Meaning of 108 Beads on a Mala

On a mala, or set of mantra counting beads, there are generally 108 beads, or some fraction of that number. The question often arises: Why are there 108 beads on a mala? Below are some of the many reasons that have been given for having 108 beads on a mala, as well as a few other points of interest. None of these reasons are being promoted here as more or less true than the others. However, you may notice that 108 appears to be somewhat like a road map of reality in general, and the human in particular. Regardless of the meaning of 108, it is important that if a mala is used to count mantras, the mantra be remembered with sincerity, devotion, feeling, and full attention. (More on use of mantras) 9 times 12: Both of these numbers have been said to have spiritual significance in many traditions. 9 times 12 is 108. Also, 1 plus 8 equals 9. That 9 times 12 equals 108. Powers of 1, 2, and 3 in math: 1 to 1st power=1; 2 to 2nd power=4 (2x2); 3 to 3rd power=27 (3x3x3). 1x4x27=108 Harshad number: 108 is a Harshad number, which is an integer divisible by the sum of its digits (Harshad is from Sanskrit, and means "great joy") Desires: There are said to be 108 earthly desires in mortals. Lies: There are said to be 108 lies that humans tell. Delusions: There are said to be 108 human delusions or forms of ignorance. Heart Chakra: The chakras are the intersections of energy lines, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra. One of them, sushumna leads to the crown chakra, and is said to be the path to Self-realization. Sanskrit alphabet: There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti. 54 times 2 is 108. Pranayama: If one is able to be so calm in meditation as to have only 108 breaths in a day, enlightenment will come. Upanishads: Some say there are 108 Upanishads, texts of the wisdom of the ancient sages. Sri Yantra: On the Sri Yantra there are marmas where three lines intersect, and there are 54 such intersections. Each intersections has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti qualities. 54 times 2 equals 108. Thus, there are 108 points that define the Sri Yantra as well as the human body. Pentagon: The angle formed by two adjacent lines in a pentagon equals 108 degrees. Marmas: Marmas or marmasthanas are like energy intersections called chakras, except have fewer energy lines converging to form them. There are said to be 108 marmas in the subtle body. Time: Some say there are 108 feelings, with 36 related to the past, 36 related to the present, and 36 related to the future. 8 extra beads: In doing a practice of counting the number of repetitions of the mala, 100 are counted as completed. The remaining are said to cover errors or omissions. The 8 are also said to be an offering to God and Guru. Chemistry: Interestingly, there are about 115 elements known on the periodic table of the elements. Most of those, around or higher than the number 100 only exist in the laboratory, and some for only thousandths of a second. The number that naturally exist on Earth is around 100. Astrology: There are 12 constellations, and 9 arc segments called namshas or chandrakalas. 9 times 12 equals 108. Chandra is moon, and kalas are the divisions within a whole. River Ganga: The sacred River Ganga spans a longitude of 12 degrees (79 to 91), and a latitude of 9 degrees (22 to 31). 12 times 9 equals 108. Planets and Houses: In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals 108. Goddess names: There are said to be 108 Indian goddess names. Gopis of Krishna: In the Krishna tradition, there were said to be 108 gopis or maid servants of Krishna. 1, 0, and 8: Some say that 1 stands for God or higher Truth, 0 stands for emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and 8 stands for infinity or eternity. Sun and Earth: The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth. The distance from the Sun to the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun. Moon and Earth: The average distance of the Moon from the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Moon. Silver and the moon: In astrology, the metal silver is said to represent the moon. The atomic weight of silver is 108. Numerical scale: The 1 of 108, and the 8 of 108, when added together equals 9, which is the number of the numerical scale, i.e. 1, 2, 3 ... 10, etc., where 0 is not a number. Meditations: Some say there are 108 styles of meditation. Breath: Tantra estimates the average number of breaths per day at 21,600, of which 10,800 are solar energy, and 10,800 are lunar energy. Multiplying 108 by 100 is 10,800. Multiplying 2 x 10,800 equals 21,600. Paths to God: Some suggest that there are 108 paths to God. Smaller divisions: The number 108 is divided, such as in half, third, quarter, or twelfth, so that some malas have 54, 36, 27, or 9 beads. Hinduism: 108 is said to refer to the number of Hindu deities. Some say that each of the deities has 108 names. Islam: The number 108 is used in Islam to refer to God. Jain: In the Jain religion, 108 are the combined virtues of five categories of holy ones, including 12, 8, 36, 25, and 27 virtues respectively. Sikh: The Sikh tradition has a mala of 108 knots tied in a string of wool, rather than beads. Buddhism: Some Buddhists carve 108 small Buddhas on a walnut for good luck. Some ring a bell 108 times to celebrate a new year. There are said to be 108 virtues to cultivate and 108 defilements to avoid. Chinese: The Chinese Buddhists and Taoists use a 108 bead mala, which is called su-chu, and has three dividing beads, so the mala is divided into three parts of 36 each. Chinese astrology says that there are 108 sacred stars. Stages of the soul: Said that Atman, the human soul or center goes through 108 stages on the journey. Meru: This is a larger bead, not part of the 108. It is not tied in the sequence of the other beads. It is the quiding bead, the one that marks the beginning and end of the mala. Dance: There are 108 forms of dance in the Indian traditions. Praiseworthy souls: There are 108 qualities of praiseworthy souls. First man in space: The first manned space flight lasted 108 minutes, and was on April 12, 1961 by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut. Excerpt from: http://www.swamij.com/108.htm

Spider Woman

Several Native American tribes have long embraced the concept of a woman as the creator of the world. To them, it only makes sense because it is woman from whom all life springs.

