In the center of the Milky Way galaxy, approximately 26,000 light years from Earth is a very massive and dense black hole called “Sagittarius A.” Sagittarius A has a mass the size of 4 million suns. Since 1958, Sagittarius A has been considered the center of the galactic universe or “point zero” from which all longitudinal and latitudinal galactic lines are measured. [Source]
Because of interstellar dust clouds, we can only view the galactic center using infrared and radio waves. Colors, based on the amount of heat emitted by the different types of stars and gases, emerge and create the beautiful spiral that we associate with the Milky Way. Using the powerful Herschel telescope, astronomers have identified a dust ring that is over 600 light years across and which circles the galactic center in the shape of an infinity loop. [Source]
I take great comfort in knowing that there is an infinity loop flowing around the galactic center of the known universe. A symbol which illustrates the continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth as well as the concept of duality or the paradox that two seemingly opposing forces are both true.
Thank you to Bae and Chantel for providing acupuncture during our first Community Clinic! They made health care accessible. A big thank you to Beth, a Shakti Angel, for providing the snacks. The next Community Clinic will be July 25.
Opposing forces such as light and dark or masculine and feminine or human and divine have typically been presented to us as a forced choice. In other words, we must choose one pole because there is no way that we can navigate between both poles. This forced choice is fallacy, specifically a false dilemma fallacy. False dilemmas cause unnecessary suffering by denying a part of the truth, in particular this type of fallacy contributes to:
- Suppressing a part of ourselves
- Restricting our range of expression
- Limiting our available options
To help us traverse scenarios of opposing forces, I turn to the myth of Chiron, the half man – half horse creature depicted by the constellation Sagittarius. Chiron was a centaur who was renowned for his skills as a healer, warrior, and teacher. Famous Greek heroes such as Achilles, Jason, and Hercules sought Chiron’s help in their quests to fulfill their destinies.
During our June Red Tent, we danced and wore flower crowns and ate roasted purple cauliflower grown from the garden. The next Red Tent will be July 22.
In Barbara Hand Clow’s book Chiron, she delineates the four-part process Chiron used to help his pupils master their highest potential. First, Chiron taught his pupils skills which would lead them to identify their natural gift. For a modern reference, this first part is similar to the tasks that Mr. Miyagi had Daniel complete in the beginning of Karate Kid. Wax on, wax off. Chop wood. Carry water.
Next, Chiron invited the student to enter a hypnotic state in order to unearth any sickness that would prevent accessing their fullest potential. Sickness, in this instance, was not limited to physical ailments but rather encompassed any challenges (mental, emotional, spiritual) that prevented the full expression of one’s gift. The goal of the second step was to clear any blockages that caused sickness.
In the third step, Chiron asked his students to go on the equivalent of a vision quest. The third step was the unveiling of the gift that the student was given in this lifetime. Once the gift was made conscious, Chiron showed his students how to integrate their gift in such a way that the gift became instinctual. In other words, the student no longer had to think about acting on their gift: they embodied their gift, and consequently, were ready to fulfill their destiny.
While we cannot see the galactic center with our naked eye, we can find the constellation Sagittarius in the night sky. As you gaze upon the star cluster which resembles the famous centaur Chiron, I invite you to imagine the beautiful swirling spiral that lives 26,000 light years beyond. In the center of that spiral is the massive black hole, Sagittarius A, which is encircled by an infinity loop of stardust – a constant reminder that many answers are not a fixed choice but rather an opportunity to practice both/and.
Wishing everyone a beautiful week!
Love,
Kim
For nearly thirty years, Kim Bushore-Maki has served Appalachia as both a pioneer and champion of holistic well-being and community health.
A licensed clinical counseling professional, she became the first Master level clinician at East Tennessee State University's Counseling Center, where she provided therapeutic services and directed the Sexual Violence Prevention Program and the Alcohol and Drug Prevention Program.
During her tenure at ETSU, she was a founding organizer of the Tennessee Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campus Communities as well as Tennessee's representative for the National Prevention Network. She drafted ETSU's first Sexual Violence Response Policy and coordinated the region's first "Take Back the Night" program and fundraiser (the oldest worldwide movement to stand against sexual violence in all forms), the proceeds of which funded the first SANE nurses at the Johnson City Medical Center. Kim also served as Interim Director of Disability Services for 11 months.
In 2010, Kim followed her intuition and vision to found Shakti in the Mountains, a thriving healing-arts center that draws on somatic expressive therapy, archetypal psychology, wisdom traditions, and regenerative economics. Kim continues to maintain a small private therapy practice and also leads healing programs and retreats, guides the Shakti Stewardship Program, and serves as a community-building consultant to justice-oriented initiatives committed to building safe, inclusive, vibrant, and resilient communities.
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