Have you noticed the sound when striking a match, when a flame leaps up into life? It is a mini explosion in the microcosm, a scaled down version of what happens in the macrocosm: the element of fire that is ignited in both cases is the same. Man learned to utilize the light of a bonfire on top of a mountain  as a beacon to send a message to the surrounding area or to ships at sea, as a signal or a warning.  The word ‘bonfire’ comes from the Middle English word ‘banefyre’, meaning the ‘burning of bones’, a funerary practice with which we are familiar today.

From an earthly perspective, a fire can rage burning everything in its path, fueled by a ready supply of combustible objects and oxygen. Fire can not only change what it comes into contact with, but it can consume, triggering the transmutation of matter. Its destructive power has been the object of the great literary works of poet John Milton in Paradise Lost (1667) who describes hell, sin and death, which we may call ‘hellfire’. In Dante’s Inferno (14^th century) we read of Phlegethon, the river boiling with blood and fire in the underworld.  In Greek mythology Goddess Styx was in love with Phlegethon, but he consumed her with his flames and she was sent to Hades before they reunited. The fire-breathing dragon of Celtic lore was similarly feared. Thus man has associated fire with hell. In modern terminology, we may still refer to a ‘trial by fire’, a test of extreme endurance or duress; this dates back to Medieval times when, accused of a crime, one was tested torturously by fire or water.

We have learned to work with fire in the earthly dimensions, harnessing its power with some level of control in firearms and technological advances such as, for example, the motor engine, rocket launchers, the oven and the pottery kiln for our own benefit. Metaphysically speaking, we may also enjoy certain gemstones for their ‘fiery’ brilliance, such as found in certain agates and opals; these crystals have an energy and a spiritual component which can be accessed and attuned to for physical activation and spiritual advancement.

It is fascinating to conceive of the ‘fire above,’ the spiritual fire that that transcends physical fire.  It is important at this time for us to know that there are spiritual flames within the universe and the earthly realms which do not consume in the physical sense, in the way we have come to know, but rather they hold an energy and consciousness for us. This awareness is crucial for our evolution. Among the spiritual flames are the flames for each of the sacred rays aligned with the chakras (seven are named here, but their number far exceeds this list): The Flame and Will of God with Master El Morya, The Flame of Illumination and Wisdom with Lord Lanto, the Flame of Cosmic Love with Master Paul the Venetian, The Ascension Flame with Master Serapis Bey, the Flame of Healing with Master Hilarion, the Flame of Resurrection with Lady Nada and Lord Sananda and the Violet Flame of Transmutation with Master St. Germain.

Among these, of particular significance for us at this time of Ascension, is the Violet Flame of purification and transformation, dispensed to us since the early 1960’s. Ascended Master St. Germain, while overseeing the ascension of Mother Earth, wishes us to call upon the Violet Flame daily to transmute negative energies of all kinds within our being.  It may be invoked by the simple visualization of the flame rising up and around you and by the repetition three times of the following decree:

“I am a being of Violet Fire,
I am the purity God desires.”

The spiritual flames have a radiance and pure vibration beyond any human contrivance. “Pure, fiery light,” theosophist Alice A. Bailey (June 16, 1880–December 15, 1949) states, is the highest initiation the spiritual aspirant must work towards. In this regard, the Ascension Flame for the planet, overseen by Ascended Master Serapis Bey above Luxor, Egypt, may be petitioned. (See my article on “Luxor and The Ascension”.)

Of great importance also is the Threefold Flame of the human heart (embodying Love, Power and Wisdom).  As Merlin channeled to me in our book:

“A Christed One carries the Threefold Flame in his heart, the flame of Love, Power and Wisdom.  He has attained Mastery over his seven chakras and the Seven Rays of Consciousness. In other words, he has mastered himself and is now ready to meet his mediator, his Christ Self, upon Ascension.”

I have read that an enlightened yogi may burn with such a purity and intensity that as he sits naked in the snow he may melt that snow with the radiance of his energy field. We too may aspire to be “on fire” with the love of God. Spiritual fire, while beyond our full intellectual understanding, is accessible to us within and without.