Among the Pueblo Indians the goddess is so revered that her real name is never spoken aloud. Referred to only as Spider Woman, the Pueblos believe that all things sprung out of her thoughts. The Hopi hold a similar belief as do many other Native American Tribes.

Although each tribe has a slightly different slant to Spider Woman's story, one thing remains constant; that it is she who is responsible for all earthly creations. Some tribes believe that Spider Woman began with the universe itself.

As the myth goes, Spider Woman began her many creations by spinning and chanting (or singing), first developing the universe in four sections - - east, west, north, and south. Within the space sprung the birth of the sun, moon, and stars, which immediately banished darkness from the world.

Next, she took shells of turquoise, red rock, yellow stone, and clear crystal she next created the mountains, oceans, and desserts. Then the earth goddess herself became the womb from which mankind sprung over time; gradually, as is the case with childbirth. To create various races, it is believed that used many different kinds and colors of clay. Using her remaining thread, the goddess bound each of her human creations directly to her.

Several tribes, however, consider the Spider Woman to be just the earth goddess. They credit Tawa, the sun god, with the mysteries and powers of the above sky.

Eventually, the heavenly couple decided that other gods and goddesses must be created to share in their role as the keepers of mankind. Legend says that Tawa divided himself into. His duplicate became Muiyinwuh who was assigned to be god of all life germs. The Spider Woman also divided herself into to create Huzruisuhti, the goddess of all hard materials.

From Muiyinwuh sprung all of the marine life, animals, and insects of the earth that would help sustain and nourish mankind. From Huzruisuhti sprung all minerals, metals, gems, and shells that provided substance for mankind to make tools, build shelter, and adorn. Together, the four gods and goddesses taught mankind about the importance of their ties to the earth as well as how to use earth's resources to sustain life.

The Navajo culture also credits Spider Woman for their unusually talented weaving abilities. As the story goes, a young Indian girl wandered into the dessert where she viewed a wisp of smoke coming from a hole in the ground. Peering into the hole, the girl saw Spider Woman spinning a blanket.

The woman welcomes the girl into her shelter and listens as the child explains her loneliness and her need for a specific purpose. In response, the Spider Woman decides to teach the girl how to spin cloth, intricately weaving beautiful patterns into it.

The girl returns to the village with her newly found skill and amazes the villagers with the beauty of the blankets she weaves. The women beg the girl to teach them as well, which she willing does. However, she reminds them that they must leave a small hole in each blanket. In puzzlement, they question why. The girl explains that it is a tribute to the Spider Woman for teaching them how to weave.

From that day on the girl was never lonely. She was befriended by all she encountered and she returned their gift of friendship by teaching them how to spin cloth.

Much in the same vein as Spider Woman used chanting or singing to spin her intricate webs, tribe shamans used the same technique to bring about a transcendental state of mind. Native American traditions often also included ceremonial drums and dance as a way of reaching the same kind of heightened state of consciousness.

Much of the culture that Spider Woman is credited with bringing to American natives continues to live on even today. No other culture is more closely aligned with the powers of Mother Earth than those of Native America. It's a pity that the remainder of mankind hasn't taken a lesson from their book and learned how accept that important bond.
by Charlotte Kuchinsky

S.W.A.N Supporting Women Artists Now

I was in Miami last weekend for the Spoken Soul's S.W.A.N event, honored to be called a SWAN now. The best part about these shows is the networking and the community. The Sunday Brunch was the best with Elena Linares, who went from a battered woman in a shelter to the owner of RazzleDazzle Barbershops, she was the guest speaker at the Vanessa Baez memorial lunch at Mister Collins in Bal Harbor. SWAN ARTISTS 2012:
Loni Johnson, Katia Danilova, Crystal Maria, Diana Contreras, Manouchka, Sasha Suarez,Alexandra BoomSheeka Seda, Elena Santayana,Tiffany Savinon, Maru - Poet,Tasha Wahlenberg, Antonia Jenae and Kristie Stephenson

Rain Queens of Africa

http://rainqueensofafrica.com/about/

Click on the link for information promoting awareness of Africa’s traditional female leadership traditions including Rain Queens, Queen Mothers, Queens, Priestesses, Shaman Healers, Warriors and their associated roles, customs and history.

Happy Holidays & All the Best for 2012

Dancers Pose or Natarajasana

Dancers pose or Natarajasana allows us to experience the physicality that can produce fear in our bodies. It is said that we store fear in our hearts.. When you open your heart in a backbend or any other pose you are releasing the fear held in your heart and you are opening up yourself to all the lovely possibilities that come with an beautiful open heart. if we can find the graceful rhythm that comes from balance we will eventually be liberated in our bodies and in our minds. Excerpt from Om My Blog by Love Peace Yoga.

Finally An Empowering Take on a Classic Fairy Tale - Snow white

Looking forward to my collaboration with Michelle & Diego Romero for "Wake Up Sleeping Beauty" in September 2012.




Wake Up Sleeping Beauty Project Synopsis:
A modern musical telling of a classic fairy tale, 'Wake Up, Sleeping Beauty!' invites children and adults alike to participate in the creative reawakening of a young woman's psyche, asleep for more than a thousand years in an enchanted wood. Performed live in a poemagogic style, this princess' rebirth is the death of the damsel-in-distress archetype. (In a surprise twist, the audience itself awakens the sleeping beauty!) Upon re-awakening, she babbles in a multitude of languages, gestures and song in a near-vain attempt to relate what she has seen in her mind's eye: Death and birth, masculinity and femininity, time and space are all one and the same. With music and story in collaboration with theatre-artist and musician Michelle Riu, set and costumes by visual artist Kristie Stephenson, and hand-drawn frame by frame animations by Diego Romero (all South Florida artists) 'Wake Up, Sleeping Beauty!' is a multi-lingual tale of metamorphosis, intuition and communion.


