World AscensionWritten by Theresa Chaze
Continued from page 1 Souls have a tendency to choose regions, cultures, and parents who will allow maximum amount of spiritual and personal lessons. The freer and more open society, more likely it will attract advancing souls. In exchange, society will benefit from advancing souls increased energy levels and its access to universal wisdom, which brings about new medical, technological, and scientific discoveries. This self-sustaining process enable both soul and society, in which it’s a member, to quickly grow towards ascension. The society, which embraces new ideas and wisdom, becomes free of fear. It explores unknown, finds its secrets, and understands its mysteries therefore it becomes part of known; fear factor is removed. However, in a closed society, unknown remains hidden; fear factor remains intact. New ideas are afraid to be shared, thereby cutting off any potential gains either on physical or spiritual level. Tradition and history become ruling force. Change is considered dangerous. Anyone who proposes change is feared and hated. In this type of closed society, ideas quickly become inbred and fixed. Without challenges to keep it active, bioelectrical systems of individuals lose their ability to carry higher levels of energy. Parts of bioelectrical systems start to slow or even shut down. Just as muscles need movement to remain healthy, so brain needs intellectual stimulus to remain active. The slowing of bioelectrical system effects entire individual--emotionally, physically, intellectually and spiritually. This is also a self-perpetuating system. As souls interact, they reinforce traditional behaviors as good; anyone who thinks or acts outside norm is punished as evil or banished. The imbalance between two societies creates distrust, fear, and hatred. When open society tries to enlighten closed, it is seen as an attacking force. The fear factor in closed society increases. Its posture becomes defensive. It rallies natives to defend its way of life. The more aggressive open society becomes, more their actions have opposite affect. The open society is seen as paternalistic and condescending. Whereas their motives may have started out pure, potential for back sliding in open society is possible as closed society it judges as backward and ungrateful pulls it back to an earlier thought processes. Communication breaks down on physical level, leading to bigotry, violence and open hostilities. However, with patience and respect, spiritual communication can be maintained. In some cases, it is only route still open for communication. Only by opening door, turning on a guiding light, and allowing each soul to start ascension process on its own can stalemate end. Enlightened souls can be guides through process, but only after they have been invited. Ascended souls have and continue to voluntarily incarnate in closed societies, using their love, courage and wisdom to open it from inside out. The is no one solution, no one path to ascension. Each soul must find courage and wisdom to fight fear of unknown. As each individual finds its own path and reaches higher stage of development, society she/he lives in is blesses with same growth potential

Theresa Chaze is a fully dedicated Wiccan Priestess. Her first novel, Dragon's New Home--The Beginning of the Dragon Clan Trilogy is now available. It is based on her philosophy that all people can live together in peace as long as they come from respect. She invites you to visit her site at: "http://www.geocities.com/tirgana/Tirgana.html"
| | Universal Meaning of Celtic Knotwork Written by Marc Choyt
Continued from page 1
A square knot motif concerns structure and stability, which is why buildings use shape of a square foundation. Numerology has always played a part in ancient cultures and there are many books on subject. The number five, for example, represents four directions and center point, or five senses. We also often see knot work shaped like an oval, which is shape of an egg. The oval has something to do with generative creativity and birth. Planets circle sun in an oval. And if you squeeze an oval together you get lemniscates, symbol for infinity which is very prevalent in knot work motifs. Many knot work motifs also deal with vectors that travel in a certain direction. If you look at shape of an arrow, it’s easy to understand why a triangle might connote movement. Another common motif is knot work depicting a trinity. In Celtic tradition, many deities had three forms. The Mother Goddess was understood to maiden, mother and crone. The universe was viewed as heaven, earth and otherworld. We are born, we live and we die. Certainly trinity knot also illustrates One being dividing off into masculine and feminine, or mother and son-- a mystical truth contemplated in many sacred traditions. The cross is also a symbol rich in meaning. From a simple point of view, two lines crossing symbolizing a connection or meeting which can be a point of creativity. Some mystics speak of horizontal axis representing earthly plain, while vertical axis points toward heavens. While above guide for understanding knot work is not necessarily based on any scholarly or anthropological text on meaning of knots, it does provide a starting point that is based on a universal perspective. Most knot work designs are going to have some variation of these shapes. Spending time contemplating motif may yield some insight. Lastly, there’s an essential reason why knot work is so prevalent, and that is beauty. I will never forget Jaisalmer, an ancient town in desert of Rajasthan. This ancient city, where caravans used to stop and trade, is made from sandstone. Many of buildings are carved with intricate knot work patterns. Strangers walked up to me and said, “How do you like our beautiful city?” I could see clearly how art is life-giving and need for beauty is something fundamental. In middle of desert, beautiful knot work in golden stone brings joy to heart. Contributed by: Marc Choyt ©2005, Marc Choyt Email: marek@celticjewelry.com Website: www.artisanweddingrings.com

Marc Choyt graduated from Brown University in 1984 with a degree in English. In 1995, he received an MA degree in Humanities from St. John's College. In 1996, he and his wife, Helen Chantler, founded Reflective Images, a designer jewelry company specializing in contemporary Celtic jewelry. http://www.celticjewelry.com Please send email requests to marek@celticjewelry.com.
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