Death is the taboo subject in our society. I have had a friend who 'managed' her own death, in as much as she knew that she was due to go and so had a wonderful ceremony to say goodbye to us her close pagan friends, had a big chistmas gathering of her family and then in January organised with her son who should be told by e-mail of her 'lift-off', said she wanted a family funeral, and then a wonderful party a couple of weeks later with everyone there. She then declined further treatment, she was 91, and said goodbye to her husband and family and went, on the very morning she had decided. Now thats what I call a good death. We will never forget ther, she died with dignity in her own bed with her husband and family around...Thats natural! Not in a noisy, dirty hospital surrounded with people who dont really care, and i speak as an senior ex NHS nurse. So I honour those two wonderful people who had the courage to go together in love. Words now fail me. Many blessings on them and their family and friends whom i hope understand. Thank you Steve for telling us this story. love and peace to all, AnaNanA

Absolutely.

Steve j here... Death is indeed taboo until now, and this needs to be addressed. Most if not all shamanistic traditions teach that all of life is preparation for one's death, that the situation and timing of of the moment of death strongly influences what comes after. Death and taxes.....hmmm. A significant little part of me is excited by the idea of the transition from one state of consciousness to another that death represents. I can wait, however...

and talking of death what on earth is going to happen about our 'wars' tonight those 5 soldier killed by an Afgan policeman they were training.... trouble is if we are to believe the propaganda if we leave we will be unsafe in our own back yard as it will leave the Taliban unoccupied and free to regroup and come and visit us at home. There seems to be no way we can finish what we started to me. So you see any solution astrologically Steve?? Do the countries/peoples who have had dictators in power need that to keep their energy in check. Seems to me that all those countries we have 'freed' are all killing each other - still.

This year has taught me that our time here is a continual process of letting go (death/endings) and receiving (rebirth/beginnings). Before the lessons of this year I very much feared loss/death/separation - now I accept it as part of the natural flow of life. Infact when I view the process with detachment, it is almost beautiful in its elegance and efficiency. It seems energy never dies, just changes form and that no thing is ever wasted. I don't think there is a right or wrong in the above debate, it is a personal decision. I believe everyone should simply listen to their own heart.