Our backyard has turned into a menagerie. Spring has sprung and then-some around here! Greg has made a sanctuary for the squirrels, bunnies, hummingbirds and assorted songbirds that come around for the food he puts out for everyone everyday. It’s truly wonderful to sit outside and be entertained by the wildlife! They have become our friends, and they are a real reminder of how precious, and robust, life really is. A few weeks ago we were having a balmy evening and I was reading in the bedroom with the sliding glass door open. Brian, my almost-16 year old, came in to give me some of his news of the day when he heard a spash in the pool. I figured it was just the ducks, a mallard couple who comes around to take a dip every now and again, and let it go. But Brian was curious and went outside to investigate. Thank goodness he did! In the pool he found a baby bunny trying desperately to swim. He sprang into action, grabbed the pool scoop, and scooped that little guy up to safety. My hero! I brought out a towel and wrapped this sweet little thing up. He was shivvering, and scared. I stroked him and tried to reassure him as best as I could. He could fit in the palm of my hand he was so tiny! Once he was dry and calm we let him loose again in the yard, far away from the swimming pool! We often see the whole family, mom and dad, and two little babies, munching on grass and frolicking on the lawn. It’s amazing to watch the little ones grow, and I get nervous when they hop inside the pool fence! We also have a squirrel family to keep us company. Greg has named the mama squirrel “Nadia” after Nadia Comaneche because she is such an acrobat. Her husband’s name is Bart, of course! They have two little sons whom Greg has dubbed Fatso and Loco. Fatso runs to Greg’s office door for peanuts, and Loco does flips for no apparent reason other than to entertain himself! And then right outside our bedroom window a mama Mourning Dove has made her nest. According to my dad, Mourning Doves are notoriously bad nest-makers, so they try to find a place that’s convenient. We have a hanging plant in a wicker basket there, so it looks like one big nest, and that’s where she has made her home. This is the third year we’ve seen her there, but this is the first year we’ve seen her with babies. She patiently sat there, day after day, and we peaked in on her to make sure she was okay. Finally we could see little pin feathers under her, and one day we could see a little baby bird face looking back at us. When mama went off to get food at one point, we found two precious little birdies, side by side. We didn’t see much of them after that, mama kept them close, staying right on top of them to keep them warm. But one day, when she was off again, Greg peaked in to see that one of the babies had died. We were so sad. I felt so bad for that little mama who cared so much for her little ones. I don’t know why these things happen, just something about nature, no matter the species. Mama is still there with her one little bird, and he’s growing bigger every day. His feathers are coming out, and he’s almost as big as his mom. He’ll fly out of his safe nest soon, and be on his way. I think of how Freddy just graduated from high school, and how he’s leaving home to go off to college. They grow up so quickly!

I’m so glad that other people are speaking out about Tom Cruise and his insensitivity, and downright… well, stupidity! After Tom’s go-round with Matt Lauer, where Matt kept his dignity while Tom pretty much flew off the handle, Al Roker’s comment was that Tom is not a med student, and needs to stay out of other people’s business. And the APA, (The American Psychiatric Association) the ones who really needed to respond, finally spoke up. Got this quote from the People Magazine entertainment alert: “On behalf of the 36,000-physician-strong APA, the group’s president, Dr. Steven Sharfstein, said in a statement: “It is irresponsible for Mr. Cruise to use his movie publicity tour to promote his own ideological views and deter people with mental illness from getting the care they need.” The rebuke from the APA went on to challenge Cruise’s assertion that psychiatry lacks scientific merit. “Rigorous, published, peer-reviewed research clearly demonstrates that treatment (of mental illness) works,” the APA statement said. “It is unfortunate that in the face of this remarkable scientific and clinical progress that a small number of individuals and groups persist in questioning its legitimacy.” ” I am so appalled that I considered boycotting Tom’s new movie “The War of the Worlds.” But what the heck? I want to see the movie! And I’m certainly not going to let Tom Cruise influence me on this matter or any other.

