The Sports Astrologer - Ken Hopkins

GREAT SPIRIT ADVENTURES:

Autumnal Equinox Chimney Rock,Colorado

This Fall celebrate the Autumnal Equinox at Chimney Rock, Colorado(Sep 20-23).

The site is 17 miles west of Pagosa Springs. Durango is to the west. Durango has an airport served by US Airways, United and Delta.

This area is considered sacred by native Americans. Chimney Rock consist of two spires on top of a singular stone mountain rising over a thousand feet from valleys below. One spire is Chimney Rock and the other appropriately is called Companion Rock. Inhabitants a thousand years ago constructed a pueblo on top of the mountain where they could see the moon rise between the spires when the moon is at it's greatest elongation cycle(once every 18.6 years). This event is referred to in astrological(and astronomical) circles as the lunar standstill or the northern-most point of its cycle.

It seems that the ancient ones at Chimney Rock, Chaco Canyon(90 miles south) and other sites show evidence of knowledge of the lunar cycles as well as the solar solstice and equinox. Often structures were built with foundations aligned with the sunrise and sunset at the solstice and equinox points as well as the lunar path during the major and minor lunar standstills. Where they gained the insights into these celestial events is not known for sure but offers many stimulating hours of speculative conversation.

This year's equinox celebration takes place at sunrise on Monday, September 22 near the top of Chimney Rock. All trip participants will have a special reservation for the activities at the mountain.

This Great Spirit Adventure is organized and hosted by spiritual declinational astrologer, Ken Hopkins and Janet Light, spiritual healer and founder of the Inward Resource Center of Houston, Texas. Janet is of Native American descent. The trip begins at 6am on Saturday, September 20th from the InterfaithUnity Church parking lot in Mesa, Arizona. We'll stop for lunch along the way and should arrive at our destination by 5pm. Our trip headquarters is the Ranch Blanchette, a private residence and accompanying land on the Rio Piedra River, an area that was actually inhabited and farmed by the ancients in view of Chimney Rock. The property is separated by the Rio Piedra River. There is ample room for tents and camping. For those that don't want to rough it, nearby cabins are available. Five meals, Saturday and Sunday dinner and breakfast and lunch on Sunday will be furnished as well as a family style brunch on Monday at the Chimney Rock Restaurant after the equinox celebration.

Saturday after dinner, Kay Cox, the pet counselor and pyschic will give insights to each person's special animal guide for the trip. Kay is a charming speaker and promises to be one of the trip's joys.

Sunday morning Janet will conduct a "greeting the sun" ceremony and after breakfast Ken will give a presentation on spiritual astrology and his insights into why the ancients put so much emphasis on the sun and moon in their civilizations. We'll have lunch about 1-2 and then prepare for Janet's "Dance of Life". This dance calls forth energies and aids us in gaining knowledge for our steps along our spiritual path. Our special evening meal will take place after the dance. At about 11pm those that would like to can join Ken as we watch the moon rise at it's northern-most point for the next 15 years, much like the ancients used to see near the spires. Finally it will be time to catch some dreams before rising early to head up the mountain for the equinox observance.

Monday after our brunch at the Chimney Rock Restaurant, we'll head for Chinle, Arizona and Canyon de Chelley, one of the most beautiful sights in the southwest where we'll enjoy the view and stay the night at the Best Western. Tuesday morning, we'll have a rising sun observance at spider rock, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the Inn and begin our trek back to Mesa. We'll stop for lunch on the way back and should be arriving back in Mesa by 5pm.

This trip offers the opportunity of networking with like-minded spiritually-driven souls along the path. You'll learn some astrology and gain new insights into our Native American brothers and sisters. This will be a trip to be remembered for the rest of our lives. A trip filled with love and knowledge revealed from within!

Those that will be traveling to meet us there can take $50 off their registration. Space is limited so plan now and get a discount if you sign up by August 1st. http://www.sportsastrologer.com/order.htm We will assist those want to fly in to travel with the group by helping with transportation to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport to motels/hotels near Interfaith Unity in Mesa. Call for details or email sportsastrologer@yahoo.com

Ken Hopkins 480-516-1960 or Janet Light 281-851-3491

Checks may be mailed to

Ken Hopkins PO Box 41356, Mesa,AZ 85274

Above is a view from Chimney Rock looking north of west. If you look to the right of the reservoir in the center you'll see a smaller patch of water. That is where we will have our trip headquarters. The ridge that flows upward is Peterson Ridge. There are several unexcavated ancient houses along the ridge. Locations along the ridge were marked for viewing the sun at summer solstice and equinox as well as the Moon when it rose at the standstill. The Rio Piedra River flows from right to left between the bodies of water you see and the ridge.

Next is a view of Chimney Rock from the restaurant where we will have brunch after the equinox ceremony.

This area could find some tents and a celebration and/or observance or two going on. The Rio Piedra River runs near the trees beyond the pond.

Headquarters for our trip. The building has three bedrooms, a kitchen and a large living room. Four meals will be served at or near the building.

A breath-taking view of Chimney rock from our campsite area. Just imaging the moon rising between the spires!

There you have it! A photo preview of our spectacular Autumnal Equinox trip.

Personal Appearances

I am available to do chart readings which incorporate declination graphs with conventional techniques and A Course in Miracles concepts. Call 480-516-1960 or email at sportsastrologer@yahoo.com for information.