To write or not to write.... It is still your choice, for now.

In the wake of news stories about Journalism being compared to Terrorism and bills being passed through government which make it a criminal offense to take part in lobbying unless you have registered with the government for the right to do so... is it any wonder that more and more people are literally being frightened into silence?

The phone hacking scandal which has been all over the news recently is just one of the gift horses that presented the government with the perfect opportunity to bring in new legislation's to overhaul the industry by placing restrictions on who can act as a lobbyist by passing a law in which you have to register for the right to lobby and comply with a list of rules and regulations which include passing business and personal information and making in an offense to spend over a certain amount of money on campaigning in the year coming up to Elections.

Why would you be interested in lobbying? Striving to influence decisions being made by the government? The News is a perfect example of how to influence opinion in the general public when it is presented in a certain way, alongside images portraying things which the viewers will react with emotionally when they agree or disagree with the content being shown. What about unbiased reporting is there even such a thing anymore in the Mainstream Media?

There was grave concern voiced about the Transparency of Lobbying bill from Greenpeace and other Charities because of the enforced cap on expenditure on political lobbying before an election.   

• Charities National charity campaigns such as those against fracking could also be affected by the new rules if the Electoral Commission rules that they favour one party in the election. At a local level they could also fall foul of the new regulations. (Quote from Independant)

This is alongside all the information from the leaks that were published from information released by Edward Snowden proving that we really are living in an Orwellian surveillance state and that our every move is being logged, categorized and analyzed by someone somewhere sitting behind mountains of personal data that we we neither agreed to have collected or were even aware that it was being collected until the whistleblowing light shone from a great height to illuminate all of these shady goings on.

So where does this leave those of us who would like to know the Truth about matters? Free Speech may not be what it once used to be in the UK but it is not dead and buried just yet. The established Media outlets are not the only source of information. More often than not you will see a story spreading through twitter days before it is picked up by the mainstream and being reported not by trained journalists but by everyday people who are reporting facts, posting images and talking about things as they happen in real time. Surely a way forward is for the audience to participate in the output of information that is being reported and for it to be just as important as that which is carefully dissected, prepared and streamlined to a certain agenda before broadcast.

Mark Glaser, a freelance journalist who frequently writes on new media issues, said in 2006:^[10]

The idea behind citizen journalism is that people without professional journalism training can use the tools of modern technology and the global distribution of the Internet to create, augment or fact-checked media on their own or in collaboration with others. For example, you might write about a city council meeting on your blog or in an online forum. Or you could fact-check a newspaper article from the mainstream media and point out factual errors or bias on your blog. Or you might snap a digital photo of a newsworthy event happening in your town and post it online. Or you might videotape a similar event and post it on a site such as YouTube.

Everyone has a voice, an opinion, thoughts... and yours are just as important as the next persons. Question is will you exercise your right to speak out? Over the last few years the Enlightening Times Magazine has sought to promote creative people from all walks of life who have dedicated their lives to their work. Our youtube channel, the blog and Magazine is opening its doors to YOU to make a difference whether that is through writing Articles or sharing Stories to promoting your life's work and that of others who have chosen to live their dream or to write news stories as you see them! If you would like to be added to the Magazine Blog as a regular contributor please Email Rashelle and she will set you up.

Due to the arrival of two beautiful baby boys I won't be editing the Magazine anymore but will be handing the running of the new site and future editions over to the very capable Rashelle who is very lucky to have lots of helpers lining up to assist with technical advice and support. I have loved every second of the Enlightening Times since its inception and would like to thank each an every single contributor who has helped bring the Magazine to what it is today. You are all awesome! Keep those Articles coming. :)

By Jade Moore for the Enlightening Times Magazine
All Rights Reserved 2014 

Becoming Real by Cherry Morris

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." “Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

Isn't that lovely? What a wonderful excerpt from the book, it really does sum up living authentically. It’s also very true; we don’t become real people until we have experienced pain, loss, real love, and what we thought was love. So no matter the source of love or hurt, we become real by acknowledging our true selves in every experience.

So the Skin Horse explains this by saying that people who break easily, have sharp edges, or have to be kept carefully, don’t often become real. Looking at this and applying it to life we can see what he means. If you break easily, everything becomes painful, every new negative experience builds on the last one, and we become so disconnected from our true selves, our dreams, our hopes that it becomes difficult to see clearly.

If you have coped with life by building a wall around yourself for protection, you may keep out the hurt, but you also keep out the chance of becoming real, and recognising real love when it comes. So your edges will be sharp, from a distance you seem okay, but get closer and those edges cut, the saddest thing is that it is you who will be cut the deepest.

If your response to life has been a desire to be carefully kept, (controlling your environment) then you are living a false life. Like living on a very small life raft in a very big ocean, you are very vulnerable to being thrown around by life’s ups and downs.

When we are hurting, we don’t see it at the time but it is the perfect time to take a long hard look at ourselves. To become real (authentic) we have to acknowledge every part of ourselves. The good parts and the not so pretty parts.

You can’t mend other people when they are broken, that’s a fact, an indisputable truth. No matter what you do for them, you cannot mend them. You can help them mend themselves, but they have to truly want to change or your energy and time will be wasted.

You can mend yourself though, with or without help, and the first step is to acknowledge that you are broken.

Just two questions, if you’re really smart you’ll be asking yourself both of them:

Why am I allowing these things to happen in my life?

Why am I treating other people this way?

That’s it right there, your biggest truth, your long hard gaze in the mirror: Two simple questions.

So how do you begin to mend yourself?

It starts with how much we love and value ourselves, those who've read all of my blogs will notice a common theme in that statement. What most people who read it won’t know - is that I have learnt all of these things the hard way by experience!

So right now I will be my authentic self, sharing the one simple fact that I know, if we don’t love, honour and respect ourselves truly, why should others?

Have you ever:

Put yourself last, feeling guilty for having needs

Beat yourself up for making mistakes

Had self-destructive behaviours that stemmed from low self-worth and attracted all manner of destructive people/events into your life

Talked yourself out of doing anything worthy, told yourself that you wouldn’t be good enough

Concentrate on all your perceived shortcomings far more than all the good things you’ve achieved

Develop some habits/strategies to feel loved, get attention

I have done all of the above, and probably a lot more too at various times in my life!

So how did I change? How did I become real?

I went through a most horrendous experience that left me vulnerable and scared, but at the same time something in me snapped and made me embrace everything I was, and everything I wasn’t.

I acknowledged my weak points and made a promise to myself to sort as many of them out as possible, and to love those flawed bits of me I really couldn’t change.

By accepting yourself fully, you begin the healing process, by looking at the dark side of ourselves, as well as the light parts (much more comfortable to look at) that is the route to becoming whole.

So I am not so different from you, except that I am writing about my flaws for the world to read, and I have to tell you – that feels ok, it feels right to acknowledge that I am not perfect. The reason that it feels right is that my foundation is now built on having the love and respect for myself that I deserve.

I don’t need everyone else to love me in order to love myself

I don’t need everyone else’s permission to be happy in order to feel happiness

I am happy being me, perfectly imperfect, and in living this way, I have attracted happiness in abundance into my life that I never thought possible..