Funded in part by the Broward County Cultural Division and the Broward Center's Arts Access program, the show aims to recruit and develop youth talent from Coral Springs, Parkland, Coconut Creek and Fort Lauderdale.

Blessing Beads

I call them Blessing Beads: My secret island find they are protective and magical, of mother earth. They are also called Job's tears (Job from the Bible) Mary's Tears, Christ's Tears. My inspiration in using these seed beads were of photos of tribal women in mourning from Papua New Guinea (PNG). The story is that these Mindima widow's will remove one collar of seeds each day while the mourning time until the last one. Then she can wash herself and find a new husband. Papua New Guinea 1983, photo by Jeff Shea.

They are mother natures perfect bead they already come with a hole and when you tap them against your teeth they feel like porcelain. This is my spin on it I have been attaching some of my designs I had cast in bronze, they are of female archetypes. The yoga community here in Jamaica will see the Buddha and I notice Trinidadians here will say they see Mother Lakshmi.
Excerpt below from Waynes World.
The common name Job's tears refers to the droplet-shaped, pearly white "beads," and to the biblical man of the Old Testament who endured great suffering. This relationship to tear drops is also reflected in the specific epithet lacryma-jobi, in reference to the tear-producing lacrimal glands located near the eyes. Although there is unanimous agreement that the beads resemble tears, there appears to be some disagreement as to exactly whose tears the beads resemble. Depending on exactly where you happen to be in the world, this plant goes by various names including David's tears, Saint Mary's tears, Christ's tears (Lacryma Christi), and just plain tear drops.

The leafy inflorescence of Job's tears (Coix lacryma-jobi) showing numerous green "beads." The dried, gray beads are strung into necklaces throughout tropical regions of the world.

3. Structure Of The Job's Tear Bead

Interestingly enough, the actual beadlike structure resembling a seed is not a seed at all. It is a very hard, hollow structure (called an involucre) containing a minute fertile female flower and two sterile flowers. Pollen-bearing male flowers are produced on a slender stalk that extends out of the bead through a tiny pore. Two feathery stigmas from the fertile female flower also protrude from the pore--ready to receive pollen from the male flowers. Like other members of the enormous Grass Family (Poaceae), Job's tears are pollinated by the wind. Following pollination, a seed-bearing grain is produced by the fertile female flower. The shiny gray beads are dispersed and planted like seeds, but they are actually remarkable little shells containing flowers and grains.

Close-up view of flowering Job's tears (Coix lacryma-jobi) showing the hollow, beadlike involucres which naturally have a hole in them. The threadlike styles of a female flower and a cluster of male flowers protrude from a tiny opening in each bead. Inside the bead is a minute, seed-bearing female flower (bottom).

4. Job's Tears As Food

Native to tropical Asia, Job's tears (also called Adlay) are used for food, particularly by peasants of the Far East. The distinguished 17th century naturalist Georg Eberhard Rumphius stated that in his day Job's tears were planted in Java and Celebes on the margins of rice fields. According to Agnes Arber (The Gramineae, 1965), Job's tears were introduced into China in the first century A.D. by a Chinese general who conquered Tongking, where the grains were widely used as a cereal. The general became so fond of Job's tears that he carried back several cartloads of the seeds to his own country.

A patch of Job's tears (Coix lacryma-jobi) in full bloom at the WAYNE'S WORD headquarters in southern California. The numerous flower clusters contain immature, green "beads."

Like other cereals, there are many cultivars of Job's tears, including soft-shelled, easily-threshed types with a sweet kernel. In some, the hulled grain is adapted for parching or boiling like rice, while in others it can be milled, ground into flour and baked into bread. Reportedly, the grain has a higher protein content than most cereals. The grains are also utilized in soups, porridge, drinks and pastries. In India, the Nagas use the grain for brewing a beer called zhu or dzu. A Japanese variety called "Ma-Yuen" is brewed into a tea and an alcoholic beverage, and roasted seeds are made into a coffee-like drink. According to Agnes Arber, the leaves are used as fodder in parts of India, and are especially relished by elephants.

The Right Moment

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there... I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow...
I am the diamond glints on snow...
I am the sunlight on ripened grain...
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you waken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of gentle birds in circling flight...
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry—
I am not there... I did not die..

by Mary Elizabeth Frye 1932

Somewhere Other than Here: Caribbean Fashion Week

The attitude of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess for her fiery temper and Huna for the beautiful treasures from her sea and Island Goddesses everywhere inspired my black coral and smokey quartz necklaces shown on the runway for Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW).  The long spiny black corals remind me of black sea urchins, a delicacy in Japan and a nuisance on the North Coast of Jamaica, I stepped on one many a time when I was little and yes I did try my own pee/ urine to dissolve the spikes.  I cannot recall if it worked or not.  In the states my coral creations were my personal Island Goddess armour, representing intrigue, mystery and danger.  I just love using mysterious black pearls and beautiful corals unfortunately these materials are all imported.  The more time I am here in Jamaica the more stories I hear of interesting materials  I could source, -so I am excited as to what I will find.  The clothing shown is by Trinidadian Designer ZADD and EASTMAN.  I dubbed this Trinimaica when a Trinidadian and Jamaican collaborate in some kinda fashion. 

 



















Huna: Is the goddess of corals and spiny creatures of the sea.  She appears as a woman and a coral reef.  From her shells Maui made his famous hook for drawing the Hawaiian Islands together.

