Friday, April 24, 2009

CELEBRATE, MEDITATE, SHARE, CARE, EAT and MOVE/DANCE TOGETHER!

**Featuring Stream and the Blue Dragon Band - come dance with us!**

HEART TO HEART, SOUL TO SOUL CELEBRATION
30 YEARS of LIFE, LIGHT and LOVE
Do come!

CELEBRATE, MEDITATE, SHARE, CARE, EAT and MOVE/DANCE TOGETHER!


Date: SATURDAY, April 25, 2009
Time: 6 PM
Please bring favorite dinner dish to share!
Place: Network of Light 6304 30th St, NW Washington, D.C. 20015
Corner of 30th St. and Tennyson Streets in the cul-de-sac, 2 min. from Chevy Chase Circle. (Please park on 30th or Tennyson Streets and NOT in the cul-de-sac)
EVENT DETAILS:

6 pm - Meditation and sharing about what is true for us now -
how are we feeling in this amazing time and how can we serve each other and the community.
7:15 pm- Shared dinner.
8:00 pm - Wonderful STREAM AND THE BLUE DRAGON BAND.
Their pulse will get under our skin and we will have a joyous time!
Move to rhythms from the Middle East, Africa and Brazil.
Event is free, however any love donations for the band are appreciated.
For more info call: 202-363-9343

***************************************************************
Mark your calendar!
SATSANGS WITH THE BELOVED, YOUR SELF
Dearest Friends,
I invite all who feel called to come meditate and investigate who you are. Truth knows truth and truth liberates us from suffering. Now is a time of amazing change and profound opportunity to realize the love that we all are.
Blessings, peace, and joy,
Lakshmi (Barbara) Carpenter
Dates: 2nd Thursdays,
April 9 and May 14, 2009
Time: 7:15 PM
Place: Network of Light (see address/directions above)

Blessings,
Sherry
(\o/)
/_\
Sherry is on XM Radio - Mondays at 1 PM & 7 PM (ET)On Broadminded - XM Channel 155 - Take 5
"It is not sufficient for religious people to be involved with prayer. Rather, they are morally obliged to contribute all they can to solving the world’s problems."-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." - Dwight D. Eisenhower

Susan Boyle

Here is some fascinating and insightful information about Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle, featured on 'Britain's Got Talent' with 'American Idol' Judge, Simon Cowell:

Priest not surprised by Scottish woman's (Susan Boyle) performance on British TV
By Simon Caldwell, Catholic News Service LONDON (CNS) --

The audience snickered and the judges of "Britain's Got Talent" either rolled their eyes or allowed their blank expressions to betray their bemused skepticism as the awkward-looking middle-aged woman told them she wanted to be as famous as the popular British actress and singer Elaine Paige.Then Susan Boyle began to sing, and they were spellbound and shocked by the beauty of her voice and rose to their feet in applause.But Father Basil Clark, who watched the show on television at his home in Broxburn, Scotland, was not surprised.He has seen the situation unfold many times before, having regularly accompanied Boyle, 47, on the annual Legion of Mary pilgrimage to the Marian shrine in Knock, Ireland.

"When I watched the judges' faces it reminded me of what I was like when I first saw Susan singing -- absolutely blown away by the quality of the singing and by that fantastic voice," said Father Clark, dean of West Lothian, the district that covers Boyle's home village of Blackburn."Anyone who sees her for the first time behaves the same way. I have never heard her sing badly, though she might lose the words if the stress gets too much," he told Catholic News Service in an April 16 telephone interview.Boyle first appeared before judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden on the ITV1 sister show of "America's Got Talent"; it was broadcast April 11.Her fame spread on the Internet, and in just five days she had attracted more than 15 million YouTube viewings of her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream," from the musical "Les Miserables."Part of Boyle's attraction is that she appears to be such an unlikely candidate for stardom. She said on TV that she has "never been kissed" and has lived alone with her cat since her mother died in 2007.According to British media, she has learning disabilities as a result of being starved of oxygen at birth. She is unemployed and, as a churchgoing Catholic, her social life revolves around her family and her parish of Our Lady of Lourdes. She also enjoys karaoke in her local pub.