With this increased awareness, it is interesting to take another look at the following two Bible stories about fire and ponder their significance. Firstly, In Daniel 3 we read of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three men in Babylon who refused to worship a golden statue created by King Nebuchadnezzar and were determined to worship the One true God only. They survived the fiery furnace set ablaze by the King to force their obedience, but due to their miraculous survival, he was subsequently converted to believe in their God. It is said that  the presence of a fourth being seen within the fire, the angel of the Lord, saved them. Secondly, in Exodus 3, God speaks to Moses through a burning bush that is not consumed and in 3:14 says:

“I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

In other words, the presence and mind of God was witnessed through fire.

From the energies of the heavenly planets, the astrological interpretation of fire is given to us through Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, the three signs of the zodiac in the triplicity of fire.  Cardinal Aries represents the fire of the head, inspiration, the initiating impulse of beginnings and the personality; fixed Leo represents the fire of the heart, a steady flame of attraction and the will to illumine; and mutable Sagittarius represents the wisdom and understanding of relationships to all people, ideas and things. These three signs illustrate for us the intensity of the fiery archetypes.

The representation of the classical element of fire as a triangle is also significant. An equilateral triangle, compared to all the symbols of sacred geometry, is the figure that has the greatest strength representing male active power associated with the ‘Father’; it points upward representing male potency and it brings harmony and balance. It has numerous applications such as in Celtic symbolism, where trinitized energies were represented by the triskelion and the triquetra. The trinitized energies we commonly recognize today are ‘Father, Son and Holy Ghost’, ‘Osiris, Isis and Horus’ and ‘Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva’.

 As we continue to birth the Universal consciousness of Unconditional Love on Mother Earth, the Divine Flame of Love, Prema Agni, with its triangular center, may be utilized to open your heart to receive more love and so that you may give more love.  Love is transforming selfishness into selflessness and self service into world service. We are undergoing alchemical change on a daily basis to ultimately realize our own Divinity, whether it occurs in this lifetime or a future lifetime. We can choose now to participate in our own evolution more consciously by invoking the Violet Flame for our transformation, kindling the Threefold Flame within our hearts and working with the other spiritual flames mentioned herein.

“Remember to call upon us.  It is our honor and pleasure to assist you.”  ~ Merlin

You have weeded through much of the past that has been lingering in your energy fields and thoughts. It takes courage to step into unknown territory but, as you are aware, the future is now, now, now. You are remembering your contracts and why you have incarnated at this time. You are bringing to fruition the dreams you have carried in past lifetimes.  NOW is the time.

Think not that your part is not included in the whole or that it is ineffective or unimportant. You each have a part to play. Allow the spaciousness of your own inner world to surface to the physical and allow your outer experience to fuse with your dreams and intentions. They are One and We are All One. We are supporting you all ever more fully at this time of paradigm shift. Let not your fears impede your progress at any level. You are the ones you have been waiting for.

Unite in love and strength of purpose for Mother Earth and her ascension. Love is leading you back to the truth of who you are and why you are on planet Earth. Joy is your portion now. Fear, doubt and lack are the tools of the ego and that game is up and over. You are at the helm of your ship; ride the currents that are being presented you at this time in surrender and devotion to your life path. We are with you every step of the way.

“I am Hathor, Goddess of fertility, power and beauty for women.  I have been known in many guises, but most of all I wish to be petitioned by those who would know Love for themselves and share it with others. So many have known that I am available to help in all matters concerning women, but I am not limited to the female sex.  I offer love and healing for all those who ask, men and women alike.  My expertise is not limited to female things.  The animals and plants and the fertility of Mother Earth herself are of great importance to me.

My appearance with the bull horns, and cow ears is to remind you of how the cattle in the fields nurture and sustain your lives, how the bull is the progenitor of life and how his strength and courage is to be admired as an example for your lives today.

I am not alone in this mission to assist you at this time.  We work in minions to assist your journey at this important time for Mother Earth. You may visit my shrine at the Temple of Dendera and look upon my visage at Abydos and Abu Simbel and many other places of worship, but my Light shines very close to you now. My Light is for the healing of your hearts and for the expansion of your lives.  These days are passing quickly for you now, but my presence is eternal, like that of Mother Isis, and Mother Mary. If you will allow us to come very close to you, we will assist your journey, guide your steps and soothe your minds, bodies and souls. No matter is too big or too small for our attention.