I‘ve been struggling with what to say, or write, with all the tragedy that has been going on in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. It seems too big for words, too difficult to comprehend the enormity of it all, including the impact that it will have on generations. Today I was e-mailed this article, which I think is something interesting to think about. I’m copying it in its entirety: AWAKENING ELEMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS A Star Elders Message through Aluna Joy Yaxk’in Recent events are a signpost that another step toward your evolution, empowerment and awakening has been taken. Because of this, it is time to share with you a message about the elements. With the recent floods in the USA, the tsunami waves in Asia, increased volcano and earthquake activity, and even increased terrorist attacks, it is time to understand your part in all of this, and what you can do about it as a co-creator. It is time for you to understand that everything happens for a reason. Everything is in a divine plan for perfection even though, outwardly, it might look otherwise. Everything has a cause. That cause is found in levels of consciousness. We well know about your Japanese scientist, Dr. Masaru Emoto, who has proven that when water is blessed, it reacts and changes its molecular structure into a more harmonious state. It is equally provable that negative energy could effect water also. YES? Because you now know this fact, it has opened a whole new dimension in your world. You can now direct the consciousness of water! But we want to tell you that it is much more than this. In fact, the other forces of nature (fire, earth and air) will now all become more alive with consciousness just as the water has. These elements have always had consciousness, but now you can direct this potential. The more you are aware of this fact, the more alive the elements will become. The gateway in evolution to making the 4 elements directable conscious has been opened. This changes everything. What this means is that these natural elemental forces are now able to react to your consciousness. Negative energy or positive; It is up to you. What we what to talk about is the projection of negative energy, as this is what’s up on your planet right now. We want to show you what you can do about it. We want to show you why in the long run, this is a very good thing! Example . . . Negative projections, sent from one person to another, can effect the receiving person in a negative way, since their body is made up with a great deal of water. But it can only effect them in areas that are vulnerable. Thus making the receiver aware of a physical, emotional or spiritual weakness. This gives the receiver a unique opportunity to heal that area of their life. Once negative energy is sent out, it wants to find a place that feels like home. Like energy is attracted to like energy. The one who sent the negative energy in the first place has now compromised their energy field and is now vulnerable to attack. The more negative energy they dish out the more that will come back to them. So you do pay a heavy price for using negative energy. This creates a looping effect where negatives keep circumnavigating over and over. This is why some people can’t seem to get out of the negative patterns they are in, since they keep attracting the same issue over and over until they become aware that they can shift it. This is evolution! This makes sense to you, yes? “Your every thought, feeling, perception, spoken word, and performed action reverberates into the universe.” — Swami Muktananda Now what if one country directs negative energy to another country? What would happen? The receiving country would be effected in its geographically/energetically vulnerable locations by the universal law of attraction. Also, sensitive ones in those countries would be effected. Again . . . like energy attracts like energy. Energetically vulnerable locations are places on the earth where land has low vibrations, or where it has suffered misuse due to crime, misuse of drugs, violence, lower chakra energy, and general misuse like pollution. It might be a place that feels depressed, or you might feel tired or heavy while there. There are also natural occurring geographically vulnerable places on Earth . These can be near active volcanoes and fault lines, and land that is near or below sea level. When negative energy is directed to an entire land mass or country, these geographically and energetically vulnerable locations will be the first places that the consciously directed elements will go. These locations are susceptible to what we might perceive as negative events or conscious elemental upheaval. If an area is both geographically and energetically vulnerable at the same time, the elements will clear this area first. For example … In New Orleans, all 4 elements came into play as the land was both geographically and energetically compromised. The wind blew, the water rose, the earth gave way and the fire burned. Directed natural elemental forces rose up to clean up energetic disharmony at that location. Many who endured this event learned hard lessons. Not listening to the warnings of the elements and compromising your life to protect material goods, is not worth the price paid. Once negative energy has been sent out, it can’t be reversed. It is like when you say something hurtful to someone, you can’t take it back. It has been said. The elements will and do act out directed energy. But here is the good news. Now that you know this, you have the ability to direct the elements, and the elements will work for you quickly and efficiently. Many countries in your world have incurred much negative karma creating energetically vulnerable areas by the use of atom bombs, terrorist attacks, and unjust wars, and a general and continual misuse of power. This has created thousands, even millions, of enemies that send out negative projections by their thoughts. Many countries are being bombarded with negative energy on a daily basis, and sensitive ones out there are feeling the pressure of this. This energy does and will clear out geographically and energetically vulnerable areas. Isn’t this GREAT! The elements will and are cleaning up the planet. It is all in divine order and within a universal plan for life to evolve past a dualistic world. But now comes the responsibility that goes with this new step in evolution. Now it is time to take action. Drop the remote, get out of the chair, quit watching the world, and be a part