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~ The Wealth of the Rainforests… ~

Rainforest 


The subject of the Rainforest is dear to my heart. It is well known that these precious forests play an important role in the health of Mother Earth and her inhabitants. These rainforests are the lungs of this planet. Without them, we cannot live and breathe. Not to mention the tragic loss of so many herbs and medicines in this wanton destruction of the plant nation. So, knowing this precious resource is being wasted for no other reason but greed, why do we continue to let this occur? We have the knowledge to create other sources in building materials. We can put a stop to this devestation before it is too late. People need to truly be aware of how serious this has become… it is not a theory, it is a fact. And talking about it won’t solve the problem. People need to be proactive in solving this very serious travesty visited upon this Earth, this gift of a planet the Creator has placed us upon.

Here are a few Amazon Rainforest facts…

* The Amazon Rainforest covers over a billion acres, encompassing areas in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and the Eastern Andean region of Ecuador and Peru. If Amazonia were a country, it would be the ninth largest in the world.

* The Amazon Rainforest has been described as the “Lungs of our Planet” because it provides the essential environmental world service of continuously recycling carbon dioxide into oxygen. More than 20 percent of the world oxygen is produced in the Amazon Rainforest.

* More than half of the world’s estimated 10 million species of plants, animals and insects live in the tropical rainforests. One-fifth of the world’s fresh water is in the Amazon Basin.

* One hectare (2.47 acres) may contain over 750 types of trees and 1500 species of higher plants.

* At least 80% of the developed world’s diet originated in the tropical rainforest. Its bountiful gifts to the world include fruits like avocados, coconuts, figs, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, bananas, guavas, pineapples, mangos and tomatoes; vegetables including corn, potatoes, rice, winter squash and yams; spices like black pepper, cayenne, chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, sugar cane, tumeric, coffee and vanilla and nuts including Brazil nuts and cashews.

* At least 3000 fruits are found in the rainforests; of these only 200 are now in use in the Western World. The Indians of the rainforest use over 2,000.
* Rainforest plants are rich in secondary metabolites, particularly alkaloids. Biochemists believe alkaloids protect plants from disease and insect attacks. Many alkaloids from higher plants have proven to be of medicinal value and benefit.

* Currently, 121 prescription drugs currently sold worldwide come from plant-derived sources. And while 25% of Western pharmaceuticals are derived from rainforest ingredients, less than 1% of these tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists.

* The U.S. National Cancer Institute has identified 3000 plants that are active against cancer cells. 70% of these plants are found in the rainforest. Twenty-five percent of the active ingredients in today’s cancer-fighting drugs come from organisms found only in the rainforest.

* Vincristine, extracted from the rainforest plant, periwinkle, is one of the world’s most powerful anticancer drugs. It has dramatically increased the survival rate for acute childhood leukemia since its discovery.

* In 1983, there were no U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers involved in research programs to discover new drugs or cures from plants. Today, over 100 pharmaceutical companies and several branches of the US government, including giants like Merck and The National Cancer Institute, are engaged in plant research projects for possible drugs and cures for viruses, infections, cancer, and even AIDS.

Rainforest Action

* Experts agree that by leaving the rainforests intact and harvesting it’s many nuts, fruits, oil-producing plants, and medicinal plants, the rainforest has more economic value than if they were cut down to make grazing land for cattle or for timber.

* The latest statistics show that rainforest land converted to cattle operations yields the land owner $60 per acre and if timber is harvested, the land is worth $400 per acre. However, if these renewable and sustainable resources are harvested, the land will yield the land owner $2,400 per acre.

* If managed properly, the rainforest can provide the world’s need for these natural resources on a perpetual basis.

* Promoting the use of these sustainable and renewable sources could stop the destruction of the rainforests. By creating a new source of income harvesting the medicinal plants, fruits nuts, oil and other sustainable resources, the rainforests will be more valuable alive than cut and burned.

* Sufficient demand of sustainable and ecologically harvested rainforest products is necessary for preservation efforts to succeed. Purchasing sustainable rainforest products can effect positive change by creating a market for these products while supporting the native people’s economy and provides the economic solution and alternative to cutting the forest just for the value of its timber.

“More Facts on the Disappearing Rainforests”

“Rainforest Plants”


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Organic Landscaping and Organic Lawns…

Natural LawnsI found this interesting..