We ask only that you connect from your hearts to All That Is, Above and Below.  We hear your prayers and heart-felt intentions.  You are changing your world now, your lives and all that pertains to your existence. Be of good cheer and courage. We are celebrating your return Home to the realms of Unconditional Love. It appears to be happening at warp speed for you now!  Love IS the answer for your planet and all life that is sustained by her. You are remembering to be whole and holy.  I am always here to love you and help sustain life in all its myriad forms.

 I am Hathor, sounding the AUM for your creations of joy and peace.  May your light radiate throughout the Universe and return to you many-fold.”

Astrophyllite helps you to blossom, to come out of your shell and to live the life of the truth of who you really are, from the inside to the outside.

Holding this crystal is an “electric” experience. Its energies are immediately discernible and move quickly throughout your being. Astrophyllite works with your electromagnetic field and your chakras, like an electric current that provides an invigorating “brush up”. It is a great unifier of the chakra column, enabling unification from the Earth Star to the Soul Star and enhancing Kundalini energy flow and psychic communication to the higher realms.

Astrophylllite’s golden and fiery inclusions in its darker base make it a highly charged crystal that connects you powerfully to Mother Earth. The writer finds Astrophyllite particularly activating for the heart; it activates you to open up to new realms of possibilities and to fulfill your potential, on Earth and Above. It can help you to move through changes and embrace more of you by letting go of what you may be clinging to.

This is a powerful crystal for self empowerment, for alignment with your Higher Self and for self attunement with your higher aspirations.

Pure, untainted and untouched by man, the Spring shoots and buds are bursting forth into life all around you.  Nothing is as restorative, calming and inspiring as spending time in Nature. Mother Earth constantly provides a haven for all life forms whose presence maintains the ennvironment for humanity.  There is no greater pleasure than to sit leaning against an old oak tree, listening to water running in a stream or to the winds rustling through the leaves or to the birds singing, all the while feeling the sun and the air on your face.

I, Merlin, have spent much time enjoying the wonders of Nature and I encourage you to do the same.  Shed your winter doldrums and seek new life, new spirit and new joy in the arms of Mother Nature. All creatures abide there for good reason and you may benefit likewise. Dance and sing, and allow the joys of life to permeate your soul. May Magic abounds!

~ Master Merlin
Lord of the Forest ~ Added by AJ.

“I am Hathor, Goddess of fertility, power and beauty for women.  I have been known in many guises, but most of all I wish to be petitioned by those who would know Love for themselves and share it with others. So many have known that I am available to help in all matters concerning women, but I am not limited to the female sex.  I offer love and healing for all those who ask, men and women alike.  My expertise is not limited to female things.  The animals and plants and the fertility of Mother Earth herself are of great importance to me.

 My appearance with the bull horns, and cow ears is to remind you of how the cattle in the fields nurture and sustain your lives, how the bull is the progenitor of life and how his strength and courage is to be admired as an example for your lives today.

 I am not alone in this mission to assist you at this time.  We work in minions to assist your journey at this important time for Mother Earth. You may visit my shrine at the Temple of Dendera and look upon my visage at Abydos and Abu Simbel and many other places of worship, but my Light shines very close to you now. My Light is for the healing of your hearts and for the expansion of your lives.  These days are passing quickly for you now, but my presence is eternal, like that of Mother Isis, and Mother Mary. If you will allow us to come very close to you, we will assist your journey, guide your steps and soothe your minds, bodies and souls. No matter is too big or too small for our attention.

We ask only that you connect from your hearts to All That Is, Above and Below.  We hear your prayers and heart-felt intentions.  You are changing your world now, your lives and all that pertains to your existence. Be of good cheer and courage. We are celebrating your return Home to the realms of Unconditional Love. It appears to be happening at warp speed for you now!  Love IS the answer for your planet and all life that is sustained by her. You are remembering to be whole and holy.  I am always here to love you and help sustain life in all its myriad forms.

