In part I of this series entitled Becoming Johnny Appleseed - Planting Seeds of the Violet Flame, we shared with you stories of the remarkable life of American folk-hero Johnny Appleseed. In the latest and final blog post of this series, we will share with you some keys to becoming a modern-day Johnny Appleseed – keys you can successfully apply towards whatever calling you desire to share with the world! Regular visitors here at Violet Flame World will also find these insights helpful when sharing the knowledge and practice of the violet flame with others. Indeed, there are many similarities between the exemplary life of Johnny Appleseed and leaving footprints of violet flame for others to step into and follow! Becoming a Modern-Day Johnny Appleseed For anyone who desires to “give their gift”, we offer the following practical, real-world examples: • Be a pioneer. Pioneers are sometimes known as the ones with the “arrows in their backs”. And that’s okay, being a pioneer is simply a price you sometimes pay for being an early adopter or in the avant-garde of life! • Plant seeds. And remember, you only need to plant the seeds. God provides the sunshine and rain which will make them grow. • Be kind and generous. Years after his passing, many a grandparent could remember with great fondness the humble gifts of calico or ribbon they had received as a child from Johnny Appleseed. • Have eyes that sparkle with a brightness. Early pioneer recollections of Johnny Appleseed describe him as having keen eyes that sparkled with a distinctive brightness. <1> • Plan for a marathon, not a sprint. Johnny Appleseed began his wondrous mission by taking a single step – the planting of one apple tree. However, by the end of his life, he had planted apple trees for nearly 50 years and covered 100,000 square miles of America! • Have reverence for all life. Eyewitness accounts reveal the Indians, animals, and young and old folks alike had a deep respect and reverence for Johnny Appleseed. <1> This reflects his own deep and abiding reverence for life and shows us that “like attracts like” more often than not! • Live by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” <2> • Adopt Johnny Appleseed’s own words as a daily mantrum: "Do not worry at being being worried; but accept worry peacefully. Difficult but not impossible." • Offer the right understanding and practice of the violet flame to everyone you meet. The violet flame, as a gift from your heart, is one of the greatest gifts you can ever give yourself and others! • Always remember, the day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit! Are you ready to become a modern-day Johnny Seed and begin planting seeds of the violet flame for a friend, family member, yourself? If so, we invite you to download a free ebook about the violet flame. On this page you will also find many other resources or seeds to begin cultivating your very own, violet flame orchard! Until next time... “Pray as you can, not as you can't.” — Johnny Appleseed Credits and Resources <1> To learn more about the remarkable man known as Johnny Appleseed, we recommend the biographical sketch originally published in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine in November 1871. Download here: <2> The Golden Rule – “Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You". Various expressions of this rule can be found in the tenets of most religions and creeds through the ages.

Many of you may have probably heard or read about the American folk hero Johnny Appleseed. And perhaps you have seen the endearing 1948 Walt Disney animated movie about his life <1>. In the movie, a young Johnny is inspired by an angel to leave the comfort of home, go west and plant apple trees so the early American pioneers and settlers will have something nourishing and flavorful to eat along their journey. Near the end of the movie, the angel reappears to a much-older Johnny and tells him his earthly mission has been accomplished and it’s time to return to heaven. At first, Johnny is hesitant because he doesn’t feel his work is finished; however, the angel tells Johnny that where they’re headed they’re low on apple trees. In that moment, Johnny picks up his apple seed bag and happily agrees to go with the angel! It’s not known whether these angelic encounters actually happened; however, we know Johnny Appleseed lived a remarkable life and in part II of this blog series we will share how each of us may benefit through living and becoming more of his example! And finally, if you are a regular reader of our blog here at Violet Flame World, you know sharing everyday examples of why and how to use the violet flame as part of daily life is part of our mission. The remarkable life of Johnny Appleseed is one of the best examples you can follow to begin planting violet flame seeds for others to discover and benefit from! The Story of Johnny Appleseed Johnny Appleseed was born John Chapman in 1774 near Leominster, Massachusetts. His mother died in 1776 and his father Nathaniel Chapman was a Minuteman who fought in The Battle of Bunker Hill and other battles of the American Revolution. Little else is known of John’s early life, but he apparently received a good education that helped him in his later years. By the time he was 25 years old; John had become a nurseryman and planted apple trees in western New York and Pennsylvania. When the rich and fertile lands south of the Northwest Territory (later comprising the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois) were opened for settlement in the early 1800’s, John Chapman was among the very first to explore the new territory. For nearly half a century he roamed this land and as settlers arrived, they found his young apple trees there. In the years that followed, John became known as the Apple Tree Man, or Johnny Appleseed. Johnny Appleseed’s manner of operation was simple. He went into the wilderness with a bag of apple seeds on his back until he found a likely spot for planting. There he would clear the land by chopping out weeds and brush by hand. Then he planted his apple seeds in neat rows and built a brush fence around the area to keep out straying animals. His nurseries varied in size. Some were only an acre or so, others covered many acres. He did all of the work himself, living alone for weeks at a time with only the Indians and wild animals for companionship. He never carried a gun or weapon of any kind. Indians accepted him as a friend, and he is reputed to have talked at times to the wild animals who watched him as he worked in his nurseries. Undoubtedly, they sensed his kind and gentle nature. Johnny Appleseed was a sincere Christian, a deeply religious man who lived by the Golden Rule<2>. He never married, but he loved people and especially children. As the settlers moved into the wilderness, his lonely nights