G.G. Collins's Blog, page 24

Reluctant Medium Now Available On Smashbooks

Reluctant Medium Now @ Smashbooks.com

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/248836

Reluctant Medium has made another step in the eBook marketing world. With its publication on Smashbooks it will soon be carried by Barnes & Noble, Baker & Taylor, kobo and others. This means it can be downloaded not just to

Author Interview on Chompasaurus Reviews

Reluctant Medium Author Talks About Writing and Her Character

I appreciate the opportunity Chompasaurus Reviews gives new authors. My thanks to Annie Johnson for the coverage. You can also find her on Goodreads.

Check it out at:

http://www.chompasaurusreviews.com/author-interview-with-gg-collins/

Astral Travel: We’re Not In Kansas Anymore

Do You Think You’ve Traveled Without a Broom?

Flying Without a Broom
Available at Amazon

While some may think they’ve never taken to the astral plane, author D. J. Conway who wrote Flying Without a Broom, might just convince you otherwise. She says if you’ve ever participated in dream action scenes or experienced vivid dreaming in brilliant colors, you may have already have gone there. Conway says dreams of deceased loved ones, futuristic or historical dreams may also indicate a round-trip to the astral plane.

I first learned about astral travel while watching a rerun of the 1979 movie The Two World of Jennie Logan starring Lindsay Wagner and Marc Singer. In it, Wagner’s character would go to sleep and travel back in time where she met Singer’s character. They of course, fell in love. I won’t tell the ending, because it is available on DVD. Wagner has more recently appeared on Warehouse 13 as Dr. Vanessa Calder.

Reluctant Medium
Available at Amazon

But from that time onward, I was interested in this strange mode of travel. In the forthcoming Lemurian Medium, our intrepid Reluctant Medium Rachel Blackstone learns that friendship sometimes means going to the ends of the earth—or even farther.

For the initiated, astral travel can appear impossible. As Rachel learns, it’s not a matter of snapping one’s fingers and off you go: will that be first class or coach? There is all matter of magical entities: teachers, healers, even lovers to meet. You can time travel forward or backward. But one must also be on the lookout for the darker side of the astral. Psychic attacks may be launched and we must learn to protect ourselves.

The Two Worlds of Jennie Logan
Available at Amazon

Have I flown without a plane? I believe I have. I’ve had dreams where I flew above the Earth attached to a silver strand. I’ve visited with loved ones who have passed over. And I’ve experienced very vivid and colorful dreams.

Certainly, I couldn’t ignore the value of astral travel in fiction. When I needed my character of Rachel Blackstone to move through time, I remember this fascinating topic and went straight to Conway’s book. The Reluctant Medium has one more thing to be reluctant about.

Lemurian Gifts to a Writer

Thanks to a Writer’s Friend

I looked at my favorite metaphysical and stone shops in Santa Fe and still came up empty handed. My objective was to find three blue lace agates. The only form I could find was in beads, but I really wanted a natural stone. I wrote my friend Marilyn, who understands all things crystal and stone, lamenting my failure.

Lemurian Laser Quartz
Blue Lace Agate
copyright G G Collins

The blue lace agates play an important role in the upcoming Lemurian Medium. But I can’t tell all because it would spoil some of the story. But I told my friend who has been a great supporter of my writing and was probably the first to buy it and read Reluctant Medium. We’ve found common ground in many metaphysical arenas and have become sharers of our experiences whether it is past life regression or Lemurian legends.

Gifts of Inspiration
Copyright G G Collins

In my mail yesterday, I received a small package from her. Excitedly, I opened the plain brown envelope which revealed a treasure wrapped in bubbles. Out came two small plastic bags. One held three beautiful blue lace agates. Notice the delicate blue tones in the agates.The other, a Lemurian laser quartz! These are reputed to contain ancient information from Lemuria, much as computers do now. I couldn’t believe what I was holding in my hand.

Marilyn had cleaned the stones, charged them in moonlight and held them as she addressed their intent: that of inspiration to me as I continue to write the second Reluctant Medium book. For those of you who write, you know how much that kind of support and encouragement means.

Energy Radiating
from Laser Quartz
copyright G G Collins

The third photo was very interesting to me. I turned off the light and I noticed the Lemurian laser quartz appeared to be giving off some type of energy. I can’t know for sure, but I find it easy to believe that Marilyn’s friendship is radiating from this ancient quartz. Yes, I’m sure that’s it.

Thanks Marilyn.

New Writing Tip Posted

Which Pen Would You Choose?

Learn which pen takes the best–and easiest–notes at a quick moving interview or press conference.

Click on the “Writing Tips” tab above.

 

 

Lemuria: Lost Continent of the Pacific

Reluctant Medium to “Discover” Lost Lemuria

Much as Atlantis is the enduring mystery of the Atlantic Ocean, so Lemuria is to the Pacific Ocean.  I suspect that in the coming decades as deep underwater exploration improves, we may learn the truth about these fabled lost continents.

Much has been written about Atlantis, and so I turned to the lessor studied Lemuria for my next book, Lemurian Medium. One man, James Churchward, has studied Lemuria extensively. However, Churchward always referred to the continent as Mu. He wrote several books about the subject and maintained that tablets in India were his source of reference.

However, after reading some of Churchward’s writings, I turned to Frank Joseph‘s works, especially The Lost Civilization of Lemuria. Most interesting was the knowledge that Asian countries such as Japan and Thailand recognize Lemuria as their Motherland, much as western culture believes the origins of mankind are found in, what is to us, the Middle East.

