Astoria Brown Dissertation The-Sacred-Marriage-Within

Astoria Brown

Metaphysical Science Doctorate

"The Sacred Marriage Within"

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THE SACRED MARRIAGE WITHIN

Astoria Brown

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor

of Metaphysical Science, Msc.D in the Department of Graduate Studies of the University of Sedona.

October 17,2009

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Department of Graduate Studies

CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

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Msc.D DISSERTATION

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This is to certify that the Msc.D dissertation of

Astoria Brown

has been approved by the Examining Committee for the dissertation

requirement for the Doctor of Metaphysical Science degree of the

University of Metaphysics

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TABEL OF CONTENTS

Dedication and Acknowledgments

1. Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------1

2. Review of Literature-----------------------------------------------6

3. Findings--------------------------------------------------------------10

4. Discussion----------------------------------------------------------18

5. Summary and Conclusions---------------------------------- --32

Bibliography

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INTRODUCTION - CHAPTER 1

How do we connect our Physical Mind with our Higher Self? Why are there dual meanings and spiritual dimensions hidden in

Mysticism, Legends, Myths, & Fairy Tales? What is "The Sacred Marriage Within" and what are the symbols used to represent it?

In this essay I will be sharing with you my personal experiences of the above subjects, ultimately explaining The Sacred Marriage

Within as I interpret it. I hope to clearly convey my thoughts coming from the point of view of a natural born psychic. I feel that these

experiences are our birthright and are available to each and every one of us.

To begin with, I have made use of multiple clair-senses throughout my entire life. Therefore, I feel that I have a unique perspective of The

Sacred Marriage Within, along with first hand knowledge and experience of what this phenomena entails. I will attempt to relay my personal

interpretation and thoughts on this subject down in print. Putting thoughts of this caliber is perplexing because it is difficult to translate Higher

Consciousness or Spiritual Multi-Dimensional Concepts into a language that this dimension offers to us.

The integration of the Physical Mind (Consciousness) and the Higher Spiritual Self (Higher Consciousness) is a process that some

are naturally born with and expand upon throughout their lifetime. There are others that use special techniques such as meditation and ritual

to reach this spiritual connection. Many have reached this level of Sacred Union through a Near Death Experience or some other Traumatic

Event, which almost always transforms them instantly, and changes them at the very core of their

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previous religious or other beliefs. Each individual on this earth, has their own personal experiences, manifesting a unique process in their

spiritual journey, which gives them the freedom and the god-given right to choose their own interpretations of what they perceive as spiritual

insight and personal truth. I hope to convince you to think for yourself and try not to base your beliefs on anything other than that which you

intuitively know is right for you personally. You will find, that with a open mind, the Kingdom truly does lie within you, Everything that you desire

to know about who you are, where you came from, and where you are going, is given to you by the silent Sleeping Beauty within that is

patiently waiting to lovingly give you the answers to your spiritual inquiries.

From the beginning of all that there is , humanity has been freely given the opportunity to integrate the Higher Self with the Physical Self

It is the gift from the Universal Omnipotent Being or Supreme Spirit to become one complete Balanced Human/Spiritual Being. This could

best be explained as a evolutionary process or more easily referred to as Spiritual Evolution.

By taking a Metaphysical approach to this subject, I have compiled historical claims and mystical truths, that have been handed down

to us from those who have obviously experienced The Sacred Marriage Within. This transformation is our birthright of which we can choose to

partake of or not, untainted by religious dogma. Ultimately it is our choice whether we decide to become a whole and balanced individual or

a person that is divided against itself.

Throughout the ages, Higher Truths and Spiritual Concepts have been taught in Ancient Mystery Schools and hidden throughout Fairy

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Tales, Myths, Legends, & Nursery Rhymes. The adepts of the ancient mysteries used story telling to reveal deeper spiritual truths and also to

convey in-depth concepts of the most prized legacy, the integration of the Physical Body and the Higher Spiritual Self.

These great pearls of wisdom are not to be based on the need to control the masses, convince others for selfish reasons, to have

power over another for financial gain, nor are they for the raising up of mans ego. These stories are to be made available to us simply to

share the truths of the Universal Laws, which teach us within the nature of our world around us. They are untainted by religious dogma and

staunch belief systems of all types. They are based on the flow of the natural living process and touch our hearts using the simple things in life

to reflect deeper spiritual truths.