So now you know, the whole reason for creating the village of Happyshire, is to help you find peace and happiness in your life too. To give you courage to change, to get out there and create the life you’d really like.

Live positively and value yourself, take chances, take risks...just do it!

The worst that can happen can turn out to be the best you ever could have imagined

Trust me, I know, for now that my hair has fallen out, I have scars, inside and outside, my joints ache... but I am real, and I am truly loved.

You can read the whole story of the Velveteen Rabbit here..

http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/williams/rabbit/rabbit.html

This article was taken from my blog http://happy-shire.blogspot.co.uk/

My name is Cherry Morris and my website is www.cherriesnaturalhealing.co.uk

All Rights Reserved 2014 

There is NO ILLUMINATI by Richard Abbot

There is No Illuminati

In times of trouble, the prize always goes to those who are prepared to ‘look within and keep going’. These are the traits we need if we are to thrive – reflection and determination – great human characteristics, without which little is ever achieved.

But there are an increasing number of folk who want to discard all this, by refusing to take any sort of responsibility for the situation in which they find themselves, projecting all their anger and frustration outwards toward the formation of screeching phantoms in a fabricated universe. By their actions they purposely create a Great Illusion of Our Times – The Illuminati.

So let me be clear and loud, so there can be no chance of confusion. There is no Illuminati. Nor is there any reptilian agenda, save in your own mind.

The inequality that exists in the world is not the creation of an Abraxas worshipping elite. The wars are the same wars that men (and it is always men) have fought throughout human history, and not the construction of half human/half alien royalty, celebrities and international bankers.

Certainly, organizations like the UK’s Common Purpose are a menace, but at the same time simply the logical conclusion of 20 years of unchallenged progressive thinking. Yes, the Global Financial Crisis is a grand scam, but everyone who took a mortgage they couldn’t afford and maxed out their credit card is complicit in it. Even if we suspect dark forces at work then it still doesn’t follow that we must fall in awe at the feet of David Icke when he comes before us to give, give, give of himself in lengthy monologues. Talking for that long is not giving, it’s taking. Conceit of the highest order.

There is no Illuminati because there doesn’t need to be. The truth is much more dangerous. The evil that runs free across the Earth does not come pre-packaged and coordinated from mountain retreats. It comes from within every single member of the human race.

It shows itself every single time you act or speak in a way that you know that you should not. Every time you are mean, just because you can be. Every time you dodge when you know you should work. Every time you shout at others but instead should be shouting at yourself. Every time you take the easy way, the quick way, the short cut. Every time you do these things you give life to the evil within you. Every time you dare not speak up. Every time you look away when the truth is talking to you. Every time you do as others expect you to. Every one of these times is an indulgence of the Dark Side, which runs in tiny droplets until eventually no-one can see the source of the flood.

The evil that exists does so as much within the poor, the Left, the weak and the oppressed and as it does within the rich, the Right, the strong and the powerful. It knows no definition of class, race, age or gender, because it lies within. It is the Ego – the part of us that desires at all costs to remain unchanged by events and the part of us that is too eager to role-play as a victim.

To some extent all this is just about kept in check, under the surface of life, but it cuts loose whenever the new preachers gather the poor and unfortunate together and point outwards, screaming ‘look at them, look at our enemy’ in the mightiest effort to do anything but look at themselves.

So, if you think that the ruling classes are playing you, then you might want to consider that the likes of David Icke are doing exactly the same. If you think that someone like Russell Brand points the way to a new dawn then ask yourself why he, among the faceless thousands attending an Anonymous march felt the need to remove his mask and show himself. Like many others who purport to know what is best for others, it is only ever about them, and never, ever about you.

The only way to resolve the problems of the world is to accept the role that we as individuals have played in creating them. Whether we have been actively involved in the evil doing or have simply observed from the sidelines matters not. It is now our unavoidable responsibility to discover who we are and what we need, independent of whatever anybody else thinks, says or does.

(Tarot images Copyright, l to r, Cosmic, 1JJ Swiss, Hanson Roberts, Tavaglione Stairs of Gold)

© Richard Abbot 2014 

© Enlightening Times All Rights Reserved 2014

10 Enlightening Quotes from "Behind the Closed Doors of the Vatican

This is a great video, taking you on a journey "Behind the Closed Doors of the Vatican" where some secrets are revealed and we get the opportunity to peer into the minds of those who live and preach there.  I've picked a selection that I feel raise questions or provide insights into life at the Vatican. Once you watch the video, feel free to come back and share your favourites or discuss some of the contents in more detail.

"An entire nation created to serve God and led by one man. Vatican city is a secluded state, shrouded in mystery....As leader his power is absolute, after all under (Catholic) doctrine it comes directly from God."

"Peter died here. He was crucified here. His blood soaked the dirt of this hill." Cardinal Angelo Comastri rather gleefully reports.

"We are not relating to the Holy See from the perspective of relating to a religious institution, the focus is on foreign policy." Miguel Diaz US Ambassador to the Holy See

"The Pope is capable of influencing the World's 1.1 billion Catholics, who live in every corner of the globe. that makes him a powerful ally"

"The bright red symbolises the blood they're willing to spill in service of the Holy Father."

"It's very relaxed. Of course you go in dressed in cassock and you usually kiss the Pope's ring." Cardinal John Patrick Foley.  Surely I'm not the only one sniggering here!

"The papacy becomes the plaything of these huge families from throughout Italy."Dr Christopher Bellitto

"They made Paris Hilton look like a pauper."

"The Vatican measures its own wealth, not in money, but in souls."

"In a culture that values celebrity, the Pope becomes a celebrity."

Rashelle Reid
All Rights Reserved Enlightening Times Magazine 2014











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Nuclear Train Crash at Silverdale

Marianne Birkby Reports from Silverdale, UK

Last time Silverdale was in the news was the BBC’s wildlife programme Autumn Watch. Today it is in the news because the same area experienced a nuclear waste train crashing into a car on a level crossing. The car traveled for around 300 metres stuck underneath the train. Thankfully the passengers in the car had got out before the train arrived. No one was reported as being injured (in the short term) apart from the understandably traumatised nuclear train driver. The “train remained upright” and was carrying empty flasks. However it is not just the flasks loaded with spent fuel that are cause for concern. The National Radiological Protection Board has pointed out that empty flasks and even the trains carrying them have been found to be radioactively contaminated on arrival at a nuclear plant for loading with spent fuel**. The only reason the spent fuel is loaded on trains to travel through towns and villages to Sellafield is because of continued reprocessing. The nuclear industry is excellent at dislocating cause from effect and illnesses resulting from nuclear flasks hurtling around the country towards Sellafield to reprocess spent fuel that no- one wants, may ( or may not) take years to manifest. Collateral damage to keep the nuclear industry on track?

