Category Archives: NEWS

May 21 2013

Join PAGAN PRIDE PARADE London (2nd June 2013)

Pagan Pride Parade - London 2013 (2nde June 2013) Gather at 12pm at Red Lion Square

Pagan Pride Parade – London 2013 (2nde June 2013) Gather at 12pm at Red Lion Square

Pagan Pride Parade – is a free street-based public event.. where all the pagans, witches, wizards, druids, new agers and ordinary pagan folks come together …to celebrate their path…with a flamboyant parade. Previously organised by Jeanette Ellis for 13 years as part of Beltane Bash.

Now being organised by The Atlantis Bookshop for the 3rd year. *Police escort provided*

All welcome to the annual `Pagan Pride Parade’ in London.
Sunday 2nd June 2013. Gather outside the entrance of Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn, London (nearest tube: Holborn – Piccadilly Line). Meet-up 12 noon.

Wear pagan costumes, masks, bring drums & portable musical instruments, bring banners to carry …either about Pagnism or about your own pagan groups..

Procession ends at Russell Square Park..

-Mani

Solar Eclipse (graphics) by Mani
May 9 2013
Video

How to do Eclipse Magic- a 10 min video

If you are a magician, Wiccan, Witch, Wizard, Druid or a pagan who practises magical works at full moons or new moons, well..here’s an even more powerful an opportunity to undertake deeper magical works! In the video above,  made last year, I explain  what eclipse magic is, and some immediate `magical works’ anyone can do at this Eclipse..  to tap into the esoteric energies of it…and use it for personal, psychic or magical developments..  (If nothing else, think of it as a new moon in Taurus! )

Just to clarify- We’re about to have a Solar Eclipse within the next 24 hours (just after midnight in UK on Friday ).. where the `new moon’  will be blocking out the Sun..but not fully. The moon is relatively `smaller’ than the Sun this time ..so a ring of fire of the edge of the Sun will be visible.. (not to be seen by naked eye for safety reasons ofcourse).

Although this one (in Taurus) can not be seen by people in some parts of the World, it’s long term influence will be upon everyone..

This by the way is the 2nd of the traditional Eclipse pair – that is to say, we have already had a lunar eclipse 2 weeks ago so here is the Solar Eclipse.

BUT here’s the big think..  we will be having another (Penumbral) Lunar Eclipse in another 2 weeks time.. Penumbral..  but still an Eclipse of the (Sagittarian) full moon..on 25th May..

So You can start some magical works now..(10th May) .and carry it to conclusion on the 25th May..

So go on..  Stellar Engineer your life..   !

Good Luck..

-Mani Navasothy

ps. There is one sting in the tail..   the 3rd wave of that Pluto-Square-Uranus is coming in a week or so..  I’ll write about that later..(It takes place between this solar and the next lunar eclipse..  And the same will happen later in the year between the next Eclipse-pair in October-November 2013).

link

Astrology

Eclipse Magic Workbook (kindle & pdf versions)

Kindle page for `Eclipse Magic Workbook’ 

Apr 30 2013

Majority of Europe votes to ban Bee-harming pesticide

Giant Bee display at Eden Project . Photo (c) Vathani Navasothy. 2013

Giant Bee display at Eden Project . Photo (c) Vathani Navasothy. 2013

Got this update from Greenpeace.. Very good news for the Bees.. and glad to see most of Europe being sensible. But shame our own UK rep didn’t shift.  Here’s the good news from James Sadri at Greenpeace that came in an e-mail to me..  (am a supporter!)

-Mani Navasothy

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“….the majority of Europe voted to ban bee pesticides!

It’s the world’s first continent-wide ban on these chemicals and it’s a moment our movement can be proud of.

Someone who has nothing to be proud of is the UK environment minister Owen Paterson, who not only voted against the ban, but lobbied on behalf of chemical giants Syngenta and Bayer to try and stop it going through. Paterson in a private letter even promised Syngenta that his “efforts would intensify” in the run-up to the vote [1].