 I am Hathor, sounding the AUM for your creations of joy and peace.  May your light radiate throughout the Universe and return to you many-fold.”

“I AM Isis, the Goddess of myriad forms of Light within the Universe.  Do not think of me as ‘out of reach’ or ‘lost in the mists of time’. I AM ever present with you on Earth to assist your transformation and evolution on Mother Earth.  I await your transmission and eager intent to transcend the lower forms that have held you hostage for so long.  Look up to the starry skies and know that your presence is there as much as it is on Earth. I am ready to help your growth and expansion in whatever endeavor you may choose, whether it is child rearing or cooking or writing or communicating on a global scale. It is a matter now of honoring the Divine principles that lie within each of you; therein lies the root of your journey throughout the universes.  My love for you is immense. I will go where you fear to tread. Trust yourselves, dearest ones. Life itself is a miracle as are you. Love and Blessings to you, Mother Isis.”

These inequalities present a stark reality and yet also a mission for the international group of pilgrims on our sojourn.  We were there together as a contingent of lightworkers, in the role of “Ascension Energy Anchors”. Our unified presence and combined energies are having an effect upon the energies of mass consciousness, serving a purpose far greater than we know (as stated by Metatron, Lord of Light, channeled by Tyberonn). At this time of Ascension and the return of the Divine Feminine, it was not a surprise that our group was mostly female and, interestingly, a large number of us were of the zodiac sign Cancer. I hasten to add that the motherly, nurturing aspect of being was evidenced by the participating men as much as by the women and there was no gender segregation among us. Everywhere we went, in Cairo, to the smaller towns, at the temples and tombs, and out in the fields, it was quite noticeable that it was mostly Egyptian men we encountered and saw working in the public arena; women and children were not often seen in the hotels, working in the stores or walking on the streets. Our female tour guide was an exception – and quite exceptional; like other young Muslim, she would wear jeans and sneakers, but always with a hijab headscarf for modesty.

According to the fifth-century Greek historian Herodotus, the situation in Egypt was quite the reverse in his time. He was surprised to discover that it was Egyptian women who attended market, worked in the fields and the trades, while it was the men who stayed at home and did the weaving; weaving was an important trade as one mummy may have required up to 400 yards of cloth. Women had considerable rights, comparable to those of men, such as being able to own property and bear witness in court. They took care of household finances and were entitled to mummification in the same way as the men were. The most famous Egyptian women, who were not just recognized for who they were, but indeed were powerful rulers, included Hatshepsut, Nefertiti (wife of Akhenaten), Nefertari (consort of Ramses II) and Cleopatra VII who aligned with Roman commanders Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony.

Marriage was by mutual consent and prenuptial agreements and divorces took place then. Fertility was highly prized and pregnant women wore amulets for protection and sought the presence of Goddess Taweret who was known as a fierce guardian of pregnant women, having the head of a hippopotamus, the legs and paws of a lion and a crocodile-tail headdress. For the gift of fertility no Goddess was sought more than Isis. Today, one may visit a Temple of Isis at beautiful Philae, or in Pompei, or Rome or on the Isle of Delos, Greece, to appreciate a glimmer of her Divine presence captured in stone. As often depicted in the temples, women gave birth seated on a meskhenet (a confinement chair) with the assistance of the goddesses from the other realms at their side.

The paradox we may observe in the Egyptian woman’s plight, has, nonetheless come to the fore.  Over the last 2,000 years, it is not the case that the Divine Feminine energies were withdrawn or no longer accessible, but rather that the patriarchal energies of domination and control were to reach a certain level to a point of non-acceptance, punctuating lessons from which we may all learn.  It is the embracing of the past, not its condemnation that will carry us forward with renewed responsibility. The re-establishment now of the Divine Feminine to her rightful place in the hearts of all men and women is bringing forth new levels of love and respect for all life through Love.