*http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/empty-nuclear-train-crashes-into-car-at-silverdale-level-crossing-1-6373751

http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/10937169.PICTURE_from_the_scene__Rail_line_re_opens_after_train_crashes_with_car_near_Silverdale/?ref=var_0

** pg 164 Nuclear Juggernaut the transport of radioactive materials by Martin Bond

Nuclear Juggernaut: The transport of radioactive materials (Energy and Infrastructure Set)

Nuclear Juggernaut: The transport of radioactive materials (Energy and Infrastructure Set)

Buy from Amazon

Stop and Contain – Reprocessing at Sellafield is Insane

http://mariannewildart.wordpress.com/2013/10/03/stop-and-contain-reprocessing-at-sellafield-is-insane/

Read the latest edition of the Enlightening Times Magazine

Click Here to read to the Winter Solstice edition of the Enlightening Times Magazine!

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We hope you enjoy the new Magazine and if you have any questions please email Jade or Rashelle

The Enlightening Times Magazine started out in Summer 2006 as a small pamphlet distributed amongst friends. The first articles were mostly written by the Editor and her close friends. Over the last few years lots of authors, artists and new contributors have shared their work through the Magazine and the Enlightening Times Blog. Our aim is to provide information about a broad range of topics and dispel some of the myths posing as reality.

We have a fantastic group of authors and artists on facebook and you are more than welcome to join us and participate in discussions and post about News, Articles,suggestions for Features etc.

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Moon Mysteries by Marian Matthews

Photo © Jade Ashcroft 2013

Even as a small child I was fascinated by the moon. I remember looking out of my bedroom window and peering to make sense of the markings which are visible, particularly on a full moon. Were they canals? Were they marks of a long gone civilization? It was long before the first moon landings and probes confirmed the view that the moon was an uninhabitable arid rock. Researching the significance of the moon, particularly looking at the role of the moon in magick and as a goddess  has turned out to be a personal voyage of discovery. Indeed I would go as far as to say my understanding of the big picture of our reality has been widened and new tantalizing  clues what is actually going on in the universe have been revealed to me.

Uninhabited it may be, but the moon has subsequently been found to have a profound affect on the affairs of humanity. The fact that the moon is worshiped as a goddess and used in magic rituals by some sectors of society is interesting enough. But the truth is that people, planets and all earthly beings are deeply affected by the cycles of the moon, at several interesting levels. How can this be? What forces and realities are operating here?

Moon Science 

Photo © Jade Ashcroft 2013

The moon is, in simple terms, Earth's satellite. It is a sphere 1/81th the mass of Earth and is somewhere around 400,000 km away from us. The Moon is in something called synchronous rotation with Earth, always showing the same face to us. It is the brightest object in the sky, apart from the sun. It is made of dark rock, its brightness is just reflected sun light.

Where did it come from? The Moon is thought to have formed nearly 4.5 billion years ago, not long after the Earth. Although there have been several hypotheses for its origin in the past, the current most widely accepted explanation is that the Moon was formed from the debris left over after an impact between Earth and a body the size of Mars, probably another small planet called Thea.

How does it affect us? Firstly, of course, it is a lantern, providing light at night throughout the planet.  On a purely scientific level the Moon's gravitational influence produces the ocean tides and the minute lengthening of our days as it almost imperceptibly moves away from us. It appears from Earth to go through phases, as the sun reflects different proportions of it as it moves through the sky. So the basic explanation is that the lunar phases are created by changing angles (relative positions) of the Earth, the Moon and the Sun, as the Moon orbits the Earth. Some people do believe that its power affects humanity in other ways, as the energies of the Moon interact with us. For instance, that at the time of the full Moon lunacy or Moon madness is more prevalent.

Beyond science Since ancient times these apparent changes and phases have made the Moon an important cultural influence on language, calenders, art and mythology. Some say that it us part of a matrix of energy that affects humanity, and its influence can be interpreted by skills such as  Astrology. The theory is that the whereabouts of the moon in the sky at your moment of birth can affect your characteristics and your life's path. Some people feel it goes deeper than that and worship the moon as a goddess and use its spirit in magic rituals.

Astrology and the moon. One of the interesting ways that the moon is supposed to affect humanity is in its use in astrology.

Western astrology uses the position of the sun, planets and other heavenly bodies at the time and date of your birth, to predict your characteristics and give you a star sign.(e.g. Taurus, Capricorn etc) In general terms, readings of the heavens on a daily basis for that sign can then be used to give on going guidance. Astrologically, the moon is said to show the characteristics of your subconscious mind and some say soul or spirit. It is also much concerned with emotions.

Chinese astrology is, of course, based on the cycles of the moon.

Both systems are not, as I once believed, to predict any fixed future, but seem to be set up – like a satellite navigation systems- to show us the way though life and point out any potential hazards or best paths in our lives.

Why should these systems work? At base we are nothing but beings made of atoms in combination. We are held together by the energies generated by these atoms. We are energy beings living in a world of energies, gravitational, electromagnetic and biochemical, to name just a few. We live in an energy matrix. On one level, our thoughts are nothing more than biochemical energy. The moon is the nearest heavenly body to us. Its gravitational energies are very strong. It is entirely logical that those energies will affect us. Astrology can be seen as a way of quantifying this effect.

The whole story? Could the moon affect our lives in this way? Energetically, for reasons stated above, it must have a effect on us all. Could this effect be quantified into the astrological systems? Or does the existence of astrology itself seem to hint at a bigger picture of reality?

There are also many people who view the moon as a Goddess or use the moon in magick.

Goddess Moon

The moon has been revered as a Goddess almost since the beginnings of time. She has had many names and been worshiped in many guises. She also has been and is extensively used to facilitate  Magick. (The extra K is used to distinguish it from stage magic etc).

Magick can be defined as an effort to make a change in ones, or other's life by using ones own personal energy and the energy of surrounding elements. This can be done by spells, ritual or intention. The question is, how is the moon, in any guise, able to facilitate or enhance this? The answer is, of course, depends on the real nature of the moon. Interestingly even within those using the moon, Pagans, Witches, Wiccans and others there are differences in understanding about the real nature of her and what process is actually going on.

Alternative views on the true nature of the moon.

Photo © Jade Ashcroft 2013

• As the Earth is seen as a sentient being (Gaia) who has merely clothed herself in planet form, so is the moon. She is here to help humanity.
• The moon represents a Goddess. The Goddesses were here before Christianity or Judaism, and are available to help humanity. They have been pushed out of mainstream consciousness but have always been there. Their power is rising again with the ascent of the feminine spirit. They are available to help when asked.
• The energies and electromagnetic flux of the moon are used to enhance spells or intentions. Every phase of the moon contains a certain energy. This energy affects us and everything on Earth. The moons visual phases just reflect the changing position of the moon and its position re the sun. These apparent phases merely signify the changing energy throughout the lunar cycle. The energies are here for our use but are themselves neutral. 

The above is just my synthesis of all the wonderful information that I have been privileged to receive. All of those aspects can be seen as manifestations of spirit helping us. The real questions arising, though, are where do these Goddesses themselves come from?  Did an intelligent designer of some sort created the system of sun or moon based astrology to help humanity? Do the quantified astrological effects just reflect the underlying physics or mathematical codes embedded in the creation of the universe either at random or by deliberate design? What big picture of the universe does all this indicate? What do you think?

Marian Matthews.