Well, Mr Paterson, you lost. The bees won.

We know the current UK government has a disastrous track record on protecting our world – from climate change to bees. That’s why so much of our work on this campaign has focused on mainland Europe, where we managed to shift big countries like Germany who yesterday gave the ban their critical backing. That’s what a global network allows us to do.

Although we’ve been working in Europe against these bee-killing chemicals for years, here are a few of the things we’ve done in the past two weeks:

  • Campaigning on the ground in 12 key countries
  • Massive banner dropped on Syngenta’s HQ in Basel, Switzerland on 17th April
  • Turning the Austrian ministry of agriculture into a giant honeycomb on 18th April
  • Protest with hives outside Syngenta’s annual general meeting in Switzerland on 23rd April
  • Giant banner on roof of Bayer’s annual general meeting in Cologne, Germany on 26th April
  • ‘Funeral for the queen bee’ at a Bayer factory in the Netherlands on 26th April
  • Joint ‘March of the Beekeepers’ with other campaigning organisations in Parliament square in the UK on 26th April

Although we failed to shift our UK representative Owen Paterson to support the ban, our movement still managed to shift the critical players across Europe and get the ban we all want.

And therein lies our strength. Like the bees who roam from field to field oblivious of the fences that divide their flowers, we’ll go wherever we need to in order to protect our environment and the world we live in.

Yesterday we showed the real strength of our global movement and achieved a remarkable success. We need more of these. ..”

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Apr 1 2013

Earth Day 2013 in London: Come walk with us in Richmond Park

Earth Day 2013 - Silent walk in Richmond park

Earth Day 2013 – Silent walk in Richmond park

On Monday 22nd April’13 – Earth Day – some of my friends from magical groups and I are going for a simple walk in one of London’s well-preserved woodlands  – Richmond Park in South West London. It has lakes, small ponds, some streams, all sorts of trees..and of course lots of Deer.

Purpose: Our aim is to have a mindful silent walk through a nice natural woodland. During the walk, we all make a point of not talking and disturbing each others’ thoughts. Some people may be in a meditative state, as they walk. During the walk, each person may wish to attune themselves to the energies of the woods, and to Earth itself..  It is about observing and being part of nature, without interfering with it too much.

Meeting point & Time:  We are meeting at `Richmond Gate’ at 1pm. Just get through the gate, and look to the immediate left..  We’ll gather in that area.  After initial meeting & greeting, and a quick talk-through (there are toilets nearby too) – we will set off on a 30min- 45min silent walk.

If you don’t know how to get to `Richmond Gate’ – you can meet some of us at Richmond rain station (served by Trains & tubes) between 12.15pm to 12.30pm.   We will stand by the coffee shop.  We’ll gather anyone new, and step outside the station to take a bus to Richmond park. The bus journey takes about 15 minutes.. but we may need to wait for it.  Only one bus goes past Richmond Gate (ask for the `American University’ stop..  then walk forward and turn left..).

Because of other meeting up at Richmond gate at 1pm, we can not wait longer than 12.30pm by the station. Please be on time. In the past, we’ve waited for people, but that has only upset the people who turned up on time and had to waste time waiting.

Activity:   Once a quick explanation of what we are going to do is done, we’ll simply get walking. I will lead everyone through a particular path.. to a nice fairly quiet location..  (this is a `real’ Path-Walking). Once in that spot, we can sit in silence for a further few minutes – and break silence. We will then have a small social picnic – (bring your own picnic, packed lunch, flask of coffee etc – for your self, and if you really are okay..something to share. But not essential).

We’ll then have a more talkative walk back to the exit.

I can not really restrain this free-flowing event with an end-time restriction. I would say allow about 2 hours at least ..and may be more if you wish to socialise with others.

Hope to see you there..

