47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Integrating the Shadow Self, September 23, 2008
This review is from: 2012 and the Galactic Center: The Return of the Great Mother (Paperback)
As the magic date of Dec.21, 2012 approaches, there has been a tremendous upsurge in the number of books on the subject (my own search on amazon revealed some 94,000 plus entries). Many of them spell out apocalyptic prospects for humanity in the few years to come, in effect, amplifying the already dominant 'victim' vibration in our troposphere. This book is not like that. Refreshingly original, it re-creates some age old methods of creating a new space within ourselves with which to go out and meet the coming changes with welcoming hearts, instead of fear and foreboding. The way there, according to the author, is, in short, the quite simple, (or complex) prescription of acknowledging and accepting our own shadowy and unloved selves, and allowing them to operate in concert with our total persona as a whole.
However, this book is not a how-to-manual. Rich in allegorical content, it uses the imagery of archetypal energies to depict, among other themes, the journey of soul through the twelve signs of the zodiac into a recognition of its own light. Especially evocative, is the imagery associated with the comparison of the heart of the Galactic Center with the Great Mother, whence the expansive white area of stars, represent her pregnant womb and the Dark Rift between, her birth cleft or vagina. Another appealing symbol that has been invoked, and one that to me, resonates particularly strongly, is that of Kali, the Hindu goddess of Death and Regeneration, also referred to by Paramahamsa Yogananda as 'Divine Mother'. As the energies of our sun align with those of the Galactic Center, it is, (according to the author) as if we die to our old selves when we get sucked into the 'black hole' of Kali's womb, and emerge on the other side, via a 'white hole' renewed and rejuvenated in entirety.
The author begins by exploring the physical phenomena associated with this 26,000 year alignment of our sun with the Galactic Center. She then takes up the connection of the same with the Mayan Calendar, where the magic date of Dec. 21, 2012 marks the end of their fourth world and the beginning of their fifth, simultaneously heralding the end of humanity as we know it today. "..the earth and its inhabitants are entering a new world era, ruled by the element of ether....Ether is considered to be the fifth element and the synthesis of the four other elements, earth, air, fire and water. In the past, the driving force for reality creation, have been our emotions (linked to water) and our beliefs and reasons (linked to air). Now at the dawn of a new age of compassion, harmony and interrelatedness, we are connecting to the unity or Christ grid....which reflects the element of ether". Our challenge, according to the author, in the years to come, is "to allow the birth of a new consciousness that reflects the element of ether, the element of the fifth sun, and within which, a fusion of polarities takes place", obviating the need for separation into the opposites of good or bad, light and dark and so on.
After going through the above intoduction to the coming changes after 2012 to humanity as we know it, the author takes us on a search for clues in mythology and ancient history on how to deal with times of global chaos and transformation. Her findings and discoveries in this particular quest, form the major subject matter of this book.
Recurring themes and images that occur in the text quite often, are the Crone, Kali, Isis, Osiris and Horus, Persephone and Demeter and, of course, the twelve archetypal images of the Zodiac (several chapters are devoted to this particular journey of soul) to name only a few. The alchemy of transformation through descent into our unconscious and owning our shadow is discussed in detail. Issues around acceptance, death and rebirth, in particular, are also investigated from several angles in the analysis. Some of the stories and deductions were strongly reminiscent (at least for me) of similar material in the bestseller 'Women who run with the Wolves' by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.
The final exhortation in this book is given by the Great Mother to the author in answer to a question posed by the latter, "What words of advice do you offer as we approach 2012 and beyond?". The answer provided is as follows,"Still your mind and center in your heart. Now through waves of love, connect to the hearts of your cells, organs...Finally, extend your energy towards the stars through the embodiment of love for yourself".
Truly a fine way to welcome Dec 21, 2012, don't you think?
Read this book if you can, it could open you up to interesting possibilities, and, at the very least, mitigate your fears around the 2012 issue, at least a little. Strongly recommended.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, informative, & novel approach to examining 2012, September 18, 2008
This review is from: 2012 and the Galactic Center: The Return of the Great Mother (Paperback)
This book presents a very important contribution to the exploration of the significance of the year 2012. It's focus is on archetypal patterns and the transformation of ourselves that can be fostered as our civilization is faced with this time of shifting. Dr. Page examines major archetypal roles that have been reflected in the myths of societies from around the world through history. As the subtitle suggest, the archetypal aspects of the feminine are of great significance, and we are invited to integrate all aspects of ourselves. Astrology and alchemy are metaphysical tools for understanding and applying this awareness in the process of spiritual growth and integration. Thus, this book examines astrological issues as well as elemental and archetypal patterns that are reflected in myths. This book actually has little to do with what may happen externally in 2012; instead, it invites us all to progress in our path of inner transformation. There is a lot to ponder here... this is a great book for those who wish to accelerate their personal growth as 2012 approaches, though anyone looking for prognostication about earth changes and rapid shifts in the external world may be disappointed. I applaud this author for her thoughtful input about how we can embrace this time of great opportunity for personal growth.
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