Pele: Is the goddess of the volcano. Pele has a staff -- a staff used to find out if ground is dry. Many books on the subject say that Pele is a myth, but many families of Hawaii today believe that Pele was an actual person from Kahiki (somewhere other than here).

Caribbean Fashion Week: Spinning & Weaving

Mother archetypes helped to inspire this silver pendant.  Stories of earth mothers and wise women who weave the world and create life,  inspired the drawing painting above which then translated into jewelry, metal.  I call this pendant Spider Woman: she weaves and creates her world shaping her own destiny. 
For more on Spinning and Weaving Myths click here. My Story and Myth inspired jewelry pieces will be at Caribbean Fashion Week.  In a country where they are in the Guinness World Book of Records for the most churches per SQ. mile, how are they going to react to the empowered goddess archetype and the story and myth behind it.  Quite well - I HOPE- Jamaica is a matriarchal society.   Regardless people of the diaspora have always hidden deeper meaning behind things...

Egypts Lost Pyramids

Dr Sarah Parcak uses satellites to probe beneath the sands, where she has found cities, temples and pyramids.

Mermaids: On Stranger Tides

I am so proud Jamaican Sanya Hughes plays a mermaid in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 4, See photo of mermaid cast below.
To the left a a mermaid with weapons -shield and sword yielding mermaid is on the coat of arms for Warsaw.  Above is the personal coat of arms for Michaelle Jean  she is the 27th Governor General of Canada and she was born in Haiti below is an explanation of the symbolism of her personal coat of arms.
The shield shows a sand dollar, a special talisman for Jean, and the Crown symbolising her viceregal authority. The shell in a broken chain refers to Albert Mangonès' sculpture in Port-au-Prince, Marron Inconnu, which depicts an escaped slave blowing a sea shell to call to arms his fellow enslaved people; this symbolises Jean's ancestors' escape from slavery. The two Simbis are water spirits in Haitian culture, who, by legend, calm rough seas and give wisdom; they stand in before a rocky terrain upon which are rooted a palm tree — a Haitian symbol of peace — and a pine tree — representative of the natural riches of Canada.^[108]

We're Missing You

Mourning someday we will have to experience this, I always thought there were certain natural rules like children don't die before their parents.  Well I realized in life there is no order to things when I lost a sibling.  My family was not the only one grieving his friends were too, I remember one of his friends putting together a video of him running a race during a sports day event at his high school with the music of Enya playing in the background, it was beautiful. Another I knew well wrote deep poetry and yet one other friend of Jeffrey's whom I did not know at the time pursued her passion to become a singer and not a dentist, her's is the music video above- I just checked my MYSPACE account after not doing so for many years and found this message dated December 14th, 2007.

Kris Kelli says:

Hi Kristie,I hope all is well with yu.I've been busy doing shows in the Caribbean.I was in Anguilla last week and all the school kids there knew Jeffery from the video..isn't that wonderful...All the best for the xmas to yu and the family.
Nuff luv.
Kris

 

 

 

Mariposa de la Muerte: Folklore & Mythology

In many cultures one of these flying into the house is considered bad luck.  Growing up in Jamaica when they came into the house, and it would always be one and not very often, I saw them as a visiting spirit.   It is considered a harbinger of death in Mexican and Caribbean folklore. In Spanish it is known as "Mariposa de la muerte" (Mexico & Costa Rica)^[1], "Pirpinto de la Yeta" (Argentina) or simply "Mariposa negra" (Colombia); in Nahuatl (Mexico) it is "Miquipapalotl" or "Tepanpapalotl" (miqui = death, black + papalotl = moth); in Quechua (Peru) it is "Taparaco"; in Mayan (Yucatán) it is "X-mahan-nail" (mahan = to borrow + nail = house)^[2]; in Jamaica and the Caribbean, the moth is known as the "Duppy Bat" or "Money moth"^[3]. Other names for the moth include the Papillion-devil, La Sorcière Noire, or the Mourning or Sorrow moth.  I love the positive meaning the Hawaiian's have,-  In Hawaii, Black Witch mythology, though associated with death, has a happier note in that if a loved one has just died, the moth is an embodiment of the person's soul returning to say goodbye. For me the loved one is stopping by to say hello.  On Cat Island, Bahamas, where they are locally known as Money Moths or Moneybats, the legend is that if they land on you, you will come into money, and similarly, in South Texas, if a Black Witch lands above your door and stays there for a while you will supposedly win the lottery

Blue Beard

I got caught again, not trusting my intuition since the last time I blogged about the blue beard archetype. This time he fed my ego, it took one meeting with familial wise well women and and a lone knights templar to see what I chose to ignore.   There are Blue Beard folktales from: France, Germany, Italy, India, USA and the West Indies. If you read the tales they are very deep and serve as a warning to trust your intuition.  Enjoy the trailer.

Lady Fu Hao Warrior Queen

• 1200s BC - Lady Fu Hao consort of the Chinese emperor Wu Ding, led 3,000 men into battle^[2] during the Shang Dynasty. Fu Hao had entered the royal household by marriage and took advantage of the semi-matriarchal slave society to rise through the ranks.^[3] Fu Hao is known to modern scholars mainly from inscriptions on Shang Dynasty oracle bone artifacts unearthed at Yinxu.^[4] In these inscriptions she is shown to have led numerous military campaigns. The Tu fought against the Shang for generations until they finally were defeated by Fu Hao in a single decisive battle. Further campaigns against the neighbouring Yi, Qiang, and Ba followed, the latter is particularly remembered as the earliest recorded large scale ambush in Chinese history. With up to 13,000 troops and the important generals Zhi and Hou Gao serving under her, she was the most powerful military leader of her time.^[5] This highly unusual status is confirmed by the many weapons, including great battle-axes, unearthed from her tomb.^[6]