-Mani Navasothy

 

Mar 26 2013

Early thoughts on International Peace Day.. (21st September)

International Peace Day -21September 2013 - art (c)Mani Navasothy

International Peace Day -21September 2013 – art (c)Mani Navasothy

21st September has been declared by the United Nations as International Day of Peace!  I didn’t know it until I accidentally met the man who was responsible for making that happen!  Last year, on 6th October’12, I attended a special 1-day event in central London, for Entrepreneurs!  And in that event, Jeremy Gilley had a 5 minute slot to promote his `thing’ – and that turned out to be all about the International Peace Day ..and he turned out to be the ma who had campaigned for that and actually succeeded!

Wikipedia says about International Peace Day,

Peace One Day -pic3 (c) Mani Navasothy“Peace One Day is a non-profit organisation with the objective to raise awareness of the International Day of Peace that occurs on 21 September each year. The objective of the organisation is to foster Peace Day as “a day for wide-scale community action, and a day for UN agencies and aid organisations to safely carry out life-saving work.”

Founded in 1999 by the British documentary filmmaker and actor Jeremy Gilley, Peace One Day led a successful campaign to pass UN Resolution 55/282 recognising Peace Day as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. Unanimously approved by all members States the resolution also invites organisations and individuals to commemorate the International Day of Peace through education and public awareness, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the establishment of the global ceasefire..”

I was totally bowled over by the whole idea..  (I came to the UK as a refugee 25+ years ago from Sri Lanka, after all that interracial violence.. So this sort of global grand peace initiatives affects me in the first and immediate instance..  that is even before I start thinking about all the hundreds of Wars going on around the world at any one time.. and the thousands of people being killed by it :-(

Peace One Day - founder Jeremy Gilley at a London Event in October 2012 .

Peace One Day – founder Jeremy Gilley at a London Event in October 2012 .

This year ..2013 will be the first time I will be fully aware of and observe International Peace Day. And am already resolved to make it as special as possible, and to share that initiative with as many friends, family and community I can.   That effort started with me promoting the awareness in my websites few months ago..  But it takes a definitive step forward…with this blog post..   and the beautiful graphics below that I was just compelled to create (it’s a photo-graphic version of the `Peace One Day’ logo :-)

Feel free to share the art work.. above..  as  more people who see it and become aware…the better ..for the World! :-)

It’s highly interesting that …it happens on 21st September..   the general day of Autumn Equinox..  a time of balancing Dark and Light..in a magical sense… so to speak.

I didn’t get to shake hands with Jeremy that day…he was very busy..very tired..and spoke very fast to cram what he had to say (on top of a short film he shared). But seeing him speak with passion and fire was enough.. and now I can share that spark with others..!

“One man can make a difference! “

-Mani Navasothy

Link:

Peace One Day website

wikipedia – About Peace One Day

Mar 21 2013

Cookies: An Important notice about Internet Privacy

Beware of spyware and Adware -graphics -Mani Navasothy

What are Website Cookies? 

Am sure you have noticed – all professional websites of organisations and companies now have a legal note at the top – telling you about Cookies and how they collect data when you visit their website (s). Well, what exactly is it and what does it mean?

I have just written this `disclaimer/ legal note’  for all the 4 main esoteric sites I create & manage. (rest of my sites will be done soon).

And here below is the information I provided. While it may not be extensive, it will be helpful in you getting an initial understanding of what Cookies are and how webmasters, web hosting companies..and Google uses them..and for what.

Privacy, Cookies & Internet Safety

“Nearly all websites & site hosts have inbuilt software that places small tracking program called a `cookie’ – This collects user data, such as number of visits, where they are coming from (ie which link they used to arrive at a site, or if they did a search, or inputted a web address directly). Google analytics & Host companies provide simple (or complex) program for all web masters to access that data. Some websites actively use complex cookies. We do not do this, but rely on any data collected by Google & our site host.

Every time you visit a website (all) a cookie is placed in your web browser. You can set your own browsers to minimise this, (privacy or ingognito modes can be set) or delete cookies (set borwser to delete automatically on departing a site. Next time you arrive at a site, it will still place a new cookie, btu it will have no record of your previous visit).

Disabling or deleting cookies will generally not affect your viewing of (our) websites. But some websites out there have settings that make some parts of their website not-visible, unless their cookies are accepted.

This advise & info is provided to the best of our knowledge. You may wish to do your own search to be fully educated in this matter.”

-Mani Navasothy. 21st March 2013

 

My previous Blog entries on Internet safety

 SpyWare & Adware: How to stay safe online

Safety tips for avoiding spam

 

Mar 19 2013

Is this the beginning of end for UK printing & publishing freedom?

Threat to Freedom of Press? Cross-party agreement in UK

Threat to Freedom of Press? Cross-party agreement in UK

The 3 main political parties in UK – Labour, Liberl & Conservative – have agreed to a new system of regulation for the news paper industry in a unique cross-party deal, in the early hours of  2.30am on Monday 18th March’13   (Their meetings have been held leading up to it, which makes it all under the astrological influence of the only-just-going direct motion Mercury.. which happened t 8pm on Sunday night).

News of this proposal has been spreading out on Television, Internet and radio channels – and will appear in actual News paper print ..by Tuesday 19th Match’13.   (today, at the time of writing this blog).

UK Prime Minister David Cameron urges Papers to agree to new system of Regulation.  Yahoo news states that,

`Setting out plans for a royal charter to back a new, tougher press regulator with the power to impose big fines and prominent apologies on errant newspapers, Mr Cameron told MPs that the proposals delivered on the recommendations of last year’s Leveson Report on press standards.’

Joint statements by the Mail, Telegraph, News International and Northern and Shell, were concerned about  “several deeply contentious issues which have not yet been resolved with the industry“ and making clear they would not make an immediate response.

In Dailymail online (www.dailymail.co.uk)  reported the following points have been highlighted:

  • Press watchdog will issue £1m fines and demand front page apologies.
  • Body will be created by Royal Charter instead of being set up by legislation.
  • All three party leaders tried to claim victory after 20 months of wrangling.
  • Hacked Off, which represents celebrities and other victims, had four present.
  • No-one from newspaper industry was informed the talks were taking place.

Dailymail site also informed that, `London Mayor Boris Johnson, a former journalist, telephoned Mr Cameron yesterday and expressed ‘serious concern’ about a proposal to hit publishers who refuse to sign up to the new watchdog with ‘exemplary’ damages in libel cases’.

Is this the beginning of end for news paper freedom of publication in UK?   Yes, there has been a lot of phone tapping and other `scandals’ involving the news papers of late – and all these inquiries have been ways of diving and probing in deep by the government. Everyone has been at the mercy of the news industry – including the Royal Family, Ministers and Bankers – pretty much the 3 elite groups of people who otherwise will be `untouchable’ by the general public – save for the Journalists who keep them on their toes!  News Industry is a double-edged sword of course (mightier than a Sword!) …it can give biased views and change mass opinion, or be on the side of people, and challenge others who assume total power and control over people..

And now, the News paper industry has been `touched’ finally..  and ways of controlling it have begun, in the most `apparently open way’ possible of course.

I personally have been rebellious and challenging of anything in positions of power – not just for the sake of it – but if there is something that just doesn’t smell right to my inner rights and wrongs, even if others can’t immediately see it. I’ve challenged people in power (under various circumstances) – be in at work in the Home Office (I was an elected Union Rep), work in the Charity sector,  Officers in Pagan Community organisations .. and so on.   Just to be fair, I must say that I have also been part of a petition against Daily Mail paper, when they were seemingly reporting against Pagan practices.

So this news …of proposals to monitor, manage and control the News Paper industry (and eventually to other news media) is very worrying indeed.  Those who challenge authority are often walking a tight rope, and though they seem to be on a height above others, they also can take great falls – as there are others who can the tools to cut those ropes.

So my sympathies to the News Paper industry – After all, I am also in the publishing industry. My biggest worry is…waiting for the attention to fall even more heavily on the Freedom of publishing on the Internet..! :-(

-Mani Navasothy

Links

Gaian Times e-Magazine for Eco-spiritual & society matters

Esoteric Expert – my professional site / platform for publishing eBooks and ventures

Daily Mail report of this story

yahoo report of this story

Mar 15 2013

Outdoor Spring Equinox Ritual & Earth Hour Gathering (London) on 23rd March’13

Here’s some details (and a pretty graphics :-) ) about an outdoor Spring Equinox Ritual ..that my friends and I are organising in London next Saturday 23rd March’13. It’s part of the Hern’s Tribe rituals (we have been doing now for over 8 years).   Of course that Saturday 23rd March happens to be also EARTH- HOUR

Earth Hour is observed between 8.30pm  to 9.30pm.. local time…ie where ever you are in which ever Country, you observe it when it’s 8.30pm for you.

So we are also going to stay out in the woods, have a small bon-fire, sing songs, chant, feat, have a few glasses of wine or mead.. and generally be thoughtful about Mother Earth, as well as share merriment.

If you are in London on that afternoon, or evening, come join us for one or both..  Details here:

-Mani Navasothy

London Spring Equinox & Earth Hour 2013 Gathering

London Spring Equinox & Earth Hour 2013 Gathering

Hern’s Tribe Outdoor Event

Saturday 23rd March 2013

Join us for outdoor Spring Equinox Ritual & Eco-Magic. (*between 4pm- 5pm). After ritual, we will be starting a small camp fire to keep warm during feasting & socials, songs and drumming.  You are welcome to observe Earth Hour with us and continue the festivities (between 8.30pm – 9.30pm).

venue & time Meet at Coombe Lane Tram stop – 3pm-3.15pm. (Get to East Croydon Railway station, come out and take the `New Addington’ tram line. Our stop is only 5 minutes from there).

PLEASE wrap up warm. No matter what, it gets cold later. And it’s difficult to doa ritual or enjoy a social (even with a camp fire) when you feel cold! We will be setting up a small camp fire, and also rain sheet cover (also protects us from winds).

Please bring Food & drinks to put on altar and share in feats afterwards. Bottle of wine is ideal.

Bring masks, drums or other musical instruments. be open to singing & chanting. It makes a happy tribal environment :-)

Contact point:

Please phone via 077689-41373 to confirm attendance if possible (not essential…Just turn up if you like and wait for us at Tram stop).  If making calls or texts, please  note- We highly encourage you to make any calls before the actual day itself, as we get very busy on the day.

Weather factor? Our Rituals go ahead whatever the weather. So have faith, and just turn up. It usually ends up being a good happy magical event :-)

Health & Safety:   Ritual involves walking through woods with uneven ground. May not be suitable for anyone with walking difficulties. You are responsible for your own Health & Safety in the woods.

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Link

Hern’s Tribe Rituals site

Full Moon wiccan Rituals site

Pagan Frontiers of London

Mar 9 2013

Comet PANSTARRS (C/2011 L4) visible to naked eye in mid-March’13

Comet Panstarrs-visible to naked eye - mid-March2013 (graphics by NASA)

Comet Panstarrs-visible to naked eye – mid-March 2013 (graphics by NASA)

Comet PANSTARRS (C/2011 L4) was discovered in June 2011, and will be visible to the naked eye..in the Western horizon, just after sunset (only to people of the northern hemisphere).  It is not that bright, and will be quite low to the horizon, so an unobstructed view of the western horizon, and a clear night sky is going to be essential. Too early, and there will be too much sky light, and too late and the comet will be below horizon. So catching it is going to be tricky, says NASA.

“Comets visible to the naked eye are a rare delicacy in the celestial smorgasbord of objects in the nighttime sky. Scientists estimate that the opportunity to see one of these icy dirtballs advertising their cosmic presence so brilliantly they can be seen without the aid of a telescope or binoculars happens only once every five to 10 years. That said, there may be two naked-eye comets available for your viewing pleasure this year..” says NASA , which includes the Comet ISON that will be visible later in the year (October to late December 2013), and of course this one!