You are able to tell if a story being told is Higher Dimensional or from Universal Consciousness because you will notice that personal ego

is not on the agenda. Higher Spiritual Truth has no agenda other than to help others to ascend to Higher Consciousness on their own and is

almost always based on Love or the lack thereof as a foundation to the story and it's lessons being portrayed.

Before I go any further please allow me to cover some basic levels of understanding that I feel are imperative to clearly cover this

material in this essay. Setting the stage and getting a solid foundation for what I am about to present in this essay will make it much easier to

follow. In my humble opinion I feel that there are many misconceptions concerning Psychic Abilities that need to be addressed before we

continue into deeper concepts.

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Psychic awareness has much to do with the way that you are wired at birth. A spiritual awakening for some that are not natural born/or

pre-wired is like being a light bulb at 110 and transforming into a clothes dryer connected to 220. Some people feel that is its more spiritual to

be a vegetarian , non smoker, not overweight, non drinker, gay or straight, etc, etc....This is strictly judgment placed on people by man and

their controlling belief systems and has nothing to do with psychic awareness. A psychic's physical status does not add nor does it subtract

from the original hard wired in psychic abilities.

What does matter tremendously is if the persons using these capabilities are coming from a kind heart with Right Action and Non-

Judgment while they are using their clair-sense abilities. The energy behind it dictates whether it produces a Positive or Negative

Manifestation, not if it exists or not. Scientific study has shown repeatedly that psychic abilities absolutely can and do manifest, where

Metaphysical Science teaches us how to use these abilities with positive intent and to do no harm. Therefore placing Right Action and Non-

Judgment as tools for discernment help to keep you on the positive track.

I am a natural psychic/empath who has no idea what it feels like to be considered normal by the worlds standards. I have mastered the

necessary Metaphysical credentials in order to have the general public take me seriously, listen to my teachings, and to be within the legal

realms of my community. I teach no different with or without these credentials because I share and teach from what comes from my heart and

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personal experience. I am a Reiki Distance Healing Master, Spiritual Life Counselor, Metaphysical Reverend, Mastery in the use of Essential

Healing Oils, Ritual Candle Maker, Teacher of Ancient Belief Systems, Instructor in the Mastery of Tarot, Extensive Studies in Fundamental

Physics & Quantum Field Theory (which in truth is the concept of ancient Metaphysical teachings), & Paranormal Scientific Investigator. I was

born aware of all of the Clair-senses, of which I have used each of them at one time or another throughout my life as a Psychic Teacher and

Reader.

My desire is to put into words the part of me that does not work from all of the above credentials necessarily, but manifests from the

part of me that I consider my better half. I don't have the pretense of being anyone special, yet I assure you that there is a part of me that

assists me in this physical world that is beyond anything that I am capable of doing on my own.

I am no different than any of you in my abilities, other that I was born wired this way, a bit dyslexic, and want to share what 50+ years of

life's ups and downs in its wisdom have taught me on these subjects. Hopefully this essay will help to clarify what I feel is the answer to the

next chapter in the world's Collective Consciousness Evolutionary Spiritual Advancement.

True Spiritual Freedom

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REVIEW OF LITERATURE - CHAPTER 2

The majority of the literature that I refer to consists of what I call books that have proven the test of time. Ancient scripts and parchments

are innumerable and are now available to the average person where in the not to distant past were unattainable. I glean the information that

bears witness with my Inner Self and set the rest aside. Not saying that what I discard is permanent, because as I grow I find that what

doesn't make sense now my be a different story to me later on up the pyramid steps of knowledge and understanding.

Also looking up the meanings of names and cities in many ancient texts will prove to be quite a eye opener to another level of meaning

in a sentence or paragraph. Numbers also have meanings and should be considered in the deeper levels of interpretations.