Rani of Jhansi

A comment on a post of some indian inspired hotel renderings I did a while back promted me to look up Jhansi.  Which lead to me finding Rani of Jhansi her name is Lakshmi Bai and she is a warrior woman who fought for India's freedom.  I believe subconsciously I tapped into this eastern archetype from previous photos on warrior women with swords and wearing indian fabrics.  (see photo below)
Rani Lakshmibai was one of the leading women warriors of the India’s first struggle of independence. She is a symbol of bravery, patriotism and honor. She was born on 19th November, 1835 at Poona. Her father Moropant Tabme was a court advisor, and mother Bhagirathi was a scholarly woman. At a very early age she lost her mother. Her father raised her in an unconventional way and supported her to learn to ride elephants and horses and also to use weapons effectively. She grew up with Nana Saheb and Tatya Tope, who were active participants in the first revolt of independence. In 1842, Rani Lakshmibai was married to Raja Gangadhar Rao who was the Maharaja of Jhansi. After the marriage to Gangadhar Rao she was called Lakshmi Bai. In 1851, she gave birth to a son but unfortunately he died in his fourth month. After this tragic incident, Damodar Rao was adopted by Maharaja of Jhansi as his son. Moved by the death of his son and his poor health, Maharaja Gangadhar Rao also died on 21st November 1853. When the Maharaja died, Rani Lakshmi Bai was just eighteen years old, but she didn’t lose her courage and took up her responsibility.

Warrior Women Photo Series

Lord Dalhousie, the Governor -General of India at that time, was a very shrewd person who tried to take advantage of the misfortune of Jhansi to expand the British Empire. The British rulers did not accept little Damodar Rao, as the legal heir of late Maharaja Gangadhar Rao and Rani Lakshmi Bai. Their plan was to annexe Jhansi on the ground that it did not have any legal heir. In March 1854 Rani of Jhansi was granted an annual pension of 60,000 and was ordered to leave the Jhansi fort. She was firm on the decision not to give up the dominion of Jhansi to Britishers.
For strengthening the defense of Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai assembled an army of rebellions, which also included women. For this great cause she was supported by brave warriors like Gulam Gaus Khan, Dost Khan, Khuda Baksh, Sunder-Mundar, Kashi Bai, Lala Bhau Bakshi, Moti Bai, Deewan Raghunath singh and Deewan Jawahar Singh. She assembled 14,000 rebels and organized an army for the defense of the city. In March 1858, when the Britishers attacked Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai’s army decided to fight and the war continued for about two weeks. The army fought very bravely, even though Jhansi lost to the British forces. After a fierce war when the British army entered Jhansi, Rani Lakshmi Bai, tied her son Damodar Rao to her back fought bravely using two swords with both her hands. She escaped to the fortress of Kalpi under the cover of darkness and was accompanied by many other rebellions. She departed to Gwalior and a fierce battle was fought between the British and the Rani’s army. On the unfortunate day of 18th June of 1858, this great warrior martyred her life for India’s freedom.
(excerpt from www.freshliners.com)

Durga Kali Gaia Oshun Isis

The University of Miami's Department of Art and Art History and International curator Ludlowe Bailey present a Panel Discussion on “The role of Egyptology and Kemetic Philosophy in general in the development of Contemporary Africana Culture.”  In preparing for the panel discussion today I came across a blog I created titled Multi Goddess in it I journal my dance musings and workshop participation and the paintings it inspired.  Above is "Durga Kali Gaia Oshun Isis" painted after a BollyWood Indian dance workshop I participated it.  I also realized that that my silhouette drawings on the Multi Goddess Blog later became jewelry pieces.  The Book on Egyptian Yoga by Dr. Muata Ashby helps to explain the ancient Egyptian's way of being and how we can adopt and apply it in our lives.  Yesterday at the University of Miami children from area schools were treated to a visual presentation on identity by New York artist Robin Holder as well as the creating of a vision board led by Ludlowe Bailey.

Durga-kali-gaia-oshun-isis body print inspired by the Hindu Goddess Kali, Kali is a manifestation of the Hindu Goddess Durga the goddess of material creation. Her Greek name is Gaia, her African name is Oshun and her Egyptian name is Isis.   According to Dr. Love Kali is the destroyer of men's ego, she cuts off their heads and then revives them sexually

Blogger Pulsoma asked the question: "Hi. I'm very interested in the link your making between Isis and Oshun. How do you know it is the same deity? If you could help me clarify that... Thanks."

Blogger Divine said:"Dionysus and Shiva are the same... So are Oshun and Durga -- and both are the ass-kicking, demon-slaying goddesses to whom the other deities turned when dark entities were ravaging the earthly realm... Both answered fear with laughter. Fear is the lock and laughter the key to the heart... & love is always stronger than death."

Art By Architects 2011

February 4
7:30 p.m. – The Gallery – Studio of JSK Architectural Group is proud to present the Exhibition “Art by Architects”, a collection of works of art created by Architects who are united by the common artistic vocation, that of their creation and their passion for Art. AIA Miami Chapter website
Location: Gallery – Studio of JSK Architectural Group, 137 Giralda Avenue, Coral Gables. RSVP: 305.448.1986 or gallerystudio@jskarchitecturalgroup.com
Architects/Artist include: Jorge Kuperman, Robert Burghardt, Jim Palma, Jacob Brillhart, Orlando Comas, David Ghezzi, Robert Swedrow and myself Kristie Stephenson.