were fewer because he was a welcomed guest at every cabin. Many a night after a simple meal, he would enthrall the settlers with his stories or read to them from the Bible and other wisdom teachings he carried. Johnny Appleseed willingly endured the hardships of his wilderness life as he worked to make his dream come true. His sturdy young trees lightened the hearts and lifted the spirits of many early settlers. And through his example, many of these settlers also planted apple and other fruit trees around their frontier cabins to help create a more permanent, welcoming, and loving home. There is no way to know for certain how many millions of seeds Johnny Appleseed planted in a mission that covered over 100,000 square miles and 46 years. This was simply his service to mankind – love and faith and the apple tree. Long, long after, When settlers put up beam and rafter, They asked of the birds, "Who gave this fruit? Who watched this fence till the seeds took root? Who gave these boughs?" They asked the sky, And there was no reply. But the robin might have said, "To the farthest west he has followed the sun, His life and his empire just begun." <3> To be continued... Credits and Resources To learn more about the remarkable man known as Johnny Appleseed, we recommend the biographical sketch originally published in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine in November 1871. Download here: Picture of Johnny Appleseed in "Pecos Bill and Other Tales" by Irwin Shapiro and Illustrated by Al Schmidt. (Golden Press, 1958). Excerpts from The Story of Johnny Appleseed. Johnny Appleseed Festival in Sheffield, Pennsylvania. https://www.johnnyappleseedfest.net/johnnys-story <1> Johnny Appleseed – Classic Stories of Great American Heroes! From Disney’s American Legends collection. <2> Golden Rule - Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You" Various expressions of this rule can be found in the tenets of most religions and creeds through the ages. <3> ”In Praise of Johnny Appleseed" by Vachel Lindsay (excerpt)

Welcome to the first in a new blog series entitled Friends in High Places – our violet flame helpers. From time to time we will introduce and share information with you about various friends in high places and how you can get to know these violet flame helpers better! What is a Friend? A true and faithful friend is a joy in life. Such a friend can be your parent, your brother or sister, someone in your class, or just about anyone – but a true friend is always someone you can trust. A true friend keeps your secrets. It’s the person you can confide in and who loves you no matter what you do. The Ascended Masters are our Friends There are many friends in heaven who love us as much as our closest friends on earth do. These friends are called ascended masters. We can also think of them as the saints in heaven. There are so many ascended masters who want to help us. If you look up into the deep night sky and see millions of bright stars, you have an idea of how many beings of light there are. You might wonder how someone all the way up in heaven could possibly understand your problems. But these masters have lived on earth too. They also had challenges and had to balance their karma and conquer situations with great love in their hearts so they could stay in heaven permanently. They earned the right to ascend to heaven. The ascension from our earthly body to our heavenly body usually happens after many lifetimes when we have finished everything we need to do here on earth. Earth is like a schoolroom. We learn our lessons here, and when we finish them and pass our tests, we can become an ascended master and have a beautiful body of pure light too. That is part of God’s plan for all of us! A Very Special Friend and Violet Flame Helper There is one loving master who is very special because he is the first one to teach us about the violet flame. And he is an expert on teaching us how to use it, it is his specialty! His name is Saint Germain and he knows that the violet flame can bring miracles to you if you ask. Saint Germain - our violet flame helper Saint Germain’s name means “holy brother.” He is a loving, gracious, merciful, and forgiving ascended master. Saint Germain embodies the freedom flame and has had many lifetimes on earth. He has been a guiding light – a mystic, alchemist, scientist, philosopher, monk, prophet, and more. Saint Germain has been working from heaven for many centuries to help establish freedom on earth. You will never find a better friend than Saint Germain! Saint Germain also inspired the creation of the waltz. Waltz music carries the rhythm of the violet flame, which is in three-quarter time. Saint Germain inspired musician Johann Strauss to write the Strauss waltzes. You may have heard some of his beautiful waltz music before. It’s so lovely that it makes you want to whirl across the room! Saint Germain’s plan was that when people danced to the music of the waltz, they would actually bring forth the violet flame without even realizing it. You can visit Saint Germain One way to become closer to Saint Germain is to visit him at night in his retreat. A retreat is like a home for the ascended masters in heaven and a place where they work with their many students who visit them. Saint Germain has a retreat in the spiritual plane beyond this physical world. We can’t see these places with our physical eyes, but when we sleep at night we can travel in our finer bodies to visit them. Some people remember these beautiful places of light. These retreats have classrooms, meeting rooms, and counsel halls. You can visit meditation rooms, laboratories, and even amphitheaters where Saint Germain and other masters can show you how the violet flame works to clear up records of past lifetimes. Saint Germain’s own special retreat is called the Cave of Symbols. It is in Table Mountain in the Rocky Mountains. It has a vaulted chamber that is 200 feet wide and covered with stalactites of rainbow hues in the formation of mystic symbols! He also teaches classes at the Royal Teton Retreat, which is congruent with the Teton Range near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. You can ask Saint Germain to take you to these retreats and to teach you more about the gift of the sparkling life-changing violet flame. You can also say a prayer before you go to bed, asking to be taken to a certain retreat. In the following prayer you can fill in the blank with anything you need help with: "Beloved Saint Germain, please take me to your retreat tonight and teach me about the violet flame. Please help me learn how to use it in the following situation: [ ]. I thank you and accept it done according to God’s will. Amen." Saint Germain’s Greatest Gift Our friend and teacher, Saint Germain, has given much to the world during his many lifetimes, but the