Episode 9: My Travels Through The Mojave In 2023

 

Thank you for watching.

Regards,

Dan

Episode 8: 03-15-2025 Drum Journey - Giza Plateau and Ancestors (Video)

 

Model of the Great Pyramid at Giza

Amber incense from India

I asked my guide Charlie (big raven, very wise) to help me talk with the Great Pyramid at Giza today.

It was interesting. The Pyramid was a very old spirit. It thought of me as an infant.

The Pyramid was talking to and through the black hole Sagittarius A at the center of the Milky Way. 

Apparently, there are ancient Pyramids on planets all over the galaxy that are communication and energy channels. 

The Pyramid had little to say to me. I'm too young and uninteresting to it.

My guide Charlie told me that the Sphinx is an interesting character, but we didn't get to talk to it today. 

I spoke with my Sicilian grandmother a bit. We were in our old kitchen from when I was a child. She told me that a time was coming where we would have to learn to grow things like the spices she used to grow outside our kitchen window.

She also said Mom was doing better, but that she'd had a really rough exit.

Nono has apparently moved on to his next incarnation.

Aunt Felicia popped in briefly, just to say hello.

I have to admit, I have a tough time focusing on the journey while I'm drumming.  I feel distracted, somehow. It's easier for me to journey if someone else is doing the drumming.

Rune Casting: 03-15-2025: Past = Mannaz, inverted. Present = Sowilo. Future = Kenaz. Obstacle = Othila sideways.

Past: Mannaz inverted - Mankind, the Self, Friends, Enemies, The Social Order. (I see this as society not being on the same page I'm on, not seeing the same big picture as I do.)

Present: Sowilo - The Sun, Success, Goals Realized, Honor. (I see this as some successes I've had at work and in my personal life)

Future: Kenaz - Torch, Vision, Revelation, Creativity, Technical Ability. (I see this as both learning new skills at work, and as getting better at my chosen spiritual path - which is uniquely my own.)

Obstacle: Othala, sideways - Heirlooms, Heritage, Land of Birth. (I see this as the utter chaos the USA is being subjected to. It's like the country I grew up in is being dismantled, torched, axed, and sledgehammered. It will need rebuilding.)

03-15-2025 Runecasting - DS

Dan

03-15-2025 Episode 7: Rain Falling On Raven - Shamanic Journey Meditation

 Shamanic Journeying, what I consider a very spiritual and ancient form of guided meditation, is a great way to get answers from the universal subconscious mind that we all share. 

I prefer to enter an altered state - "non-ordinary reality" in shamanic tradition - by using monotonous, droning drumming. This is a classic tool for entering a trance state. It also doesn't involve substances most societies are not willing to let pass. 

Of course, there's more to journeying than I can cover in this video. This will get you started. There are many books, magazines, and other materials on shamanic journey work. I encourage you to read up on the topic. However, actually practicing it is often the best way to begin learning.

I've included three drum sessions with call-backs here, back-to-back. A lot of people fall asleep on the first try or two. It's natural, especially when most of us don't get nearly enough sleep in modern times. If that happens, roll with it, and continue trying. You'll get there eventually, and get a good power nap or three in the process.

Note: A shaman's drum is often called their "spirit horse." They ride the sound of the drum into the Otherworld. In shamanism, inanimate objects have spirits just as much as people and animals do. A drum is a special spirit, and a shaman's trusted friend.

Find somewhere quiet and comfortable, lie down, and listen.

01-11-2025 Episode 6: Murrieta Hot Springs Resort

An overview of the history of the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort in Murrieta, California. Includes things to do at the resort, some information on the pools, where you might need reservations and where not, as well as my personal take on the waters of the pools themselves. I hope you enjoy!

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My second favorite view at the resort - the bathhouse & fountain

Things to do at the pools

History of the resort

Resort history on its home page: https://www.murrieta-hotsprings.com/springs/history/

Thank you for visiting and watching.

Please consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel, and liking this video on YouTube.

May you find serenity and joy in the mysterious quiet of the desert.