The adepts intuitively knew how to hide pertinent information within the depths of writings to safeguard the information for future

esoteric evolution. Basically much of the ancient scripts were written in this manner to avoid the destruction of valuable information that was

meant for future generations. The interesting thing to note here is that there is a story, within a story, within a story, when you acknowledge the

Higher Self of these mystics and sages of our past. Because Spirit speaks to us in multi-levels such as this, we can recognize the Higher

Self speaking truth to us from our ancient past.

The amazing fact is that Universal Wisdom can shine it's light (even if only a tiny morsel) through the darkness of some very convincing

lies. This is when we need to trust our Higher Self to manifest discernment and to glean the pearls that are hidden in some material

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purposely. Many institutions cause a corruption to basic truths of Spirit and it is our responsibility to test the spirits to see if they are coming

from Right Action and Non Judgment. Trust what your Higher Self is telling you and you won't be deceived.

Throughout this essay I will refer to writers, philosophers, books, and ancient scripts. I don't consider any of them as Holy because I feel

that if they were written down by the hands of men and women then they are subject to corruption. Spirit or Universal Consciousness is quite

capable of speaking to each one of us individually at the levels that we are capable of understanding. The He said She said syndrome has

obviously caused great worldwide confusion and has been the cause for many inhuman activities and destruction, therefore I personally don't

take anything that man says as the gospel truth. Take a look at the world in it's present dilemma.....How many more little gods do we have to

trust before we see through all of this madness?

I have a little story that Spirit gave me last week that I want to share with you. Imagine for a moment that an ant is standing on the

runway directly under a 747 Jet Airliner....First off it is unable to imagine green grass in the fields, trees, sunshine, or any other thing that is

above the shiny metal that engulfs its perception of reality. To the ant this is all that there is, it can't even begin to imagine shopping malls and

going to the moon....We are as ants in this Universe as we perceive it and are silly to think that we understand much of anything really.

Whatever is beyond our 747 mentality is simply our imagination. Something Higher than the simple ant is out there. Why do we make gods in

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our images and feel justified in doing so? Our poor little minds would literally POP if we were shown what this is really all about. This is why it

is so important to let our Higher Self lead us through this runway of life. There is no name that could possibly be placed on the intelligence

that is responsible for all that there is, so I just simply trust in the knowledge that is given to me and know that I got here ok and will be taken

back from wherever I came from. I know that there is something much bigger than anything that we can possibly perceive and I am thankful

that I can rest assured in my union with it.

This is only my personal opinion and it is only that. What I share with you is not your truth, it is mine. All that I can do is to share my

unique personal experiences with you in order to stir up you Higher Self to open your Higher Consciousness to your personal Spiritual Truth.

Simply put, my thought is that: "Truth is Truth and needs no convincing, fear tactics, or any other well thought out plan by any man or institution

to get believers to obtain it" It always was and always will be and has everything under control....

Mainstream science is beginning to catch up with many of the personal experiences that Metaphysical Science practitioners have

suggested in the past. Mystics have intuitively discovered many pearls of wisdom that pertain to the relationships of humanity, the mind, and

the Universe since ancient times. They have handed them down as pathways for us to reach where their experiences have led them.

Many concepts taught by Metaphysical Science practitioners have recently been validated by the scientific world through

experimentation with the quantum physics and string theory studies. Metaphysics is also being taken much more serious by psychologists

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and psychiatrists rather than being shunned as was the norm in the past. Deepak Chopra, and Gregg Braden along with a increasing number

of professionals in the medical and scientific field are also paying much closer attention to metaphysical knowledge and are seeing the

need to apply many of the mystical analogies to physical, mental healing, and well being. I want to emphasize that Quantum Physics explains

that each individual is responsible for their own reality and that they literally manifest it in their own personal thoughts, feelings, and intention.

On a larger scale we as the human collective can manifest great things if each of us is focusing on peace, health, happiness, prosperity and

love.

I give reference to many philosophers, great teachers, mathematicians, mystics, musicians, artists, etc., throughout this essay. My

attempt is to give credence tot he fact that each one individually had their unique story to tell for a purpose. They give examples of their

experience of being shown what was on the other side of their 747.

