Walking the Land of the Grey Clouds

"Those who have shared their near-death experiences say that yes, there is life after death and that we do return for another life after the present one is over. Still, people remain puzzled and unsure as to what the truth really is. Will we return in another life, or is this all there is? Many of us decide what we believe, some don’t know for sure, and some don’t even care, leaving those who do to proclaim that they know the truth. As long as we are alive and on this Earth, we will continue to “walk in the land of the grey clouds” until we die and only then will we remember the truth of what our souls have known all along."

Excerpted from Spiritual Turning Points A Metaphysical Perspective of the Seven Life Transitions (Life Transition Seven: Death)  All rights reserved c. 2011

Photo from Hubble Telescope 2 Galaxies Collide "The Rose"

The Life Focus (Book Excerpt)

note: This excerpt discusses the time period following the completion of the mid life transition, a significant change usually occurring sometime between the ages of 35 and 50. It is during this transition that the individual comes to understand the true personality and discards the false self, aligning with the life task that begins in earnest after the transit is complete.

"As the fourth transition comes to a close and if it has been completed in the positive, then the Life Focus begins to manifest as a desire to align with the soul’s purpose for this lifetime. The next twenty plus years will now be devoted to accomplishing this task and without fear obstructing progress, the life will begin to unfold in a way that allows the authentic personality to express itself clearly with the task in the forefront.

The task is not necessarily work related and can include themes

such as personal power, teamwork, the application of personal truths,

stability, and structure, all of which could be experienced through

personal as well as professional relationships. I often remind clients

that the life focus is the life focus, not the work focus! There is often a

strong desire on the part of spiritually motivated individuals to manifest

their true work through their daily job, but that is not necessarily the

plan of essence. Fortunately, there will be many years to explore

and develop the task with many options to choose from.

The years following the midlife transition are not always picture

perfect. A wise sage once told me, “Honey, I tried to tell you that

everything won’t be roses after you finish the monad.” How right

she was. Life happens, challenges come your way, and you do

your best to deal with them. Still, after a positive outcome, the true

self is available and expressed in a way that it was not before, and

fears can be more easily recognized for what they are rather than

the truths that they present themselves to be. It may take a few

years to reach your stride after completing the monad for while the

official integration period may take several months, the process of

inculcation of this monad is an ongoing one and the application of

perceptions grows over time. Once the seeds have been planted,

they will continue to grow over the course of the next several decades

and bloom when the life focus has been completed."

Excerpted from Spiritual Turning Points: A Metaphysical Perspective of the Seven Life Transitions c. 2011

The Second Saturn Return

The following excerpt it is from Spiritual Turning Points Chapter 5, The Life Review. This period of time following completion of the life task or life work chosen for this incarnation is one of reflection, a review of the life lived. The years just prior to the review are active ones astrologically as the second Saturn return sets the stage by reminding us what we have accomplished in the years since the first return at age 28, and what areas are left to be explored. 

Saturn returns typically are challenging to begin with as Saturn brings real world structures up for scrutiny and, depending on where Saturn is in your natal astrological chart, will push hard on you to rework those structures that are in need of repair and redefinition. Areas typically affected are legal affairs, financials, dentistry, and karmas owed to you and by you. Whatever is presented requires a thorough examination in order to see what needs attention, or simply what it is time to let go of. When Saturn comes around to your door, it's time to let go, again, in order to start building a new foundation for the next 28 years.

Here is a brief excerpt from my book:

"More Astrology and the Life Review 

During the years between the fourth and fifth transitions, there are

several important transits that help lay the groundwork for the fifth

transition when it begins. The first is the second Saturn return that

happens at age fifty-eight, with the first glimmering coming into view

about a year before. At the first Saturn return at age twenty-eight, the

young adult entered into full adulthood with added responsibilities

and a new life direction and the second return once again reviews

what has been accomplished to date and sets the stage for the next

twenty-nine years.

Second Saturn Return

Another Report Card, Age Fifty-eight

Saturn has a firm hand and clear eyes, not caring much for

touchy feely reasons why this or that didn’t happen, tending instead

to view events in terms of black or white. 

