Soulful Features
April 2002

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 Sacred Symbols.

This month, we're exploring the subject of "Sacred Signs, Symbols and Meaning." Our nine contributing experts and authors share their unique methods, experience and techniques for utilizing signs and symbols as powerful tools for transformation. We'll discover the rich interconnectedness of the Universe and how signs, symbols and synchronicity connect us with the Universal wisdom of our souls. We're also treated to an in-depth look at several specific symbols and tools for spiritual growth, such as mandalas, labyrinths, religious relics, keepsakes, rituals, and myths.

May peace and joy be yours as you pay attention to the sacred symbols in your life!

THIS MONTH'S FEATURES:

"Mandala Blessings: Art that Heals and Transforms"
By Bonnie Bell, a sacred artist and healer who creates Nature-based mandalas with her partner, David Todd. Their publications include a book, "GaiaStar Mandalas: Ecstatic Visions of the Living Earth," both a "Healing Mandalas" calendar and screen-saver package, and a divination deck, "The GaiaStar Codex: Seeds of a Turned On World." Their website is www.gaiastarworld.com.

"The Universe is Talking, Pay Attention"
by Patricia Rose Upczak, author, speaker and Reiki Master, who first began her studies of this healing method 15 years ago. She is a Special Education teacher with 25 years of experience working with children and teenagers. Her books include "Reiki: A Way of Life, "Steve," and her newest, "Synchronicity, Signs & Symbols." Her website is www.csd.net/~synchron/.

"The Sacred Heart of Jesus"
by Father Paul Keenan, popular speaker, author and radio co-host of WABC Radio’s "Religion on the Line." Father Paul likes to talk and write about the issues that matter to people. Widely experienced as a national and local television and radio news commentator, he is the author of "Good News for Bad Days," "Stages of the Soul" and "Heartstorming." (www.fatherpaul.com)

"On Relics and Keepsakes"
by Eryk Hanut, a writer, photographer, and author of "The Card and Rumi Book Pack," The Road to Guadalupe" and his newest, "The Blessings of Guadalupe." He is currently working on a memoir. He lives in Nevada with his husband Andrew Harvey and his two cats Puli and Princey. His website is www.erykhanut.com.

"Sacred Symbols"
by Barbara Biziou, America's foremost ritual expert. Through practical, easy to use ritual recipes that are powerful and inspiring, Barbara teaches people how to effect remarkable changes in their lives. Since 1981 she has traveled the globe, showing individuals and companies how to incorporate spirituality into their hectic lifestyles. She is the author of "The Joys of Everyday Ritual" and "The Joy of Family Rituals." (www.joyofritual.com)

"The Labyrinth: A Path to the Sacred"
by Tricia Kibbe, president of the Labyrinth Guild of New England and a Veriditas labyrinth facilitator, trained at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. For the past three years, she has participated as a facilitator and co-coordinator of the program at Chartres Cathedral in France, "Let Us Walk  With Mary" Retreat sponsored by Veriditas, the World-Wide Labyrinth Project.

"Myth and Meaning: Religious Truth is Our Inner Truth"
by David Richo, Ph.D., M.F.T., a psychotherapist, teacher, and writer, who emphasizes Jungian, transpersonal, and spiritual perspectives in his work. He is the author of: "How To Be An Adult," "When Love Meets Fear," "Unexpected Miracles: The Gift of Synchronicity and How to Open It," "Shadow Dance: Liberating the Power and Creativity of Your Dark Side." (www.davericho.com)

"Meeting the Mandala"
by Clare Goodwin,  a humanistic astrologer, therapist, tarot reader, and artist. Her Mandala website is considered one of the definitive sites about the subject of mandalas on the web today. Clare offers "Making Meaning with the Mandala" Correspondence Courses. She also teaches in the Professional Counselor Training Program and is an Intuitive Counselor. ( www.abgoodwin.com/mandala)

"The Use of the Labyrinth in Spiritual Growth"
by Norah Griggs, who has spent the last 5 years, building and studying about labyrinths. The self proclaimed “Wild Woman" is now organizing and hosting walks and drum circles around her labyrinth in her woods. She has also been busy doing talks on her book "Rocklady, The Building of a Labyrinth" in schools and Spiritual Centers. Her website is www.rocklady.ws.