The paintings above were from the show in Coral Gables,  held in the gallery area of architect Jorge Kupperman's storefront office.  Architect Gail Baldwin and his daughter Brandi pictured below have always come out in support of my art shows, they came to my first one in the design district and Brandi  was part of the jump start that got me painting and on our way to Sri Lanka.  It was a wonderful night with interesting people, we ran into a woman who used to take ballet lessons where the architectural office now is.

Architect Jorge Kupperman and Myself

Gail Baldwin and Brandi Baldwin

“ATUM ENERGY: CHANNELING KEMETIC METAPHYSICS”

UM DEPARTMENT OF ART & ART HISTORY AND AFRICANA STUDIES PRESENT
“ATUM ENERGY: CHANNELING KEMETIC METAPHYSICS”

ART EXHIBITION & PANEL DISCUSSION CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

ART SHOW “ATUM ENERGY: CHANNELING KEMETIC METAPHYSICS” 02/11/2011 6:30pm to 10pm
PANEL DISCUSSION “The role of Egyptology and Kemetic Philosophy in general in the development of Contemporary Africana Culture.” 02/13/2011 3:00pm

The University of Miami’s Department of Art & Art History and Africana Studies present “Atum Energy: Channeling Kemetic Metaphysics,” an art exhibition celebrating Black History Month.

The show, curated by international art curator Ludlow Bailey, will run from February 1, 2011-February 28, 2011 at the University’s College of Arts and Sciences Gallery, 1210 Stanford Drive in Coral Gables. The exhibition is free and open to the public. A special opening reception will be held on Friday, February 11, 2011 from 6:30 pm-9:00 pm.

The exhibition will include a series of lectures and will feature the works of African-American artists Robin Holder and Kerry Stuart Coppin, Haitian-American artists, Asser Saint-Val and Nzingah, Jamaican-American artist, Kristie Stephenson and Black British artist, Everton Wright.

The following lecture to contextualize the exhibition will be held at 3:00 p.m. on February 13, 2011. It is titled “The role of Egyptology and Kemetic Philosophy in general in the development of Contemporary Africana Culture.”

Ludlow Bailey has curated shows in Europe, The Caribbean and the United States. He has lived in Egypt and has travelled extensively in Africa. He is a lifelong student of Egyptology & Metaphysics. He holds degrees from both Brown and Columbia Universities. He currently resides on the island of St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands.

Find Your Voice: MEDE Members Pay Tribute

The MEDE 21st Anniversary event on Sunday was a huge success. Touring and traveling artists took a brief break to honor the founder of the Mid Eastern Dance Exchange. There was performance, vintage film clips and a panel discussion. The most important thing I walked away with that night was how giving the founder was, wanting her students to find their own unique voice in dance and how supportive of them she was leaving the nest to create their own dance networks. Of the performances that night there were no "soldier dancers" as Aireen put it, everyone was very different. It is like the painter, at first their early student work will be like that of their teacher or the other artists they are studying until they start to develop their style. Singers and musicians too, I love the story of Johnny Cash who was about to cut a record with his band when after hearing them play, the producer advised him to think that this was his once in a lifetime chance, so he started to play something from deep within that his band members had never heard before so they kept up with him on their instruments and the rest is history. Find your voice.

Left to right: Jihan Jammal, Tamalyn Dallal, Hanan, Amar Gamal, Mustafa, Bozenka, Virginia, Aireen and Alexandria.


Below is an excerpt from Tamalyn Dallal it gives the history and lineage of the Mid Eastern Dance Exchange in Miami.

MidEastern Dance Exchange (non-Profit organization for the cultural arts)



Tamalyn Dallal - Founder and Director



The Mid Eastern Dance Exchange was conceived on a train in Egypt. I was floating on air after seeing all the big names of my formative belly dance years perform; Nagwa Fouad, Souhair Zaki, Fifi Abdo, and Azza Sharif. Not looking forward to going back to a steady diet of bellygrams and birthday parties in Miami, I announced to my traveling companion "I'm going to start the Mid Eastern Dance Exchange (MEDE)." "What's that? He asked. I had no idea what the MEDE would become but such an authoritative name would surely raise the perception of our art form. I thought it might become a publication, an agency, or maybe a dance school.



The original studio had two floors and became something of a community center, with children’s classes after school. In the evening it was home to a multitude of movement forms: Belly dance, Kathak, Tai Chi, Yoga, African dance, Haitian, Afro Cuban, Jamaican, Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, and Acting. In 1993, Lincoln Road became prohibitively expensive and we moved to an upper floor of an office building. Belly dance was quite marginalized and I was told numerous times that we would never get funding. Thanks to Hanan (now the president/director of the MEDE), when she was a new dancer in the troupe in 1997, she wrote and secured our first grant.



The MEDE was the first in Miami to produce a full scale theatrical production (Emerald Dreams) in 1997, followed by numerous other theatre productions: Ghazal, Sawah, Infinito, and 40 Days and 1001 Nights, Dancing Across the Lines. In 2001 we had the privilege of joining forces with New York's World Music Institute to bring the 28-member show "Gypsy Caravan," showcasing authentic Roma culture from four countries, to Miami's Gusman Theater.The original troupe consisted of Mona Mandall, Amar Gamal, and Katia Yasmina (Now known as Maja). This was the troupe from 1991-1995. Mona was in the troupe until 1998 and on the board of directors for 10 years.



The original bellydance teachers at MEDE were; Tamalyn (then known as "Dallal"), Scheherezade, Jihan Jamal, and Myriam Eli (who stayed a short time due to the driving distance.)



pre MEDE

• Ylsa - was the teacher with the most years- 17 years with MEDE then 3 more years at Bozenkas.