Did it work, or did it not? Is it time to let go of what you have

been dragging around for the past ten years? Will you need this in

the next phase of life? Saturn looks at what you will require to create

a solid foundation upon which to build over the next three decades

and doesn’t particularly care how you feel about it! The fifty-ninth

year is a time for review, not quite time (usually) for the fifth transition,

but it does a thorough job of culling what isn’t necessary. It also

is a time for achievement as rewards of recognition are bestowed

at work, books are written and published, and advancements and

promotions are made. If you have done the work, this is the time

you reap the rewards."

Spiritual Turning Points- Our Book Trailer!

Spiritual Turning Points- Our Book Trailer!

We are now on Youtube with our new Book Trailer. Please take a moment to watch and join our FlightoftheHawkHMB YouTube channel for more videos and updates. Our music CD, "Flight of the Hawk Shamanic Songs and Ritual Chants" is also featured with single tracks you can listen to.


CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO:

Spiritual Turning Points Book Trailer (youtube)

We look forward to hearing from you!

We Are Evolving

"While the human being is maturing in tangible, physical, and psychological ways, the soul is also evolving as it experiences all there is to learn on the physical plane before returning to the Tao, the universal creative source from whence it originally came. The cycle of reincarnation includes experiences of separateness while in human physicality, but you are always connected to the divine through your own essence even if you forget during the course of

your everyday life."  

Victoria Marina-Tompkins from Spiritual Turning Points: A Metaphysical Perspective of the Seven Life Transitions

When I'm 61: Astrology and Life Transitions (book excerpt)

Uranus Square Uranus

Shaking It Up Again, Age Sixty-one

"This transit occurs several years after the second Saturn return

and may come as a big surprise as it shakes things up again.

Uranus first appeared at the age of twenty when it squared itself

and provided the opportunity for the first taste of freedom, pushing

the young adult toward independence. But how does this look at the

age of sixty-one? Think retirement. Think travel. Think anything that

isn’t the status quo! Of course, this transit is experienced through

the eyes of a mature adult, so it isn’t likely to be quite as frisky as it

was during the first square. Still, it gives the now sixty-one-year-old

a chance to do some of those things, embark on some of those

adventures that had been set aside during the hardworking years

following the fourth transition. If the dynamic energy of this transit

is utilized to full advantage, then the life review may not be as

disappointing in that some things on the personal Bucket List may

have been checked off. Uranus always seeks change, and this can

happen at any time during life and when this transit comes along,

it may be where it was least expected.

There can be a new sense of personal freedom that allows for

a little risk taking as this transit can bring on retirement when the

daily grind is no longer tolerable. If not, it’s the perfect time for a

sabbatical or other “time out.” The old adage is that you work until

you’re sixty-five, retire with the company gold watch, and then start

playing a lot of golf and bridge. This approach may have worked for

our parents, but the baby boomers and their children are looking for

new ways to age without relying on their parents as role models. Of

course, some values of the previous generation are being passed

down; in many cases the housing boom of the 1950s and 1960s

allowed for great wealth to be amassed that is now bequeathed to

the boomer generation, providing them with the monetary basis to

think outside the box and try new things.

The expansive nature of the computer era that began approximately

forty years ago and has accelerated over the past ten is also providing

new opportunities for global communications that are right up the Uranian

Alley. Those experiencing their second (and first) squares of Uranus

have an added burst of electrical energy that is sending waves of instant

communication around the world. The evolution of the Internet and

wireless technology allows everyone, youth and elders alike, to create

new telecommuting work environments that are perfect for seniors who

want to change their daily work routines by trying something new."

c 2011 All rights reserved excerpt from Spiritual Turning Points

The Soul's Purpose (book excerpt)

The North and South Nodes of the Moon
"To the astrological layman, the north and south nodes of the Moon are more than likely something they have never heard about. Placed in opposition to each other in the birth chart, they illustrate perhaps more clearly than any other aspect not only what it is you came to learn about (north node), but also what stories you brought in with you from past incarnations (south node). Most people are allied with the south node up until the time of the fourth transition, and it is not until its completion that north node energies come into focus, often with startling outcomes.

It can be that during the external phase ideas that have long

been gestating become more tangible and possible. A long held

desire for leadership in the work place, the trademark of the north

node in Leo in the tenth house, comes to bear following the internal

work when there is now courage to ask for what is wanted. A fifth

house Moon in Gemini conjunct the north node now seeks creative

self-expression through the written word or the performing arts.