Hopefully you will understand why I feel that it is so important to get to know your other half (Higher Self) and to partake in the Sacred

Marriage Within. If you have not already had this experience, I assure you that you will be shown things that will be very difficult to put into

words.There are no words sufficient in the mind of man or woman that can comprehend the things of Spirit. We can only share our stories in

hopes that our experiences will ultimately bring peace and blessings to the heart of the listener.

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FINDINGS - CHAPTER 3

One of the greatest of the Mystery Schools was in Egypt at Giza. Great teachers such as Jesus, Moses, Pythagoras, Plate, Solon,

Herodotus, & Pliny, were among the sages that emerged from the ancient mystery temples in that area. The wisdom and teachings of these

men remain in literature and academia to this day. The Mystery Schools were operated in accordance with discovered and revealed natural

universal laws. Spiritual higher esoteric teachings constitute a working system of self knowledge and direct experience that goes far beyond

anything the modern religions an even promise, much less achieve.

There are several Mystery Schools know to exist in antiquity including India, Ireland - home of the druids, Tibet, China, Chitzen Itza in

the Yucatan Peninsula, and Babylon. According to Asclepius, they originated during the time that "gods walked the Earth with men".

Egyptian mystics could levitate, handle fire, sustain great pressure, harmlessly suffer mutilation, read the past, foretell the future, make

themselves invisible, and cure disease. According to Proclus the initiated priests so fully understood the mutual sympathy between the

visible and invisible worlds that they were able to change the course of action and focus divine intervention upon negative natures.

According to Plato, the highest form of magic consisted in the divine worship of the gods, and according to Lamblichus, the priests,

through sacerdotal theurgy, were able to ascend from a material state of consciousness to perform high feats of magic as a normal

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state of lifestyle. The term "magic" was not associated with occult vocabulary by the Egyptians, but arose from a profound understanding of

natural factual law.

The Adepts of these High Magical Practices were members of a great sacerdotal brotherhood. These mysterious wise men, the sages

of pre-antiquity, were among the first of the earth who knew and understood the workings of natural law. They were the giants of mind and

thought, and were the creators of the traditions which descended into Egypt. A understanding and tradition based on the conscious

development of spiritual capabilities within their psyche caused them to be what we would call the scientists of our day. It is believed this

tradition originated in India from vanished civilizations which existed at least 5,000 to 10,000 years ago. Their great body of knowledge was

in the hands or keeping of a few persons who set up the systems of mysteries operating in Egypt, Greece, and the Roman empire. They

knew the natural laws of consciousness and understood the immensity and integrity of the universal plan. These ancients discovered that you

can not break natural law without suffering. They did not develop the egotism that God is depending upon us to take care of His divine plan.

Their belief was that they themselves were servants of an infinite underlying reality that manifested itself throughout the Infinitesimal Universe.

The training was long, hard and arduous. At every stage of learning students were tested to determine their achievement. The tests

were ceremonial, each one an initiation into increasingly more difficult degrees of the knowledge of natural universal law. They did not

advance into deeper truths until they passed the tests of a full understanding on how to use these tools. They knew that the power was not

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to be taken lightly and could just as easily be used to harm as well as to heal. It was imperative to keep the heart and mind in the right place as

they advanced in knowledge.

As the students advanced in their knowledge, the degreed initiates would leave the cloistered environment of Giza and venture forth to set

up their own chapter of the mysteries, where they would attract students, and generate disciples qualified to receive the inner teachings of the

science of consciousness. Initiates spent half a lifetime in learning and the other half in realization. Their entire lives were involved with esoteric

teachings and magical practices, with very little concern with the workings of this world as such.

Initiates didn't teach entirely from theory but chose to transfer knowledge based mainly from experience. Experience is difficult to teach

therefore it is usually transferred by showing the way, or the path that was taken to achieve the experience. This was the purpose of the great

Mystery Schools: to teach the methodology to access the infinite, of direct experience with The Universal Spirit itself.

They introduced concepts of mathematics, geometry, logic, architecture, music, literature, art, philosophy, astronomy, astrology, medicine,

law, ethics, morals, survey, physics, and government to touch on just a few, as by-products of their most significant quest! This being to ascend

into the relationship with their Higher Self while still being present in the Physical Body of this world.

