Dear Friends,

It never ceases to amaze me how many “best trip ever” journeys to Egypt one can have in a lifetime— I think I'm up past forty by now and not looking to stop anytime soon! I'm still recovering from jet lag, so I will only speak of a few of the many highlights of my most recent six-week adventure:

The first highlight was our luxurious dahabeya sail. Ever since I first sailed from Luxor to Aswan on an oversized felucca (1979), I longed to have a boat that was comfortable, private, and of a certain quality and taste that was simply not available. I guess I complained long and loudly, because finally Mohamed Nazmy, our agent/magician extraordinaire, built one. And this trip I got to sail on Afandina twice. (see Gloria's article for more details; it's her newest love.)

Gloria Taylor Brown and Normandi EllisNext is, I never realized how much fun it is to be a participant! Mark and I joined Normandi Ellis and Gloria Taylor Brown's writers' tour, and it was excellent on every level. We spent most of the tour sailing on the Afandina, absorbing the timeless beauty of the Nile, stopping to visit temples along the way, and writing and sharing pieces for a modern-day “Book of the Dead,” which is actually a Book of Light. I was astonished at the depth of vision and eloquence of the writing by the other participants, and at my own slow, but steady opening to the inspiration that surrounded me. Normandi is the author of three of my favorite books on Egypt: Awakening Osiris (a translation of The Egyptian Book of the Dead), Dreams of Isis, and Feasts of Light. She is an inspired teacher, and I can't wait to see what she and Gloria put together from our combined efforts.

Bedouin women watchingMusicians from South Sinai Between tours, Mark and I were invited to Characters of Egypt, a Bedouin festival at Wadi El Gemal, in the South-Eastern Desert. This gathering of tribes was an historical meeting of nomads from the various deserts of Egypt. Some of these tribes are so remote from each other and the world that they did not know of each other's existence. Dancing at the Bedouin Festival
Mark roughing it at the FestivalThis gave them a chance to compare notes on lifestyles, tribal law, desert survival, and music, while competing in games and races, and even poetry. Mark and I were fortunate to be given a hut on the grounds, whereas the journalists who attended in force stayed at a resort some miles away. We enjoyed food and music late into the night, and met some true “characters” that made this a memorable event for us. I think “pictures are worth a thousand words” definitely applies to this part of our adventure.

The final highlight I will mention happened on the second tour, the one that Mark and I led together in November. Once again we were carried on our magical dahabeya, Afandina, enjoying perfect weather and the company of our wonderful group. A strong wind came up and forced us to anchor along the shore at a spot where boats never lingered. It was a beautiful, pastoral scene with donkeys grazing by the river, in front of a dirt path that is a thoroughfare for the locals. Emil decided to take us exploring, and walked for about a half-mile along the river and then about ¼ mile inland until we came to the central area of a pretty good-sized village. We were of great interest to the people, especially the children, who gathered around us inquiring, “What is your name?” One girl kept snapping pictures of us with her cell phone, but wouldn't at first let us take hers. She later relented, and turned out to be quite a ham, as are most of the children all over Egypt.

Following the Donkey CartThe crowd got larger and larger, and it was quite friendly. Eventually Emil decided it was time for us to return, and hired two donkey carts to take us back to the boat, one for the nine pilgrims, and one for the boat crew who had accompanied us just for the fun of it. The gathering watched us climb onto the donkey carts with some amusement, however no one was prepared for the joyful cacophony that greeted us as we began to depart, and followed us all the way back to the boat. I managed to take a video with my still camera as we were leaving the village. Although it doesn't fully capture the throng that was following us, it does give the feeling of the joyful stampede of children, and the sound that enveloped us all the way home. (video here)

Joan Borysenko

As excited as I still am about these last tours, I'm already gearing up for my next great adventure, the journey to Egypt with Joan Borysenko that is coming up in November 2010. The more Joan and I converse, the more enthusiastic we become about our collaboration; we are discovering how the many similarities in our values, beliefs and dedication to enlightenment and healing are expressed in very different, yet complimentary ways. Whereas I come out of the renegade tradition of rock and roll, psychedelics, street-smarts, and a fortunate (I sometimes still pinch myself) direct-connect with Thoth, Joan overlays her stellar accomplishments on a background of Harvard Med, two PhDs, and a capacity for research that gives her leading-edge insights scientific credibility. And best of all, she is fun (and funny)! If you aren't familiar with Joan and her work, please check out her extremely informative website, find an event in your area where she is presenting, or pick up one of her many best-selling books. And don't wait too long to register for our pilgrimage—this one is going to fill fast. (More info about the trip here)