Take for example a Cancer south node that indicates that the

home, in a past incarnation, was extremely important along with the

natural instincts of mothering (Moon ruled by Cancer) and caregiving.

For the first forty or so years, Joanie had devoted herself to her

family and the raising of her children often to the exclusion of her

own needs which always came second. After the completion of her

midlife transition, she began to turn her attention to her north node

in Capricorn when she became an expert in finance, applying her

people skills to the housing industry as she helped families refinance

their homes. Megan on the other hand experienced her Sagittarius

South node in her lust for travel, spending the early part of her life

trying all kinds of different jobs in various countries, satisfying her

south node desire for expansive educational experiences. When her

north node came calling at the age of forty-three, she settled down

as a teacher of foreign studies at a local college, all the while writing

her personal story that she submitted for publication, much to the

delight of her north node in the air sign of communicative Gemini.

Changes such as these do not indicate that the south node

influence has evaporated, only that the focus of the individual is now

on the north node. The soul focus in early life is primarily on finishing

up past-life issues, developing the fundamental skills that will later

be used for the life work, and basically setting the stage for the true

work to emerge after the completion of this monadal transition. At

this point, the south node stays more in the background with the

north node moving into a position of primary interest and influence

with a defined energetic push toward new awareness related to life

purpose. It is then during the external phase that actions may be

taken that set up the next twenty years of life where the life focus

will be completed."

c. 2011 All rights reserved

Astrology and the Third Transition (book excerpt)

Astrology and the Third Transition (excerpt from Chapter 3 Spiritual Turning Points)

"There are several astrological transits to the Natal or Birth chart which every person experiences in order to evolve. The first one occurs at about the age of 15. 

Saturn oppose Saturn (15-16 years)

Astrologers refer to this transit as one of the first karmic events you have in a lifetime. It’s a “Me versus the World” confrontation and introduces the primary issue that will become a focal point throughout the life. This transit can coincide with the choosing of the primary defense system and marks the creation of a solid False Persona as the Saturn opposition creates tension and the strong desire to break away from the demands of the nuclear family.  Suddenly childhood is over as the challenges of life become clear. Saturn transits often include tangles with authority figures, legal problems, rules, and physical plane limitations. It is a time of testing and hard work. But Saturn also gives rewards: this may be a time when, after the work has been accomplished, a new vision of one’s mission in life becomes apparent even if it is not clear until after the completion of the 4th Transition somewhere in the late 30’s to mid 40’s.

Uranus square Uranus (20-21 years)

Uranus is the planet of surprises, breakthroughs and breakdowns, change, and freedom. It’s the “I Gotta Be Me” planet and seeks non-conformity. Perfect for a 20 year old!  This is the time for trying new things, travel, and more experimentation. It rocks the boat until you step out. For the young adult who has played by the rules for the most part, you may see them leaving college early and moving in with their boyfriend. Or a major relocation may be in the works, perfect for a BIG break from the family of origin as a plan is put into place for moving across the country. Whatever the choices here, this time period is a major shake up time with the mantra “Change is Good!”

The First Saturn Return (28-29 years)

The first Saturn return is an important transit that marks the completion of the first full cycle of Saturn’s movement through the birth chart as it reaches its natal position. This time period is the beginning of a new cycle and also requires a serious look at what has occurred in the life to date, what structures are no longer useful and need attention and revision, after which the now almost 30 year old can begin to build the foundation for the next phase of life. Since Saturn is the natural home of the earth sign Capricorn, most of these events are tangible and easily seen or grasped and may include job and location changes, malfunctions of the physical body such as the need for dentistry or chiropractic work, and an underlying need to change anything that isn’t going to be used in the next phase.

For many, this time period can be rocky as old structures disintegrate and the new ones have yet to be created. It also marks the time when the 3rd transition is usually complete in Western culture but it may not be until after the resolution of this transit that the monad is finished due to the changes that are usually necessary during this Saturn transit. Lasting about a year, many challenges are presented that hopefully can be addressed, resolved, and integrated as part of the restructuring process."

c.2011 All rights reserved Victoria Marina-Tompkins

June Coastviews Magazine Interview with Victoria!