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While these traditions and teachings can be found throughout history, the lineage of the mystery schools can be traced back 3,500 years

ago to the time of King Solomon the Great. But recent archaeological findings are beginning to bring teachers to a much earlier time. As a

matter of fact, archaeologists are beginning to think that we are very far off as to the dates of the mystery schools antiquity previously

considered.

We have much to learn from the ancients and wise men of our ancestral past. Science and Religious Institutions have kept many valuable

truths locked away from the general populace. They used numerous false truths to keep things unavailable to the layman for purposes of control

and financial gain. The main impediment to extrapolate the hidden secrets of the ancient Egyptian Mystery Schools has been the idea that the

Great Pyramid was built as a tomb for Pharaohs. This belief and teaching has recently fallen due to Dr Zahi Hawass (Head of the Egyptian

Antiquities Organization), bravely repudiating the erroneous legacy inherited from previous experts.

There is much speculation as to what the Great Pyramid was actually used for, but one thing that is for certain, very powerful energies

took place in this massive monument which are still resonating within the walls of the Great Pyramid.

The Egyptians had two main mystery schools; one was called the Left Eye of Horus. This school taught the Female principles of creation,

about love and compassion. The other school was called the Right Eye of Horus and taught the intelligent Male principles of creation; sacred

geometry was a main subject.

Sacred geometry has also left its traces in other cultures such as in the gothic architecture of European churches and cathedrals

(Chartres), the Parthenon in Athens, paintings by Leonardo Da Vinci, and the Hindu classical dance. Sacred geometry has been preserved

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in circles of Freemasonry in utmost secrecy. Let it be noted that a very large portion of the mystery schools teachings centered around Science,

Mathematics, & Sacred Geometry. Sacred societies kept and taught these holy tools for only those who were considered worthy. In time these

"Sacred Societies" became "Secret Societies" because of persecution and misunderstanding of what they represented.

Many sacred messages have been handed down through various forms of poetry, art, symbols, and even Fairy Tales. The point being

made here is that sacred truths were cleverly protected by the sages even though every effort was made in the dark ages to literally wipe out all

signs of anything that pertained to what was considered the occult.

Isaac Newton, born the same year that Galileo died, was a scientist, astronomer, mathematician, and alchemist. He was among the

great minds that were members of the Sacred Societies. Ra, Isis, Osiris, Hermes Trismeticus (who initiated Moses), Moses, The Buddah,

Babaji (who initiated Jesus the Christ during his missing years when he visited India and Tibet), Jesus the Christ, King Solomon, Queen of

Sheba, Leonardo Da Vinci, Miyamoto Musashi, Rudolph Steiner, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Madam Blavatsky, Carl Jung, Nicola Tesla, and many

others. They all studied these ancient mysteries and manifested miraculous things in their lives.

Leonardo Da Vinci's painting of the renown "Madonna" has been said to be the feminine counterpart of his personality. Could this have

been his way of secretly portraying his self portrait and recognition of his Higher Self? His heavy involvement with Mystery Schools & Sacred

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Geometry is evident throughout his artwork which shows that he used his art and mathematics to preserve the secrets for generations to come.

Although there might be a few groups left out along the way, there is a constant stream of adepts such as Adam, Seth, Enoch, Noah, and

Abraham, the biblical period of Eleusinian initiatory mysteries, the Qumran sect, Jesus of Nazareth, Gnostic groups, the rite of Five Seals,

Jewish Hekhalot, Merkavah mysticism, Hermetic societies in Egypt, other mystery schools in Greece and Rome, on to the Kabbalah, Elias

Asmole, and the Rosicrucians. These spiritually elevated personages have left their mark on the history of mankind.

The Sacred Geometry Symbol that is called "The Flower Of Life", is a geometrical figure that is said to contain ancient religious value,

depicting the fundamental forms of space and time. In this sense, it is a visual expression of the connections life weaves through all sentient

beings. It is believed to contain a type of Akashic Record of basic information of all living things. Wikipedia.org

Sacred Geometry is a lifetime study all of its own. As you can see the students in the ancient Mystery Schools were very knowledgeable

and advanced in the wisdom of such things Astronomy, mathematics, literary skills, alchemy, numerology, rites of magic, talismans,

understanding the use of crystals and stones, medicinal uses of plants and herbs, manipulating energies through thought, sacred rituals, etc. In

antiquity, the magicians, sages, wise men, and alchemists, were equal to our modern day scientists, medical doctors, mathematicians,

astronomers, authors, poets, artists, physicists, and philosophers.

