Volume 8, Issue 1, Spring 2008 · Jun 12, 04:24 PM
“THE CELESTIAL SWAN” SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION AT SWANNANOA PALACE ON AFTON MOUNTAIN, VIRGINIA
On the weekend of June 21 and 22, 2008, The Center of The One Heart will host its annual Homecoming at Swannanoa Palace on Afton Mountain, Virginia. This event will be an opportunity for light workers, teachers, healers and artists in the greater Central Virginia area to come together in a weekend of celebration, ceremony, music and merriment at Swannanoa Palace and Grounds. All are welcome to glide with the celestial swan across the lake of light in pure consciousness as we unfold the renewal and reawakening of the energy vortex on Afton Mountain. Located on sacred geomantic terrain, Swannanoa Palace is aligned with the Cygnus Constellation, the celestial swan.
Swannanoa Palace and Grounds was originally created in the early part of the twentieth century by Major James Dooley of Richmond, Virginia, a railroad magnate, as an exact replica of an Italian Renaissance marble palace in Florence, Italy. After the death of Major James Dooley, Swannanoa Palace and Grounds was operated as a country club and then fell into ruins throughout the Great Depression. In 1944 Swannanoa Palace and Grounds was purchased by Skyline Swannanoa, Incorporated and was briefly operated as a tourist attraction by A. T. Dulaney, Sr. In 1949 Skyline Swannanoa, Incorporated leased the property to Walter and Lao Russell who for over fifty years operated the University of Science and Philosophy from Swannanoa Palace.
In May 2000, a number of teachers, healers and artists participated in a series of exploratory meetings on Afton Mountain near Charlottesville, Virginia to discuss birthing a Center of the One Heart. The impetus for the Center came through a core group of enthusiasts, many of whom were originally joined together by a common interest in the teachings, art, science and philosophy inherent in the works, teachings and spirit of Walter and Lao Russell, who taught a home study course entitled “Universal Law, Natural Science, and Living Philosophy.” Information about their course and books is available at www.philosophy.org.
In 2001, the Center of The One Heart incorporated as a non-profit organization and has met on a regular basis over the last eight years, usually on Afton Mountain, to celebrate and network. For the first time in over ten years, Swannanoa Palace and Grounds will be opened to a large scale Homecoming event for light workers to come together in a mystery drama and sacred weekend of fun, laughter and sharing. Over the last several years, James F. Dulaney, Jr., President of Skyline Swannanoa, Incorporated, has spent over $2 million dollars in renovation on Swannanoa Palace including roof repairs and cleaning and pointing of exterior marble work. While the renovations are ongoing, Skyline Swannanoa, Incorporated regularly offers Swannanoa Palace and Grounds for rental, primarily for weddings and receptions. Skyline Swannanoa, Incorporated has graciously made the palace and grounds available to The Center of The One Heart for its 2008 Homecoming.
The theme for the Homecoming in 2008 is “Out of Many We are One, Living Collective Consciousness”. Throughout the weekend we will be looking not only at our macrocosmic relationship with one another and with the higher kingdoms but also looking at the microcosmic worlds within us.
Admission is free and donations will be gratefully accepted. Throughout the weekend there will be music, speakers, vendors, sacred dance, as well as video presentations regarding the history of Swannanoa Palace during the Dooley period, the Russell period, and the University of Science and Philosophy period after the deaths of Walter and Lao Russell. All are welcome to celebrate and to enjoy the magic and pure consciousness of a sacred site and vortex which will be magically reopened again on the weekend of June 21-22, 2008 as the Earth nears her “tipping point”.
The Saturday evening music concert and merriment will be facilitated by singer/songwriter/humorist Matisha of Hawaii [www.songofhome.com] and the keynote speaker for our Homecoming will be Geoffrey Bullington, a teacher of practical spirituality. Other speakers will include P.M.H. Atwater, Deborah Cameron, Linda Heeschen, Christina Kramer, and other speakers. Sherry Savitri Triebe will offer an “Awakening of the Heart through Dances of Universal Peace.” Joyce Swann Gideon will be doing a crystal bowl meditation and Patty Snyder will be singing and playing guitar. One Heart Master Musician Shallel Octavia will be playing original music and Ryphon Gray will be playing his unique “Voice of Reason” instrument and Airisun Wonderli will be reading her poetry. The Son of Sam Comedy Troupe will also be making a special appearance.
If you would like to be a vendor at the Homecoming to offer either products or services, please contact our vendor coordinator Iela at (434) 465-0679 to reserve a vendor space. While there will be no charge to be a vendor, The Center of The One Heart will ask for a re-giving on a sliding scale based upon sales and services. On Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. there will be a potluck dinner and all are welcome to participate in the potluck dinner prior to the evening’s entertainment. Rooms will be available at a special One Heart rate of $40.00 at the Inn at Afton and rooms can be reserved by calling (800) 860-8559. The Inn at Afton is located at Exit 99 off of Interstate 64 west of Charlottesville and Swannanoa Palace and Grounds is located above and behind the Inn at Afton just off of Route 610 on Swannanoa Lane.
For further information about The Center of The One Heart Homecoming, please feel free to contact Richard Dulaney at (800) 741-1012 or Airison at (434) 823-9911 or Iela at (434) 465-0679.
During the calendar year, meetings are usually conducted on the Saturday prior to the summer and winter solstices and the fall and spring equinoxes. Together we continue to build Community with the help of talented committed Light workers who are dedicated to the raising of consciousness on our planet! WE gather…we co-create…we co-operate…we celebrate the uniqueness of each individual. We break bread together, we dance, we sing and laugh together…we embrace spiritual ceremony. We are a circle of Light…we are of One Heart.
