SFGA: Kabbalah

Thursday evening I went to the monthly meeting of the SFGA in Amsterdam. Wonder and I arrived early, so we could eat first. A lot of people had not reacted on the invitation, so we didn't know who would come. Unfortunately it wasn't that busy, but that was the loss of the absent ones! Marco told a very interesting story about kabbalah. I always found it to be quite difficult matter, but I finally get the basics now. Marco based what he told on the ideas by Colin Low. Colin originally posted his notes on Usenet, but kept upgrading his work. Right now you can download the free PDF-file "A Dept of Beginning; Notes on Kabbalah" here. Please note the license conditions, also on the fly-leaf. This book is for personal downloading and use only. Distribution, electronic or otherwise, is not permitted. I already downloaded, printed and binded it. I'm definitely going to work with it.
Of course we also caught up on how everybody's doing, the latest stuff etc. After all that's part of our gang of friends too. :-)
P.S. Last month the theme was divination, but I forgot to write about that!

SFGA chakra-psychology

It had been a long time since we had a theme for a SFGA meeting. Wonder and I decided by mutual agreement with the rest to breathe some new life into it. We prepared a presentation about Anodea Judith and chakra-psychology. I mailed the invitations and yesterday night was the night. We met at our old location in Amsterdam.
It was good to have an "old-fashioned" meeting with a theme, we all felt so. Of course we talked about all kinds of things, but a theme adds something extra. Wonder explained about chakra's and chakra-psychology. I told some things about Anodea and her book "Waking The Global Heart"; we visited her lecture in October. We've drawn up the presentation in a document, which will be put on the SFGA FTP-server hosted by IJs. You can also read it here (mostly in Dutch).

Interesting links:
Sacred Centers - Anodea is the founder and director of this foundation
Waking The Global Heart - about the book and everything related

SFGA: Mabon

Yesterday evening we had a SFGA-meeting in "In De Waag" in Amsterdam. The theme was Mabon, the Fall Equinox. We wanted to do something different, so Wonder and I had suggested to do crafts: making a Mabon wreath. Everyone had bought a wreath of willow twigs and brought some extra stuff: lavender, dried apple, feathers, berries, all kinds of natural decorations. I had some difficulty to make a start, but when busy I enjoyed myself very much. The results were very different, but all beautiful in their own way. This is mine; you can see all of them here. Ron liked it too and put it in our entrance hall on the door.

Yesterday

Yesterday I had a good day. I felt somewhat better and it really helped me to sum up what makes me happy. I had to cry when I heard one of mum's songs on Sky radio, but it didn't influence my whole day. I just had sore eyes for the rest of the day.
In the afternoon my friend Leonie and I met to do cryptograms together. That's become a tradition on Thursday afternoons. We have a lot of fun and together we solve the most difficult crypto's.

Around 6.30pm Wonder picked me up to go to a SFGA-meeting. We parked the car on the P+R car park near Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station. With the parking ticket you get two public transport tickets to use in the train or in tram/bus/etc. Nice service, but by train we couldn't get far enough and by tram it would take too long... From the other Amsterdam P+R you can travel almost anywhere in the city centre on the free ticket. Ah well, good lesson for next time: no parking near Sloterdijk anymore!
The weather was okay, so we walked from the Central Station to the location. We were the first, but soon the others came. It wasn't very busy and we didn't have a theme, so the evening didn't become all too spiritual and/or philosophical. ;-) We had a good time though, sitting outside by a canal just chatting and catching up. I was very tired, so I didn't protest when Wonder wanted to leave early. We were walking back to the Central Station when I got a bit unwell: sweaty, dizzy, headache and somewhat nauseated. I was afraid it would become a migraine. Wonder had to support me. At home he did a pressure point massage (?) and that helped well enough to have a good night's sleep and to wake up without a migraine!

Ganpati full moon

Last saturday Wonder and I had organised a special evening at Ganpati (on the natural beach of Zandvoort). We had invited lots of friends: from the SFGA, the Occult Forum, Children of the Circle, etc. It was a nice and varied group of people. Ron was there too. It was great to introduce him to my pagan friends.

We gathered between 6pm and 7pm to meet, talk, eat and drink something first. Around 8pm we started with a workshop "Introduction into Soundhealing", given by Renate. If you want to know more about it, go to the website of Chris James. She did some voice and breathing exercises with us. At first I had to giggle a lot, but when I seriously took part it was an amazing experience. The time was too short to really get into the healing part, but it was very interesting nevertheless.