knowledge of the violet flame is the greatest gift of the ages. He wants to help us balance our karma quickly and easily so we can be closer to God in our hearts. He knew centuries ago that it would take us a very long time to balance the karma from our many lifetimes if we didn’t have the violet flame to help us. That’s why it’s so important to him that we have and use it. Following are additional ways you can get know Saint Germain better. These include special violet flame songs, a beautiful Strauss waltz, and a violet flame mantra which you give any time! Song - The I Love You Waltz to Saint Germain Song - The Beautiful Blue Danube by André Rieu and his Orchestra Song - I AM the Violet Flame Mantra - I AM a being of violet fire - I AM the purity God desires! To research and discover more about Saint Germain, we recommend the following topics and publications. Indeed, the story of Saint Germain could collectively fill a library and rival the mystery and adventure of any movie! History, Legends, and Secret Societies The decoded ciphers found in the works of Shakespeare The early days of the Freemasons and their role in the founding of America The Knights of Columbus The Knights of the Helmet The Knights Templar The Legend of Camelot The Legend of Wissahickon The Master Mason The Mystery of Oak Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. The Rosicrucians The secret teachings of Frances Bacon purportedly located at the Bruton Parish Church in Colonial Williamsburg The Virginia Company Uncle Sam Books featuring Saint Germain Brother of the Third Degree – Will Garver Lord’s of the Seven Rays – Summit University Press Saint Germain – Master Alchemist – Summit University Press Saint Germain on Alchemy – by Summit University Press Saint Germain's Many Lives: What YOU Need to Know (YouTube) Saint Germain - Mystery of the Violet Flame - Summit University Press Secrets of the Golden Age Prince - Summit University Press The Comte de St. Germain – Isabel Cooper-Oakley The “I AM” Discourses – Saint Germain Press The Legend of Wissahickon - Saint Germain Foundation The Magic Presence – Saint Germain Press The Most Holy Trinosophia - Le Comte de St.-Germain The Red Lion – Mária Szepes The Secret Destiny of America – Manly P. Hall The Shakespeare Code – Virginia Fellows Unveiled Mysteries – Saint Germain Press Until next time... Credits Portions of this Blog post adapted from the book "The Gift of the Violet Flame" by SU Press

The fireplace is often the focal point of a home – a source of great warmth and light. Have you ever considered the fireplace as a metaphor or spiritual symbol of yourself? In this holiday blog post we will share with you some of the many spiritual components the fireplace symbolizes! The Hearth Many fireplaces have a hearth. In the picture above, it is the place in front of the fire where you can sit and reflect, dream, or just enjoy the warmth of the fire. It is also interesting that the word hearth is very similar to the word heart – a very important part of our physical and spiritual self. Indeed, it does seem like home is where the hearth is! The Mantel The shelf-like area above the fireplace opening is called the mantel. Interestingly, the word mantel is also similar to the word mantle and pronounced the same. Spiritually speaking, a mantle is a symbol of authority or responsibility. For instance, you might say that a great musician passes their mantle to their apprentice. In one sense of the word, a mantle is a spiritual office. And with the bestowal of a mantle, there is a great gift of light passed from Teacher to student. The Keystone In this picture you can see a stone arch just above the fireplace opening. At the center of the arch is the keystone* or capstone - a wedge-shaped stone at the apex or highest part of the arch. The keystone is the final piece put in place during construction and locks all the stones into position, allowing the arch to bear the overall weight of the fireplace and the mantel. The Fire Just above the hearth, is the fire itself - the principal source of a fireplace’s warmth and light. Like the fireplace, each of us exudes our own spiritual light in the form of a threefold flame which burns inside our heart. Esoteric tradition reveals that in very ancient times the consciousness of man fell to such a low point that the Earth and its inhabitants were in real serious trouble. The spiritual heart flames of the people had begun to flicker and in some cases had gone out completely. It was at this point that a Cosmic Being, along with an avant-garde of highly evolved souls, came to Earth to help keep the flame until we could get back up on our feet spiritually speaking. Today, in esoteric literature, this Cosmic Being is known as Sanat Kumara. In the bible, Sanat Kumara is referred to as the Ancient of Days. In addition, he is known as Karttikeya in Hindu scripture and as Brahma Sanam-kumara in Buddhism . Yule Log at Christmas This very ancient story also contains the origins of the yule log. Today, the tradition of the yule log is known as a physical log and fire. But in those times, it also represented a spiritual light and fire which helped sustain others until their own spiritual flame could be strengthened or rekindled. Today, the mantle has again passed from Teacher to student and it is now up to some (soon to be many!) of us to help tend the flame for others. And if you are a regular reader of our blog posts here at Violet Flame World, you will know one of the best ways to tend this spiritual fire is through the ongoing use of the violet flame. In closing, we would like to share the following Christmas video with you. It has a very inspiring message and shows how we can share the Light of our hearts with others we meet along life’s journey. The man who wrote this wonderful song is the one, who along with his mother, experienced the story portrayed in the video. Until next time when we are able to add another BLOG to the Fire... A very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Discover other blog posts you will enjoy here. Attributes and Credits Yule log photo by Wayne Camlin at www.flickr.com/photos/wcamlin/3128857279 Spiritual or threefold heart flame picture courtesy of SU Press