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The Early Christian Church had the belief that these incredible minds were the children of what the church calls Satan or the devil. They

were judged as heretics for performing what the church labeled as satanic rituals and magic which was forbidden by Jehovah/god and the

Church. Therefore, literally millions of people were sentenced as witches and warlocks in the dark ages of the Inquisition of the Early Church.

They were tortured and put to death because of their beliefs, knowledge and spiritual practices. A portion of the reason for this was that it was

not understood as Early Science, it was labeled as Satanic worship and was feared. The Church will forever hold this horrible darkness over its

head in shame for it atrocities. This archaic belief is still prevalent and taught in many Churches of most Christian faiths today.

Moses, the most valued and revered patron in the old testament of the Christian Bible, used Talismans, the Urim and the Thummim

(Objects used as a interpretive type of divine oracle), incense, candles, and specific stones on the priests breastplates during rituals. The fact

is that the prophet Moses was a adopted child prince of the Pharaoh of Egypt, and was an adept in magical practices of Egypt Mystery

Schools.

Spirituality, beyond the physical, requires developing the ability to experience the supernatural powers that are beyond the conscious level

of the mind. This is the purpose of intensive study and mind mastery, where the imitate develops the ability to discern correct action before

implementing these powers.

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There is a common thread that can easily be addressed that explains why our ancestors used such measures to protect these higher

truths. One reason is that with great truth comes great responsibility. A child is not left alone with a loaded gun because of the lack of knowledge

or experience of the correct use of such a powerful tool. The lack of experience could easily cause harm and cause extensive damage.

I don't intend to bring fear into this subject, but there is a need for a healthy respect and understanding of the consequences when misuse

of such power is possible through lack of knowledge and misuse of intent. We need to reach and maintain a level of spiritual maturity in order to

know how to use such tools with Right Action and Non Judgment. This is the reason why the Ancient Mystery schools brought the student

through various levels of initiation before they were permitted to actively use these practices. Believing in the teachings was not the prerequisite

to graduation, Experience, paying great attention to detail, and years of discipline, were considered the diploma.

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DISCUSSION - CHAPTER 4

Myths are stories shared by a group as part of their cultural identity, there is no completely satisfactory definition of the term myth. It

comes from the Greek word "mythos". A myth gives a religious explanation for how the world or a particular custom initially began. It is also

called a myth if it appears magical to non-believers and is similar to the word scientific theory. It is not exactly knowledge, but - theory. However,

this approach doesn't work when we examine the supernatural stories, which appear to defy scientific knowledge. Basically the definition for

Myth is a tale or story, rumor or saying, thing, or thought usually with religious connotation.

A legend is a expounded story which is told or written down as an explanation based on symbolism and is usually in narrative form. It may

or may not be an elaborate version of a historical event. Legendary examples such as the stories concerning Robin Hood, which are set in a

definite period, the reign of Richard 1 of England (1189-99). The legend of King Arthur, which was perhaps originally based on the exploits of a

Romano-Celtic prince who attempted to resist the expansion of the Anglo-Saxons in what was to become England. Atlantis is another legend

based on writings and word of mouth given to us by renown authors throughout the ages. As with all legends, the stories about Robin Hood,

King Arthur, and Atlantis, have been elaborated and expanded on throughout the years. Therefore historically Legends are not necessarily

based on proof, but have been handed down through story form which as we all know can be radically distorted over time.

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Nursery Rhymes are often short and easy to remember, which were critical elements when many people were unable to read or write.

They are words that are associated with similar sounds using a rhyming couplet or short verse.

Nursery Rhymes were verbally passed from generation to generation, and were used as a tool when commoners desired to comment on

the events of the day! It must be remembered that in the not to distant past direct criticism or dissent would often have been punishable by

death! Therefore, Nursery Rhymes were a form of communication used to pass down seemingly innocent stories that in truth were coded

messages that pertained to political issues and hidden spiritual truths.