Love is timeless and so too Goddess Isis transcends our human perspective and linear thinking. Coming through the lineage of Nut, the Sky Mother, and Geb, the Earth Father, she is depicted with outstretched wings and on her head she wears a throne. As Isis so advises, she is rooted in the Earth but her heart is cosmic; her presence extends to other universes beyond this Universe. In the Egyptian mythological story, Isis restored and pieced together her murdered and dismembered husband Osiris using her own healing magic and as in a “miracle” she gave birth to Horus.  Her love, fortitude and ability to heal herself are described in the myth, but today her loving presence may be called upon by us on Earth as well as by those in other universes; Isis is a teacher and instructor in the ways of the Universe. Her son, Horus, is symbolized by the high-flying hawk and he is known for his kingly and protective attributes; his legendary birth sits on a par with the miracle birth of Jesus by Virgin Mary. Isis advises that the Light we choose to ground in the Earth plane is reflected back to the Universe.

“I AM Isis, the Goddess of myriad forms of Light within the Universe.  Do not think of me as ‘out of reach’ or ‘lost in the mists of time’. I AM ever present with you on Earth to assist your transformation and evolution on Mother Earth.  I await your transmission and eager intent to transcend the lower forms that have held you hostage for so long.  Look up to the starry skies and know that your presence is there as much as it is on Earth. I am ready to help your growth and expansion in whatever endeavor you may choose, whether it is child rearing or cooking or writing or communicating on a global scale. It is a matter now of honoring the Divine principles that lie within each of you; therein lies the root of your journey throughout the universes.  My love for you is immense. I will go where you fear to tread. Trust yourselves, dearest ones. Life itself is a miracle as are you. Love and Blessings to you, Mother Isis.”

The symbol of the Coptic Church is the Coptic Cross that was influenced by the Coptic Ankh, symbol of eternal life, and was adopted by the early Christian Gnostics. Sometimes the Coptic Cross encompasses a circle symbolizing the eternal love of God; it also symbolizes Jesus the Christ’s halo and resurrection. Many Copts have this cross tattoed on the inside of their right arm. Coptic priests give blessings while holding this cross in their hand.

 During our Egyptian pilgrimage and sojourn in Cairo, we visited the oldest church in Egypt, Abu Sarga. Its fame is drawn from the fact that Joseph, the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus spent three weeks there while fleeing the persecution of King Herod of Palestine; they went further south, their escape taking them as far as Deir el Muharraq, another significant Coptic location. The enigmatic church of Abu Sarga rests above a cave which became their dwelling place.

To enter, one steps down into the sanctuary built mostly of wood and one immediately sees an iconic and endearing painting of the Madonna and Child. Twelve columns, mostly of white marble are decorated with images now faded. Scenes of the escape passage of the holy family decorate the walls, as well as Archangel Gabriel’s appearance to the Virgin Mary and other works of art. Overwhelmingly, the loving energies of the Divine Mother are palpable here and this was experienced by many in our group.

Abu Sarga’s oldest altar is now found in the Coptic Museum and parts of its original wooden pulpit were taken there too (as well as to the British Museum in London). The relics of two saints are held here: Sergius and Bacchus, both followers of Jesus the Christ, who refused to worship Roman gods.  They were martyred in Syria and at Abu Sarga there are two chapels dedicated to them. As I placed my hands upon the glass cabinet encasing their relics, waves of energies came over me. I wish I could have spent much longer in this sacred place.

Another famous church in old Cairo is the Church of St. Barbara that also holds many iconic works of art.  Similarly, it was originally dedicated to saints, Cyrus and John, in honor of their healing miracles.  However, there is one other Coptic church located in Cairo, the Coptic Orthodox Church at Zeitoun, that has gained much renown. Beginning April 2, 1968, many apparitions of Mother Mary were seen here, her image moving and waving as she appeared over the domes (a captured image is included here). She appeared to millions of all religions for more than a year, during which time many healing miracles were recorded. These happenings are now officially recognized by the Vatican.

The history of Coptic philosophy and its having been recorded is one of particular interest to me that I would like to share here. The story of the development of writing and man’s efforts to record history spans nations and continents. Today scholars still debate similarities and connections shared by Mesopotamian pictograms (cuneiform) and Egyptian hieroglyphs, but for the most part the hieroglyphic system is considered a true system of writing because it could record the spoken language and transcribe texts concerning all manner of arts, sciences and literature.  The knowledge and birth of writing within our human evolution on Earth is attributed to Master Thoth (or Tehuti), master magician, architect and master of astrology known to the ancient Egyptians. In fact, the word “hieroglyph” means “writing of the gods” (hieros, Greek, meaning “holy” and gluphein, Greek, “to engrave”).  As we can deduce, Divine names and those of pharaohs were placed in cartouches; this was to indicate their sacredness.