Many years before learning about and beginning to give the violet flame, I look back and realize some experiences in my early years were preparing me for a time when I would have the opportunity to apply the violet flame in the same charitable and quiet way I experienced through another form of service long ago on Thanksgiving Day. When I was growing up, Thanksgiving at my grandparents really felt like a scene from this idyllic Norman Rockwell painting. I believe this is one reason Thanksgiving is still my favorite holiday. A Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving My grandparents lived in an old and well-kept Victorian home. It was one of many which existed throughout small-town America. There was, however, one peculiarity which I believe made it different from most others. Next door to my grandparent's home lived a very elderly woman. Her house was in disrepair and the grass and weeds on her lot were taller than me!. The few times I saw this elderly lady in my early years she always wore a heavy black skirt and white top. The combination of her age, the condition of her yard, and her stark clothing were terrifying to someone my age. While outside playing one day, I saw the elderly woman working in her yard. She was using a large sickle and chopping away at the tall weeds and grass on her lot. It was clear that her efforts were futile – the job really would have required a heavy-duty mower or even a tractor. The image of this old woman in black garb swinging a large sickle in her yard only added to my fear. And this is where the story really begins… One year, as our family was all together celebrating our annual “Norman Rockwell” Thanksgiving, my grandfather came over to me and asked me a question. He said they had prepared a special plate for a neighbor who was alone and wanted to know if I would walk over with him to deliver it. To be honest, I never considered where we might be going, I was simply happy my grandfather had asked me to share in this special mission! Imagine my surprise when we went outside with this Thanksgiving meal and started walking towards the old, run-down house. I was really afraid at this point but remembered thinking “well if my grandfather is not worried, then I won’t be either”! When we got to the house, we walked up some very shaky steps and my grandfather knocked on the front door. I held my breath… When the elderly woman came to the door, she was just as I had seen her from a distance and every bit as scary in appearance. She had her heavy black skirt and white top on. In addition, she seemed even older up close and I noticed she had very few teeth. And this is where the disguised blessing of a lifetime took place. My grandfather said something to her in German and she replied back. I did not understand the language so I could only observe. What I saw was complete gratitude and a sparkle in her eyes. And I felt the unconditional love from her heart for the simple and unexpected gift of a Thanksgiving meal. This was an experience which has never left me and it taught me the meaning of private charity at a very early age. Today, I believe everyone we meet on life’s journey is there for a reason. And sometimes while we are looking and waiting for the “big events” to happen in our lives it is the small, everyday occurrences which can have the most profound influence and meaning. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2 Giving thanks to Saint Germain and the gift of the violet flame As mentioned earlier, this experience took place many years before I learned about and began giving the violet flame. Today, every day is Thanksgiving for me when I remember to give thanks to Saint Germain for his special gift of the violet flame and to share this gift with others. Until next time and with Thanksgiving blessings to all... "If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share." - W. Clement Stone

Of all the many illustrations and pictures I have seen depicting the violet flame this is one of my favorites! It is ordinary yet profound in its meaning and symbolism. First, the picture depicts ordinary people in ordinary life. No one is necessarily more important than the other in education, training, or experience. It is just a simple everyday interaction between two people. Next, it shows the customer enjoying a generous helping of chocolate cake along with a cup of coffee (no doubt with caffeine too). I often struggle to maintain dietary balance in my life. Who wouldn’t want to have chocolate cake and coffee every day?? When I feel this way, I often think of an excerpt from the movie Awake – The Life of Yogananda. The interaction takes place between Yognanda and an aspiring student: Paramahansa Yogananda - circa 1920 "Guruji, all my life, I heard thou canst not, thou shalt not, thou must not. These are the rules of the religious teachings that I've heard around my relatives. What I want to know from you is, what canst thou?” He said "Well, do you smoke?" And I said, "Yes." He said, "You may continue." "Do you drink?" "Alcohol?" I said, "Yes." He said, "You may continue." "Do you enjoy the opposite sex promiscuously?" "Yes." "Well, you may continue." I said, "Wait a minute. You mean that I can come up on this hill here, in this good place with all of these wonderful people, your disciples and the devotees, and the brothers up here, and study these teachings, and I can go back down there and do all these things?" "Absolutely. But I will not promise you that as you continue to study these teachings, that the desire to do these things will not fall away from you." This story is wonderful reminder that with right determination, environment and spiritual practices such as giving the violet flame we can all let undesirable behaviors fall away and replace them with more desirable ones! Finally, and perhaps most importantly, this wonderful violet flame picture demonstrates “service within service”. Our service to life is often expressed through our job and sometimes our work can feel mundane and without purpose. Some may even see the job of a waitress as requiring little education, skill, and without a future. However, one of the most important keys to any job or service is to perform it with divine rather than conditional love. Conditional love typically is performed with a motive such as “I’m doing something nice or generous for someone and therefore I expect something nice or generous in return”. On the other hand, Divine Love is expressed when you determine “I’ll be kind and considerate to someone even if they are not kind and considerate to me”. Take another look at the picture above. The body language of the waitress is engaging, she is looking her customer in the eye, and has a smile while she is serving! And most importantly, she is performing a “service within a service” by infusing the violet flame into her interaction with the customer. The waitress is using her opportunity of service to spread the uplifting energy of the violet flame! Don’t let a day go by that you do not offer someone the cup of comfort of the violet flame. It is one of the greatest gifts, if not the greatest gift, you can ever give! Discovering the violet flame! To begin or continue your journey of putting the violet flame into practice in your life you can visit our violet flame resources page. There you will find a free, downloadable violet flame eBook along with violet flame mantras, affirmations and meditation videos! Until next time...