Author of "Aspects of Reality" 

Visit www.marianmatthews.com for more posts on a variety of spiritual subjects

© 2013 Enlightening Times All Rights Reserved

Awakening in the Looking Glass

A poem by Rashelle Reid

Awakening to wonder, awakening to pain.
Awakening to thunder, awakening to rain.
Awakening the senses, awakening my soul.
Awakening to seeing that we are always whole.
Understanding the miracle, seeing it with my heart.
Knowing even when I feel weak, we never are apart.
Sensing the spirit, rise and fall within.
Dependent on my thoughts, and what they allow in.
The energy runs through me, sometimes like a great big tide.
Tumultuous waves, this years been such a ride.
Fast and furious with trouble always threatening.
As I look around me, I see no signs it's settling.
The truth is coming out at such a mighty pace.
It's the final lap but who's going to win this race?
Good and evil, light and dark,
The fire's lit, it's awaiting your spark.
Join the choir, let us hear your voice.
That is when we'll finally rejoice.
What if the world was waiting just for you?
Would you wake up and know what to do?
The time is now, there is no other.
So let's all do it for our Mother.
The Earth has provided for all our needs.
So let's stop the madness and end the greed.
Corporations that have no soul,
Leaders that are out of control.
It's time for sense to prevail at last.
After all it's our reflection in the looking glass.

Rashelle Reid

© All rights reserved, Enlightening Times Magazine 2013.

Shout it Loud - Some Good News on the Gagging Law

This just arrived in my in-box from 38 Degrees.



Here's a news headline, in today's Independent, which every 38 Degrees member can feel proud of: "Tories put Lobbying Bill on hold over fears of embarrassing defeat in House of Lords". [1]

It looks like the campaign against the gagging law is starting to work! In the face of an ever-growing campaign the government was forced to agree a six-week delay and promise further "consultation". [2]

That means we’ve got more time to ramp up the pressure. So please add your name now to the petition calling on the Lords to stop the gagging law:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/scrap-the-gagging-law

Yesterday the 38 Degrees petition passed 100,000 signatures in just a few hours. Meanwhile over 50 different charities and voluntary groups – including big names like Oxfam, the Royal British Legion, and the Countryside Alliance – wrote to every single Lord.

Together, we proved to members of the House of Lords that there's real concern about this threat to democracy. And together, we've persuaded enough of them that the gagging law can't just be waved through.

It remains to be seen if the six-week delay will mean real changes. The government may choose to listen, or they may just take a breather before having another go at forcing the law through. Their choice will probably depend on how much pressure we put them under!

If enough of us keep speaking up to protect democracy, we have a real chance of winning. All the messages to MPs, the donations, the leaflets, and the posters are starting to work. So let's keep going!

Please take 30 seconds to sign the petition by clicking here:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/scrap-the-gagging-law

2014 Naked Calendar Launch

This is probably the one and only time you will see us feature an event like this one. 

The Girl Against Fluoride and Co. have decided to work with the World as it is, to create the World they want to see. As firm supporters of people's right to make informed choices and drink fluoride free water we are right behind  them (with our clothes on, don't panic).

 Aisling and the team will be demonstrating their naked ambition to raise awareness of this subject at the 2014 Naked Calendar at Filmbase, Templebar, Dublin on Thursday 7th November.  Doors open at 6.30 pm.

"The aim of the 2014 Naked Calendar is to create awareness about the water fluoridation issue in Ireland. It will combine beauty, entertainment and information that is sure to get the nation talking about fluoride.

The proceeds of the sale of the calendar will go towards paying for expert witnesses who will be needed to testify in the up and coming High Court case.

Join me for a free wine reception during what promises to be a night of information and fun. Meander through the exhibition of our calendar and best campaign photographs. Meet with the brave participants and models which graciously and unreservedly created the Naked Calendar. The exhibition will be opened by the much loved and esteemed Senator David Norris.

I very much look forward to seeing you on the night.

Best wishes,

Aisling &The Team

Read more about The Girl Against Fluoride here.
© 2013 Enlightening Times All Rights Reserved.

May She Rest in Peace - The NHS is Dead, Long Live the NHS

Obituary Notice

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE

July 5th, 1948 - April 1st 2013 

Affectionately known as NHS to the World 

On the 1st April 2013, quietly and alone in the darkness she was taken from us. In the blink of an eye she was gone, leaving those who loved her and depended on her in complete desolation.

She has been awarded a full State burial as a reward for her years of dedicated service to the people of the UK and no doubt the issues surrounding her death will long be the focus of the public mind. As they ponder how the slow intoxicating poison gained control of her mind and led to her losing pound after pound to Big P in whatever their latest gamble happened to be. She will be sadly missed, some have already said goodbye to the woman they had once known as day by day she'd been slipping out away for years.

A child born in a time of dreams, a teenager in the sixties. It was during her adult years  in the 80's she began to feel the burden of responsibility and even though at times she could be a bit short sighted, she blazed a trail like no other. In later years her more maternal side came along and sometimes the shadow of control would become her cloak. As the years went on she transformed into the sweet gentle grandmother of dreams, but in the wrong company in which she'd certainly fallen she also had the potential to become the nanny from hell. The drunk one without the teeth who wants to slobber all over you and tell you how to live your life, only this nanny has needles and vaccines and other such toxic tools at her disposal.

Her dying wish was to remind all you who take the time to read this and think of her with fondness in your heart. YOU have a say in this..the NHS does not belong to the Government or the British Medical Association, it does not belong to the pharmaceutical companies who supply it, IT BELONGS TO YOU and me and your neighbour and granny and children, and hairdresser and I think you see what I mean.

Our Elected Representatives are simply that "Elected" "Representatives" if they are not representing you, it's up to you to let them know. Some are actually waiting for YOU to give them the push, some have started without you, but let's face it a little nudge in the right direction never hurt anyone.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/31/rebel-mp-tory-david-cameron-confidence-_n_3364562.html

A dream, an ideology, a desired state of grace.
Yet somehow she was left with egg on her face.
Compassionate, caring, courageous indeed.
If only the World wasn't infected by greed.

It's not too late, an idea lingers on.
I hope we can revive her sweet song.
A change of key, a new harmonic exchange.
With the focus on wellness, just for a change.

Working with our bodies and hearing their tune.
Allowing ourselves to flow with the ebb of the moon.
When the death tolls ring new beginning are near.
It's time for re-birth, a new era is here.

A time when we move away from the fear.
To embrace each other and all we hold dear.
A time when we remember what we'd forgotten,
When we heal what's been at the core rotten.

The power's within us to lead with our heart.
What if together we plan a fresh start.
A focus on healing not more disease.
With poisons on tap and crazy remedies.

We're treating the body like pieces of scrap.
But have we forgot who inhabits it's trap?
A person with feelings not a box to tick.
Dear God, no wonder humanity's sick

The nurses, the doctors are all there to care.
Silenced with their jobs, their voice they can't share.
Opening their eyes to an alternative view.
Starting to see they were fooled too.

Much of the research was hidden from view.
As reps came with "facts" promising miracles for you.
Stressed, over-worked and paying off debt,
Questioning the research is not a safe bet.

Hands tied as ours were, with no informed choice.
Many different voices creating lots of noise.
Selling propaganda and pills much hyped.
Dressed up all dandy, like the snake-oil type.