QUESTION FROM ORGANIC BYTES READER: (reference: Organic Bytes #113 ” How to Have the Best Looking Organic Lawn on the Block”) — You make good points about how to have healthy organic grass, but you should provide your readers with more information on how to rid of conventional grass lawns altogether. Are there more options?

RESPONSE FROM THE OCA: This is definitely true. As noted in our article, more than a third of urban water use is soaked up by grass lawns, and 67 million pounds of pesticides are used each year on these lawns. While converting your conventional lawn to an organic lawn is a HUGE positive step in reducing chemical and water use, even greater conservation can be achieved by transitioning your grass lawn into a low maintenance and diverse landscape of native plants – called “naturescaping. For those interested in taking their lawn beyond organic grass, PlantNative is an excellent website about naturescaping, including an excellent how-to section and directory of native plant nurseries.

Note to readers: If you have questions or comments about issues covered in Organic Bytes, like the reader above, please post them in our Organic Bytes forum here:
Organic Bytes Forum


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~ In Hawaii, Kilauea raises her voice in a new eruption ~

Hawaiian VolcanoThere’s a new eruption site on Kilauea volcano. It’s the first time lava is flowing east of Puuoo in 15 years. There’s been quite a bit of activity on Kilauea for the past five weeks…earthquake swarms, Puuoo crater collapsed, and now a new eruption site.

It’s known as the most world’s most active volcano. Experts say it’s the most activity and changes they’ve seen in a few years. Most of Kilauea’s Eruptions happen at the summit or within the two rift zones. Now there’s a new eruption site, just east of Puuoo crater. The lava is oozing along one mile fissures. It’s the first time this area has had any activity in 15 years.

The last time there were eruptions at this site in 1990. The lava ended up flowing downhill to Kalapana and destroyed the entire community. Experts monitoring the new lava outbreak don’t believe this flow will take that same path. Scientists say if Kilauea is trying to tell them something, they’re listening carefully.

When Mother Earth decides to rumble and grumble, we are humbly reminded how pitifully small we are in the scheme of things. At this moment I wish to send out heartfelt prayers for the safety and well being of folks within the vicinity of this Volcano as she vents…

Simplified map of Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i

Kilauea Eruption Updates

Geological Survey Fact Sheet


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~* A Galactic Fairy Tale *~

Milky Way... Galactical 
Well then, I have been away for a while, camping and participating in our Lakota ceremonies. What an Adventure this past month has presented! Perhaps I will update my own personal journey very soon. Until then, I have an interesting Tale I recently discovered and wish to share.A Galactic Fairy Tale
by Michael LightweaverA long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away there were all of these little light beings just hanging out enjoying life in that joyful & timeless dimension. And then one day a very large, magnificent angel came to them. He had a very serious look on his face. He was looking for volunteers for a very important cosmic mission.
“We have this small – but very special – planet out at the edge of the Alcyon galaxy called Gaia. It is quite unique like a beautiful garden and it is teeming with hundreds of thousands of different life forms. It has been something of an experimental station in the galaxy and it has a most interesting humanoid life form that incorporates the very highest and lowest frequencies known in the cosmos. It is in fact the very epitome of dualism. On the one hand it is an incredibly beautiful life form and is capable of carrying the highest frequencies of love, light & joy known throughout the whole Universe. On the other hand it is capable of carrying the densest and darkest frequencies the cosmos has ever experienced – frequencies which the rest of creation evolved beyond eons ago.

Here is the current situation. Within the domain of time, this planet goes through periodic cosmic cycles. It is now coming to the end of two major cycles – a 2,000 year long age of Pisces and the 25,000 year long cosmic year in its journey around Alcyon, the central sun of the milky way galaxy.

With the completion of this cycle, many things are coming to an end and many things are about to begin. But most importantly, the planet is experiencing an infusion of light that is dramatically increasing it’s frequency. As during any major time of transition, there will be a certain amount of turbulence. Some of this will be geological, for Gaia herself is a living planet and is also evolving. But much of it also involves the hominoid species that dominates the planet.

This will not be a particularly easy time for the species – especially for those who are sleeping and those who are vibrating at the lowest frequencies. As the frequency changes it will create insecurity which in turn will create fear.

The first era of evolution on this planet was the physical era and the key word was survival. The second era, which is now ending, was the mental era and the key word was logic. The third era, which is now beginning, is the era of the heart and the key word is love. This is the highest frequency.

Those who currently hold the reign of power on the planet are of the old order of the physical & mental. To the extent that they can make a graceful transition to a heart centered and divinely guided life, it will be an easy transition. To the extent that they are unable to do this, they will experience much turmoil.