Welcome to the third and final part of this blog series on The Wizard of Oz – a Spiritual Adventure! In part 2 of this blog post series, you may remember Dorothy received wise counsel from Glinda, the good witch of the North. In addition, she discovered and began assembling three important and symbolic parts of herself (wisdom – the scarecrow, love – the tin man, and courage – the lion) which she needs for the journey home. Dorothy is uncertain of what she will encounter on her adventure but has great faith if she follows the yellow brick road it will lead her home. Many of you may recognize the parallels to your own life. We know we want to make it back home, we’ve been given help and guidance and now are ready to put into practice what we’ve learned. In the early stages of the journey we often find that the sun is out, the wind is at our back and we have great momentum! Later, however, the terrain becomes more rugged. Have you ever been hiking in the mountains and as you gain altitude the air starts getting thinner and you begin seeing less and less people along the way? In addition, your legs may ache and you see possible storm clouds on the horizon. During these times, there is a very real tendency to want to head back down the mountain (or at least not continuing moving forward) instead of staying the course and reaching the summit! For Dorothy, she senses danger in “lions and tigers and bears (oh my!)”. Even the trees sometime take on a shadowy and foreboding appearance. And of course, the wicked witch of the West is continually monitoring and opposing Dorothy’s progress on the road home. So where is this home Dorothy is trying to reach and why does there seem to be so much difficulty in getting there? For starters, the answer is embedded within the word home itself – OM! In Sanskirt the word OM or AUM often translates to Source, Divine, or Supreme. The words Amen or “I AM” (i.e. the name of God) can be thought of as English language counterparts to the word AUM. No wonder Dorothy’s journey is so opposed – she is on the greatest journey of them all – the one to make it home to God! The giving of the AUM is also known to release violet flame. And when you give the violet flame consistently, you will feel as though the sun (i.e. the Son) is out, the wind is at your back and you have greater momentum throughout the journey called life! You can give the mantra “AUM” with the following video and experience the release of the joy and peace of the violet flame which accompanies it! Once Dorothy and her companions reach the emerald city she soon discovers no “earthly thing” such as a wizard behind a curtain or a hot-air balloon can get her home. It is at this moment that Glinda re-appears out of a violet-colored orb of Light and gives one last teaching to Dorothy. Glinda tells Dorothy she had everything she needed to make it home from the beginning - she just needed to learn and experience it for herself. This is a very insightful and important part of the story so we are including both the video excerpt and the portion of the script from the movie below! Dorothy: Oh, will you help me? Can you help me? Glinda: You don't need to be helped any longer. You've always had the power to go back to Kansas. Dorothy: I have? Scarecrow: Then why didn't you tell her before? Glinda: Because she wouldn't have believed me. She had to learn it for herself. Tin Man: What have you learned, Dorothy? Dorothy: Well, I -- I think that it -- that it wasn't enough just to want to see Uncle Henry and Auntie Em -- and it's that – if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with! Is that right? Glinda: That's all it is! Scarecrow: But that's so easy! I should have thought of it for you. Tin Man: I should have felt it in my heart. Glinda: No. She had to find it out for herself. Now, those magic slippers will take you home in two seconds! In closing, a little insight into Dorothy’s lovable and ever-present companion who was with her throughout the journey – her dog Toto. Toto’s name is the word “to” twice and the word “to” means expressing motion in the direction of a particular location or approaching or reaching a particular condition! You may also recall the great Renaissance painter Paolo Veronese and other masters of his time included a dog in many of their greatest paintings. In these works of art, the dog symbolized the observer (i.e. us) as well as loyalty and fidelity. May we always be reminded and honor the places we have been and have great loyalty and fidelity to the Home we are journeying towards! Until next time... “If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard..." - Dorothy Gale Credits: The Wizard of Oz is a Hollywood movie musical produced by MGM in 1939. Picture of hiker in mountains: SU Press Picture of Tin Man, Dorothy and Scarecrow: J. Vaughan, Flickr Sound recording of AUM: SU Press

In Part I of f this blog-series on the Wizard of Oz - a Spiritual Adventure we developed the idea that The Wizard of Oz is a spiritual story, which regardless of your chosen religion or belief system, parallels the journey we are all on. The spiritual adventures of Dorothy Gale, the central character in the movie, continues in part II below! Have you ever heard the expression that it is a single grain of sand which creates the irritation within an oyster to produce a beautiful pearl? In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy must have felt like she was experiencing the irritation of the entire beach! Like many classic stories, Dorothy begins her Hero’s Adventure when she experiences an upheaval - a cyclone comes along and literally uproots her from her home. Sometimes these “cyclones” or upheavals, although painful at the time, turn out to be the catalysts for accelerated learning and growth in our lives – the very events which help create the beautiful pearls. After Dorothy is swept away from the safety of her home in Kansas, she wakes up in the colorful and vibrant land of Oz. Dorothy most wants to return home but is not certain of where she is supposed to go and how to get there. It is at this time that Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, descends in a beautiful violet-colored sphere of light and assists Dorothy. In the movie, Glinda is personified as a good witch but she can also be thought of as Dorothy’s higher self, her voice of conscience, or even her guardian angel. Glinda advises Dorothy if she wants to return home she must follow the yellow brick road and seek the aid of the Wizard of Oz, who resides in the Emerald City. Glinda also gives Dorothy a pair of enchanted ruby slippers to protect her from the Wicked Witch of the West – a personification of the various forms of opposition Dorothy will face on her journey home. At this point, it is helpful to visit a bit of esoteric teaching you may or may not be familiar with. These sacred teachings reveal we each have a divine