I am coming to my point! Coptic is the language and culture of Christian Egypt.  According to German Jesuit Athanasius Kircher, a Christian hermeticist concerned with astrology, Pythagorean harmonics and Kabbalah, Hermes Trismegistos was a philosopher and scribe who lived about the time of Abraham:

“Hermes Trismegistos, the Egyptian, who first instituted hieroglyphs, thus becoming the prince and parent of all Egyptian theology and philosophy was the first and most ancient among the Egyptians … Thence, Orpheus … Pythagoras, Plato … Homer, Euripides and others learned rightly of God and divine things.”                                   ~ Black Athena, Volume I, by Martin Bernal.

The Hermetic Texts are a collection of mystical, magical and philosophical documents commonly attributed to Hermes Trismegistos, written in Coptic between 200 and 400 CE, and which had great influence later during the Renaissance and Reformation. Hermes Trismegistos, meaning “Hermes the Thrice Greatest”, correlates to the three parts of wisdom: alchemy, astrology and theurgy (rituals performed to invoke the action or evoke the presence of a god or gods in order to unite with them). “Hermes” is commonly recognized as a Greek God and some would say that Hermes was Thoth (Egyptian) and therein lies the root of much confusion.

I am informed, however, by Master Merlin himself, that it was indeed he (as revealed in my book) who embodied the energies of Thoth as Hermes Trimegistos. He brought forward not only the art of writing, but ancient spiritual Wisdom as well. In the Corpus Hermeticum, Hermes Trismegistos speaks to Poimandres (or Pymander), the Mind of Absolute Power, wanting to learn about the things that are, their nature and to know God. Inter alia, Poimandres says, “I am with you everywhere”.  This is but one of a wealth of universal truths to be found in this work, hence leading us to understand that Hermes Trismegistos is the father of philosophy, the proponent of our well known tenet, “As above, so below” – also spoken by Thoth in the Emerald Tablets by the way.

I think it is important to mention another pertinent finding here, that in the Corpus Hermeticum lies the concept of “the Good Shepherd” or the “Shepherd of Man” which speaks to the eternal truth of Jesus the Christ, beyond any dogma or creed.  These early writings made such philosophical and universal awareness available to the Copts and early Christians before “religion” took control of doctrine.

There is so much to be studied, understood – and questioned – but it appears I have opened a Pandora’s box of magical connections! Of course, my discovery of these interweavings is no accident at this time, but rather I am being shown some long-held mysteries as pertaining to Merlin. They are showing me another layer of the Wisdom of his soul, and how he was able to incarnate as Myrrdin to lay the foundation of Camelot the way he did, and why he is coming forward again at this time. Of course, Wisdom is not owned but it is held in trust for the benefit of the world; it is always available to the seeker.

 The Great Egyptian Sphinx is a lasting testament to man’s affinity with the feline species. With the body, tail and forelegs of a lion and a kingly human head, the Sphinx, like other gods in the Egyptian pantheon, reminds us that there are unique characteristics of the cat family which we may not only aspire to embody, but that we may revere. Although never ranked as a wonder of the world, the Sphinx’s close proximity to the Great Pyramid and the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, positions it as part of that great complex of buildings and their mystery. It sits majestically as a guardian, presiding over the Giza necropolis (cemetery), its eyes facing east along the east-west axis of its construction.

The word “sphinx” may be derived from the Egyptian “shesep-ankh”, meaning “living image”. The head wears the royal nemes headdress (the striped headcloth worn by pharaohs) and there is a beard under the chin. It is believed that the Sphinx was was built by Khafre, the son of Khufu, the builder of the Great Pyramid, and that the head is of Khafre himself. It is carved from a large piece of limestone similar to that of Khafre’s Valley Temple with which it is almost in exact alignment. Measuring 57 metres long and 20 metres high, the Sphinx’s head was discovered protruding from the sand and it has had to be excavated several times from the ever-blowing sand in the region. There is an understanding today that the Sphinx dates back to ancient times before a time of great flooding as the patterns of erosion on its exterior were made by water erosion.

