To the Moon and Back
The Moon is one of my favorite tarot cards. As a practitioner and coach of shadow work, the moon shadows reveal much, when explored.
Several years back, I’d lived in this amazing Tudor cottage. Total Snow White vibe. Literally. They were built for the Disney Animators who were drawing Snow White and the Seven Dwarves for Disney, and my Gelsons grocey store down the street was the site of the first Disney animation studios. I had a short black bob with bangs, and my husband was both Dopey and Grumpy (in fact he exhibits all the Dwarf emotions), so it was a good fit.
On this one particular week, everything was a synchronicity and everything was about the moon. It culminated on a cloudy, overcast Saturday night, and me and the hubs were standing outside of the cottage in the magical courtyard, where real life li’l creatures, like skunks and rabbits would frolic. Yes. Frolic. He pulled me close for a kiss and as our lips touched, the the clouds parted and the sky brightened, revealing the biggest, shiniest full moon.
The next morning, while “Sleepy” was sleeping, I decided to crawl out from under the covers and go take a Sunday morning stroll. I headed north up Griffith Park Boulevard, toward Los Feliz Boulevard, with the intent to go to Griffith Park, a most gorgeous place hang out in Los Angeles. As I stood at the intersection I looked across to the mysterious building, The Philosophical Research Society, which always drew my interest whenI passed by. Huge Statues of Male Egyptian figures, stood vigil, kneeling out front. You know how churches and civic buildings and a marquee- like reader board sign out front. It notated that this morning’s lecture was by Astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell. I of course was hearing David Bowie’s Space Oddity in my head. I decided to wander in instead of hitting the park.
I was enthralled as Dr. Mitchell spoke of his Apollo 14 mission to the moon. But what really got me was the story of his unauthorized psi experiment he did while floating above our planet. Dr. Mitchell told us that he had made arrangements that four persons stationed in different U.S. cities, and at certain pre-arranged times, they would attempt ESP with each other. Mitchell indicated that he went through a hand-made, modified Zener Card deck. These are the familiar symbol-cards (circle, plus mark, wavy lines, square, five-pointed star) that are used by parapsychologists. several times while four friends on Earth tried to get psychic messages via Mitchell's mind using telepathy to “send” or via Clairvoyance from/of the receiver. Dr. Mitchell declined to identify the four persons, but he did share that one was a professional psychic in Chicago.
It’s fascinating to think how our thought, are things, and they are connected, even through great distance in space.
Afterwards, there was a book signing, and when it was my turn to get my copy signed, I gushed about the psi experiment and my own desires to become a parapsychologist, and my experiences with remote viewer. Right next to Dr, Mitchell was Dr. Obadiah Harris, the President of The Philosophical Research Society. He interjected, asking if I’d like to stay for a luncheon? Moon magic all week, and now I’m going to have lunch with an actual astronaut?
I listened more than speaking, and learned about Dr. Mitchell and his founding of Institute of Noetic Science (IONS), and Dr Harris shared with me a bit of PRS’s history, introducing me to the metaphysical works of founder Manly Hall.
I spent time after lunch, checking out the bookstore and the incredible library, filled to the brim with esoteric volumes that’ i’d been wanting to get my hands on.
Long story short, I quickly became members in both organizations. PRS was also getting its’ credentials as a post graduate distance learning facility. When I saw the incredible faculty, many of whom I’d read or seen on film or television, I decided to attend more lectures, with the intent of becoming a student. I enrolled. The Moon made sure of it. Like the Moon tarot card’s crayfish, I started to crawl out onto my own golden path, between two sentry towers ( like the Egyptian statues guys that towered over me).
The Man on the Moon song that my mother used to sing to me had replaced Bowie as my mental soundtrack on the Sunday Morning walk home. the song was still cute, but now meant something deeper. As deep as that Saturday night kiss.