of it once again. Remember that you are a powerful creator within this world. The powers at be know how to use your guilt, shame and fears to take control of you, so you won’t clean up the world. When you are grieving losses and are in shock, you can be used. Don’t let your sadness make you weak. Don’t let fear quiet your voice at this most powerful time. It is time to take action . . . in a POSITIVE WAY. Ancients have known this for some time . . . but now is the time to bring this truth into your time and world in which you live. You are already working with water to clear the planet of its disharmony. Now take this a step further. Work with the AIR, EARTH, FIRE and WATER. All elements are at your direction . . . not just water. Here is the hitch that you might have perceived in this plan. Remember . . . like energy attracts like energy. This is still true. When you send out positive energy to the elements, it will go again to places that feel like home . . . positive places. If wonderful and harmonious energy is sent out, it will reach places that are already harmonious and will be impacted with gentle harmonious elements. A gentle rain, a cool breeze, a gentle sun and an abundant Earth. So how do you heal the negative areas of your planet, and help ones in need? First you must maintain positive places on the Earth, Gardens of Eden if you wish, to give home to those ready to break their patterns of negativity and help them maintain a higher frequency. This way they will quit being vulnerable to negative projections. The more that we all evolve in this way, the less places that the directed elements have to clean up. Those many Gardens of Eden, that you will anchor, will grow and grow, and spread across the planet. This will reduce the environments which may be vulnerable to the elemental fury we are beginning to see. To shift negative areas of your Earth directly is tricky. Going into any kind of battle with the negatives in your area will not attract the desired results. There is another way, and here is how. You must be aware of the area of negativity to be cleared, but at the same time not give the negative any energy. You must dream/imagine the place or person into perfection. See the water pure, the air clear, the earth radiant and the fire righteous. If you see the negative in a place or person and try to heal that negative, you can only project negative laced with judgment and some good intentions. You will just neutralize your energy making it ineffective and a waste of your time. This is why praying or doing affirmations are not working for you anymore. Quit wanting, quit hoping. You must SEE IT ALL in a perfected state. You must become blind to the negative, and only see perfection in its place. You need to control your consciousness as a master does. But be forewarned . . . the necessary clearing of Earth will only be accelerated by your work. This is why global peace prayers seem to activate some violence afterwards. If you don’t believe us, look at your history. And remember that your participation in the clearing of Earth and humanity is a part of the divine plan. Your are already living in a higher frequency, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. It is not a time to hold back, or slow down the process. It is a time to take positive action. Soon . . . only one negative being will be left standing, and his/her last negative thought will be their undoing . . . And this our friends and family of Earth . . . This IS the Shift of the Ages. Aluna Joy Yaxk’in is an internationally known author, guide and modern mystic. Aluna Joy Yaxk’in, PO Box 1988, Sedona AZ 86339 Ph: 928-282-6292 Webpage: www.AlunaJoy.com – E-mail alunajoy@kachina.net Copyright © 2005 – Permission is granted to copy and redistribute this article on the condition that the content remains complete, full credit is given to the author(s), and that it is distributed freely. Center of the SUN – Aluna Joy Yaxk’in, PO Box 1988 Sedona, AZ 86339 USA Ph:520-282-6292 Ph/Fax:520-282-4622 Email: alunajoy@1spirit.com website: www.AlunaJoy.com

I didn’t write this, but I wish I did! One of my good friends, Reverend Kusala, a Buddhist monk living in downtown L.A., sent this to me via e-mail. It was uncredited, so I don’t know who wrote it – but kudos to whomever did! I just had to post, so enjoy! The Clown Chakra The Clown Scientists have found that all our problems can be placed under one heading: Seriousness Seriousness is the leading cause of everything from Cancer to Reincarnation. Scientists from theClownAcademy have already discovered a new source of healing. It is a psychic energy point located between the heart chakra and the throat chakra. It is called the Clown Chakra. If people are feeling miserable, if they have financial problems, if their relationship situation is the pits, if they are in ill health, if they have a need to sue people, if they find fault with their brother, then obviously, their Clown Chakra is closed. When this happens, the scientists have observed under a high-powered microscope that the cells of every organ display a sad face, and when the Clown Chakra is open and functioning normally, the cells display a happy face. The scientists realized that if a person is ill, it is because his mind has projected guilt onto the cells of his body and has forced out the love that is normally found within each cell of the body. The cells are therefore saying, “I Lack Love,” or “ILL” for short. The scientists also discovered that all disease is due to the fact that the cells are out of ease or dis-eased. When the Clown Chakra is opened and working (or rather, playing) properly, the psychic mechanism sucks up misery, pain, anger, resentment, grievances, unhappiness, etc., and converts the energy into tiny red heart-shaped balloons. The red heart-shaped balloons contain Love and Joy. These balloons are directed to the dis-eased cell or situation, and a happy face appears instantly. When the light enters the darkness, the darkness is gone. Sometimes these red heart-shaped balloons are called endorphins, due to the fact that when anyone experiences them, the feeling of separation ends. They experience being back home with All ‘That Is’ and hence are no longer an orphan. This is the well-known end-orphan (endorphin) effect. So, if you think someone is attacking you, Clown Scientists recommend that you visualize sending that person red heart-shaped balloons filled with Love and Joy. Remember to keep your Clown Chakra open and remember to laugh. Seriousness causes reincarnation.