spark or threefold flame within our heart. It is a gift from God - a part of himself right inside of you. That’s a big deal! This divine spark is not typically visible in the physical world we live in but is nonetheless a very important part of ourselves in spiritual dimensions. The divine spark or threefold flame consists of three parts or plumes – each having a different color. The blue plume represents the power of God, the yellow plume represents the wisdom of God, and the pink plume represents the love of God. These three qualities are meant to work together in balance in your life. A balanced threefold flame means all three parts are the same size and would indicate you are probably a wise, loving, and strong person. That’s the way we were first created, but over time (many lifetimes!) our threefold flame has likely become unbalanced through the misuse of energy. And this is where the violet flame comes in. The violet flame helps get rid of any imbalances in our threefold flame. And when we become balanced, we can grow even more in wisdom, love, and power – qualities which will help each of us return home. Isn’t it interesting that on the way to Oz, Dorothy should join up with a Scarecrow who longs for a brain (wisdom), a Tin Man who desires a heart (love), and a Cowardly Lion who seeks courage (power)? Dorothy may not realize it but she is being well-prepared with everything she is going to need to make it all the way back home! Stay tuned for part 3 of this blog post series about The Wizard of Oz - a Spiritual Adventure where Dorothy discovers that there is indeed no place like home. We leave you with some tools and inspiration to continue your own journey along the yellow brick road! Remember, your threefold flame is a gift from God and you can use the joyful power of the violet flame to help it burn brightly and in perfect balance. And here is a violet flame mantra to help you. The word “mantra” is taken from the Sanskrit, meaning sacred counsel or formula. You can give this mantra using the following words and visualization or participate in the video below! Violet Fire, thou Love divine, Blaze within this heart of mine! Thou are Mercy forever true, Keep me always in tune with you. And finally, a little inspiration to take with you on your journey: To be continued... Credits: The Wizard of Oz is a Hollywood movie musical produced by MGM in 1939 Description of divine spark: adapted from The Gift of the Violet Flame by SU Press Picture of threefold flame and violet flame: SU Press

I remember one of my English professors in college telling the class about the story of The Wizard of Oz. He said some researchers believed it was a story symbolizing the politics of the day including the pros and cons of a gold and silver standard in the American economy. Indeed, “follow the yellow brick road” and “oz” were believed to reference gold. And in the book, Dorothy’s slippers were made of silver rather than rubies. In this blog post series on the Wizard of Oz - a Spiritual Adventure, I would like to propose that The Wizard of Oz is also a spiritual story which, regardless of your chosen religion or belief system, parallels the spiritual journey we all share. Join with me as I share one seeker’s perspective with you! The story begins with Dorothy (i.e. the soul), an ordinary farm girl from Kansas. Like most of us, Dorothy’s life is a series of experiences with family and friends along with a combination of other personal challenges and adventures. Throughout these experiences, Dorothy senses there is more to life - an ideal or place which lies “somewhere over the rainbow”. Click below to watch Dorothy sing about this ideal from the endearing movie The Wizard of Oz: In the video, Dorothy sings: Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high There's a land that I heard of Once in a lullaby Somewhere over the rainbow Skies are blue And the dreams that you dare to dream Really do come true Somewhere over the rainbow Bluebirds fly Birds fly over the rainbow Why then, oh why can't I? If happy little bluebirds fly Beyond the rainbow Why, oh why can't I? So what might this rainbow be which Dorothy sings about and where can we find it? For starters, let’s take a look at the beautiful picture below. It illustrates you and your relationship to God. In reality, this picture is the only “selfie” you will ever need! For now, let’s focus on the rainbow-colored spheres in this illustration which in esoteric literature is often referred to as the causal body. I believe when Dorothy sings the song “Over the Rainbow” she is expressing a memory or longing to return to her original home which is her causal body. Each of us has a causal body. It is made up of beautiful concentric spheres of pulsating light and is scintillating with the unlimited potential of Spirit. Your causal body is entirely unique because it is composed of the energies you have personally set in motion in all your lifetimes. Each of these seven beautiful spheres denotes a different aspect of higher consciousness that your soul has dwelled upon and become, somewhere and sometime in her evolution. The pure colors of the causal body reflect the pure colors of the seven chakras, because any energy that has been properly qualified (i.e. expressed) in any of your seven chakras immediately rises to your casual body. Everything good that you do – or have ever done – in pure love, peace, and harmony rises to your causal body. As you use the violet flame to transmute (i.e. change) negative karma, that energy automatically goes there as well. The violet flame, the ultimate self-help tool, can transform your past and your present which in turn can favorably impact your future! The violet flame is explained and illustrated throughout this and other blog posts at Violet Flame World including our Violet Flame Resources page. You are continually building your causal body in heaven, and its light is always increasing. You might call this your cosmic bank account, your personal treasure stored up in heaven. When you tap into the energy in your casual body, it is released to you as blessing, bounty, wisdom, light, love, and direction. Everything you do in your profession, your home, and your entire life determines how you are building that casual body. It doesn’t matter what kind of work you do. It matters that you do it with love and a heart of peace. And as you develop mastery on one of the seven rays through your work and service, the corresponding sphere of your causal body will increase. I remember when growing up that painting came naturally to my brother. He sold several of his works while I could hardly draw a “stick figure”. Conversely, playing piano came naturally to me and I did not have to practice nearly as often or as hard while my brother struggled and stopped playing much earlier in life. Oftentimes our greatest mastery is in something we have done for many lifetimes. We have built a momentum in the way we have chosen to use our energies, and this often affects why we choose one profession over another or why we have talents in one area or another. The understanding of the causal body helps us make sense of differences between people and even helps explain child prodigies and the amazing talents they exhibit at very young ages. In part 2 of this Wizard of Oz - a Spiritual Adventure series we will look further into how Dorothy puts her own “rainbow” or casual body to use when she leaves her home in Kansas and begins her journey in the Land of Oz. In conclusion, we leave you with an inspirational rendition of the song Over the Rainbow which you can watch and celebrate your discovery (or rediscovery) of your casual body! Until next time... Credits: The Wizard of Oz is a Hollywood movie musical produced by MGM in 1939. Illustration of Real Self, Casual Body, and Violet Flame - SU Press Adaptations from the book "Violet Flame – Alchemy for Personal Change" by SU Press