Father Clark said, "When she gets up to sing it can either be wonderful or you can get the unpredictable eccentric behavior, but it is to do with the fact that she has learning difficulties."In a sense, there is a beautiful voice trapped in this damaged body," he said. "It is an absolute contrast. There she was on television acting very peculiarly and the audience was expecting peculiar things to happen and then a voice of an angel comes out -- and that's Susan."Father Clark said that local people who knew Boyle, the youngest of nine children of a family descended from Irish migrants, were "enormously proud of her and wish her the best but they are aware of the risks she is running," adding that her behavior has previously drawn cruel taunts from children."People are slightly worried about what might happen after this bout of fame," he explained."I am quite worried for her," he added. "I think it's great at one level. It might just be the thing that will make her, but she is a very vulnerable person and it could be quite difficult."It is a great opportunity for her and as far as I am concerned she should make the best of it, and if it lasts, it lasts, and if it doesn't, then it's still more than almost any one of us will ever achieve," he added. "It is important in sustaining her and making sure this is all a very, very beneficial experience."He described Boyle as "a woman of great faith" who was often "very gentle and very caring" though she could also be "needy and demanding."The world's media has camped outside Boyle's home where she grew up and where she still sleeps in the same room as when she was a child.But Boyle has decided to temporarily escape the limelight to stay with friends as she prepares for the next round of the competition, in which she is expected to sing "Whistle Down the Wind," by Andrew Lloyd Webber.She did give an interview to "The Early Show" on CBS News in which she said that her instant fame "hasn't really sunk in yet."She said that she wanted to make her performance "a tribute to my mother" who had encouraged her to sing."I knew it was something I had to do," she said. "I had to get on with it. That's where the courage came from, my mother."The ones who made fun of me are now nice to me," she said. "So, I think I may have won them 'round."

Copyright (c) 2009 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.

Prayer Lodge with Rev. Lakota Hasie

EVENTS at The Peace Chapel
Prayer Lodge with Rev. Lakota Hasie
Saturday, May 16. 2009 at 6:00 PM
Followed by shared feast and celebrationBlessings,
Sherry
(\o/)
/_\

Meditation & Message Service

SUNDAY APRIL 19, 2009
DOORS OPEN: 7:30 PM
SERVICE BEGINS APPROX: 7:45 PM

***SPECIAL NOTE FOR THIS SUNDAY'S
MEDITATION AND MESSAGE SERVICE:

THE PEACE CHAPEL WILL BE ACCEPTING DONATIONS OF SHOES (in ANY condition!) TO TAKE TO THE SCHOOL IN ASHBURN NEXT WEEK,
for their special project of placing 400,000 pairs of shoes on the National Mall, to represent the lives lost in the genocide in Darfur. Afterwards any shoes in usable condition will be donated to homeless shelters and other charities. If you are not able to join us on Sunday evening, donations will be accepted through Tuesday, April 21st, at our front door. AS ALWAYS, DONATIONS MAY BE DROPPED AT THE FRONT DOOR 24/7 (no need to knock - makes the dogs BARK) The Peace ChapelAngel Hill House 129 Governors Drive Leesburg, VA 20175

Our goal is to donate at least 200 pairs of shoes!!!
~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~****~~~~****~~~~****~~~~

Meditation & Message Service
Sunday
April 19, 2009Doors Open at 7:30 PM
Session Begins approx 7:45

Followed by light refreshments & fellowship
(We will have light refreshments, you are invited to bring refreshments to share if you like)

No Fee
$10 donation to support The Peace Chapeland their charitable projects requested

~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~****~~~~****~~~~****~~~~UPCOMING EVENTS at
The Peace Chapel
Prayer Lodge with Rev. LakotaHasie
Saturday, May 16. 2009 at 6:00 PM
Followed by shared feast and celebration

Blessings, Sherry
(\o/)
/_\www.SherrySherry.Com
www.ThePeaceChapel.com
Sherry is on XM Radio - Mondays at 1 PM & 7 PM (ET)On Broadminded - XM Channel 155 - Take 5
"It is not sufficient for religious people to be involved with prayer. Rather, they are morally obliged to contribute all they can to solving the world’s problems."-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." - Dwight D. Eisenhower

PRAYER LIST APRIL 7, 2009

For "John" who left his body by hanging himself last week, may he be cradled with love and returned to peace of heart. Peace and comfort for the family and friends he left behind.

Prayers of peace and strength for JONNIE WATERS PHILLIPS, who lost 2 sons (age 36 and 38) in two weeks. Clint (age 36) was working and fell 115 feet off of a tower, 2 weeks later his brother Sam (age 38) died of a heart attack in his sleep, leaving behind a wife and 4 children. Prayers for all of the family members left behind and for the two souls that made their transitions so suddenly.

Prayers of healing and recovery from surgery for Charlotte in Florida, and Bob in W. VA.
Prayers for Liz dealing with many family challenges including her teenage sons that are having a challenging time.

For Karen's peace and joy as she has returned to spirit, and comfort for her family and 2 sons left behind.