So this is the current situation of Gaia. The reason I am here is to seek volunteers who would be willing to incarnate in humanoid form on the planet at this time to help make this an easy and smooth transition. We have sent prophets and teachers in the past. Very often they were brutally persecuted or killed. In other instances they were set up as “gods” to be worshiped and these humanoids built elaborate religions and rituals around them and used these religions to control each other. They did everything except follow the simple teachings that were offered.

So this time we are trying a different approach. No more prophets, saviors & avatars that they can use to create religions. This time we are sending in thousands – actually hundreds of thousands – of ordinary light beings with only two assignments:

1) ~Stay in your heart. Regardless of what happens, stay in your heart.
2) ~Remember who you are, why you are here and what this is all about.

Now that seems easy enough, right? Unfortunately, No! As I have said, duality has reached its peak on this planet. This species has perfected the illusion of good and evil. The greatest challenge you will experience is to remember Who You Really Are, Why You Are Here and What This Is Really All About. When you remember, you will be ale to stay in your heart, regardless of external events.

So how will you know when you are forgetting? It is easy. Watch your judgments. The moment you notice that you are in a place of judgment you will know that you have forgotten Who You Really Are, Why You Are Here and What This Is Really All About. That will be your signal.

Now here is the challenge. Life on this planet will require a great deal of discernment – wise evaluation of what is true, what is appropriate and what is for the highest good, both for yourself and for the planet. In many ways discernment is similar to judgment. However, you will know when you are in judgment and when you have moved out of your heart when you are in a place of blame.

We know how challenging that this planet can be. We know how very real the illusions on this planet appear to be. We understand the incredible density of this dimension and the pressure you will face. But if you survive this mission – and it is a voluntary one – you will evolve at hyperspeed.

We also should say that we know that some of you who will go to this planet as starseeds, will never germinate – never awakened to the remembrance of who you really are. Some of you will awaken and begin to shine, only to be choked down by the opinions and prevailing thoughtforms around you. Others will awaken and remain awake and your light will become a source of inspiration and remembrance for many.

You will incarnate all over the planet; in every culture, every race, every country, every religion. But you will be different. You will never quite fit in. As you awaken you will realize that your true family isn’t those of your own race, culture, religion, county or even your biological family. It is your cosmic family – those who have come as you have come – on assignment to assist in ways large and small in the current transition.

True brotherhood and globalization in its highest form will come only in remembering Who You Really Are, Why You Are Here and What This Is Really All About. It will come as you return to the true temple of Divine Presence, your heart, where this remembrance takes place and from which you are called to serve the world.

So, are your ready? Good!

Oh, and by the way, there are a couple of other minor things I should mention……

Because of the density, you can’t operate in that dimension without a space suit. This is a biological suit that actually changes over time. There are many things we could tell you about this but our orientation time is short so I think you can just jump in and experience it. You should be forewarned, however. There will be a danger that if you forget who you really are, you may think you ARE your space suit instead of the fact that it is simply your vehicle in that dimension. Once there, you will notice that there is an infinite variety of space suits and a great deal of attention given to these. However, in spite of the infinite variety, because this a planet of duality, they all fall into two basic categories called ‘genders.’ Again, we really don’t have time to go into this now. But you will find your relationship with your own space suit to be most instructive and interesting.

The other little thing is this. In order to operate in that dimension, you will also receive a microchip called a ‘personality.’ This is like an identity imprint that, along with your space suit, will essentially make you different from everyone else. This will allow you to participate in the hologram there – something they call ‘consensus reality.’ Once again, there will be a real danger that you will become so engrossed in the holographic personality dramas that you will forget who you really are and actually think that you ARE your personality. I know it sounds rather unbelievable right now, but once you get there…..

Again, there is so much more we could tell you by way of orientation, but we think you can learn the rest experientially ‘on site.” The only thing that is important is to remember Who You Really Are, Why You Are Here and What This Is Really All About. If you can do that, everything else will work out fine. But take note: So few really DO remember this they stand out as ‘different’ and others called them ‘Enlightened” or ‘Awakened” and similar terms. Strange isn’t it?

Well, Good Luck & Bon Voyage!!!

Michael Lightweaver
PO Box 18909 Asheville, NC. 28814 (USA)
lightweave@aol.com

Mountain Light Sanctuary

“Genuine Contact Professional ~ Michael Lightweaver”


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