By sunset we started a full moon ritual. It wasn't totally full moon yet, but during the ritual the moon rose in a beautiful way. Wonder and I had written the ritual together and led it. We had asked 4 friends for the calling of the quarters. The theme of the ritual was friendship. Everyone had written two wishes on a piece of paper: one for themselves, one for a friend. In a visualisation/meditation we gave the wishes extra power and after that we threw the pieces of paper in the fire to give them to the universe. We thanked Mother Earth by giving back group energy to her, using exercises from the workshop. For the cake and wine we used the cup and dish I got from my mother, so she was with us in a way too.

After the ritual we were talking a bit and tidying up, when the owner of Ganpati came around. Without asking anything he put out the fire by throwing sand on it and told us to leave in a very rude way. All evening he hadn't been very friendly, but this was the limit!! He can learn a lot from his own employees, because they were friendly and nice. It was a bit of an anti-climax. If we ever do something like this again, it won't be at Ganpati for sure!!

Afterwards we got a lot of positive feedback from the participants. It was my first time to lead a group ritual and before I was very nervous. Luckily it all went well and I even got compliments.

To see more pics:
Gaialynn's album - click on "Vollemaansfeest" third row in the middle
Pics from IJs - click on "Vollemaansfeest" in the left column
My pics (if you don't want your pic there, just let me know and I'll remove it)

Ganpati & SFGA: Indigo

Yesterday Wonder picked me up for the monthly SFGA meeting. We left early because he had to go to Ganpati first. That is a great place on the natural beach in Zandvoort. The ambience is relaxed and friendly. The decor is inspired by the Hindu culture. Wonder is going to work there as a masseur.
We had to walk 15 minutes from the end of the boulevard. The weather was sunny but not too hot. I love to walk along the surf on the beach, sometimes paddling through it (great treat for my feet!).
We talked to the owner and had something to eat. I took grilled salmon, which tasted exquisite. Wonder had satay, also very tasty. Ganpati had a wonderful influence on me: I felt relaxed, stressfree. In a way I didn't want to leave at all! :-)

We were a bit late in Amsterdam, but the rest was waiting for us outdoors. We went inside to listen to our guest Benjamin, who told us about (being one of the) new age children or Indigo-children. Better called Indigo's because there are not just children but also adults. At first I didn't know what to think of the theme, but it was very interesting and I've learned a lot. It's difficult to give a simple definition of Indigo's, but you can read more about it in The Indigo Files. Another website is Indigokind, both in Dutch and English (and German).
It was a very intense and intensive evening; afterwards we needed time to process all of it. I'm very glad I had such a relaxing time before, otherwise it could have been a little too much. It's very interesting stuff and I want to read more about it, but later. I was very tired when I got home.

Tonight I had a wonderful dream. I still remember fragments but when I tried to remember more, I felt there was no need. Not the dream itself was important, but the feeling it gave me. I can recall it right now if I want. It feels something like: relaxed, happy, at peace with myself and the world. That description doesn't do it justice, but it's one of the best feelings I ever had. I see it as a special gift that I can evoke when I need it. I don't know what I did to deserve it, but it's a gift I'll cherish...

Almost weekend

Yesterday evening we had a SFGA meeting again. The theme was "herbs & spices". The guest would be De Polderkol, but unfortunately she had to cancel. She'll come another time and/or we'll pay her a visit. Most of us had brought our books on the subject. Very interesting to nose around in other books!
This morning I had my fourth appointment at Rangkuti's clinic. I had rescheduled it to 8.30am, but had to bring Ron to work first. All in all a very busy morning... Pff...
Around 13.30pm I'll pick up Sorcha to go to the workshop weekend by Phyllis Curott in Nijverdal. I'm looking forward to it very much, just wish I wasn't so tired.

Cafe

Yesterday evening a SFGA delegation brought a visit to the witches cafe in Utrecht. Not official or something, we just agreed to go at the same night. I have been there before, but that was on another location. The new location is private and very nice. The cafe is run by people from the Silver Circle and the Pagan Federation. I saw some old acquaintances, but also new people. I found out that Mandragora is giving his workshops in Beverwijk, which is very near to IJmuiden. I took his flyer and will certainly look into it!
We had a great time and left around 11 o'clock.