Prayers for Ashley and his family, as doctors search for answers to his heart problems. He is age 23 with a wife and 2 young children.

Prayers for Hank after his transition that he may find rest, peace and repose that he couldn't find in life. Prayers for his wife and daughter left behind for their peace, strength and knowing that they are loved by many.

Prayers for MJ as she continues to fight breast cancer miraculously, and amaze her doctors.

Prayers of strength and healing for Debbie's Dad in Florida as he recovers from heart conditions.

Prayers of grace and serenity for Jana as she goes some difficult life transitions during this time.

Prayers for our four legged family members that have left the physical world to return to Spirit: MikaEl & Chelsea (Ray & MJ)

Prayers for healing and glowing health for Aidan, a young boy (age 6) facing many medical tests seeking answers to his medical issues, and prayers for strength and peace for his Mom as they go through this long process together. Prayers of enlightenment for his doctors and nurses that they may quickly see what his needs are and begin the healing process.

Prayers for Bill as he enters hospice.

And prayers for all those that are in some need, God knows who they are and what their needs are, may they all be blessed and touched by God's Presence and Love, and may they be uplifted, and filled with the Joy of Spirit.

Amen

Blessings, Sherry
(\o/)
/_\www.SherrySherry.Com
www.ThePeaceChapel.com
Sherry is on XM Radio - Mondays at 1 PM & 7 PM (ET)On Broadminded - XM Channel 155 - Take 5

"It is not sufficient for religious people to be involved with prayer. Rather, they are morally obliged to contribute all they can to solving the world’s problems."-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." - Dwight D. Eisenhower

PLUTO RETROGRADE IN CAPRICORN APRIL 4 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

