March 28, 2024 Dear Community, Since the previous edition of Dragon's Pantomime, I've been to and returned from the national retreat of the Standing

     
DPBannrAug15

March 28, 2024

Dear Community,

Since the previous edition of Dragon's Pantomime, I've been to and returned from the national retreat of the Standing in Our Power Transformational Leadership Institute at Ossining, NY, having raised funds with the help of community to make my way there. This was an incredible lesson in asking and receiving, in the ecology of interdependence, in stepping into discomfort so that trust greater than what the ego could imagine may be created.

It was also the next evolving chapter in the new story of money and abundance that I am -- learning from and in participation with other storytellers -- writing for myself (and the world we live in) -- in which not only does the old story about our self-sufficiency (the story of eurowestern modernity) fall by the wayside, but a new vision of mutual, cooperative prosperity and thriving also takes root.

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At the SiOP retreat (you can read a brief account of my experience here), I offered six divinations in one evening. Having received incredible generosity from my communities, this giving back felt right and sweet and powerful and good.

Last weekend at the West Coast Village we also hosted a powerful ancestralization ritual, supporting our beloved dead in crossing over and joining the realm of the ancestors.

Alternative Pricing Structure for Divinations

For a while now, I have been thinking about restructuring my divination fees so as to bring them into alignment with economic paradigms that are challenging both the alienation that the dominant money system reinforces, and the exploitation, injustice, and violence inherent in global market capitalism.

Having made a vow to myself at the SiOP retreat to stand in my power in every aspect of my life, it was clear to me that now was the time to make this change --

-- and that the change would not necessarily make me feel comfortable or safe -- in fact, it would most likely press me to redraw my very understandings + underpinnings of safety and security.

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At the edges of comfort is where the world is renewed, where we meet and find a way to extend hands and hearts to each other, where life changes and where individuals and institutions get radicalized and transformed, where we cross the chasm between the visible and the invisible.

In council with the ancestors, and committing to make my work available to those from different socio-economic backgrounds, what I have decided for now is to offer income-based sliding scale options and barters/trades.

I also want to bring this medicine of clarity and guidance to communities (be it circles, households, organizations, networks, other formal/informal collectives) -- working with the group as a whole or one on one with members. If the idea of calling me in to work with your community intrigues you, drop me a line to discuss this further!

Read more about this shift and the new pricing arrangements on my blog!

 Vida  altar by Monique D. Lopez

"Vida" altar by Monique D. Lopez, SOMArts Dia de los Muertos 2015

In gathering the energy of the ancients to bring to this time, it is imperative to honor and authentically and completely express our own unique seeing and gifts. If I could assist you in this -- your journey through the world of the living -- I would be delighted.

Testimonial

I came to Monica for the purpose of learning more about my mother's sudden and early death. With calm and care, Monica shared with me information that spoke directly to my soul. She was thoughtful, heart-full, and present throughout the divination process.

After the divination, I felt a good deal of ease regarding my mother. The divination helped lift some weight that her passing brought on. I felt the peace my mother is experiencing postpartum, and I felt her strength and purity come through Monica's words.

-- Nicole Stone, M.A. Ed. UC Berkeley, Qigong Teacher, Somatics Educator, Mother

Season of the Witch

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Small Press Distribution is throwing a party and a thank you to the Bay Area literary community which is magical extravaganza, exploration of their mythic warehouse, and mad discount on books all rolled into one!

I'll be facilitating a ritual I am calling Sun of Midnight, invoking the ever present spirit world at the gateway of the west.

Join us!

Tuesday Oct 27, 6:30 PM @ the SPD Warehouse, 1341 7th St, Berkeley

Revolution is not a one time event

And the speaking will get easier and easier. And you will find you have fallen in love with your own vision, which you may never have realized you had. And you will lose some friends and lovers.... And new ones will find you and cherish you. ... And at last you'll know with surpassing certainty that only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth. And that is not speaking.

-- Audre Lorde ♥

With that, this is

yours,

मोनिका \Monica

P.S.

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For more information, visit www.artofdivinations.com | www.modymonica.com

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