Fairy Tales typically get their origin from folk stories dealing with supernatural beings, They may be written or told to amuse children, or

may have a more sophisticated narrative which contains supernatural or obviously improbable events, scenes, and personages. Fairy Tales

often have a whimsical, satirical, or moralistic character. Popular folktale's or Fairy Tales such as "Cinderella" and "Puss n Boots", are perfect

examples of the esoteric and moral messages so cleverly hidden within the stories. There are more recent fairy tales of later invention, such as

those by Hans Christian Anderson. These include "The Ugly Duckling" and "Thumbelina", just to name two of his many literary works. It is often

difficult to distinguish between tales of literary and oral origin, because folktale's have received literary treatment from early times, and literary

tales can often be traced back to oral tradition.

The Ugly Duckling story is one of my favorite Fairy Tales. It tells how a living being can feel extremely left out if they appear, or actually are,

different from their peers, whether it be family members, friends, or the general populace.

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It also portrays the other members in the pond and show how vicious and hurtful others can be when one looks, acts, and processes differently

than the majority, even within the family structure.

Ridicule and judgment causes one to feel that if those closest to you find you unacceptable and can say and do such harmful acts, then

you can only imagine what it would be like outside of the pond surrounded only by strangers.

This first story is a introduction to the workings of how to gather the hidden wisdom within a dual message. This short story is spiritually

influenced simultaneously with a earth based structure, as are most Fairy Tales.

The Ugly Duckling

by Hans Christian Anderson

(1844)

Revised Shortened Version

The mother duck welcomed her newly hatched ducklings and allowed them to look at the world around them as much as they liked. "How

large the world is", said the young ducklings, when they found how much more room they now had than while they were inside the egg shell. "Do

you imagine this is the whole world?" asked the mother; "Wait till you have seen the garden; it stretches far beyond that to the parson's field, but

I have never ventured to such a distance. Are you all out?" she continued, rising; No, the largest of the eggs still hasn't hatched.

At last the large egg broke, and a young one crept forth crying, "Peep, Peep". It was very large and ugly. The mother duck stared at it and

exclaimed, "It is very large and not at all like the others. I wonder if it is a turkey. We shall soon find it out, however when we go to the water. It

must go in, if I have to push it myself".

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On the next day the weather was delightful, and the sun shone brightly on the green burdock leaves, so the mother duck took her young

brood down to the water, and jumped in with a splash. They all followed their mother, including the large late bloomer.

"Oh", said the mother, "that is not a turkey; how well he uses his legs, and how upright he holds himself ! He is my own child, and he is not

so very ugly after all if you look at him properly". The mother duck took her new brood to introduce them to the farmyard birds, but they had to

keep close to her because of the other animals, above all, they must beware of the cat.

The barnyard ducks said, "Look, here comes another brood, as if there were not enough of us already! and what a queer looking object

one of them is; we don't want him here", and then one flew out and bit him on the neck. "Let him alone!", said the mother; "he is not doing any

harm". "Yes, but he is so big and ugly", said the spiteful duck, "and therefore he must be turned out".

The mother replied; "He is not pretty; but he has a very good disposition, and swims as well or even better than the others. I think he will

grow up pretty, and perhaps be smaller; he has remained too long in the egg, and therefore his figure is not properly formed", and then she

stroked his neck and stretched his feathers.

The mother duck and her ducklings settled in and made themselves comfortable in the barnyard, but the poor duckling, who had crept out

of his shell last of all, and looked so ugly, was bitten, pushed and made fun of, not only by the ducks, but by all of the poultry.

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"He is too big", they all said, and the turkey cock, who had been born into the world with spurs, and fancied himself really as an emperor, puffed

himself out like a vessel in full sail, and flew at the duckling. The turkey cock became quite red in the head with passion. The poor little duckling

did not know where to go, and was quite miserable because he was so ugly and laughed at by the whole farmyard.