Pluto Stationary Retrograde (April 4, 2009)Pluto in Capricorn
Pluto in Capricorn (2008 – 2023/24) will make its first retrograde cycle entirely in the sign of Capricorn from April 4 through September 11, 2009, as it reverses from 3/4 degrees to 0/1 degree. This will be the first of 14 Pluto retrograde cycles within Capricorn, signifying our soul’s need for a complete overhaul of our relationships to money, resources, career, self-responsibility, self-determination, parenting and social maturation. This first retrograde cycle will show us where things are not working out in our life along these Capricorn archetypes, and the opportunities for evolution to the depth of our soul.
The purpose of planetary retrograde cycles is to review the past and let it go where necessary. This creates a void in which new ideas, desires, beliefs and actions can come in – if – we do not fill it up with recycling the old for security reasons. Planetary retrogrades are opportunities to rebel. It takes courage to exercise the will and desire nature to move forward into an unknown future. Enter Pluto at its stationary points – retrograde and direct – and deep unconscious beliefs and desires of the soul come to the surface, getting our attention, forcing their way into our consciousness.
When Pluto makes its annual stationary point to reverse geocentric direction for five months, it is easier to recognize those desires of the soul which are not working anymore. We may have exhausted the desire and yet it feels so comfortable that we keep repeating old patterns. We may feel frustrated by desires we cannot as yet seem to manifest, or control, in our lives. We experience soul dissatisfaction in the gazillion ways human consciousness can create it. The themes will run along inner and outer confrontations that clarify our soul’s deepest desires. Which desires are ready for release, as a result of our having exhausted a separating desire? Which new desires are emerging within us, at once silent as a whisper and screaming in our face?
Pluto retrograde through the zodiacal signs shows us the collective soul desires that are up for review and relative to each culture, society and country. Pluto retrograde on the broadest collective levels serves to evolve human consciousness as a species. We are noticing these collective trends on the most personal levels through the Capricorn themes of monetary policies and fiscal self-responsibilities. We are amidst natural contraction cycles within which we must ask ourselves to re-prioritize, to formulate new value references which effectively square any adopted value systems with our actual resource usage.
Hopefully, we will create the awareness, and courage, to revise our monetary supply and fiscal regulations with social systems that work for all classes of citizens, regardless of income. Most modern human history is based upon private central banking systems – the U.S. Federal Reserve is privately owned – which tend to be based upon profits, usually for the owners. Public central banking systems are based upon broader entities – like nations or states – with profits minimized in order to increase goods and services created, in order to support public infrastructure. Amongst the ostensibly ‘United’ States, North Dakota has the only state-chartered bank (owned and run by its government). It is one of only four states which have a balanced budget in 2009, and a surplus in its coffers.
In the case of the United States, the private ownership enterprise known as the Federal Reserve is comprised of almost 3,000 member banks (national and state) who collectively subscribe to stock equal to 6% of their capital, which is then deposited within the 12 Federal Reserve banks. Effectively, manifestly, the largest 10 banks own approximately 70% of the Fed stock.
This is the industry that has been lobbying for–and succeeding in the de-regulation of, its own banking laws ever since the 1980s. Neptune was in Capricorn from 1984-1998 and Uranus moved through Capricorn from 1988-1995. Pluto in Scorpio (1983/84-1995) and Pluto in Sagittarius (1995-2008) have brought money-making schemes (like derivatives, hedge funds, and credit debt swaps) that have crashed as Pluto enters Capricorn. Re-regulation of monetary/banking systems is necessary. What will we get as Pluto goes retrograde in Capricorn?
Banks need to maintain adequate capital reserves while shadow banking techniques and accounting schemes need to become more fully transparent. The lack of adequate regulations has exasperated this economic recession, and it has wildly shook up human consciousness on the most personal of levels: rising unemployment. Our banking systems will be overhauled to the degree which humanity can at once demand equity and accountability and accept and implement social responsibility for the dynamic integration of these principles within its monetary systems as they, too, grow and evolve.
What has emerged with a new U.S. administration up to Pluto’s “change of direction” is no change of direction from the past. If socially-equitable fiscal systems are not implemented then we will repeat the collective cycles (large monetary upsets) until it hurts our pocketbooks hard enough that we pay attention. What the U.S. lacks the courage to do on a national level might come about on a state level through the necessary task of balancing fiscal budgets. The seven waxing squares of Uranus in Aries to Pluto in Capricorn (2012-2015) may bring an uprising of states taking charge of their own banking systems in order to exchange public interest debt for public capital, something which is perfectly legal to do.
Pluto retrograde will reveal these themes to those who are looking. Consensus consciousness will just see one more cycle of victimization, whether from Wall Street or the federal government or both. The archetype of Capricorn is learning how to grow up and socially mature in the world. Most monetary policies are run by consensus souls more invested in short-term selfish interests at the expense of others (exclusive-based social systems) than stable long-term enterprises.
Outer planetary transits through Capricorn always bring about the evolution of social systems, either pro-actively and/or as necessary. We only have to look at the current financial state in the modern world to recognize fiscal changes are absolutely necessary in order to manifest global community. Pluto retrograde is about becoming upset enough, individually and collectively, to create change on broad social levels. Here is the first complete retro cycle in Capricorn to raise the economic themes that need to be addressed over the next 15 years.
The polarity point of Capricorn is Cancer. All of these social upheavals and reforms point to the ability of familial units to survive and flourish. Healthy emotional family units lead to greater social maturation and participation levels and less drain on public systems and coffers. Unhealthy family units lead to more and more social involvement from crime to victimization patterns (immaturity) to lack of participation within society. Healthy inner security (emotional maturation and self-reliance) creates increasing abilities to evolve with social changes.
There is always an evolving interplay between the familial unit and the social unit. How do we abide by social agreements, and yet rebel when social systems have crystallized and no longer serve the greater whole? How do social minorities gain a slice of the reforming collective? Many times the larger the social unit the slower it is to evolve, and therefore it becomes necessary for increasingly intense social upsets. Social systems that support familial bonding and basic needs tend to create healthier societies.
Pluto retrograde in Capricorn will demand that we review our desire nature around money, work and social systems. With the current contracting economic cycles, needs are simplified down to the familial basics like food, clothing and shelter. In the modern world, health care becomes the fourth basic need, and actually functions as a part of food and nutrition. Unhealthy diets contribute to more disease and social decline.
Our current health system in the U.S. is also mostly privately-based, again for profit. The problem is similar to monetary policies – should health care be for-profit based, or a basic societal need? While the U.S. spends almost twice as much on health care per capita compared to the G5 countries (Canada, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and France), its citizens receive less in health benefits. Health care in America is an economic drain, taking away resources that could be invested elsewhere in societal needs like crumbling infrastructures in urban areas.
The evolution of both fiscal and healthcare policies will be a balance of social function and individual responsibility. Social groups will be a reflection of the collective beliefs and, therefore, systems supported by such beliefs. While the United States prides itself upon being a Christian nation, its actions (social systems) are more reflective of exclusivity-based beliefs. Perhaps it is time for U.S. beliefs to evolve beyond specific religions toward basic human rights not limited to conforming to a specific belief system, or even belief in a god.
Individually, Pluto in Capricorn behooves us to grow up. Pluto retrograde forces it upon us when necessary. Depression sets in unless we are willing to deeply question cherished beliefs and cultural understandings. Somehow, at the same time we desire more equitable social systems, it is requisite that we take the next self-responsibility step. Government and social systems cannot save us; they are not totally responsible for our unique situation. We are responsible–and acceptance of self-determine-ation allows us to function in social situations and careers, as we at once strive for ever more freedom and autonomy.
It is our personal responsibility (Cancer) to learn management of our resources like money, to determine the difference between a “need” and a “want.” It is our self-responsibility to take care of the temple of our soul – the physical body – through diet, exercise and rest. As those needs are met, we move on to the more subtle emotional reasons behind any health imbalance, and the mental and spiritual reasons behind the emotions.
Within natural law, any government functions on a manifestly social level are based upon compositionally-collective beliefs, Sagittarius followed by Capricorn. Distorted beliefs create distorted social groups and wounded souls. The upheavals belief systems have experienced through Pluto in Sagittarius will now be addressed through Pluto in Capricorn. Do we need religion to feed the children and care for the sick? Might natural spiritual laws and principles show us that the group survives better when it supports its individuals? It increases the chances of then-able-to-mature individuals to support ever better social systems in return.
Pluto retrograde in Capricorn brings on the reality checks. It takes us through re-prioritizing what are the most important needs in order to survive. It reminds us our outer world is only as good as our inner world. It draws us inward to find emotional sustenance and peace. It asks our souls to let go of desires no longer serving us. It brings the opportunities to manifest new desires emerging within our soul. It forces us to mature individually and collectively. The choices are yours–and ours. Go for it.
April 4 – Pluto stationary retrograde at 3/4 degrees Capricorn.
June 23 – Sun oppose Pluto retrograde at 2 degrees Cancer-Capricorn.
September 11 – Pluto stationary direct at 0/1 degree Capricorn.
Kim Marie Astrological Forecasts
Blessings,Sherry