Let us indulge the lessons wisely and her life not be in vain.
As we once again look at ways to address the misery and pain.
Eyes washed and weary from the grief that's on it's way.
Maybe the alarm sounds the dawning of a new day.

When people question what they are told.
And see through the products they're being sold.
A new day is here, what heralds that change?
The reborn NHS with a fantastic new range.

Imagine a world where illness was rare.
Imagine a world where we all stopped to care.
Imagine it wasn't about gaining a dime.
Imagine co creating a new paradigm.

We see where the hacks cracked the system before.
So let's build a new firewall and close that door.
The alleged murderer has an axe to our throats.
Would you pledge a No Confidence Vote?

Our attention is needed or the consequences are grim.
I beg you to please take the time to look within.
Ask your heart how it feels, do you care?
If so with your MP please your views share.

"The NHS has been killed, murdered, assassinated by a Tory government. The question now is – do we have enough faith to bring it back to life? " Owen Jones, The Independent, 31st March 2013. 

More news on this topic:

Prime Suspect still at large.  Scotland Yard have issued a warrant to question Prime Minister David Cameron about his recent dealings with the deceased. No Suspect has been named at this time, we are expecting an up-date soon. Unfortunately we have been unable to contact the Secret Service as all there agents are currently on missions educating activists on what will occur should they continue down their chosen path, hiring shills, arresting people for peacefully demonstrating their right to protect their land and other such atrocities against humanity.We suspect the prime suspect will have close links with the Secret service and when we hear from one we will hear from the other. Stay tuned for more information on this topic and many more here at the Enlightening Times.


http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/farewell-to-the-nhs-19482013-a-dear-and-trusted-friend-finally-murdered-by-tory-ideologues-8555503.html

Updates on the Girl Against Fluoride

Please join me in Whelan's Bar (25 Wexford St, Dublin 2) on Monday 24th March at 8pm for a fluoride presentation with a difference. I will be joined by other activists who will make the audience think while they are laughing, as they discuss the real life issues that are prevalent in Ireland today.

Although we are all comedy first-timers we're not being thrown completely unprepared into the ring. We'll have spent the previous weekend being trained for stand-up by revolutionary comedian, Aidan Killian, and spoken-word genius, Dave Rock.

Among the participants are Adrienne Murphy, Hot Press Journalist who has been reporting on the fluoride issue for over a year and author Thomas Sheridan whose understanding of psychopathology has given us an insight into the mind-set of the water fluoridationists. Join us and many more for what promises to be a night of rebellious humour whose aim is to bring together the game changers for the Ireland we want to live in.

The cost is €7 on the door or €5 to book online (http://www.whelanslive.com/index.php/stand-up-for-humanity/ ) The event host is Aidan Killian.

All proceeds go to The Caoimh Connolly Trust – providing therapy and care for an intensely autistic ten-year-old boy from Dublin. Watch a 3-minute film about Caoimh and why he needs help here:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg2s31zmxIo


I look forward to seeing lots of campaign supporters at this event. Standing up for humanity can be fun.

Aisling

The Girl Against Fluoride's Christmas Party.

On Thursday the 5th December, The Girl Against Fluoride Christmas party will take place at 7.30pm, in Jack's Music Club, DCI Social Club, 43 Upper Georges Street, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin. Free admission. MC for the night is the delectable comedian Aidan Killian. At the party I will give a brief talk about the latest events of the campaign, after which you will be entertained by a line-up of live bands. This is sure to get you into the Christmas spirit.  

To date we have sold 600 calendars. We need to sell 3,000 for the court case to go ahead. The calendars, retailing at 10 euro, make a great stocking filler and awareness raising tool as they contain, not only beautiful images, but facts about the risks of fluoridation in each month. They are a means to get the information about the Irish fluoride problem, into people's homes. They will be available to purchase at this event. I really hope to see lots of you at the party, especially those who were unable to attend the launch party of the Naked Calendar. 

For those of you who are unable to attend, the calendars can be bought online for 12 euro including p&p on www.thegirlagainstfluoride.com. Politically we have reached a cul-de-sac as, on the 12th of November, all three main political parties in Ireland voted to keep fluoride in the water. Our only chance now is the court case which requires public support. 

Thank you. 

I look forward to seeing you there.

Aisling,

The Girl Against Fluoride 

If you wish to support The Girl Against Fluoride and the campaign to remove the fluoridation from Ireland's drinking water you can donate here or to purchase your Naked Calender click here. Stay up to date with all the latest news from the campaign here at the Enlightening Times magazine on Facebook and The Girl Against Fluoride on Facebook.

Previously from The Girl Against Fluoride...

More and more people have become aware of the fluoride issue through the efforts of the Girl Against Fluoride campaign. Various presentations and stunts around Ireland coupled with the awareness from social media has increased the numbers of people who are getting behind this campaign. This Summer, a protest was held outside Chemifloc by the Girl Against Fluoride team and her many supporters. Armed with colourful banners the crowd marched upon the plant where water fluoridation chemicals are stored, to be later distributed throughout the country. Chemifloc- Chemicals for the Flock was an apt message on one of the banners. The response from the staff was they were not breaking the law as they’d been given the contract to fluoridate the water supplies from the government. In other words they are protected by the law. 

Aisling Fitzgibbon, aka The Girl Against Fluoride was honoured to have been chosen by Image magazine for their August edition as one of six women in Ireland today who are working to create positive change. It highlighted her efforts to change public opinion about a policy that had been foisted for the most part on an unsuspecting public. This was a golden opportunity to reach a large platform of women who are interested in their health and the health of their children. 

The Girl Against Fluoride, along with Declan Waugh, the environmental scientist who has been working on exposing the Irish fluoridation candal for the past two years, presented to a group of Ministers and Senators in Leinster House in July. Brian Stanley, the Minister who proposed a bill to ban water fluoridation, hosted the meeting that has at least begun the political debate, lacking until now.  Aisling’s speech concluded with her telling the Ministers they have left her with no other option than to take a court case against the State. This could of course be pre- empted if water fluoridation was withdrawn but it seems that the political will to do so is not present. Academics who have invested their careers in the water fluoridation policy and have been duly rewarded with numerous grants to uphold that policy are not likely to admit they were wrong. Emmett Stagg, the Labour Party Whip was adamant that any bill to end water fluoridation would have to be a cross party effort. Senator Mary O’Brien attributed her healing from M.E. to following a healing regime that included non-fluoridated water. 

Although the science behind the water fluoridation policy has largely been debunked by Declan Waugh, it is obvious that this policy is not going to end without a court case. To this end the Girl Against Fluoride campaign has to raise 30,000 euro to cover the costs of expert witnesses. The team hope to get some of the money from the sale of their Naked Calendar due to be launched the end of October. The Naked Calendar is comprised of a cross section of women, babies and men from all over Ireland who willingly stripped to highlight the water fluoridation problem in Ireland. 

To support this very worthwhile cause and to see some very beautiful and thought provoking images, please contact the site info@thegirlagainstfluoride.comto place an order for your calendar. It is retailing at ten euro.