SFGA: Asatru

Last Thursday the SFGA welcomed Dreki to tell us about Asatru, the Northern Tradition. It was very interesting. I must say I didn't know a lot about Asatru; I've read the Edda and knew some basic stuff. Dreki not only told us general information, but also gave it a personal touch by describing how he feels about it and applies it. He works with a group called Het Rad (The Wheel). Their website is mostly in dutch, but some of it is available in english. Especially the linkpage contains enough to explore Asatru on the www.

We tried a new location for the SFGA that evening, also in the city center of Amsterdam. Although it looked promising at first I don't think we'll return there. The old location isn't bad or something, in fact we use several locations. We just need a bit of privacy and acceptable prizes for drinks (and food).

First anniversary SFGA

Around this time the SFGA (Dutch abbreviation for Spiritual Philosophic Society Amsterdam) celebrates its first anniversary; time for a party!
Yesterday evening we gathered with members and guests in restaurant-café "In de Waag" in Amsterdam. We had booked the Klovenierskamer (arquebusiers room), an attractive space upstairs where we had met before. With old bookcases, lots of candles, an arched window... the room has its own pleasant atmosphere.
Entertainment was in the capable hands of Donderelf: Philip and Theresia van der Zee. Philip tells compelling tales from all quarters of the world in his own fascinating manner. Theresia accompanies the stories on her ever enchanting harp. The harp was only just decorated in a unique way with beautiful and very detailed illustrations, that fit the harp perfectly. When Philip was telling a story, I was intrigued by the paintings on the harp. The music and story seemed to make them come alive. As always the public hung to Philip's lips; even when he told the great story of Balder which I heard before, I was all ears.
Before and after the stories we chatted amongst ourselves. Interesting discussions alternated with small talk while we had drinks and snacks. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we almost forgot the time. Some of us missed the last metro, but in the end everyone got home or to their car. I was home around half past one.
The past week I've been ill (migraine, period, flu), so after such a night I'm pretty exhausted and apathetic. Nevertheless I'm very glad I decided to go, 'cause I wouldn't want to have missed this!!
(pics made by IJs)

Numerology

Yesterday at the SFGA Llewella teached us about numerology. She told some general things and gave examples. I have read about numerology before, it intrigues me. Llewella based her story on a book (Dutch, English) by Kathleen Roquemore and websites on the subject. Interesting is the table she uses to give letters matching numbers. In this one K and V get 11 and 22, while in the Pythagorean table they get 2 and 4. The Chaldean table is even more different. I've been figuring out numbers today. Interesting stuff!
Dutch websites:
Numerologie Pagina
Numerologie 1
Numerologie 2
Numerologie 3
Websites in English:
Numerology Online
Astrology-Numerology.com
Do-It-Yourself Numerology
Numerology Guide

Runes

Yesterday I went to Amsterdam for the monthly SFGA-meeting. Luna Verde told us something about the origin of runes and how she uses them. Very interesting! I knew a bit about runes. I sometimes use them in a ritual (carving one in a candle, or placing one runestone on the altar). I've never used them in divination (yet), because I want to make my own set and get more acquainted with them. I'm still learning about tarot and I can't do everything at the same time. Luna showed us her set, selfmade from oak and branded with a soldering iron. Beautiful! She also gave us some info on paper, like this (about the Futhark, in Dutch) and this (about Anglo-Saxon runes, in English).
There is an online runecaster. I also use this site for info on runes.

Zen

Yesterday evening we had the monthly meeting of the SFGA in Amsterdam. The theme was Zen. Of course it's not possible to explain all about Zen in one meeting. Wonderwillow had invited Nico Tydeman (Dutch Zen-master) to tell something about it. He wanted to do it, but unfortunately he couldn't make it. He gave the name and number of someone else, but that man asked money to come. Perhaps he thought it was some kind of lecture, but that's not our intention. We just want to discuss a certain theme, in this case Zen, with somebody who knows more of it than we do.
Anyway, Wonderwillow decided to tell us about Zen himself. He did great, it was very informative. He was properly prepared and brought interesting books too. I'm not sure Zen is my thing, but that doesn't mean I can't learn from it. Some aspects appealed to me, some didn't. I want to read more about it, that's for sure. Hmmm, my to-read-list grows and grows... ;-)
It was a lovely evening with old and new friends, a valuable experience. I really like the concept, the set-up of our group!