Dan

SFGATE: The race to save seeds of California's disappearing Joshua tree

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/saving-california-joshua-tree-seeds-19954009.php

2024-12-11 Episode 5: Anasazi Palaces For Marsha

 

Episode 5: Anasazi Palaces For Marsha

Author John Hindle recounts another of his journeys into the Mojave with Marsha in 1997, visiting Chaco Canyon, and pueblos.

John Hindle, Anasazi labyrinth

John Hindle, Anasazi ruins

John Hindle, Bandolier National Monume

John Hindle, Bandolier National Monument

Marsha at Anasazi labyrinth

Marsha at Anasazi labyrinth

Marsha, at Bandolier National Monument

Marsha, Chaco Canyon

Marsha, caves at Bandolier National Monument

Marsha, caves at Bandolier National Monument

Marsha at the Anasazi Palaces of Chaco Canyon, in front of one of the kivas

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and happy holidays!

2024-11-29 Episode 4: DSC Interview With Author John Hindle

Desert Spirit Chronicles host Dan Stafford interviews author John Hindle regarding a trip he took across the Navajo and Hopi reservations on the way to the Grand Canyon with his late wife in the mid 1990's. Filled with interesting details about the reservations and the Grand Canyon, this interview is a spiritual tour of some fascinating places that are a part of the beating heart of the Southwestern USA.

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Dan Stafford Interviewing John Hindle

John Hindle books on Lulu.com: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/goldenmyst

Grand Canyon

John Hindle circa 1996 - taken by Marsha

Grand Canyon

John's late former wife Marsha

Grand Canyon

All photos courtesy of John Hindle and used with permission.

Thank you for visiting Desert Spirit Chronicles.

Some Days I Just Want To Zen Out On A Recording Of That Sound The Desert Makes Way Out In The Middle...

Enjoy the views!

Dan

Digital Desert Appears To Have Solved The Mystery Of The Desert Megaphone

 Digital Desert's article can be found here: https://www.digital-desert.com/m/desert-megaphone.html 

They believe the Desert Megaphone is related to atomic testing (military) in the mid-20th century, and they have some very sound reasoning.

Here's a look at the Megaphone:

"Mojave Desert Megaphone" - a mysterious artifact out in the desert between Baker, CA & Ludlow, CA

There have been many theories and speculations about what this is and how it got up on this hill in the middle of the Mojave Desert.

I think Digital Desert's theory is highly plausible, especially when you see this plaque from Ludlow Cafe. (I took the Ludlow Cafe pic in 2023. The Megaphone pic is sourced from Wikipedia)

While Project Carryall is NOT related to the military testing Digital Desert is referring to, it does say a lot about the attitude towards "the power and utility of the atom" that prevailed in the 1950's, 1960's, and early 1970's. 

About Project Carryall:

Photo by Dan Stafford, 2023, donated to Public Domain
Click to enlarge (Plaque at Ludlow Cafe, Ludlow, CA)

During the first half of the twentieth century, U.S. engineers thought really big. There was an attitude that anything could be accomplished if the right technology could be developed. 

A few videos on the Mojave Desert Megaphone:

Thank you for reading.

Dan

Closeup of Project Carryall Plaque

Updates To The Cities List Page

 I've made several updates (added informational links) to our Mojave Desert Cities and Towns page. ( https://desertspiritchronicles.blogspot.com/p/mojave-desert-cities-and-towns.html )

I added links about the Amboy Crater volcano. (You can go hiking in the crater)

I also updated city and town links through "L".

This is obviously going to be an on-going work in progress for quite some time. This list is far from comprehensive, and is mostly (at this time) focused on the cities and towns I'm aware of in Southern California and nearby.

I'm intending to follow the desert portions of Route 66, Highway 80, Highway 95, and a few others, and especially historic railroad towns.

I'm also open to suggestions for adding cities, towns, or attractions. If you know of something that you think should be added, let me know via our Contact Us page: https://desertspiritchronicles.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.html.

Thank you for visiting, be safe out there, and enjoy the view!

Dan

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Update 10-30-2024:

I've finished my original list through "Z" as of tonight. On a suggestion from someone I respect in Mojave Desert Exploration, I will begin researching Mojave Ghost Towns to fill out more of the list going forward. - Dan