood that quoits are iconic Cornish monuments, but Megalithic architectural styles in far south-west Britain not quite how much they are valued by members of the accommodated tremendous variety.” local community.

th On June 9 2013 a meeting of three dowsing groups is We will have our noses back to the grindstone this summer, planned on the land, sometimes known as the 'Frying Pan raising funds towards the next phase which we hope will Field'. The Tamar Dowsers and the Trencrom Dowsers are run between September 2013 and May 2014. Donations are to meet up with the West Cornwall groups. This will mark always welcome of course, but any other input is equally the end of this phase of the project. Between now and then valued. we will be holding a variety of events as described in the events page on our website. These are free and open to all, Pip Richards - [email protected] 01209 831718

Fluoridation

PC member Cynthia Bagchi writes to tell us about a campaign with which she is involved.

Fluoride, and fluoridation (the addition of fluoride to the water supply) was introduced to the public in the 1940s as being beneficial for slowing tooth decay in children.

However, over these many years, scientific evidence has proven that fluoride, even in small quantities, is damaging to our health, to Nature, and to the environment.

Fortunately, only 11% of was fluoridated in the late 1960s.

Now, in April of this year, 2013, the introduction or retention of fluoride in our water will become the responsibility of local authorities under the aegis of the Health and Wellbeing Board. This board is made up of councillors, council officers, and NHS officials.

The town where I live, Bedford, is presently fluoridated; it hopes, because of these changes, to stop fluoridation; but likewise it is possible that other areas which are currently not fluoridated may become so, if the public is unaware of the processes taking place. This would be disastrous.

Health is our number one priority so I urge everyone to learn as much as possible about Fluoridation and what is happening in their area.

Some helpful websites include www.fluoridealert.org ; www.fluoridefree.net/ ; www.npwa.org.uk ; www.thenhfireland.com Bedford’s website is www.endthefib.org

Clips of interviews with Walter Graham can be found on you-tube. However, if anyone wishes to pursue this further, Ann Wills is offering to send out audio CDs or tapes of an interview with Walter Graham BA . He is a great speaker and gives an amazing number of reasons against fluoridation. It last 90 minutes and is called ‘Fluoride – the protected poison’. The cost is £1.40 to cover expenses. Email Ann at [email protected].

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“Meet the Members”

In the first of what will hopefully become a regular feature of the PC newsletters, PC member Anna Marie Andersen tells us about her life and her work. If you would like your story to be considered for publication, please write to us at [email protected] We would love to hear from you.

Please let me introduce myself. My name is Anna Marie Andersen and I am a Fine Artist BA Honours who graduated at the mature age of 57 from Winchester School of Art in 2011. I have not exhibited vastly, but last year I was commissioned to paint a great bustard sculpture for Wiltshire County Hall, which was revealed to the public late in November 2012 and the sculpture resides in the new atrium at the County Hall in Trowbridge.

During the years of studying art I got to know about Parallel Community after having listened to a very interesting lecture by Hamish Miller at a Crop Circle Conference in Marlborough and I receive your newsletter, which I treasure and regard highly.

Also during my art studies, the landscape of Salisbury Plain came to play a very important part in my artwork and still does, but also for the first time in my life was I able to deal with spectres of my Greenlandic Inuit ancestry. Delving into a landscape has opened up channels to my innermost landscape - and an understanding and recognition of my Greenlandic Inuit origin began to emerge together with an intense need for reconnection.

Writing has always been part of my practise and this year a book about growing up with two very different cultures will be published by the Greenlandic publishing company "Agtuagkat" (meaning "Books"). The book will be published in Greenlandic and Danish.

I will let my website speak: www.ArtofSila.co.uk [email protected]

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Light One Candle, Don't Curse The Darkness.

Everyone wishes the world could be different. Everyone on the shoulders of others? If you see a problem, why not dreams of the world they would like their children to grow do something about it? There is a fallen branch in the road: up in: happy, peaceful, full of hope, kindness and move it to the side. A discarded chocolate wrapper: put it in prosperity. And everyone wonders, in their darkest a bin. Don't just think, “It's someone else's responsibility”. moments, whether this dream can ever be anything but a The world is our responsibility, each and every one of us. dream. Can dreams come true? Is there any way that a There are many ways that we can all help: reducing energy perfect world can be made a reality? wastage, using public transport, walking, cycling. Buy locally produced food and other goods, support small local The answer is yes. If enough people share a vision, and businesses rather than multinational chain-stores and work towards making it happen, then a dream can come supermarkets, whose motivations are based solely on true. The key is to try, to make a difference, no matter how profits rather than ethics and sustainability. Many people small, to make one tiny step towards a perfect world. The complain about the loss of their local facilities, but how quote at the start of this article is an ancient Chinese many of them actually made use of them when they were proverb, which epitomises exactly how we can do this. Just there? one candle can make a huge difference in a darkened world, and if everyone lit one candle, rather than being Recycle everything possible, even when it is easier to throw content to live in the darkness, then the world would be something in the bin out of convenience. Reuse carrier bags ablaze with light. instead of getting new ones from the shops each time. Support charity shops: their ranges of clothes, books and The world is full of individuals, societies and charities who gifts are as good as in mainstream shops; they are far have chosen to step up to the mark, to fight the good fight, cheaper and the money goes to a good cause. The pages of to make the world a better place, now and in the future. All books may be a little these people do their bit, tatty, but does that some in a big way, some in really matter? a small way, but it all counts. Many people who Help a neighbour with have chosen this path face their shopping, share the demon of disheartened lifts into town, arrange disillusion. How many a group initiative to tidy people think, 'What can I the local area, help to do that will make any clear footpaths of snow, difference? Just one person invite an elderly out of seven billion in the neighbour around for world, what difference can supper. It will introduce I make?' a ray of light into someone's life, which It is all too easy to turn will reflect back into from this path, despairing your own, community bonds will be strengthened, people against any hope of success. The efforts of one person may will be happier, and then people will begin to care more. seem futile and pointless, a mere drop in the ocean, but True happiness comes from what we give, rather than what really, every little thing does help. One less turtle choking we have. on a plastic bag, one less moorland fire caused by a discarded bottle, one less sprained ankle from tripping on a There are countless ways that everyone can help infuse the fallen branch, it is all a step forward. We can all leave things world with a positive energy and light, and this light will better than they were, in some small way. We can all banish the darkness. Everyone can make a positive improve the life of one person or any other living thing. We difference in a small way, and if everyone did so, then that can all leave the world a better place. Some things may only perfect, dream world would become a reality. take a minute, but could potentially save a life. One good deed may just be a drop in the ocean, but It is easy to complain about the state of the world, remember, the ocean is comprised entirely of individual everyone does it. But then, how many people are content drops. to simply sit back and let the responsibility for change fall PC member Hannah Spencer 10

Life: A Player’s Guide by Jan Stone

PC member Marian Logie writes, “A good friend of mine, who follows the Parallel Community, has just written a truly inspirational book, which I thought might interest PC members. 'Life: A Player's Guide', by Jan Stone, is available on Kindle. Jan has written her book for young people who play computer games as part of daily life. It is, however, for all of us. After reading Jan's book, things started to subtly change for me; a reminder of what I already have known for many years has been 'taken out of its box and dusted off' and a totally new introduction to computer games, which I have dismissed as 'just' games. Hmmm ... a new year, with Imbolc just enjoyed, means time for a spring clean on all levels! I have copied here the Amazon review.”

What if life wasn’t the series of relatively pointless and mostly trivial events, beginning at birth and ending rather ignominiously at death, which many of the young – and not-so-young - attempt to avoid by escaping into fantasy worlds on their computers and games consoles? What if life was instead a meticulously planned experience; one that in fact turns out to be closely mirrored by those role-player computer games? Would that mean the Purpose of Life is simply to work through the many levels and challenges, building up valuable EXP (experience) as we go? If so, how might that change the way we play? Life: A Player’s Guide leads its readers through the amazing implications of this possibility. It also goes much further. It dares to suggest that each of us is not only the lowly game player, participating in the adventure and stashing away experience points on the way, but also – at a higher level of consciousness – a holographic portion of the designer and creator of the Game itself. Looked at this way, life becomes a cosmic, multi-dimensional, co-creative experience that we are building with every new thought and choice. ISBN: 9781781767764

The time has come to say hello To all our loved ones from long ago Watching over us from high above Sending their thoughts of a special love. Why is it so hard to understand Why the Angels come and hold our hand?

It is to guide us forward, to where we belong. So lift up your heart and rejoice in song Open your arms and receive what is true Then the angels of love will come to you. Marlene Jean Harvey St Margaret’s Church, Hopton, on the Michael and Mary Other poems of Marlene’s can be found on her lines, in the recent snow. Picture by Val. page in the Meeting Place.

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World Sound Healing Day

On Thursday 14th February, Parallel Community members in the west Cornwall area will be gathering at the Seed of Life sacred circle (at 11.30am for 12 noon) at Treviscoe, near Trencrom, to celebrate World Sound Healing Day with Sound, Song and Music at a special ceremony. All PC members are welcome to come along. Join Ba, Danu, Melanie and Lynn for a gentle and vibrant session of singing and sounding to the Earth. Just bring your voice and a musical instrument if you have one, to offer thanks and praise to Mother Nature and her peoples. Sing for balance and harmony for all life on the planet, along with many other groups across the world. For information please call Lynn Forrest on 07814 688290 or Ba Miller on 01736 740401.

Labyrinths

Internationally-renowned dowser and geomancer Sig Lonegren recently came to at the invitation of Trencrom Dowsers, for a talk and workshop on “The history, construction and use of Labyrinths”. Lots of PC-ers came along, among others. Afterwards, well wrapped up against the cold wind, everyone went down to the nearby beach and, to the great interest of passers-by, made a labyrinth there. All agreed that the talk had been inspiring, and there will be labyrinths in gardens!

Photos by Annie Turner

400 Parallel Community members now on line!

Are you one of them? Join this growing community if you haven’t already, meet lots of other members, and have a good chat with them on the Meeting Place, PC’s interactive website, at http://www.parallelcommunity.ning.com . Click at the top right where it says, “If you’re not a member, click here to sign up” – (even if you are a long-established PC-er!) and follow the instructions, creating a new account, and click ‘sign up’. Then you can start communicating with other like-minded people, finding kindred spirits, making new friends, contributing your ideas, and becoming a very real part of this parallel community.

The next Parallel Community newsletter will be coming out early in April. The deadline for articles etc is Friday March 29th. Please send articles, letters or comments to the address below, by post or email. Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to any friends you think might be interested.

The Parallel Community, c/o Treviscoe, Trencrom, Lelant Downs, , Cornwall TR27 6NP, UK [email protected] www.parallelcommunity.com

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