Alchemical Healing

This year, for me, is a time for rest, reflection, and the completion of some writing projects that have been on the back burner for way too long. Consequently, I will be curtailing my teaching and speaking activities. I promised my healing students an Advanced Alchemical Healing Practicum this winter, which will be at my home February 5-8. The aim of this course is to provide an opportunity for practice and allow students and practitioners to get feedback and encouragement for their Alchemical Healing work. We will also delve more deeply into how to give journeys to others and spend time exploring new techniques and refinements of the form. This retreat is advised for all Level II and above students, practitioners, anyone who is actively practicing Alchemical Healing, those who have taken the Alchemical Healing Intensive retreat, and those seeking certification as a practitioner and/or teacher. (more info and registration here)

The dates for this year's nine day Alchemical Healing Intensive retreat are July 23 - 31 . Please join me at my home/garden/center for an in-depth exploration of the entire Alchemical Healing form. We will delve into many of the initiations and practice all the techniques in the book, and more. This course includes a clinic that is open to the public so that participants get to work on a variety of diseases, injuries, and other issues—spiritual and emotional as well as physical.

Danielle Rama Hoffman

Danielle Rama Hoffman I am proud to announce the publication of a wonderful new book by my one-time student, now colleague, Danielle Rama Hoffman: The Temples of Light, An Initiatory Journey into the Heart Teachings of the Egyptian Mystery Schools, with a foreword by me. Danielle studied with me for many years before becoming a part of the Thoth Lineage and traveling with me to Egypt. She now leads tours to Egypt, where she uses her direct connections with the ancient Egyptian energies to bring through her own mystery teachings, The Temples of Light initiations, which are also published as a six CD set of guided meditations.

The Temples of Light tunes the reader into the energies of the sacred monuments in Egypt to assist the modern-day pilgrim with everyday life issues and struggles—love, purpose, money and health—and the deeper questions of enlightenment and our divine origin. Danielle brings us a new way to connect with the power of the ancient mysteries of Egypt for healing and transformation.

Purchase this award-winning book Tuesday, December 8, and receive exciting gifts valued at over $3000 from many respected transformational leaders, including a bonus from me. To take advantage of this special promotional offer, go to www.TheTemplesofLight.com/promotion.

The Modern-Day Alchemist

Mohamed and Nicki I have worked with Mohamed Nazmy, founder and president of Quest Travel, for the past 17 years. It is no co-incidence that Mohamed has also arranged tours for many great spiritual leaders and teachers— it is because he truly cares about the people he serves, and it is his passion to give them the best service possible. Recently he invited many of the most magical of his clients to participate in an anthology, which has been compiled, edited and published by our colleague in Australia, George Faddoul. The Modern Day Alchemist from the Land of the Pharaohs is now available with a cast of fourteen co-authors including Lynn Andrews, Leslie Temple-Thurston, Normandi Ellis, Danielle Rama Hoffman, and myself. It is on its way and should be able to be delivered in time for Christmas, Chanukah, Solstice, or whichever of the holidays of the season inspire a powerful, insightful gift. To learn more about this and to view our Holiday specials, please visit Hathor's Mirror. Our catalogue is expanding and including more offers, including the books of Normandi Ellis, Danielle Rama Hoffman's various products, mine, and more.

Gloria Taylor Brown

Last, but certainly not least, my friend and cohort Gloria Taylor Brown is offering a ½ price special for her readings between now and the end of the year. She is one of the visionaries that I rely on, and whose keen insight and clear connection to Spirit has helped to guide me on my path for about 25 years. I cannot recommend her highly enough… You can book your reading on line on Gloria's website. Gloria will also be leading a tour to Egypt on her beloved dahabeya Novemer 22-December 6, 2010. Details will be posted soon at www.shamanicjourneys.com.

I'm not sure when I will get the next newsletter out, so I send you blessings of love, joy, health and prosperity for this holiday season and the New Year.

Nicki