Easter Island Statues
Public Domain

Ruins have been found off the coast of Japan near Yonaguni. Here’s a short video of the discovery. Notice that a large sculpture of a face is quite similar to those on Easter Island. There are other longer videos for a lingering look at this fascinating underwater city:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBZvAsxcnzI

Further, some of our Native Americans are reputed to be descendents of Lemuria, particularly those in the southwest United States. But also the Mayans and Aztecs. It is believed by some researchers that these are Lemurian descendants who either traveled by sea to settle in the Americas or were lucky enough to escape the great cataclysm that sunk an entire continent and may have killed millions.

I was so taken by the research and the stories of Lemuria I wanted to use it in one of my books. If Lemuria was the Motherland, it would be interesting to see how it would change, not only the history books, but the great religions of the world and even how we think of ourselves.

It certainly will be interesting as more of our undersea mysteries are solved. In the meantime, it has been a pleasure to learn about Lemuria and use its mystical and mythical–but are they really?–elements in the  forthcoming Lemurian Medium as Rachel Blackstone travels the astral plane in search of a friend.

Answer to last week’s psychic question

Answer to psychic question:

No correct answers on this one. Acequia Madre, or Mother Ditch, was used to disperse water to other areas of Santa Fe. In each neighborhood someone was assigned to open the gate and allow the water to flow along the ditch until it came to the next gate. The Acequia Madre is still operable. Here’s a link to the Santa Fe New Mexican story on the ditch:

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/LocalNews/Following-the-flow-of-tradition#.UGq-rJhhf90

 

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Walking in Santa Fe

Make Like a Tourist

Reluctant Medium Rachel Blackstone’s favorite time of year is autumn. Funny, we’re alike in that way. Since blog posts eat photos like mad, I thought I’d make like a tourist and head out with the camera. Taking pictures like a first-time visitor is actually a little embarrassing, but the journalist urges me onward.

W San Francisco St
Lensic PAC
copyright G G Collins

The weather is great in Santa Fe right now, although if you enjoy a high desert climate, it’s nearly always terrific weather. I took off down West San Francisco headed toward the plaza. “I was walking with my feet ten feet off” the street. For those of you who don’t recognize this, it’s from a Cher song entitled “Walking in Memphis.” If you don’t know Cher (US singer/actress), she recorded the song in 1995. It was used in an episode of The X-Files, but wasn’t the hit several of her other songs became. Originally sung by singer-songwriter Marc Cohn, it is about a spiritual awakening in Memphis. Here is a YouTube link to hear the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMBSL8W6gBs

There are days like that in the City Different when the senses are keen and the spirit is awakening. This is such a day. As I pass the Lensic Performing Arts, I marvel at how it was transformed from a 1931 theatre where anything from vaudeville to first-run movies was showcased to a swank new PAC. But the 800-seat theatre was in

Lensic PAC Notice Detail
copyright G G Collins

danger of becoming permanently dark, when it was saved by a group of visionaries. They saw a new beginning for a building that had nearly lost its groove. There was a multi-story addition to the rear of the building and the interior was carefully restored to its stunning ornate decor. It hosts more than 200 events a year.

The Original Trading Post
copyright G G Collins

Also on San Francisco you’ll find The Original Trading Post. Reputed to have been in Santa Fe since 1603, it is protected by the Historic Santa Fe Foundation Preservation Easement program.” I remember the first time I saw it, I wasn’t at all certain I should enter. It looked ready to collapse. But not to worry, it’s stood many years since then. It has virtually everything you could possibly want for New Mexico gifts to take home: post cards, key chains, worry stones, cups, clothing, Native American pottery, on and on. Beware, the floors squeak unmercifully which is part of the charm. It makes no excuses. It’s kitschy and fun.

Burro Alley Sculpture
copyright G G Collins

Burro Alley (you’ll know you’re there when you see the burro sculpture) was a wild patch in the 1800s: gambling parlors, bars and for the indiscriminate “gentleman,” ladies of the night were available for a price, usually the winnings from the card game. But the street was named after the sturdy little burros who pulled wagons of wood to be sold in the alley. Streets and sidewalks along here—and many other areas of downtown—intersect like the people who settled here.

At last, the plaza comes into view; I try to see it like someone who has never been there. It is sun splashed under a perfect azure sky. The trees are mature and tall. Flowers hang from old-fashioned street lamps. Both the present and

First View of Plaza
W San Francisco Meets Lincoln
copyright G G Collins

the past occupy the plaza. The monument in the center has had the word “savage” scratched out. It represents the past. In the present, people dot the square, some rushing to their next appointment while others sit on the benches and feed the pigeons or snap photos. The Palace of the Governors’ long portal shades Native Indian artists showing their wares on colorful blankets. At least 30 people browse, ask questions, squat for a closer look and buy a beautiful memory from Santa Fe.

I don’t know if it’s the high mountain air (Santa Fe sits at 7,000 feet) or the brilliant sky. Maybe it’s the aroma of roasting chiles or the aspens that are

Lamp & Flowers in the Plaza
copyright G G Collins

turning golden on Mt. Baldy. It could be the abundant creativity in the city. It’s a magnet for writers and artists of all walks. But there is an energy that can’t be denied, and why would anyone want to?

Why not go walking in your city?