Chiron: The Path of Initiation Chicago, Il:  July 16-18 Sacramento, CA:  July 30-Aug 1 Ashland, OR:  Aug 6-8 Calgary, CAN:  Aug 13-15 Kailua, HI:  Aug 20-22   An Astrological Experience with Tom Lescher For Utube Video "Click Here" This year of 2010 brings all the intensity, pressure, and pain that heralds the birth of a new life. Each of us, in unique and different ways are feeling the need to let go of old aspects of our lives, whether they be material, relationship, vocation, addictive habits, health issues, or psycho-spiritual belief systems that have supported us up to this point. Only through surrendering our fear of the unknown and facing ourselves in a new way are we able to gather the courage necessary to re-birth ourselves.  Astrologically, this change is reflected in the great planetary alignments of this year including the transit of Chiron into the sign of Pisces this April.  Chiron, “The Wounded Healer,” shows us our greatest vulnerability which, when integrated, can become our greatest attribute. Through the study of this archetype we are assisted in making the right choices regarding what to hold onto and what to release not only this year but through the course of our lives.  This workshop will focus on the meaning and purpose of the Chiron Journey and its significance, particularly in these times, in the process of Initiation. It will give you the insight, understanding, and will to recreate yourself anew with greater clarity and an open heart. Paradoxically, the opportunity to experience our magnificence, power, beauty, and love have never been better than at this point in time. Friday evening will introduce the comet Chiron, its mythology and meaning for these times. Saturday will take Chiron through the signs and houses of your natal horoscope. Sunday we will look at the transits of Chiron in your chart to show where you are now being challenged to let go of the old and move into a whole new reality. For details, payment, and to register for this workshop click on "List All Products/Chiron Initiation" Tom will be available for personal sessions both before and after this workshop.  Please contact him to set your appointment. Throughout this workshop we will use both Shamanic Journeying and Pranayama (Kundalini yoga breathwork) to achieve heightened states of awareness, initiating ourselves into a greater reality/understanding of why we are here and what is going on.  This study of, and meditation upon, Chiron in your birthchart, combined with these tools will connect you more consciously to the core (heart) of your being which will in turn provide you with the peace, serenity and courage to accept, love, and enjoy your life!  Discovered in 1977, Chiron travels in an unstable, eccentric orbit between those of Saturn and Uranus. In 1989 astronomers detected a fuzzy cloud (coma) around Chiron. Because such a cloud is a defining feature of comets,.......... click "Read More.........." below.

Religious and other Spiritual Initiations

The English word derives from the Latin, initium: "entrance" or "beginning," literally "a going in."  

A spiritual initiation rite normally implies a shepherding process where those who are at a higher level guide the initiate through a process of greater exposure of knowledge. This may include the revelation of secrets, hence the term secret society for such organizations, usually reserved for those at the higher level of understanding. 

In the context of ritual magic and esotericism, an initiation is considered to cause a fundamental process of change to begin within the person being initiated. The person conducting the initiation (the initiator), being in possession of a certain power or state of being, transfers this power or state to the person being initiated. Thus the concept of initiation is similar to that of apostolic succession. The initiation process is often likened to a simultaneous death and rebirth, because as well as being a beginning it also implies an ending as existence on one level drops away in an ascension to the next. Initiation is a key component of  Sant Mat, Surat Shabd Yoga and similar religious gnostic traditions. It denotes acceptance by the Guru and also implies that the Chela (student or disciple) agrees to the requirements (such as living an ethical lifestyle, meditating, etc.).

As we now enter the Age of Aquarius, the New Paradigm is one of Self Initiation in the "Here and Now" as opposed to the Piscean Age when one removed themselves from normal societal pressures, entered into secular institutions and was initiated by another master or teacher.  Our current evolution calls for Self-Realization practices (such as yoga, shamanic journeying, and breathwork) wherein we directly tap into our highest "God-Self" in any moment, independent of any religious dogma, doctrine, or teaching.   Regardless of our individual orientation or past self-understanding, the discovery of Chiron heralds a shift in our understanding of initiation, self-realization, enlightenment, or "waking up".

A study of, and meditation upon, Chiron in your birthchart, combined with the tools provided in this workshop can bring you heightened awareness and help connect you more consciously to the core (heart) of your being.