I remember many times during my early years of taking music lessons. Music came easier to me than it did for many others but it was still hard work. Often, I would have rather been outdoors and doing other things! Today, I am so grateful for those times because it is the countless hours spent learning and playing music which provided me a foundation for understanding the use of sound and rhythm. And that is one big reason I am able to share these blog posts with you now! Perhaps you’ve heard during the time of Confucius that when Chinese sages and diplomats visited towns and villages throughout the countryside, they didn’t necessarily ask to meet with their politicians and civic leaders, they asked to see their musicians! Confucius and the other great philosophers of his land and time believed there was a hidden significance to music which made it one of the most important aspects of life. Confucius Indeed, it was Confucius who said: The noble-minded man’s music is mild and delicate, keeps a uniform mood, enlivens and moves. Such a man does not harbour pain or mourn in his heart; violent and daring movements are foreign to him. At about the same time in history, Pythagoras the renowned Greek philosopher and mathematician, discovered that all music could be reduced to numbers and mathematical ratios - and that the entire universe and all phenomena therein could also be explained in these same terms of the same particular numbers and mathematical ratios found in music. Pythagoras It was Pythagoras who said: The highest goal of music is to connect one’s soul to their Divine Nature, not entertainment. Later, in the nineteenth century, it was Saint Germain who introduced the waltz in Europe by inspiring its magnificent renditions upon Johann Strauss and Johann Strauss, Jr. Johann Strauss, the waltz king, at Stadtpark in Vienna, Austria The waltz is one of the most beneficial types of music because its three-quarter time is the rhythm of your heartbeat; therefore, your heart is both beating and resting in sync with the rhythm of the waltz. And that, my friends, can produce great harmony in your world! The Ascended Master Saint Germain It was indeed part of Saint Germain’s plan to introduce the waltz as a forerunner of the violet flame. People living in that era, although they probably did not realize it, were actually bringing the violet flame into their world through dancing and listening to waltz music. And as they danced and whirled to the waltz, they were increasing their vibration by speeding up the rotation of the electrons around their atoms! Are you ready to enjoy some beautiful music while at the same time experiencing the joy of the violet flame? Following are very inspiring waltz videos to watch. Notice how you feel after experiencing the 3/4 time with its 1-2-3 , 1-2-3 or long-short-short , long-short-short rhythm of each waltz. Waltzing in the Sunset - a beautiful waltz featuring the violet flame La Valse de l'Amour from the movie Cinderella I AM the Violet Flame - a violet flame song with a waltz rhythm The Beautiful Blue Danube by André Rieu and his Orchestra Until next time... "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything." - Plato

In Part II of this blog post series on the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius, we explored and shared examples of the great potential for a golden age of Aquarius. And as promised, our final blog in this three-part series will explore who Saint Germain is and what his role will be in the Aquarian Age. You may think you have not heard of or encountered Saint Germain before. However, by the time you reach the end of this article, you may feel quite differently! The stories of Saint Germain could fill a library and make a fascinating movie which would rival National Treasure and The Da Vinci Code in mystery and adventure. So, who is Saint Germain and what will his role be in the age of Aquarius? First, we should know a little about his past. The Comte de Saint Germain Saint Germain’s name comes from the Latin Sanctus Germanus, meaning simply “Holy Brother.” He was known during his lifetime in Europe as the Comte de Saint Germain. In the 1700’s he dazzled royal courts and became known as the Wonderman of Europe. Saint Germain could reportedly remove the flaws in diamonds, disappear into thin air, and write the same verse of poetry simultaneously with both hands. He was accomplished in many languages, fluent in any subject, and could recount history as if he had personally witnessed it. Today, Saint Germain is an ascended master and the sponsor of the Aquarian Age. As you may know, an ascended master is someone who has balanced their karma, accomplished their unique mission, graduated from earth’s schoolroom and ascended to God. The ascended masters can be thought of as our elder brothers and sisters on the path. The Ascended Master Saint Germain If there is one phrase which best characterizes Saint Germain, it might be: He lived to make men free. Following are just a couple of examples where Saint Germain was involved in the cause of freedom. While in Europe he worked tirelessly to help prevent the French Revolution and instead help make a smooth transition from monarchy to a republican form of government. However, the royalty had free will and largely ignored his counsel. In the founding of America, esoteric literature references an “old professor” who mysteriously appeared on the scene to assist Betsy Ross in 1775 with the design for the American flag. On July 4, 1776 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia this same “old professor” again appeared and gave an electrifying speech on freedom. At the end of his speech, the founders who were gathered there immediately lined up to sign the Declaration of Independence. Of all of Saint Germain’s works we could have shared, perhaps his greatest contribution to freedom to the