Let’s see, we’re into day… oh, it doesn’t matter now, I lost count! But we’re almost done! We’re still sharing Brian’s shower, but the kitchen is up and running and we have plumbing in our bathroom. We have the TVs all hooked up, although we’re missing one of the remotes. As soon as we get the big bathtub out of the garage I think I can get my car in there! And speaking of the kitchen… I bought all new Kitchenaid appliances – very nice, top of the line. The microwave is fine, the oven is fine (although it won’t broil with the door open which bugs me). But the trash compactor came making a thumping noise. The freezer door is frosting over near the ice maker. And the dishwasher door won’t latch closed. So 3 of the 5 appliance I bought had problems! Kitchenaid sent a repairman. He fixed the trash compactor, but said we have to wait for a new door for the freezer, and we have to order a new latch for the dishwasher. I asked the repairman if he had seen this kind of thing before, and he said that Kitchenaid was always really good, very reputable, until Whirlpool bought them out. Hmmm…. I didn’t know that! I thought Whirlpool was good – didn’t they buy out Maytag? I can’t keep track of all this corporate stuff. Anyhow – my kitchen it getting fixed, and when it is I’ll be happy. But for now I’m frustrated. It’s not like this stuff was cheap. Right now I feel like the tile guys are living with us. They’re pleasant enough – but it would be nice to have the house to ourselves. They’re down to just our shower, and it’s a big job. My cat still hasn’t recovered. Cats are notoriously bad with change, and my cat, having lived in the same house for all of her life and never going far from my bedroom, is quite the prima donna. It’s going to take some time for her to get used to this place. We’ve been here 2 weeks now… I don’t know how long it’s going to take – she’s pretty much just hiding in the laundry room or my closet. And I discovered ebay! Well, I knew all about ebay, but now I have actually gone on there and bought stuff – and it is very cool. I bought some rugs from Persian Village – the prices are amazing! Actually, I have to go check on one of my bids now. More later!

I just spent the entire afternoon working with Brian and his friends on their junior class Homecoming float! It was such a fun day. The theme for the floats this year is “Disney” and each class chose a movie to represent. Brian’s class chose “Alice in Wonderland” and set up the float like the Mad Hatter’s tea party. Getting a group of teenagers together on any project is no easy feat, and Brian, as class representative, is the guy in charge. I was prepared for disorganization and disaster, and was happily surprised that the kids who came to help had a plan, brought materials, and worked hard. One of the dad’s is a cabinet maker, and he put together a plywood backdrop that is just amazing. It’s in 6 panels, each 8 feet high and 4 feet wide – so it fits together on the back of the 24 foot bed of the truck that they’re renting. David, the artist in the group, came up with a beautiful design which includes topiaries shaped like 2 0 0 7. Very clever! Another girl brought paint, another brought leaves and craft supplies. We set up everything in the driveway, sent out for pizza and got to work. I am so happy that I got to be a part of this experience. It brought me back to all the fun that I had doing things like this when I was in high school. I’m glad that Brian is involved, and participating in his class activities, it’s a great experience and it will give him some wonderful memories of these high school days. It’s great when parents get involved, too. One mom came and helped some of the girls make paper mache flowers. One dad made spectacular tea cups and a big tea kettle for the table. The Homecoming game is Friday night, and the parade is at half-time. I don’t usually go to the games, but I’m not missing this one. The junior class float is going to look awesome!