There are many theories and findings relative to tunnels being located under the Sphinx. In 1817, Italian explorer Captain Giovanni Battista Caviglia hoped to discover a tunnel leading from the Sphinx to Khafre’s pyramid, but in vain; in 1818, however, he discovered a room below, between the paws. American Egyptologist Mark Lehner discovered three tunnels: one behind the head and inside its body, 5 meters long; one in the tail region, 9 meters long; and one on the north side of the statue. The statue itself sits presiding over a small complex of ruined rooms and a temple, to which access is mostly denied. One lady on our pilgrimage was shown a sealed off door.

As I mentioned in my previous article on the Great Pyramid, invisible energies precede earthly manifestations, and the Sphinx is no exception. To my knowledge, the Hall of Records said to lie under the right paw has not been physically proven despite other information to the contrary. Much knowledge as been discerned by truth seekers and revealed by channeled accounts. However, the Sphinx’s position to the east of the three pyramids’ alignments in an earthly planisphere marks the position of the constellation of Leo. Temple remains of 24 pillars in the Sphinx Temple suggest, perhaps, the number of hours in a day, or some other higher-based encodement.

From an astrological point of view, we understand that the zodiac sign of Leo represents the mature fatherly figure and his radiant power and love. These initiatory and outward moving energies of the sun are the creative force of fire of the universe. The Leo constellation sits just below the horizon at the equinox sunset, called Sep Tepi, Egyptian meaning “the first time” -according to their creation myth; Sep Tepi also means the foundation of their nation. Perhaps indeed the Sphinx was created to honor the forces of the universe which it was representing, guarding and expanding.

The most frequent quality we attribute to the lion is courage which is found in the heart. It is not a coincidence that an etheric entry to the Sphinx is described as being located at the heart, nor that the Lion’s Gate became the name of one of seven open gates in the old city wall of Jerusalem, marking the last walk of Jesus from prison to crucifixion along the Via Dolorosa.  Merlin says:

“The Lion’s Gate is a cosmic opening of stellar dimensions for greater consciousness and understanding for the advanced Initiate.”

Indeed, the ancient initiations at the Sphinx were in preparation for those that would follow in the Great Pyramid – and may still be experienced in the time capsule that is the Sphinx; courage, humility (the transformation of excess ego) and Love being required.

On Earth, not including the large cat family, we mostly encounter two types of cats, domesticated and feral, the former more friendly and protective, the latter often more ferocious. Bastet, the cat goddess, whose cult center was at Bubastis in Lower Egypt, personified the beneficial aspects of felines, although she was originally depicted with attributes of the lion; Sekhmet, from the Egyptian “Sekhem”, meaning “the powerful one” and the daughter and eye of Ra, was the consort of Ptah and to the pharaohs she represented their courage.

Both Bastet and Sekhmet are considered to be Neters, ancient Egyptian gods personifying Divine Principles of consciousness for the enlightenment of man. Others include Isis, Hathor, Ma’at, Anuket, Mut, Nekhbet, Nephthys, Nut, Seshat and Tefnut. The Initiation between the paws of the Sphinx is said to be by Nut and Tefnut; Nut is depicted holding the sky away from the Earth and Tefnut, sometimes shown as a full lioness, was known by some to be the name of the Sphinx.

During our visit to the Temple of Karnak, many of us were led off the main path to a small chapel dedicated to Sekhmet. There we happily found one undamaged black granite statue of Sekhmet standing upright about one foot taller than myself in total darkness. A male Egyptian guide accompanying me took my hand and had me touch the black granite statue at its heart and then touch my heart and my third eye. At one time, in the Temple of Mut within the Karnak complex, there were over 700 statues of Sekhmet.  In the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York I counted six statues most recently, most of them in very good condition, but in a seated posture.

Lastly, and most importantly, I would like to share that my own experience at the Sphinx was one of great joy.  I found happiness and laughter bubbling up inside of me.  Time did stand still and my date with destiny and a heart connection was made.