world is the gift of the violet flame. Prior to the early 20th century, the violet flame was available only to certain adepts and in various mystery schools throughout the ages. Today, through Saint Germain’s sponsorship, the violet flame is freely available to all! What does the violet flame do? At its most powerful, the violet flame can change atoms and electrons. This is how the Comte de Saint Germain was able to transform hand-cut stones into gem quality and to remove flaws from diamonds. Remember the phrase “having balanced their karma” earlier in this article? Well, since we understand now the violet flame can change atoms and electrons, we can begin to have an understanding that the violet flame is a key to transforming past, present, and future actions. By giving violet flame affirmations and mantras daily we can bring the light of freedom to our lives, the lives of those around us, and every part of the world! Indeed, with Saint Germain’s sponsorship, we have the opportunity to help make the Aquarian age a golden age of great peace and enlightenment! Are you ready to begin experiencing the transforming action of the violet flame? If so, you can visit our violet flame resources page where you will find an array of violet flame mantras and affirmations! Following are just some areas where you may want to research and discover more about Saint Germain. As mentioned earlier, his story could collectively fill a library and rival the mystery and adventure of any movie! History, Legends, and Secret Societies The decoded ciphers found in the works of Shakespeare The early days of the Freemasons and their role in the founding of America The Knights of Columbus The Knights of the Helmet The Knights Templar The Legend of Camelot The Legend of Wissahickon The Master Mason The Mystery of Oak Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. The Rosicrucians The secret teachings of Frances Bacon purportedly located at the Bruton Parish Church in Colonial Williamsburg The Virginia Company Uncle Sam Books Brother of the Third Degree – Will Garver Lord’s of the Seven Rays – Summit University Press Saint Germain – Master Alchemist – Summit University Press Saint Germain on Alchemy – by Summit University Press Saint Germain's Many Lives: What YOU Need to Know (YouTube) Saint Germain - Mystery of the Violet Flame - Summit University Press Secrets of the Golden Age Prince - Summit University Press The Comte de St. Germain – Isabel Cooper-Oakley The “I AM” Discourses – Saint Germain Press The Legend of Wissahickon - Saint Germain Foundation The Magic Presence – Saint Germain Press The Most Holy Trinosophia - Le Comte de St.-Germain The Red Lion – Mária Szepes The Secret Destiny of America – Manly P. Hall The Shakespeare Code – Virginia Fellows Unveiled Mysteries – Saint Germain Press Picture credits - Engraving of the Count of St. Germain by Nicolas Thomas made in 1783. Located at the Louvre in France - The ascended master Saint Germain – Summit Lighthouse

In Part 1 of this Dawning of the Age Aquarius blog series, we wrote about the potential for a golden age of Aquarius – a time when the winds of freedom will bring light and creativity to all life throughout the world. People will create inventions that change the world. They will find more peace within as they become closer to God. They will discover their real purpose. In Part 2 of this three-part series, we will further explore the meaning and potential of this age. One sacred text[1] describes a golden age of Aquarius in this way: "It is important, as you grasp the scientific meaning of God and the brotherhood of man, that you understand that mankind are indeed one, that you cannot be separated from each other, that the healing of the nations and the healing of the people must be simultaneous. It must be an exchange between hearts. You must call upon the law of science within your heart, within the hearts of your neighbors, in the name of God, the mighty I AM Presence, and ask that it penetrate to the very core of the earth.. that this entire planet might become iridescent and transparent… The soil should have the luster of the violet and pink and blue hues. And the golden sunsets should reflect through the purified air as pure white light… The water element should reveal the very beds of the seas in all of their luminosity and their golden substance. All of the energies of the animal creations shall be exalted unto a mighty resurrection, a resurgence, a paean of praise to the might God… The trees would be luminous…the bark would be transparent…. Your houses would be transparent and… you could use the light rays to illumine them at will…. Your tables would be set and removed by simply working of a commandment within your heart. This is true dominion, which was granted unto man in the beginning – dominion over substance, dominion over energy, and dominion over light – because man has submitted his entire being to the will of his mighty I AM Presence. This is a radiant possibility…. It is worth trying for; it is worth shooting to the stars to conquer the self in order to receive all the things that God has in store for man." Sound good? For me, I was on board upon discovering I could set and clear the dinner table with a single thought! What is the role of the violet flame in helping to create a golden age? One way we can begin the adventure of helping create a world like the one described above is to give the violet flame often. The violet flame is the foundation for this new Aquarian age and we will enter it successfully to the degree we understand and put it to use! One particularly powerful and effective violet flame mantra you can use is: I AM a being of violet fire – I AM the purity God desires! This mantra is most beneficial when given out loud. And the more you give it, the more you will experience greater stamina, wellness, peace, and joy! You can make this mantra a part of your everyday routine – while showering, preparing breakfast, driving to work, and more. And remember, whatever you claim for yourself you can claim for all Life everywhere – because all Life is one! Finally, violet flame and other mantras will be even more effective if you begin each day be putting on your spiritual “Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)” – also known as your Tube of Light as seen above. Ready to change yourself and change the world? You can participate by giving the mantra “I AM a being of violet fire – I AM the purity God desires!” as well the Tube of Light in the accompanying videos. In our next and final blog post in this Dawning of the Age of Aquarius series we will explore who (hint: think Saint Germain) has given us this mantra and what his role will be in the Aquarian Age. To be continued! Footnotes and Other Information: [1] excerpt from Violet Flame – Alchemy for Personal Change by SU Press Tube of Light picture compliments of Summit Lighthouse