Death and Rebirth: The Phoenix
by Joseph Dispenza and Dr. Beverly Nelson
Here in Mexico, we are preparing for the year's most remarkable celebration: the annual feast at the beginning of November of Day of the Dead. This may sound at first like a rather somber affair, but it is just the opposite. Spread over two days, it commemorates family members who have gone before and celebrates their birth into the world of spirit.
During this time, death itself is extolled as the passage that makes possible the transformation to new life. Skeletons, coffins, and skulls made of sugar candy are sold everywhere in the streets, along with bunches of fresh and fragrant marigolds, the flower of the dead. Families camp around the graves of their ancestors in the old cemeteries, and visit with them through the night, in what is surely the most complete of all family reunions.
We have in the myth of the Phoenix an archetype that represents the same amazing, magical process of going from death to life.
The Myth
The phoenix bird symbolizes immortality, resurrection and life after death. In ancient Greek and Egyptian mythology, it is associated with the sun god.
According to the Greeks, the bird lives in Arabia, near a cool well. Every morning at dawn, the sun god would stop his chariot to listen to the bird sing a beautiful song while it bathed in the well.
Only one phoenix exists at a time. When the bird felt its death was near, every 500 to 1,461 years, it would build a nest of aromatic wood and set it on fire. The bird then was consumed by the flames.
A new phoenix sprang forth from the pyre. It embalmed the ashes of its predecessor in an egg of myrrh and flew with it to Heliopolis, 'city of the sun,' where the egg was deposited on the altar of the sun god. > Read more about The Phoenix
Personal Transformation in Your Life
The ancients conceived of the Phoenix as a reminder to us that we have the power to re-create ourselves when it becomes clear that the 'old' is not working anymore. You'll remember the definition of madness: to do the same thing in the same way, and expect a different outcome. Phoenix energy gives us the opportunity to put an end to the old way of doing things, and the old ways of regarding ourselves, and enter into a new place where we can create ourselves a fresh and dynamic person.
Motivational speaker Linda McNeil has created a quiz for us to find out if we are ready to change. Take a few minutes to find out. Answer each of the following questions yes or no and jot your answers down on a piece of paper, or in your journal; don't analyze, just respond.
- Have you ever considered the impact of your life choices on your present circumstances?
- Are you willing to choose differently in order to change your life?
- Are you now experiencing some type of personal, professional or financial 'pain' in your life?
- Are you able and willing to ask for help?
- Will you accept responsibility for new life circumstances and results?
- Are you able to persist, day in and day out, to create new results in your life?
- Do you know how to let go of your old ways of doing, being and thinking to start a new way?
- Are you aware of what really makes you happy?
- Do you sometimes find yourself acting as a victim or martyr when difficulties arise?
- Are you surrounded by positive, supportive people who will share your dream with you?
If you answered yes to at least five of the above questions, you are ready for personal transformation!
Using the Phoenix as Your Guide
Just as the Phoenix rose from the ashes of its former self, you can resurrect yourself as a new person. You may feel that the old ways are not working anymore, and you want to create new ways. You have the power to do this in all areas of your life. You just need to take the first step. And, while you are contemplating the necessary changes that will bring about a new you, remember to sift through the ashes of the past, as the new Phoenix did, to see not only what you would like to discard, but also what you would like to keep.
Meditation Idea
The color of the Phoenix is RED, so when you are contemplating your changes, wear red, look at the color red, imagine red. It will help put you in touch with this ancient archetype.
Footnote: in our culture, we have transposed the Phoenix into the Stork, which brings babies -- it is the same idea...the bird that brings new life.
Recommended Reading
 7 Keys to Changing – Your Life, Health and Wealth
by Linda McNeil
This is a powerful attitude book on change--from the inside out! It offers seven proven tools for losing weight, stopping smoking, improving health, and moving from debt to wealth. The author has lost 1/3 of her body weight and kept it off for more than 18 years. She nearly spent herself into bankruptcy, battled addiction, fought dangerously high blood pressure, suffered two unhappy marriages, and was driven to "succeed." After understanding that true change can come only from the inside out, Lin has turned her life around personally and professionally. Each of the 7 keys (based on the acronym CHANGES) is followed by workbook questions and space for the reader to truly make the process personal. Learn how to change for real, for good!
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