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When organising an event, whether it be a weekend seminar, one of my Greek trips or a conference, I often relate to Kevin Costner’s character in Field of Dreams; mainly the episode in the movie when he is walking through the cornfield and hears a voice that whispers to him, “If you build it, he will come” and then he has a vision of a baseball diamond. This becomes his field of dreams.
I did play baseball, but am not a great baseball fan and truly I am not inclined to hear voices, so my connection to Kevin’s character is metaphorical. That is, if you try your best to create a place for something to happen, it will. Well we tried our best to create a space for the 19th FAA International Conference to happen and it did. Once it’s all set it place you really have to let go of control and let it happen. And that’s why I would like to thank every one of you who helped make it happen, especially the wonderful delegates who attended the conference and participated in the experience.
Participation is one of the words I often use to describe what can come about when one willingly enters into a space to allow something to happen. Astrology is one of the few remaining living disciplines that allows us to experience what we are studying, learning and perceiving on all levels simultaneously. As we learn more about who we are it reveals itself in some way. It is participatory learning in all senses when we let it be. That’s why coming to a conference is not just a great opportunity to learn with some of the best teachers in the world, but it also offers the opportunity to participate with the magic of astrology and let it reveal itself to us. I sincerely hope you were able to involve yourself and deepen your understanding of this sacred science.
I was thrilled with the first-class faculty, not only because they were great teachers and quite amazing astrologers, but that they engaged with everyone, shared openly and generously, had interactive discussions amongst themselves and presented a united body as astrologers. Whether they were talking about a 16th C technique, a TNO, a precise detail or a subjective experience, I felt that they all were highly professional and I thank each one of our speakers for not only being passionate about what they do, but also for taking their roles as leaders of our field, our field of dreams. David and Cassandra from Redwood Entertainment who recorded the conference lectures were blown away by the quality of lectures. Having never heard astrology presented in this way before they thanked me for contracting them and said they had an enormous respect for what we were doing and had no idea the depth and breadth of astrology.
What also was very important for me was that there were many younger astrologers not only as delegates, but also on the faculty. Having had my vocation in astrology for nearly 40 years and having worked professionally as an astrologer for 28 years I look back at the amazing changes in our field in that time and then I look forward and imagine the experiences that lay ahead for them. How exciting and also to know that this new generation of astrologers have some elders they can bounce things off.
In preparing and working at the conference I had lots of support and would like to thank my partner Glennys Lawton who is always there to help and support and is wisely sensible and boundaried when I am too Libran or too Neptunian. And so competent and insightful at what she does. And to Barbara Thorp who simply speaking is our national treasure in Australian Astrology – Barb works tirelessly and without complaint (well a few – she is an Aries!) for the organisation of Australian astrology and everyone in the field owes her a big thank you for all she has done to help the continuation of the astrological tradition in Australia. And a very sincere thanks to the VAA Committee who also worked so hard to ensure the conference’ success: Kath did the program and the CD orders; Susan helped out at the trade fair and IT; Cheryl did the name tags and helped with taping and IT; Nikki got the website going, made sure the IT schedule was up, the microphone was there; Duane did those fabulous photos at the closing ceremony and they will be on the website; Valeria helped pack the bags and worked at registration and Glorija was there to lend a hand when it was needed. And thanks to all the committee for being there when necessary. And to all the others who just stepped up when we needed a hand, thanks. I said the FAA was the Family of Australian Astrologers and we are – we are a community. And this is important to know: we are a strong community and we know that others share our understanding even if most of the world out there does not.
Demetra George remarked to me, but also to many others, that she loves coming to Australia because we all like each other. And as you looked around the dining room and saw the conversations and interactions who could doubt it. Well it is because we have had brilliant and magnificent leaders in the FAA who have worked so hard – Anita Ings has been the national president for 6 years and during her time the FAA has grown so much stronger, you might have met Sylvia Wilson the FAA Secretary who supports and sorts everyone out. Sylvia is indispensable and an ear whenever we need one. You might have bought a book from Noelle Rattray at the FAA Zodiac Conference Bookshop. Noelle has also been an enormous support for 25 years; not only our legal eagle, Noelle is now our National President. These three Graces, sometimes Fates, never Furies, along with Barbara Thorp are the national executives who give so much of their personal time to make the container for astrology strong in Australia.
And now as the year 2012 starts to unfold I wish you all the very best for the journey forward. And Cosmos willing we will see one another again in Hobart in 2014. Our 20th International Conference will be in Hobart, a fantastic location and Tasmania, a jewel. I do have one favour to ask – please register and pay in full as early as you can, as it makes it so much easier for the convenors. To Noelle and her team, all our best wishes from all of us at the 19th International Conference – we’ll see you on the Emerald Isle.
Weren’t the three fates (Melanie, Verena and Demetra) great at the closing, weaving new threads for us to take with us – the conference photos will be on the website for you to have a look at. Also, the CDs of the conference are available and you’ll be able to place an order online – they will be listed under Conference CDs. Or you can post in the order form that will be with the March journal.
In 2012 the Zodiac Appeal is supporting Animals Australia – please click here and donate generously if you can. When you have please let us know for our Zodiac Appeal register – just email us your name and amount donated at astrosynthesis@bigpond.com. Thank you for supporting our circle of animals.
And finally so many of you have written in and thanked us for the conference that I wanted to acknowledge you and have posted your comments below. We are also opening up a post where you are free to make your comments known …. So please do –
For now, my very best wishes,
Brian Clark
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE COMMENTS WE HAVE RECEIVED
Thank you for everything I had a really great time at the conference I loved all the speakers my brain is nice & full.
Thank you so much for a wonderful conference. I thoroughly enjoyed being at the trade display, although I also longed to be at the great talks. You may have seen all the problems but I talked to everybody that came by and all were very happy, in fact, they were delighted with everything. I did not hear one word of complaint; only satisfaction and joy.
Congratulations on a truly wonderful conference. It was really well organized and I had the best time.
Thank you so much for making this conference happen. I found it incredibly stimulating and enjoyable.
Thank you for a wonderful conference.
Thanks for the great conference!
The conference was a gem
Firstly, congratulations to yourself and team for a fabulous conference. It was a great first time for me and I hope to be able to attend many in the future.
Congratulations for a wonderful FAA conference and to all the organising team./p>
Thanks for a great conference Brian – well done to the VIC FAA Team!
You could see the hard work and effort – hope you are all recovering this week.
Just want to say thanks for organizing a wonderful conference…Glennys too
Not that we expected any different!
Thank you for the Conference and all you put into it. It was a raging success and you should be congratulated.
Thank you, to you and everyone else on your team, for a wonderful Conference.
I found it nourishing on many different levels, and have returned home with a strong sense of renewal and reinvigorated focus.
Great Conference I am so inspired feeling transformed and thank you for a fantastic conference.