© 2013 Enlightening Times All Rights Reserved

Our Life Story: A Book Of Scars by Miguel Marques

Our Life Story: A Book Of Scars

byMiguel Marques

Something happens and we break. We hurt. But life has a hack of moving on. And, one way or another, we start the long and painful process called healing. With luck, we will heal in such a way that no one can pinpoint the experience we just had. Normally, we will have something to remind us of the experience we just went through. A memory. A story. A scar. We call that learning. And we just move on, but this scar continues to be there. 

 

Life goes on and other experiences will get imprinted. Little by little, the adjustments made to our way of being, to ourselves will take its tool. Slowly, our bodies, our minds and even our personality will start to show the effects of all this learning. The scars to our initial condition will multiply and become more visible. And we start to wonder: “Did we heal properly or could we have done a better job?”

Alchemy of the Soul from the Esoteric Art Collection

A long time ago, I used to defend the possibility of no-memory. The possibility of experiencing everything for the first time, without any of its consequences ending up imprinted in our minds. Imagine a world where every chocolate ice cream you would eat would feel just like the first. Where there wouldn’t exist any bad memories and we could always look at anything with that sense of marvel possessed by the innocent. Of course we might also relive the same bad experiences over and over again, unnecessarily hurting ourselves. However, I didn’t see that as a disadvantage. You see, I had a photographic memory and as such, I would, naively, entertain the possibility of no-memory. This went on for such a long time, that my memory started to deteriorate, something I came to welcome, as I no longer had to remember every single detail of my life.

In time, I came to value experience. And stories. And how those things shaped our lives, for better or worse. Through my own wishes and expectations, I came to understand the power and the use of memory. Again, time passed and I wished for my memory to return again. Slowly, very very slowly, it started to return. Nowadays, I still don’t have the memory I had before, even though it has improved greatly.

This experience, along with some others of the same kind, led me to the conclusion that our bodies/minds/souls can adapt to any type of conditioning we impose on them. And, if the need arises, can also revert to a previous condition.

This came as a surprise as I tend to dismiss the concept of regeneration. Mainly because I seem to see regeneration as a recreation of the original conditions, where adaptability or learning find no place whatsoever. When dealing with these experiences, I would prefer words like “healing”, or “adaptation”. Maybe “evolution”, “transformation” or “change”. I would take the view that every single part of us changes constantly all the time, even when we don’t realize it.

I started to see our lives as stories. Living, mutable stories. Stories which we would write until our last day, with every line influencing everything that came before and that would come next. And I came to understand the power of scars. Of those marks we get from learning to navigate through life. And to value those scars for reminding us of what we had to learn.

Of course some of the events we end up experiencing hurt us in some way. The scars they leave hurt for a very long time, when not forever. But even those, or specially those, have their use. They might probably turn out to be the most important ones, as they allow us the chance to grow, to push our boundaries and when things are long past and dust and forgotten, to remind us of where we came from and of how much we are capable of when we set our minds to it.

Tlazolteotl, an aztec goddess also known as “The Eater of Filth”, rules over midwifes, sin, sex and witchcraft. But she was also known as the goddess of purification and a goddess of childbirth. People devoted to her would most likely become great magicians. Or maybe prostitutes. Their lives would feel like hell, always tossed around like a piece of garbage. However, this exposure to the worst humanity had to offer would make them grow up strong and free from corruption. Just like their patroness, they would lead their lives taking all that’s rotten and dirty and turn it into the purest gold. As living alchemical crucibles.

Naturally, we don’t have to work with such a goddess. In fact, very few people actually can work with her energy. But even so, we can use her example and try to make the most of everything we have lived. To take it and transform it as something useful. Our life story, our very own book of scars, can then be seen as the most complete magickal grimoire we will ever put our hands into. A tale of complete transformation, shaped in blood, pain, happiness and wonder, which describes our personal alchemical operation and where every detail is inscribed in ourselves.

© 2013 All Rights Reserved 

Interpretation of the Death Tarot Card = 13 by Lynda Stevens

Death (Tarot Card) - Number 13

The Death card in the Major Arcana corresponds to the number 13, as if to underscore its lurid reputation for the faint-hearted. James Bond-style movies must surely have a lot to answer for, where to receive this card during poker at high noon does tend to be followed by a nasty demise for its recipient!

This may be why the card has been given what appears to be euphemisms in some more recently published packs with names like "close" or "regeneration". The creator of this deck respects views such as these, but still believes the whole subject may better lose its sting only where it is exhumed into the light of day.

Astrologically, this card corresponds to the sign Scorpio, which does in fact "rule" the mysteries of birth, sex and death - all of which tend to be taboo subjects. The pumpkin in the top left panel is a reminder that the festival Halloween occurs while the sun - the life giver - is in this sign. This is precisely when the life force in nature appears to have departed, leaving behind only the dead leaves and the old shells, of which the pumpkin is one. The ghouls, ghosts and vampires which refuse to rest in peace as they should, perhaps to reflect the fear that nothing may ever come to take their place, and that these creatures themselves may fear that there is no other future for them beyond their vicarious twilight zone of unbeing. This is Death at its most gothic.

The Perennial Wisdom, however, has always perceived hope, while the angst of the years preceding the millennium has only recognised its absence. Spring then will always follow the encroaching winter, the awakening will follow the hibernation, the butterfly hatch from the pupa - shown in the top right panel. What may seem like death is really only the necessary prelude to the transformation that will follow, if only we have faith during the long wait in between.

This, in ordinary situations, may be a very difficult thing to do. The Grim Reaper's scythe may demand a total, clean sweep of things, but it is something from which many people will hold back. The spectre of the big death may well hide behind the fear of the small deaths everybody has to make in life, as they leave one stage of development for another.

In other words, Death is really about change, and the subsequent fear of it. The latter may be reflected in one individual's fear of leaving home, another's reluctance to discard the habits of a lifestyle they may have outgrown, or the mother who refuses to attend her daughter's wedding.

The rewards, however, are great whenever the individual does cut away the dead wood in their life. A move to a new location may indeed involve some sadness over the bonds that may be left behind, for example, but the conditions have been created for the individual to carve out a new and more satisfying future.

It should be obvious by now that Death takes that process of letting go further than does the Hanged Man. The Death card can have a powerfully purgative effect on an individual's life, ruthless stripping away those ties and beliefs which no longer serve any great use. For those who want radical change in their lives, the Death card is an enormously positive factor once its process is understood.

By Lynda Stevens
©2013 copyright ~All Rights Reserved 

Enlightening Times Equinox Affirmation

The energies are very potent right now and as they've been pretty intense already this month it looks like it may be a particularly interesting time to be meditating, asking for guidance or actively enhancing lucid dreaming experiences.  It's also the perfect time to be making sure the directions the program you're running in your unconscious minds are the one's you want them to be. So here at the Enlightening Times we created this powerful reminder for you.

 

 I am whole, complete and perfect as “I AM”

 

You are perfect, regardless of your perceived imperfections!
You are whole and complete, even when you feel shattered.
You are a spiritual being, even when you feel human.
You never need fixed, even when you feel broken. 