This comet  2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) bears the name of the telescopic survey that discovered it —  ”Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System” (The survey is based atop the Haleakala volcano in Hawaii).

Observing comet PANSTARRS

NASA advises, “By March 8, comet PANSTARRS may be viewable for those with a totally unobstructed view of the western horizon for about 15 minutes after twilight. On March 10, it will make its closest approach to the sun about 28 million miles (45 million kilometers) away. As it continues its nightly trek across the sky, the comet may get lost in the sun’s glare but should return and be visible to the naked eye by March 12. As time marches on in the month of March, the comet will begin to fade away slowly, becoming difficult to view (even with binoculars or small telescopes) by month’s end. The comet will appear as a bright point of light with its diffuse tail pointing nearly straight up from the horizon like an exclamation point”

Astrology connection

Looking at the fact that the Comet Panstarrs is going to be visible near the moon on 12t March tells me that it’s in the area close to the start sign of Aries!  And even by 24th March, it’s visible close to the Sun’s position, that is still in the sign of Aries, as by then Sun will have moved to Aries!  (Comets are on a long orbit around the Sun, just like planets..  and as they swing past the Sun… that’s when we see them at their brightest and with the longest `tail’, as the heat of the Sun melts contents which spew out as a gas tail that glows!)

The Comet ISON visible by late October, November, December will be mainly visible in the sign of Sagitarrius, but this one is a messenger for Aries.

The New Pope  & Shivarathri connections

Interestingly, the new Pope will be elected around about the 12th March..just as this comet Panstarrs is visible and close to the Sun. And comet ISON will be closer to Earth by the 26h December (close to Christmas!).

Shivarathri (Night of Shiva) happens to be on Sunday 10th, just on the eve of the new Moon..   and of course it is all about the infinite Flames of Hindu God Shiva – the Cosmic Dancer.  The comet could be said to be a symbol of that cosmic flame!

Make what you will of  all that! Am sure the Christians and Hindus will be inspired by these synchronous events . :-)

-Mani Navasothy

Link  

Full feature on  Comet PANSTARRS  on NASA site.

Blog on Comet ISON

New Pope- will he be the penulimate?

Shivaratri – Great Night of God Shiva

Feb 20 2013

Retrograde-Free period ends (next one in 3 years!)

Venus trine & transitAt any one time, our observation will show planets to be either `moving direct’ or `moving backwards’ – the Retrograde motion. (This is explained in my earlier blog. Read it here).

From  30th January  we have had a clear  2+ weeks, where no planets in Solar system were retrograding. This period has now ended, with Saturn already beginning to retrograde in the sign of Scorpio today (19th Feb’13).  And in a few days, on 23rd Feb’13, Mercury will begin its retrograde in the sign of Pisces.

The next time we will get a clear retrograde-Free period (where all the planets in our Solar system are going direct) will occur in almost 3 years time.

Here are the dates for future Retrograde-Free durations.

30 Jan – 17 Feb 2013  (17 days) – Just ended!

26 Dec’15 – 4Jan’16 (10 days).

8 Jan –  5 Feb 2017 (27 days)

2 Jan -7 March 2018 (2 months!)

5 Jan – 4 March 2019 (2 months!)

Now some people may think that `their planet’ won’t be retrograding all the time and so they won’t be having such a long wait. However, bear in mind that when a personal astrological chart is erected and current positions of planets are placed on that, each planet is going to be in an important house-position of a person’s chart (even if a particular planet is not their ruling planet!). So when ever one goes retrograde in a house position (say 5th house – of romance, creativity..  2nd house of finances etc) …that area of your life will be influenced in a challenging way (most of the time).

So effectively, for the next 3 years, without any exceptions, we are all going to be having challenging times…in one part of our life or another.

From time to Time, I’ll provide forecasts – difficult and easy days or periods to watch out for.

-Mani Navasothy