Current Retrograde Movements

Mercury usually turns retro three times a year, but in 2009, it's four! Venus retro happens every eighteen months or so, this year from March 6, 2009, to April 17, 2009. . Mars
turns retro only once every two years. Jupiter from June 15, 2009 until October 13, 2009. Saturn from December 31, 2008 until May 17, 2009. Uranus from July 1, 2009 until December 1, 2009. Uranus in Pisces Neptune from May 29, 2009 until November 4, 2009. Neptune in Aquarius Pluto from April 4, 2009 until September 11, 2009. Pluto in Capricorn

Pluto Retrograde 2009

APRIL 4 through SEPTEMBER 11 2009

In the natal chart, Pluto tends to operate even more Plutonian when it is retrograde. It is far more intense, it possesses a higher degree of concentration and it, therefore, gives greater insights into the subconscious. Because of this intensity, the individual can see much more than normally possible and it is easy to become suspicious of the motives of others. The powers of regeneration are far greater when retrograde. People with a natal retrograde Pluto have a tremendous ability to overcome major illnesses that might otherwise cause permanent disability. Remember, retrograde motion is always directed toward inner activity such as the psyche or psychological patterns that affect the physical body. Direct motion, on the other hand, is directed towards external circumstances.

Under any Pluto transit, we feel pressured to eliminate and release the old, outworn, outdated and obsolete in our lives. When Pluto is transiting retrograde, we are urged to let go of attitudes, thinking or communication patterns, security drives, rigid emotions; a time to undergo an internal form of house cleaning. It is a good time to research into our own Souls in order to determine exactly what we do or do not need. Because Pluto retrograde imparts an intense power for investigation, we should use this time to assess what reoccurring patterns in our lives make us feel out of control, where and why do we continually give our power away, and under what circumstances do we react so defensively that we elicit attacks from others. Pluto retrograde marks a time wherein we should seek to gain greater control over our personal life; Pluto direct is better for gaining control over professional and financial areas. My most frequent observation of Pluto retrograde is that many people do seek some form of regenerative activity. I have seen people undertake a series of internal cleansings, detoxifying diets, Eastern disciplines that put them in touch with the inner self and even intense psychological reforms.

IMPORTANT DATES:
PLUTO-MARS: APRIL 26-27; AUGUST 25-26 2009 – Pluto- Mars be intense and even obsessive mentally. When afflicted, we are urged to resist external pressure, control or manipulation by others. Do not act under pressure.

PLUTO-VENUS: APRIL 2-3 9200 – This indicates a need to change attitudes in relating. Money and relating can become complicated.

Filed in Retrogrades 2009
Lynn Koiner
Astrological Research

Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C.



Snapshots of the Cherry Blossoms taken in Washington DC.

Sherry Sherry
http://sherrysherry.com/