 Every perceived imperfection is an opportunity for growth and evolution, when you feel broken, it’s because you’re been given an opportunity to re-build stronger than ever.  No “matter” how broken we may think we are, we are one with all that is, and so can never be anything but complete.
 

 I am whole, complete and perfect as “I AM”


♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

2012 and the Rollercoaster so far, by Rashelle

Hey everyone,  
 

Delighted to be here, writing an article for the Enlightening Times. Thanks, Jade for the boot up the bot! 
 

Oh what a ride it’s been this year, eh? A wild and bumpy one for many of us from what I observed. We started the year on the crest of Awakening and the tide was high. We all hit the ground, eager and ready to go…and we could see the structures of the world were being shaken to their core, as we had tore down the structures within ourselves. We knew we were living at a significant moment in time, that’s right, now! Ahh..

People were preparing for everything from Ascending from the Earth to Doomsday, to those in the “real” world going about their business as usual. You know the ones in the “real world” don’t you? Yes..the one’s that think we’re all nuts, you got it!! And then spring sprung beautifully…and everything slowed down for a little while before the roller-coaster of the summer months.  

 

More and more news was being brought to light, politicians, pharma, the food industries, the suppression of rights and many of us could see it more clearly than ever. We had been reminded of our power, and opened up to love and the ways of the past were gone, though some strands still remained. We held tight, we resisted and still patterns kept their grip, just like in the financial world, the political world…the religious world…the natural world…all of it...on the brink of collapse, breaking down and putting up a fight, like we've all seenmany times, only to be re-born better, brighter, stronger than ever. Some would probably even call it evolution.  

 

Having embraced our multi-dimensionality and our helpers from other realms we have already evolved beyond the limits of many of our predecessors and now our structures and institutions must follow suit. We all know the process of transformation isn’t always easy but it’s always so worth it. And, imagine..go on…do it with me now, for one minute…imagine how good it’s going to be when the world is at Peace and people are Thriving rather than Surviving, and I mean the many not only the few. 

Have you noticed how many people get consumed with the rage and overwhelm when they discover all the many interesting ways devised to keep the people powerless? I’ve seen many who have found it challenging to move beyond their fear or their anger towards those they see as responsible for this and continue to assign blame which only succeeds in given their power away. So I was thinking, just in case, any of our readers are getting a bit “stuck” in the e-motion of it all I’d share how I do it, and what has worked for me.  

 

We all know the magic of Responsibility by now, don’t we? Yes, I knew the readers here would all be living in the magical world of Responsibility. And as we know like everything else Responsibility is a multi-level phenomenon. 

Anyway, when I first learned about Responsibility I learned we were all the CAUSE of our EFFECT and in so many ways this is truth and when we see it in action from any level, it is magnificent to behold. But let’s face it, that’s only a fraction of the story because we’re also co-creating with 7 billion other souls who are all connected to us and navigating their way through life at the same time and every one of them is a powerful creator just like you and me. For me, responsibility's greatest power lies in how we choose to respond. And let's face facts, we all created this mess together while unconsciously under the illusion of separation. Separation from each other and separation from the Universe.   

 

So I take responsibility for my role in co-creating this mess while I went about my business mostly unconscious!! And for allowing it to continue because I didn’t think there was a choice! I bought into the idea, that I was powerless to do anything and That’s just the way it is and the other non-questioning tosh! I was apathetic and did feck all. I was selfish and self-involved revelling in the consumerism and rarely looking beyond the limit of my own life…and then I woke up!! 

And I gave myself the gift of self-love and when I did I realised I had an abundant source of it to create magic in the physical world, and none of us are powerless to spread a little love and kindness in the world. We can all take action to DEMAND more Equality for All, because that is who we are, just forget about who they are. Let it go…and let the fire in your belly that the anger has left since it's departure become the PASSION that stirs you to ACTION!   

 

Tune into your HEART and bring all you have learned in the spiritual realms here and do your thang!! Don’t just do it!! Do it…real good!! I don’t like to talk about God because of what man has done to the label, I believe, like LOVE, or consciousness, God is a term for the indefinable, for the energy that animates everything, for the one shared mind, the Universe and each and everything in it. So normally I’d talk in other terms but one of my greatest teachers Dr Wayne Dyer has something really profound to say about the EGO and how it’s an acronym for Edging God Out! 

How simple, yet so profound! And, it’s so true although if you have anything negative anchored to the word God I would suggest using the word love instead. Only thing is, it may not seem quite so profound if you think ELO..Edging Love Out, you’d probably be expecting a tune rather than a deep truth lol!   
 

Boy, have we seen the battle with EGO played out both internally and externally this year. Phew! And there’s a way to go..but hey now we actually know the little ME is part of the big ME and this ME is here to be the best ME or MAGNIFICENT EXPRESSION of the big ME possible. Got it? LOL! Ahh…a little confusion…always good to open the mind. What I mean is this..as I came to celebrate my oneness with the Universe and everything and everyone in it, and realised I was a Magnificent Expression of All that is. Wow!! Mind blowing when you stop and think about it really. 
 

The term EGO has also been used my many to represent the PERSONALITY and like all labels there are many overlap in the definitions, representations and understandings of both these terms and somehow for many it became a battle to the death. It’s all a bit brutal for a being of love..is it not? For a fuller explanation of why it may be time to stop battling the EGO and make friends instead click here.

What if instead we simply ask the question Is this Edging God/Love Out?

Or

Egging God/Love On?

 

Embrace your shadow, you’re not here to be nothing but love, you are nothing but love already. You are here to be you and to be you with bells on! We are at a choice Point for humanity and the Earth now. You have been graced with the gift of AWARENESS, use it wisely. Please check out the Free choice Point movie featuring Gregg Braden, Dr David Hamilton, James Caan and many more and if you feel inspired join the movement. Or join another one that resonates with you, just take action in the way that fills you with Joy and soon you’ll forget all about the anger and be so busy co-creating with passion that one day you’ll turn around and realise that world you want to see, is here now.

Until we meet again friends I leave you with the words of Voltaire, later hi-jacked by Star Wars…”With great power, comes great responsibility.”

Rashelle x  

Images ©2012 Jade Ashcroft All Rights Reserved. 

http://www.esoteric-art.co.uk/

A word of Caution about Commissions by Jeremy Lampkin

As an Artist and Web Designer, a few friends have tried to help me out by sending business my way on different occasions.  But each time their associate turned out to be a flake, just another loser wasting my time expecting me to do a lot of work for nothing.  I thought this card game publication my friend mentioned would be more of the same, so I blew it off.  Finally after weeks of bringing it up, my friend got me to meet with this guy, after telling me the game was about ancient Nineveh.  Being interested in the Bible I had to see what this was about.

I took the day off just to meet this friend of my friend's husband in the afternoon on a Saturday in mid-April 2012.   His name was John and he wanted me to do the artwork for his card game about gambling in its most potent form.  The concept of this game he chose to title Nineveh is that each turn, each action involves bluffing, as in poker, looking directly into your opponent's eyes to determine whether you want to keep the card or have the opponent take it.  The game is balanced by positive and negative cards, with positives being generally smaller in value so that negatives have a stronger impact.  Intrigued by this concept with the psychic abilities it plays, I really wanted to do this project.