• Kathy Lamis

• Jihan Jammal (taught for 3 years)

• Maria Jammal ( taught for 5 years)

• Scheherezade (taught for 2 years)

• Mustafa – Musician

• Fathe – Tunisia – Musician, Music and Dance teacher

• Mariano Parra - Flamenco teacher



1st Generation MEDE Dancers

• Amar Gamal

• August

• Carlos Danaan

• Charlan

• Elizabeth

• Maja

• Marisol

• Mona

• Yasmina (Rocio)



2nd Generation MEDE Dancers

• Aireen

• Barbara Brandt - Sabah

• Big Barbara Arrchevarelta

• Bozenka

• Brenda

• Faride

• Feiruz

• Hanan

• Helena

• Leslie

• Little Barbara Torrez

• Luz

• Marta

• Misha (Hawaii)

• Moki

• Patricia

• Samay

• Shahar

• Thaedra

• Virginia Mendez

• Yasmina (Jessie)



3rd Generation MEDE Dancers

• Alexandra

• Andrea

• Elisa Niederer

• Jennifer

• Jeri

• Kalinka

• Karen Tijerino

• Montserrat Saar

• Moran

• Wild Flower



4rd Generation MEDE Dancers

• Amalia

• Ana

• Francesca

• Joy

• Marilyn

• Roshana Nofret

• Xiomara



MEDE Guest Teacher

• Ahmet Luleci – 2007 - Turkey

• Amani – Lebanon – 1997

• Amel Tafsout – 2000 & 2004 - Algeria

• Amir Thaleb – 1998,1999 & 2000 - Argentina

• Ansuya – 2003 - California

• BellyQueen –2001, 2002, 2003 & 2004

• Dondi – 2001-California

• Dunia – 1992 – New Mexico (currently lives in New York)

• Fajwa (Morocco)

• Ghazal – 1998 – Iran

• Gypsy Caravan – 2001-(Concert 28 gypsys from India, Spain, Romania, Macedonia)

• Hassan El Banna – Egypt – 1992

• Helene Eriksen – 2006 – Germany (Seattle)

• Indian Kathak teacher – Nandu – Santur player

• Issam – 2006 – Lebanon (Bellydance Superstars)

• Jillina – 2006 – California (BellyDance Superstars)

• Karim Nagi – 2006 - Boston

• Kashi – 2005

• Louchia – 2005 - Russian

• Mohammed Shahin – 2007 - Egypt

• Noura – 2001 & 2003 – New York

• Pasha – 2005 - China

• Queen Harish Kumar – 2002 - India

• Ramzi El EDLibi – Lebanon (lived in New York ) 1993

• Raqia Hassan – 1995,1996 (Egypt)

• Richard Khuzami – many times throughout the 90s - from New York

• Saida guest dancer – 1999&2000-Argentina

• Sarat guest dancer – 1999-Argentina

• Sevedije Lika-2007 - Tampa

• Youkta – 1990

Mid Eastern Dance Exchange

I found this amazing place 10 years ago.  At the time I had cut my hair off like a boy, in doing so I realized I had the same shaped head and ears like my brother who passed away which gave me a sad smile.  In this  dance class I felt underweight and scrawny next to the voluptuous women dancing around me, the more seasoned dancers were aware of their bodies, how to move them and move muscles I had never used.  Well alot of the women who came out of this place have gone on to amazing things.  Tamalyn Dallal the original founder of the Mid Eastern Dance Exchange impressed me by her promotion of her former students who went on to successful solo careers forming companies of their own with a huge worldwide following in this BD World.  I felt I got to know them personally through the myriad of documentaries, instructional DVD's and Bellydance Music CD's I have.
This Sunday I am looking forward to the vintage film clips, panel discussion and performances from some of the Mid eastern Dance Exchanges "Golden Era" Bellydancers.  The revenue from this event helps to fund MEDE film projects like Havana Habibi.

MID EASTERN DANCE EXCHANGE 21st Anniversary Special Fund Raiser at the Art of Bellydance Studio Sunday, January 16, 2011 7:00 -10:00pm $20 in advance, $25 at the door (limited tickets) Be part of this amazing milestone by experiencing the unique opportunity of having some of the legendary "Golden Age Era" Bellydancers of the Mid  Eastern Dance Exchange under one roof! We will celebrate this anniversary with a panel discussion moderated by the current Director, Hanan and with tribute performances in honor of TAMALYN DALLAL. The panelist and performers of this incredible event will include: Aireen, Amar Gamal, Bozenka, Hanan, Samay ,Virginia !! ________________________________________________________________________ Visit our website to see our January special workshops   with Tamalyn Dallal and Bozenka  www.artofbellydanceflorida.com 305-695-8720 & 305-525-0074 Also, reserve your tickets NOW for the STUDIO PARTY on Sunday, January 23, 2011 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. ($15 admission) "WOMANHOOD AND A NEW GENERATION OF DANCERS" With special performances by TAMALYN DALLAL, BOZENKA, THE NEW ART OF BELLYDANCE TROUPE under Artistic Director, ROSHANA NOFRET and stellar performances by the Art of Bellydance Teachers. We will also be showing very exclusive film excerpts from Tamalyn's upcoming film "Zanzibar Dance, Trance and Devotion"

And The women Gather TV Show

Behind the scenes, the set...