I am pleased to announce that my interview with Whitney Merrill of CoastViews Magazine is out! Thanks to all for this wonderful opportunity including publisher Gwen O'Neill and contributing writer Whitney Merrill.  Enjoy!!

Click here for the interview:

June Coastviews Magazine Interview

Spiritual Turning Points- Our Book Trailer!

We are now on Youtube with our new Book Trailer. Please take a moment to watch and join our FlightoftheHawkHMB YouTube channel for more videos and updates. Our music CD, "Flight of the Hawk Shamanic Songs and Ritual Chants" is also featured with single tracks you can listen to.


CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO:

Spiritual Turning Points Book Trailer (youtube)

We look forward to hearing from you!

Changing Your Life Direction: Course Corrections (book excerpt)

Changing Your Life Direction:

Course Corrections

EXCERPT FROM "SPIRITUAL TURNING POINTS: A METAPHYSICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE SEVEN LIFE TRANSITIONS" 

"Our essence has an interesting way of creating realignment

with its purpose and one way that it does that is through course

corrections. For example, we may be planning on entering a four-year

advanced study of electronics but learn at the last moment that

the school we were going to attend has been overbooked and we

are now off the roster. If we hold to the opinion that this school was

the only school that would work, or the best school, then we are

scripting the outcome through surety of our choice. But how do we

really ever know that our choice is the absolute best or “right” one?

We can’t. Only in retrospect can we see that our long and winding

path through life took many turns but was always moving forward

even when we felt it had stopped. There are times, however, when

a major course correction is needed from a soul essence point of

view and that no matter how hard it tries to get our attention, we

just aren’t listening.

Laurie was a professional photographer. From roughly the age

of ten she had been taking snapshots and putting them into books,

carefully noting the who, what, and where by each picture. As she

grew older, her love of the camera developed into her work when she

got the job of her dreams as the head reporter and photojournalist

for a local newspaper. After ten years, however, she had, in her mind,

learned all she could and was ready to move on, but by then she

had two young sons and a husband who had just lost his job, so

she stayed at the newspaper, becoming more and more depressed

and literally unable to get out of bed some days.

From an essence perspective, Laurie was ready to move toward

a new line of work through which she would find more creative

self-expression. After several months of incapacitating lethargy,

she found her way to a talented therapist who was able to guide

her toward the real reasons she was hesitant to change jobs and it

wasn’t what she thought at all; it had more to do with her fear of new

situations. What I hadn’t mentioned before is that at the age of twelve,

Laurie’s father had died. He had been her cheerleading team and

emotional support, and when he died she became determined to

make him proud and what better way than to become a professional

photographer? What had started as a childhood hobby, albeit an

enjoyable one, was now a near obsession to follow the path her father

had encouraged. Plus, with an unemployed husband and children who

depended on her, how could she be so selfish as to take risks with a

new career? Well, Laurie did figure it out. She is now sixty-two, and

has thoroughly enjoyed teaching art to children for the past twenty

years. She navigated through a course correction with the help of

a good advisor, her therapist, and the support of her husband who did,

after all his misgivings, suggest she follow her new dream.”

c. 2011 Victoria Marina-Tompkins All Rights Reserved

New 5 Star Book Review!

New! Patricia L. Gomavitz reviewed Spiritual Turning Points: A Metaphysical Perspective of the Seven Life Transitions

 A Must for all serious students of life May 23, 2011

As a Michael student (channeled teachings from causal level) I highly recommend Spiritual Turning Points.  Victoria Marina-Tompkins has elaborated on the seven life transitions as presented in the teaching. The book includes an in depth exploration of our progress through these spiritual life transitions which are the cornerstone of the human maturation process in physical, psychological and spiritual terms with recommendations on how to successfully complete each one in the positive mode.

While the human being is maturing in tangible, physical, and psychological ways, the soul is also evolving as it experiences all there is to learn on the physical plane before returning to the Tao, the universal creative source from whence it originally came. Our ongoing connection during times when we may feel separated are noted with comments.
Additional comments related to correlation with astrology and shamanism are included in each level.

It is a must for parents who desire to support their children in positive transitions, one, two and three. The fourth transition (often referred to as mid life crisis) with the ultimate purpose of self realization and the journey to achieve it are eloquently described with real life examples. Life review, dying and death include comforting notes on the life process during these transitions and final transcendence. It is a reminder that all is choice and helps us to remember this during the journey. This is a must for all serious students of life.

From Amazon.com 

Interview with Victoria at Independent Author Network

My interview with The Independent Author Network is now online on their blog. The link below will take you to the article. Enjoy!

http://independentauthornetwork.blogspot.com/2011/05/victoria-marina-tompkins-ian-interview.html

When the Grape Meets the Press: Letting Go of Non Essentials

"We must become the change we wish to see in the world."   -Ghandi
 
Every so often we enter a time in our lives that might be described as cathartic, intense, transformational, a crisis, many of which seem to come out of the blue. External events can serve as the catalyst for the beginning of much needed change


The key is to become aware of what must surrendered, what is no longer essential, so that the next stage of personal growth can occur. Here is when the grape meets the press as the juice is extracted slowly so that all that remains is the pulp or core of the grape. We might look at this process and think poor grape! But in fact, it it necessary to experience death of the old so that the new will be reborn. Shamanic cultures see this process as an initiatory experience when we are literally reduced to our bones.


Imagine that you have filled your life with many wonderful accomplishments, positive relationships, and abundance on many levels. You have reached a state of fullness in all areas after a period of expansion and growth. Often such a period can occur in the mid to late thirties after career and family has been created after the transition that occurred during the twenties and marked the entry into official adulthood after the first Saturn return at age 29. For all, this is a time when a major Pluto transit appears on the horizon and heralds a time of change. It is necessary to prune the tree in order for new growth to occur. Or, in contrast, maybe life hasn't been working out all that well and a shake-up is needed. The Pluto square to natal Pluto is the first of the four mid-life transits that happen from age 36-45, but depending on the birth chart, a Plutonian catharsis can happen any time transiting Pluto comes in contact with a natal planet therefore the following excerpt applies to any Pluto transit. Think death and rebirth and you will have entered the realm of Pluto.

Pluto square Pluto

A Time for Transformation and Letting Go 

“The old adage for a Pluto transit is that it never asks you to let go of what truly belongs to you, but will take anything else necessary for evolution. Issues having to do with power and control are central here as the intense probe of Pluto begins to uncover what it is that needs releasing. Some keywords for this transit include penetrating, transforming, and scathing as this transit often is the initiator in the monadal (or midlife) process. 

Remember Hades, God of the Underworld in Greek mythology, with Pluto, his Roman counterpart. In the myth of Persephone, she was dragged into the underworld by Pluto who took her to be his bride, destroying all of her innocence in the process. When we come face-to-face with a Plutonian transit, whether in square to its natal position or interacting with another planet in the birth chart, a certain degree of naivety needs to be released as the veils are lifted. The personal and collective shadow emerges as areas which are usually avoided for fear of what may be found. Patterns within relationships are particular areas of scrutiny here as are deep, dark personal and family secrets, which the individual has kept at bay. Surrendering to the process in whatever form it takes is the key here.

Each Pluto transit has three phases: shock, paralysis, and rebirth. The intensity of the initial shock cannot be understated as Pluto jolts the area of life needing review. The house and sign being impacted will indicate where the shock occurs, followed by a sense of powerlessness and confusion over how to respond or what action to

take... The third and final phase of rebirth does not usually occur until the end of the transit when the new form has been created.”  

from Spiritual Turning Points A Metaphysical Perspective of the Seven Life 

Transitions

Question: What Am I Letting Go of Today?

What if we are the sum total of all lives lived? (excerpt from Spiritual Turning Points)

"When children are born, they may have continuing access to their most recent past incarnation through dreams, night terrors if the life ended abruptly or violently, as well as past life memories that can be surprising in detail. Nature-based cultures tend to pay attention when dreams and memories are shared, often in the form of imaginary play for the young child or in the actual telling of stories such as “I was a tall man who wore long boots” or “I remember riding horses.” Westerners unfortunately lend little credence to these moments of peeking into the past and instead assume they are the creation of a vivid imagination! At about the age of seven, sometimes earlier, the child enters first grade, experiencing the initial Saturn square Saturn transit, i.e., let’s get down to work now and the days of free imagination fade into the background as homework and structured learning become the focus. Even so, as the child matures, the experiences from past lives are an integral part of who he or she is on a soul level and cannot be erased even if memories are not conscious and continue to function as an undercurrent in the life. During early childhood and the primary school years, gifts and talents that were developed in past lives may come to the fore; a budding pianist begins to play technically advanced sonatas as the age of eight, a ten-year-old has an amazing aptitude for mathematics, and a seven-year-old shows grace beyond her years when spending time in prayer at her local church. All of these talents and interests were part of past lives and show up in the present to the amazement of the parents and teachers."

c. 2011 All Rights Reserved

What's a Monad Anyway? (Spiritual Turning Points Book excerpt)

What’s a Monad Anyway?

"A little background on where the term Monad originated: in the 1970s a small group of students of Metaphysics and more specifically George Gurdjieff, an Armenian/Greek mystic and spiritual teacher born in 1866, were meeting in the San Francisco Bay Area. One night while using an Ouija board they contacted Michael, a spirit entity that over time transmitted an entire system of soul evolution to them that was later published in a series of books by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. As part of this system, the term “monads” began to be used to describe both internal and external experiences.

The Michael Definition of the 7 Internal Monads:

“An Internal Monad is a process that is self-contained and experienced by one fragment as a result of a necessary and pivotal developmental phase....The monads are a process through which maturation occurs and includes the following: Birth, Separation from the Mother or the Terrible Twos, Independence from the Family of Origin, Casting off of the False or Learned Personality, Life Review, the onset of what is Fatal and causes Death, and Death itself or the last breath. We would then define the internal monads as self contained internal “units” of experience.”  (Marina-Tompkins c. 2009)

Anthropologist Vic Turner defined the concept of liminality, a threshold state where what has been known is fading away and what will be does not yet exist. In his seminal book ‘Transitions’, William Bridges introduced the concept of 3 transitional segments including a beginning, limbo or neutral state, and an end. Modern psychology includes Jean Piaget’s Stage Theory, Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Human Development, and BF Skinner’s studies in child development.  All recognize progressive natural stages of human development.  The addition of the spiritual or Soul perspective is a key element in understanding these life transitions and helps us to validate the higher truths of reincarnation that are not considered in traditional psychological theories.

The combination of higher spiritual perspectives with the aforementioned psychological studies provides a well-rounded understanding of the nature of human evolution. Singularly they each offer information that helps us accept the rhythms of life. Without the perspective of soul awareness we do not see the larger picture and one that offers us a glimpse into the nature of the Universal truths of reincarnation and choice."

c.2011 All Rights Reserved 

LIFE TRANSITION SIX: Exit Points (Book Excerpt)

LIFE TRANSITION SIX: The Onset of Whatever Will be Fatal

Excerpted from Spiritual Turning Points

EXIT POINTS

"These unique moments are in fact planned for by essence and represent the intersection between unresolved past life energies that have been carried forward to the present and the current life. I like to describe Exit Points as opportunities to get off the freeway of life when things aren’t going so well or resolving the past life blockage and continuing with the present lifetime when things are going nicely.

Take for example a young woman who died at the age of 18 in her past life when she drowned in a river. She has reincarnated and now her 3rd monad is in full swing with all the ups and downs of teenage behavior. One weekend she decides to go swimming with a friend and even through she is not enamored of being in the water, she jumps in the deep end when prompted by her friend to loosen up and have a good time. Several others jump in after her and somehow she gets pushed down to the bottom of the pool where she ingests quite a bit of water in her attempts to free herself and rise to the surface. In that moment the father of her friend sees what is happening, jumps in to save her and does as he pulls her to the surface. Within a few minutes paramedics arrive, they administer first aid, and her life is saved.

If prior to this moment Kerrie’s life had been seriously off track, or if she had been depressed and unable to proceed, she could have chosen this moment as her exit point and the issue related to drowning would not have been resolved. She was, however, doing well prior to this event, so she chose to work through the situation and create a different outcome, i.e. survival instead of drowning and therefore released the past life energies."

c. 2011 All Rights Reserved