John had a theme all laid out for me to paint the artwork for the deck, going into great detail.  There were to be 28 cards that would have only a number on it, 15 cards with certain images to paint - plus 8 cards with images of hands praying, and a card with the words 'mine' and 'yours' with paintings of the city gate in daylight and at night.  So that's 25 paintings for the cards that needed images and 28 simple number cards.  He offered me $1,000 and the chance to have my artwork in publication, he even promised mention my name and website in the publication and to link to my art website from his site.  He also offered a $500 down payment right away.  I accepted his offer, even though the low price tag he put on my work indicated a cheapskate.  He had me sold on the idea of this project being just what I needed to kickstart my art career.

I decided to get a quick start on the project, painting the 'Mine' and 'Yours' cards.  I thought I'd see if he liked a soft, rustic look so I put a low level of contrast on the shading/highlights.  John wanted high contrast, so I deepened the image's lighting effects.  I also had to thicken the letters, as I had done them far too thin.  He said he wanted high contrast and not to worry about being realistic, as this was for a card game.  He said he wanted the temple in the daylight to be darker than the one at night, so as to maximize the level of contrast.  Also he wanted me to make the street leading to the gate paved with large stones, and to paint the grass light in the foreground, dark in the middle, and pale (which is light) in the background.  Since John emailed me a detailed diagram of exactly how to do it, I did just that - as stupid as it was.  His response was "no no no, that's not right" - well, obviously light to dark to light is an ignorant idea.  But that was easily fixed.
 

Mine/Yours Card - to indicate whether a player wants to keep the card drawn or have the opponent take it.

Confident that the first 2 paintings were complete, I sent him the updated images.  He wanted more changes.  He wanted the text thickened on one card so it would precisely match the other, when they were already identical.  Also he wanted the night gate darkener than the day gate because that would be more realistic.  Confused by conflicting instructions, I only darkened the inner doorway of the large city gate.  A few minor touch ups and I sent him the updates.  John asked me not to be upset, but that he wanted to redesign the mine-yours card so that one side was a living city and the other city ruins.  I had just been screwed around for 3 days for nothing.  The salt in the wound was that I had spent what seemed like an eternity on the phone with this arrogant idiot already - hours talking about his game concept - and he hadn't even sent me the project outline which I obviously needed in order to remember and organize what to paint.  I was eager to get started on the actual card paintings, so I asked him to put the outline together and email it to me.
 

"One last image I neglected to mention is the one of the inside of the temple that will be on the back of the card box." 

This sentence was tacked on at the end of the outline email.  The next thing I knew was that he expected me to do an extra large detailed illustration that included all of the cards' paintings on the inside walls of a temple.  He wanted me to do this huge piece which would obviously more than double the workload - before even getting to the card paintings, which made no sense whatsoever.  Like a fool, I obediently went ahead and started this temple illustration - which he ignorantly hounded me about using small brushes on.  Naturally a painted illustration takes far and away much more time to complete, having to anal-retentively keep going over thin outlines that covered the walls - as paint keeps drying in the little tiny brushes.  I thought I'd be a nice guy and not ask for more money, just because this still seemed like a great opportunity for me to get my artwork out there.

But he had already proven himself obnoxious beyond insult, screwing me around while nit-picking every detail of my artwork.  What was I thinking?  He also insisted not to take any time off from my job, which I easily could have, and asked me if it was reasonable that I could get everything finished within a month.   Obviously John had no clue what Art is, and what goes into making it.  Being so confused, indecisive, and dim-witted is a great way to stifle your commissioned artist.  I hope this story can be a lesson, at least it has been for me, to never compromise my principles again. 
 

Nineveh Temple - was intended for the back of the box and the background for an animated flash website:

This project also called for a bit of research.  In the research and execution of the temple image I was made aware of fundamental spiritual symbols which actually filled in some of the gaps in my Gnostic-inspired philosophy.  Having studied and applied various religious paths to my lifestyle, I see all religions ultimately as one.  They just overlap on different levels.  Two of the symbols that I learned about were particularly potent.  One was the Assyrian Tree of Life, which of course relates to the Hebrew version.  Like a candle or a flowing fountain, the tree is obviously a phallic symbol of vitality.  The flowing energy on the top of the tree is also repeated in the trim patterns all over the temple walls.  The second awesome symbol I became familiar with was the double lightning bolt.  Representative of the supreme god Ashur, this solar symbol also bears direct significance to the Hebrew and Gnostic realities.  The Gnostic representation of the Hebrew god is a lion-headed serpent with a lightning bolt inside each of his eyes.  In light of the Gnostic connections, the double lightning bolt and the god Ashur can be understood as basically the same archetypal character as the Hebrew god.  We can also see connections which reveal the flow of certain information in Gnostic circles.


After working extensively on the painting and research for a whole month, I finally sent him the finished temple image, eager to get started on the actual cards, which were after all what I had been hired to do.  John's reply was that the art for the cards was "on hold" and that he didn't know what direction the project was taking now.  Obviously he had hired another artist to do the cards without telling me.  Because of this back-stabbing gesture, I let him know that the deal was broken and that we would obviously need to renegotiate my payment.  At this point he cut off communication with me.  The next thing I knew, the friend who had arranged this commission for me told me that John had asked me to give her the temple illustration so he could pick it up from her house.  My response to that was, yeah okay, after he pays me for my work.  I never heard from John again.

I write this story as a lesson for others not to compromise their principles to get ahead.  Ultimately I weighed the risk of the project and the worse-case-scenario, which actually happened, still saw the project as time well spent.  This story is also written as an investment, as a sort of insurance policy.  Being that I only got paid the down payment and had to keep the artwork, whether I like it or not I am still invested in this project.  This article is a documentation of my experience as the initial artist who was hired to paint the Nineveh cards so that if and when Nineveh the game does become popular, I would one day be able to sell the temple illustration which cost me a month of my life and finally receive payment.  According to John, there are 3 millionaires which invested in the project, so I imagine Nineveh the card game will market quite well.  (John actually told me to pray for him when he was flown to Florida to meet with these millionaires.)  It's a shame that someone would rather sacrifice his own reputation than to pay the small expense that he promised to.  Even more shameful is the fact that I had to let down all my supporters, my friends and family by letting them know that I wasn't getting any of what I had been promised because John had apparently backstabbed me by hiring another artist right after he hired me, and that my artwork was not getting published for mass circulation after all.  They had been so happy for me that I hated to have to tell everybody the good news:  I had been ripped off by a con artist whose plan was to waste my time and discard me.  I suppose it's poetic justice, a self-described Christian with a passion for the vice of gambling hiring me to paint his card game:  I should have seen this coming from miles away.  Ironically, I did.  My ultimate mistake was to accept the miniscule price tag he offered, making me just a tiny expense to be discarded without a second thought.

Aside from the awesome symbolism I had discovered in researching Assyria, there was another major benefit from this project.  The painstaking process of illustration had reawakened my passion for art.  As a result I am more focused than I've been in years, determined to launch my art career.  Despite the worst case scenario actually playing out, the Nineveh project has been a blessing.

Jeremy Lampkin September 2012

See more Artwork by Jeremy at his Website