Anne McCaffrey 1926 - 2011
Thanks for all your stories Anne, you have been a great inspiration to me.
Anne had been active in the science fiction and fantasy fields right up to the time of her death on Monday.
Anne McCaffrey was the first woman to win a Hugo Award for fiction, the first woman to win a Nebula Award, and the first author to hit the New York Times bestseller list with a SF title, The White Dragon.
A Sign of the Times? Save the Tarkine Wilderness!
2011 has been declared International Year of Forests by the United Nations. It is a year to celebrate forests and reinforce the fact that they are vital to the survival and well being of the planet and of humans. All 7 billion of us.
Check out our new slideshow!
We have posted a new slideshow on the 2011 Pilgrimage page.
The World at Large
This time last year it was estimated that there was only 17% of wilderness left in the world and it was around the same time I wrote about the loss of the wild, about the power of growing our own garden and collecting our own seeds, and the importance of valuing and protecting our oceans and forests.
I still believe that the preservation of the world lies in the preservation of the wilderness and now 12 months later, the sense of what we face on our planet due to human population growth and activity is being starkly revealed. In saying this, I do not feel pessimistic.
A new world is being created which many mystics believe is occurring from the inside out and one of the results we are seeing is in the way in which we communicate and how this is impacting our lives.
It’s time for GLOBE at Night
Less artificial light more starlight! Light pollution is something that many people don't even think about - until they have a real starlight experience. How often do you get out at night where there are no artificial lights? I am lucky to live somewhere where there are no street lights and very few houses so I get to see the incredible array of stars as they rise and set. Enveloped by the great wheel of the southern milky way as it blazes over our house we experience the prominent stars each month heralding the different times of year.
Part 5: Pathways to Prevention, Healing and Freedom
Maiti Nepal operates across multi levels, including rescue, border patrol, education, after care in shelters, awareness raising programs, political activism and very importantly, seeding ideas for other non profits to get started in ways that can assist.
First you have to take them into your heart as your own child. Then the strength comes out of you to protect them.
Anuradha Koirala, founder of Maiti Nepal.
Part 4: The Grey Man
The Grey Man is an Australian not for profit dedicated to rescuing children from the sex slave trade. Their mission is to eradicate the trafficking and exploitation of children and their activities are concentrated in south east Asia.
Part 3: Combating Modern Slavery
Kevin Bales and his organisation, Free the Slaves, advocate how to combat modern slavery from an economic standpoint. According to Free the Slaves, a major difference between modern slavery and slavery of the past is the value of a life.
Part 2: Breaking the Culture of Silence
Sunitha Krishnan fights modern day slavery and has formed an anti trafficking organisation, Prajwala India. Her focus is on individuals, especially children, who have been sold into the sex slave trade. She speaks out for the voiceless, nameless, isolated people who endure torture everyday. Victims of the men who buy them, sooner or later they give up hope on people like you and me. One day they accept their exploitation.
Sunitha’s challenge is to help these girls to get power from the pain. To date she has rescued more than 3,200 girls from sexual slavery. One third of rescues are HIV positive.
Living in the Shadowlands of Earth, Slavery 2010
Slavery is a fundamental violation of our dignity and is thriving in our globalised world. Like other forms of abuse in our world, slavery, especially sexual slavery, has become a part of our culture of silence. To help give voice to those who can’t be heard, and in support of those courageous individuals who have dedicated their lives to battle this outrage, I have created this 5 part journal, Living in The Shadowlands of Earth, Slavery 2010.
Pilgrimage 2010 now accepting registrations
This years pilgrimage is set for 1st - 11th October. Join us for 10 magical, fun filled and transformative days in Connemara, the heart of west Ireland.
Please contact us with any questions you may have.
Price, Registration and further details will be provided upon application.
Parliament of World Religion
On December 3 - 9 the Parliament of World Religion convenes in Melbourne. Together with Celtic Harpist and Spiritual Director Cath Connelly, I will be presenting on the 5th December. I am delighted to have the opportunity to participate in such an event as this. There are 650 speakers from many varied spiritual backgrounds, along with over 70 exhibits highlighting causes, initiatives and issues as well as emerging artists. It is sure to be a life changing event for all participants as well as attendees.
Cath and myself are privileged to present The Art of Celtic Spirituality. During this dynamic session we will share spiritual insights of the Irish and Scottish ancestors through music, story telling, prayer and ritual. We will draw from the Sean Nós tradition of west Ireland and the traditions of the Celtic Church as we weave an experience of the living spiritual pathway of our ancestors. This rich spiritual and cultural legacy is an ancient continuous wisdom that is available, alive and more vitally relevant than ever in our modern day.
Pilgrimage 2009 is full!
We are pleased to announce that this year's Pilgrimage is full. Our 2010 Pilgrimage will take place from 29 September - 11 October and we are now accepting registrations..
Pilgrimage 2009 now accepting registrations
This years pilgrimage is set for 30th September - 12th October. Join us for 12 magical, fun filled and transformative days in Connemara, the heart of west Ireland. Registration now open!
Check out the new slideshow on our 2009 pilgrimage page. These wonderful pictures were taken by Bonnie Jenkins, artistic photographer and participant in our October 2008 pilgrimage.
Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have!
Climate change or climate disaster?
“The world has very little time”
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change chief Rajendra Pachauri at last weeks climate conference in Copenhagen after new findings were presented. (1)
The notion of global climate change has taken on a new meaning for many people in the state of Victoria after our recent extreme temperatures (day and night) and devastating wildfires where losses far outweigh other catastrophic fires in our history, Ash Wednesday and Black Friday. I have yet to talk to someone in Victoria who was not touched by these fires last month.
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