So it went on from day to day till it got worse and worse. The poor duckling was driven about by every one; even his brothers and sisters

were unkind to him, and would say, "Ah, you ugly creature, I wish the cat would get you", and his mother said she wished he had never been

born.. The ducks pecked him, the chickens beat him, and the girl who fed the poultry kicked him with her feet. So at last he ran away, frightening

the little birds in the hedge as he flew over the palings.

"They are afraid of me because I am ugly", he said. So he closed his eyes, and flew still farther, until he came out on a large moor,

inhabited by wild ducks. Here he remained the whole night, all alone and feeling very tired and sorrowful.

All this was very sad for the poor little duckling. One evening, just as the sun set amid radiant clouds, there came a large flock of beautiful

birds out of the bushes. The duckling had never seen any like them before. They were swans, and they curved their graceful necks, while their

soft plumage shown with dazzling whiteness.

They uttered a singular cry, as they spread their glorious wings and flew away from those cold regions to warmer countries across the sea.

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As they mounted higher and higher in the air, the ugly little duckling felt quite a strange sensation as he watched them. He whirled himself in the

water like a wheel, stretched out his neck towards them, and uttered a cry so strange that it frightened himself. Could he ever forget those

beautiful, happy birds; and when at last they were out of his sight, he dived under the water, and rose again almost beside himself with

excitement.

He knew not the names of these birds, nor where they had flown, but he felt towards them as he had never felt for any other bird in the

world. He was not envious of these beautiful creatures, but wished to be as lovely as they. Poor ugly creature, how gladly he would have lived

even with the ducks had they only given him encouragement.

It would be very sad, were I to relate all of the misery and privations which the poor little duckling endured during the hard winter; but when

it had passed, he found himself lying one morning in a moor, amongst the rushes. He felt the warm sun shining, and heard the lark singing, and

saw that all around was beautiful spring.

Then the young bird felt that his wings were strong, as he flapped them against his sides, and rose high into the air. They bore him

onwards, until he found himself in a large garden, before he well knew how it had happened. The apple trees were in full blossom, and the

fragment elders bent their long green branches down to the stream which wound round a smooth lawn. Everything looked beautiful, in the

freshness of early spring.

From a thicket close by came three beautiful white swans, rustling their feathers, and swimming lightly over the smooth water. The

duckling remembered the lovely birds, and felt more strangely unhappy than ever.

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"I will fly to those royal birds", he exclaimed, "and they will kill me, because I am so ugly, and dare to approach them; but it does not matter:

better to be killed by them than to be pecked by the ducks, beaten by the hens, pushed about by the maiden who feeds the poultry, or starved with

hunger in the winter".

Then he flew to the water, and swam towards the beautiful swans. The moment they espied the stranger, they rushed to meet him with

outstretched wings.

"Kill me", said the poor bird; and he bent his head down to the surface of the water, and awaited death.

But what did he see in the clear stream below? His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful

and beautiful swan.

To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg. he now felt glad at having

suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him; for the great swans

swam round the new comer, and stroked his neck with their beaks, as a welcome.

Into the garden presently came some little children, and threw bread and cake into the water.

"See", cried the youngest, "there is a new one"; and the rest were delighted, and ran to their father and mother, dancing and clapping their

hands, and shouting joyously, "There is another swan that has come; a new one has arrived".

Then they threw more bread and cake into the water, and said, "The new one is the most beautiful of all; he is so young and pretty". And the

old swans bowed their heads before him.

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Then he felt quite ashamed, and hid his head under his wing; for he did not know what to do, he was so happy, and yet not at all proud. He

had been persecuted and despised for his ugliness, and now he heard them say he was the most beautiful of all the birds. Even the elder tree

bent down its bows into the water before him, and the sun shone warm and bright. Then he rustled his feathers, curved his slender neck, and cried

joyfully, from the depths of his heart, "I never dreamed of such happiness as this, while I was an ugly duckling".

Nature Spiritual Wisdom Guidance

Duck's Wisdom Includes:

Grace on water

* Water (emotion) energy

* Seeing clearly through emotions

* Spirit helper of mystics and seers

Swan's Wisdom:

Grace: Swan teaches us to trust the grace of our being as it operates in both the physical and spiritual planes, and urges us to rejoice in the gifts

of our physical bodies and our intuitive minds.

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