Astronomy & Spirituality
in Our Daily Lives
Blending Knowledge and Understanding
with Love, Joy, Awe, and Faith
to Enhance Our Lives
and Deepen Our Connection
to ALL THAT IS
Astronomy & Spirituality
in Our Daily Lives
Blending Knowledge and Understanding
with Love, Joy, Awe, and Faith
to Enhance Our Lives
and Deepen Our Connection
to ALL THAT IS
"Astronomy, Spirituality, and the Mayan Prophecy" -- a weekend
retreat at the Rowe Camp and Conference Center with
Joyous Judy Young, Feb. 6-8, 2009
Program description:
For the Mayan people, astronomy and spirituality were deeply intertwined and informed their daily
lives. Of all the nature-based peoples ever to inhabit the Earth, the Mayans were
probably the most accomplished astronomers. They developed a sophisticated
understanding of the motions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars which they used to create a
complex system of several calendars running simultaneously. Their sacred calendar was
based on the planet Venus, and they believed that each of the 260 days in this calendar was
imbued with a particular quality, so that each person acquired the quality which characterized the
day on which they were born. Their calendar system indicates the end of a Great Cycle of
5,125 years on December 21, 2012,coincidentally the winter solstice, when humanity will
enter a new Great Cycle. The Mayan people placed great significance on the completion of
calendar cycles, and the time between now and Dec. 21, 2012 is what the they refer to as the
"Road to Awe".
The astronomy of the Mayan people is the same astronomy that we experience in the
21st century - we see the same Sun, Moon, planets, and stars making the same daily
patterns and monthly or yearly motions in the sky. Like other nature-based peoples, the
Mayan people built temples and buildings aligned to the heavens, marking the seasonal
beginnings, or the extremes along the horizon of the rising and setting of the planet Venus.
We, too, can choose to live our lives aligned to the heavens, connected to the
beauty and wonder of the sky, and celebrating our experience of the Universe through our
entire being - body, mind, heart, and spirit. We can see the day unfold in stillness by
watching the Sun rise, and over time we can notice how the direction of sunrise changes.
We can observe the monthly cycle of the changing phases of the Moon and the annual
changes in the constellations we observe in the night sky, while noticing the
stationary position of the North star, Polaris. And from careful observations of the
sky we can find not only the origin of the four directions, based on shadows cast
during the course of a sunny day, but we can also find the basis of our calendars.
Come to this program to be inspired by the sky, to enhance your connection to
All That Is, and to feel more at home in the Universe. We will learn about stone
circle calendars - stone circles with astronomical alignments, of which
Stonehenge is the best known example - and how to use them as a way of
connecting more deeply with the sky. Dr. Judy Young has built a stone
circle calendar, or Sunwheel, on the campus of the University of Massachuestts at
Amherst, with 16 standing stones 8'-10' tall and alignments to the rising and setting
Sun on the solstices and equinoxes. We will step into an experience of time and
space through a pilgrimage to the Sunwheel during the course of the weekend.
Join in an examination of the Mayan calendars and compare them with the modern
calendar we use. Learn scientific teachings of the astronomical origin of the
seasons and the four directions, with applications to sacred architecture and stone circle
calendars. Look at the metaphorical significance of the light of summer, the dark of
winter, and the balancing of the equinox. Explore the ways that living in tune with the
seasons can enhance our experience of the days, seasons, and years of our lives.
And learn how to build a Sunwheel at your own home or in your own community.
Native American people connect to the Universe by living their spirituality.
Many of them interpreted the spiritual significance of the four directions through the
Medicine Wheel, which is part of sacred architecture. We will compare Sunwheels and
Medicine Wheels and the alignment of structures to the heavens. For example, the pyramid of
Chichen Itza shows us creative ways to incorporate the sacred into our own lives.
Experience various interpretations of the Mayan Prophecy and compare it with the
Hopi Prophecy as we prepare for the time of humanity's awakening.
The Universe inspires stillness, awe, connection, and wonder. It is the
sacred space that follows us everywhere, and it is here for us to connect with every
day of our lives. Will you accept the invitation?
This program is being offered at the Rowe Camp and Conference Center, Feb, 6-8, 2009.
It will also be offered as a 4-day retreat in Montana from Aug. 9-13, 2009, to coincide
with the Perseid meteor shower. To register, contact young@astro.umass.edu
"Astronomy, Spirituality, and the Mayan Prophecy" --
Program description: See above
Program registration and cost: Contact young@astro.umass.edu
"STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT -- Astronomy & Spirituality in Our Daily Lives" -- a 4-day
retreat in Amherst, Massacuhsetts
Program description:
The richness of each of our lives depends on how intimately connected we
feel to the fabric of the Universe. We can deepen our connection to the
Universe through our entire being -- mind, body & spirit -- with an
intellectual understanding of astronomy and by engaging our full attention
as we experience the world around us. In this workshop, we will integrate
the educational and experiential to enrich and celebrate our connections
to Earth, Sky, Universe, Self and Other.
The scientific teachings will cycle through the seasons, as we examine the
astronomical origin of the seasons, of calendars, and of stone circles.
We will learn about and then visit the U.Mass. Sunwheel,
a stone circle calendar which is located on the U.Mass. Amherst campus and which was
created by Judy. Through the Sunwheel, we will explore the ways that
stone circles can enhance our experience of the days, seasons, and years
of our lives. Through the seasons, we will look at the metaphorical
significance of the light and dark of summer and winter and the balance of
equinox as guidance in our life journeys. Maintaining our gaze skyward,
we will explore the astronomical teachings on the cycle of the phases of
the Moon, and also examine the Moon's lessons on change and creativity.
We will connect with the stars through stories of the constellations, as
well as teachings on the zodiac and the origins of astrology. Turning our
attention to the Earth, we will connect with the physical world and the
space around us through an astronomical understanding of the Four
Directions, and we will connect this to our lives and our life journeys
with a metaphorical discussion of the Four Directions from a Native
American Indian perspective.
The spiritual teachings of this workshop will be woven throughout our
days, as we engage in mindful movement, eating, speaking, and listening.
We will connect with our Selves as we sit in silence and experience our
inner landscapes; we will connect with others through mindful listening
and sharing of the joys in our lives and our love of the Universe. We
will deepen our connection to the Universe through watching the Sun and
Moon rise and set, and through gazing at the night sky. And finally, we
will step into an experience of time and space in the Now through a
pilgrimage to the U.Mass. Sunwheel (weather permitting) where we will
play, pray, and know what it feels like in a deep way to connect with the
Universe.
I am creating a 1 week camp on "Astronomy and Spirituality in Our Daily Lives" to be held in Montana. This camp will enable transformational experiences through connection with both the astronomical and spiritual Universes, including:
