Creacon New Ross Ireland Workshop

CREACON NEW ROSS IRELAND WORKSHOP

Yes, this is my second journey to Ireland in just a few months.  This time I am attending a workshop or “Playshop”as my teacher, Stephanie Azaria, calls it. Fifteen of us gather from all over the world to learn about a new Astrology called Cosmic Astrology.  This form of astrology uses a clock format going clockwise instead of the houses going counterclockwise. It is much more complex than that, but suffice it to say it is a tool to help us move into the new vibration of the earth with an understanding of who we are, what we need to work on, and how we can help ourselves and others to move forward in this ever fast changing world with little or no fear. To learn more about this type of astrology go to Stephanie’s website at www.thecosmicpath.com

I arrive in Dublin on an overnight flight from Newark, New Jersey.  On my flight are 10 others attending the Playshop.  We are met and transported by Seamus and another van driver to make the 2 1/2 hour journey south to New Ross and Creacon.  We pass through the ever changing weather and countryside so familiar to me from my recent journey.  This time, however, I can look around since I am not the driver. 

The Irish countryside never ceases to make me feel warm, joyous, and glad to be there.  It is so pastural and welcoming.  Cows graze, goats and sheep munch and horses play. We pass through one quaint village after another.

Nicholas is in our van.  He is an old hand at Creacon and Cosmic Astrology.  He is one of the 12 people who developed this method and so the questions are many and the discussion interesting and lively.

At last we arrive at Creacon. Now, I am no expert on Ashrams. I have only read about them in a limited amount in books and articles so my view of Creacon may be a bit distorted.  Derek O’Neill, the founder of Creacon, has studied extensively with Sai Baba of India in Ashrams there.  Thus Creacon is set up Ashram-like.

Creacon courtyard

I am greeted by Marcella and Michelle like a long lost friend.  Indeed, it great to see them again.  They immediately ask about Catherine and tell me to say hello to her for them.  I knew before leaving that I will be sharing a room; maybe even up to two roommates.  Having had my own space while traveling for so long, I had to create a positive picture in my mind what that might be like.  I was set!

My room is the green room (they all have colors for names). The green room has two bunk beds, a desk, dresser and two night stands.  Its private bath is huge and almost as big as the room itself. The bath houses a generous wardrobe and a combo bath tub/shower.

There are 4 of us sharing the room.  Three of us are in the playshop and the fourth is there on a three week retreat program. We range in age from 24 to 69 (me). The two bottom bunks are taken so Mariana and I, the last to arrive, choose our top bunks.  The beds are metal, not wood and they shake a lot with any movement.

I have visions of hauling myself up and down the ladder for my nightly one to three time visits to the john.  I offer all of them ear plugs since I am told I snore.  I warn my bunk mate, Nancy, of my numerous trips during the night and hope I will not be too disturbing to her.  I unpack and settle in. By the end of the week I have more defined muscles in my arms and stronger legs.  Maybe I’ll get a bunk bed for home and sleep on the top bunk!!!

We have the rest of the day free to wander, rest and relax and get to know one another.  Lunch is at 1 and dinner at 6.  Breakfast is the only meal with leeway for time of attendance - 8:30 to 9:30.  We must be in bed by 10PM with noise kept to nothing or at least a minimum. At all times we are expected to keep our voices down and doors closed quietly.  There are rules and discipline to Creacon - Ashramish.  This is fine, just different.  At one point Stephanie encourages us to eat a meal in complete silence so we can see how that helps us pay attention to the nourishment entering our bodies.  It really is a calming and wonderful experience.

On Monday we begin our playshop.  I have brought colored stole-like ribbons with beads and crystals hanging on the ends for us to wear during the sessions.  Mariana has brought bracelets.  Each hour of the clock representing a month has a color vibration attached to it.  Stephanie provided Mariana and I with the colors and numbers to make.

I am not going to go any further into the playshop because it needs a whole book to explain.  Just let me say that it was very enlightening, innovative and FUN!

The road leading past Creacon

As the week progresses I get the opportunity to sit and chat with almost everyone in attendance. I take walks with Nancy, my bunk mate and Daniella, a lawyer from Spain.  We walk the country roads around Creacon breathing in the fresh air and letting the calming effect of the surrounding pastures and animal life fill us.  We get to know a little about each other.

Look at that blue sky!

When we called they all gathered

Nancy is from Washington State and has a farm.  She works as the Washington State University’s small farms and local food coordinator.  She is 7 years younger than I and is in the middle of Chemo Therapy for a reoccurrence of breast cancer.  She has written a book about her experiences with her cancer and is called upon to council other women in her situation.

she let us pet her

I am humbled and warmed by her kindness, enthusiasm, and strength.  

I feel that we will form a new and lasting friendship.

Daniella works for the Spanish government as a lawyer.  She has not been paid in a year.  They say there is no money to pay her and her colleagues, but they still have money for bonuses and drugs for the higher ups.  She and some of her colleagues are staring a grassroots movement to stop the unfairness of the situation.  She is fiery and committed to her cause.  She says she is so fiery because she is half Sicilian!  We talk about how to go about the reform movement from a place of love instead of anger.  I suggest ways to create slogans from a positive perspective with positive sayings.

Derek arrives on Monday evening and the energy changes dramatically.  He is a force of nature, yet every person’s person.  He gives a private discourse for us.  His wisdom and insight is inspiring.  He will be there through Wednesday night when he will give his monthly discourse to the public.

Creacon begins to fill up and by Wednesday it is filled to capacity (40). Then there are people who come in for just dinner and the discourse so that by that night there are at least 60 people in attendance.  No chance of a quiet meal that night!  It is very different from when it was just Cat and I staying there.

I have two fabulous treatments.  One is acupuncture with the purpose of the releasing of anger and guilt and suppressed emotions that even I am unaware I still hold.  Very cleansing, but also enlightening.  I realize that I still have a ways to go before I have let go of everything and get on with filling myself up with love.  The other is a 2 hour massage where she concentrates on balancing the feminine and masculine in me.  Wonderful!

On Saturday I arrange an outing for 7 of us to visit the Hook Lighthouse and stop at the ruins of a Templar church. That experience will be in the next blog:-)

It is time to say good-bye to Creacon and all the new people I have met.  We speak about getting together again at Mount Shasta in the late summer/early fall.  I look forward to that.

I leave knowing more about myself than I did before.  That journey will never end, I am sure.  I have one more day in Dublin and I have arranged for Seamus to take me out to New Grange and The Hill of Tara.  More about that in my final blog about this adventure.

Much Love To You All,

Mom/Grandma/Sara