Teleamerica Broadcasting Network -Channel 88

Interview with InSight on my art and jewelry

 Behind the scenes of the InSight set

Colonial Girls School by Olive Senior

Jamaica's Olive Senior remembers the ironies of her Caribbean schooldays

Colonial Girls School

Borrowed images
willed our skins pale
muffled our laughter
lowered our voices
let out our hems
dekinked our hair
denied our sex in gym tunics and bloomers
harnessed our voices to madrigals
and genteel airs
yoked our minds to declensions in Latin
and the language of Shakespeare

Told us nothing about ourselves
There was nothing about us at all

How those pale northern eyes and
aristocratic whispers once erased us
how our loudness, our laughter
debased us

There was nothing left of ourselves
Nothing about us at all

Studying: History Ancient and Modern
Kings and Queens of England
Steppes of Russia
Wheatfields of Canada

There was nothing of our landscape there
Nothing about us at all

Marcus Garvey turned twice in his grave.
‘Thirty-eight was a beacon. A flame.
They were talking of desegregation
in Little Rock, Arkansas. Lumumba
and the Congo. To us: mumbo-jumbo.
We had read Vachel Lindsay's
vision of the jungle

Feeling nothing about ourselves
There was nothing about us at all

Months, years, a childhood memorising
Latin declensions
(For our language
-‘bad talking' -
detentions)

Finding nothing about us there
Nothing about us at all

So, friend of my childhood years
One day we'll talk about
How the mirror broke
Who kissed us awake
Who let Anansi from his bag

For isn't it strange how
northern eyes
in the brighter world before us now

Pale?


From Talking of Trees, Published by Calabash, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica (1985)

Love Thy Liberty: An Art Exhibition celebrating the power of love & Independence by Local Artists

In a month that is often darkened by the memorable tragedy of 9/11, 1310 Gallery presents a positive interpretation of love & liberty. Artists interpret the power of love and the freedoms of personal independence. Love thy liberty features the creations of South Florida artists, performers and filmmakers. ADMISSION IS FREE. Light Refreshments and Beverages. Opening Reception Sept. 24, 7-11 pm, On view by appointment until October 7th. 1310 Gallery now has even easier accessibility with a public restroom and an additional parking lot. LOVE THY LIBERTY ARTISTS Sean J. Glenn (BlacInc) Shari Dickson Anne-Marie Dionne Melanie Feliciano The Femmebots Multimedia Productions Janus Bridge Art Collective IRENA GAPKOVSKA Lu Gold Herbert Hofer Kianga Jinaki Mary Joseph Claire Kern Nellie Levental LINX Niki Lopez Cynthia Nichols Maxine Norden Nzingah Juan Pablo Patiño Vena Paylo Laura Peterson Claudia Polzer Kristin Reilly Lisa Rockford Chelsea Rousso Karen Starosta-Gilinski Kristie Stephenson Nerissa Street Renica Sweet Vionette Torres Michael Williams Emily Wolverton David Zalben

Miami Art Salon

Miami Art Salon is a project bringing artists together to inspire, provoke, and produce by hosting biweekly gatherings that are an experiment in active, participatory, organic, spontaneous, collaborative art.
This project is brought to you by Blackbird Arts and Research, 801 Projects, and the Arts of Citizenship at the University of Michigan.
Participating artists include: Angela Valella, Dinorah de Jesus Rodriguez, Juan Antonio "Erman" Gonzalez, Juan Carlos Zaldivar,  Kristie Stephenson, Lara Stein Pardo, Nereida Garcia Ferraz, Noelle Theard, Rene Rodriguez, Tatiana Silvia Sainz.

Miami Art Salon Open to the Public
November 2, 6PM – 8PM

 Myself and Erica Stringer cohost of INsight on the Teleamerica network who took time from her busy schedule to model my jewelry collection at the Miami Art Salon Opening.

Miami Beach Botanical Garden

Opening  June 15
at Miami Beach Botanical Garden
2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139-1806
EXHIBITION SCHEDULE:
June 14 - 17
Monday - Thursday 9 am to 5 pm
Tuesday, June 15 - Opening Reception at 7 pm

And the Women Gather my interview with Lorna Owens

Listen to internet radio with Lorna Owens on Blog Talk Radio

Art as Healing Therapy

Inside Out: Art as Healing Therapy at Artserve May 25th to June 25th In partnership with: The Children’s Diagnostic Treatment Center, Schott Communities, Easter Seals South Florida, Broward Children’s Center, Ann Storck Center, and ARC Broward. 
Opening Reception: Thursday June 10 from 6-8pm

The Right Moment

Wake up sleeping beauties to your braveheart woman soul, experience empowering female archetypes of war.  Histories hidden heroines, warrior women and queens.  "Women Warriors" series at  "The Right Moment" Saturday May 15th, 7pm to 10pm.  At The Sailboat Bend Gallery  1310 SW 2nd Court, Downtown Fort Lauderdale.

This event is free.  Proceeds benefit Women in Distress (WID).

Trash 2 Art: "Woman with Secrets" Painting

Trash 2 Art opening exhibition at ARTSERVE in Fort Lauderdale.  Me standing beside my painting made from 75% recycable materials.  The painting is titled "Woman with Secrets" the secret is the plywood is from Miami that experieced hurricanes Wilma and Katrina, her dress is from the organization Trash to Treasure - a recycled bath mat that would have perhaps ended up in a landfill.  Thanks to BJ Smith for taking this picture with her iphone.

"Kristie in Paris"

Muse of the moment for photographer Lew Lautin.  Below are photographs of "Kristie in Paris". 

I appreciate and admire what Lew Lautin (photomanlew on youtube) has done with my image, it reminds me of Fridah Kahlo done by Andy Warhol. 

Except it is me as seen thru Lew Lautin.  These photographs are interactive placing my image as icon thru the streets of Paris.

In Myth & Legend the Muse in Greek myth is any of the nine sister goddesses, each of whom was regarded as the protectress of a different art or science. Daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the nine are Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania.