KEYHOLDERS MEETING
January 26, 2003
Scribe Notes

Keyholders in Attendance:  Melissa Applegate, Jack and Mary Dodge, Kingsley Guy, Margaret Lee, Sandi Segal

Participants were welcomed by Melissa Applegate and advised to feel free to leave the meeting at their convenience in order to watch the Super Bowl game.  Paper copies of November 17th's meeting minutes and the Keyholders' newly opened Queen's Chamber material was passed around for review.  The process of initiation, as detailed in the Nov. 17th meeting minutes, was re-addressed.  Each Keyholder shared observations of his or her own personal initiatic experience to date. 

Melissa explained that as our bodies and minds realign through the initiation process, so too does the world around us.  Conflicts within as well as external conflicts in the world undergo rapid transformation resulting in Maat (true awareness; harmonious balance).  Thoth, the ancient Egyptian neter of wisdom, taught all initiates that the external world is merely a reflection of our internal consciousness. Subsequently, Melissa discussed the Middle East situation and its potential impact upon our travel.  She explained that if the State Department issues a Travel Warning prohibiting U.S. citizens from traveling to Egypt, by law we would be unable to do so.  If, however, a Travel Advisory is placed in effect suggesting caution when traveling to this area (as has been the case for very many years), our policy would be to go forward with the trip.  In the unlikely event the trip is cancelled due to a State issued Travel Warning, tour fees would be refundable only if a participant has secured trip insurance and the warning specifically prohibits travel to cities on the itinerary.  It is also possible the trip could be postponed until such Warning was lifted.  Melissa assured the group she feels confident the trip is a "go," nevertheless she encouraged each participant to have trip insurance in place as a precaution.  She also asked that the group view the world situation, and our reactions to it, as part of the initiatic process.  She suggested that from this point forward we refer to these processes of initiation we are currently undergoing as ALCHEMY because "alchemy" implies less trial and challenge than the word "initiation."   Therefore:  Know that we are alchemically realigning and harmonizing our bodies, consciousness, and the world around us!   Specific tools to assist us alchemically realign were discussed and include:

a.  The Keyholders' Mantra.  With the ascension of our group from the "Subterranean Chamber" into the "Queen's Chamber," new seed syllables and additional meditative processes have been "birthed" to accelerate personal alchemy.  Please click onto the link above to review this practice.

b.  Spoonbenders' Course.  The philosophy of this 4-lesson (free or by donation) course by Jimmy Twyman is to master the beginning stages of bending metal with your mind; learn how to work with energy more skillfully to produce miraculous transformations in your own life; and apply this ancient technology to bending the whole world to peace.

"Curing Pills" (an over-the-counter Chinese herbal formulation) were acquired by Melissa from her acupuncturist as a preventative for gastro-intestinal distress while in Egypt.   Beginning approximately 3-4 days prior to departing the U.S., one "Curing Pill" may be taken 3-4 times a day.   The cost of a bottle of 200 pills is $10.00.  Melissa recommended that roommates share a bottle.  One bottle of a stronger herbal formulation was also acquired in the event any Keyholder is struck with diarrhea or vomiting.  This particular formulation is taken at the time of distress; however, it was noted that if the preventative is used as prescribed, there should be no need for the other.  Please consult your personal physician before taking this or any other supplements.

Airline flights have been changed from British Airways to Air France.  It was explained that a group reservation of 12 participants had been reserved with British Airways through Nawas Travel based upon our best estimation of the final number of tour participants.  With only 10 participants to date -- 2 less than the 12 seats reserved through British Airways -- Nawas Travel would be liable for a penalty that would subsequently be passed onto trip participants  Rather than do that, Naim was able to secure equivalent air flights through Air France.  Departure time is scheduled in the late afternoon of Feb. 24th out of Miami International Airport.  Specific flight details will be sent by me via e-mail to each participant.  A discussion ensued regarding availability and convenience of long term parking at Miami International Airport.  Options include carpooling and group limo service.  Melissa will check into the latter and advise. 

Melissa also explained that our "Celebrate Life" tour was originally scheduled for February of 2002.  Tour interest was enthusiastic and tour costs were based on a minimum of 20 participants.  (She originally anticipated 30 - 40 participants in total based upon inquiries and interest expressed at book signings).  Then the tragic events of September 11th, 2001 occurred.  It was mutually decided to postpone the journey out of respect for those who lost their lives and those who were still in mourning and to ensure the safety of existing tour participants.  In the interim, Naim Nawas graciously agreed not to raise tour costs and it should be noted that Nawas Travel is making virtually no financial profit from this trip.  Not raising tour costs in a situation such as this is genuinely unheard of and I (and hopefully all Keyholders) are infinitely grateful to Naim for his generosity and professional courtesy in this matter.  The downside of this dilemma is that private access to the Great Pyramid was based on a minimum of 12 participants and a permit from the Egyptian government.  Naim and I feel confident that this problem will be resolved.  Options include securing 2 more trip participants; or, in the alternative, each existing Keyholder would be required to contribute an extra $100.  Perhaps there are other options, as well, not presently known.  In all the journeys I've made to Egypt, private access to the Great Pyramid has always been granted.  (I can also remember in the past arriving in Egypt with one of my groups after a 14 hour airline flight only to learn that our hotel rooms had been given to visiting dignitaries and our reservations meant nothing.  I thought for sure we were being ripped off.  Instead, after a short delay, we were escorted to the beautiful Mena House (infinitely more beautiful than the original hotel we were scheduled to stay in) and to make up for the inconvenience, we were given an up close and personal private visit to the Sphinx.  What I learned from these experiences (and many others) is that the dance of Spirit is there to serve us, so don't get too crazy about change; ultimately, it all works out for the BEST!).  Therefore, let us look at this as yet another OPPORTUNITY in our process of ALCHEMY to create the best possible outcome. 

Our newest Keyholder, Bill Groutage, from Port Townsend, Washington was introduced to the group.  Melissa passed out a printout of his photo and read his biographical data to the group.  This data has been published on the Keyholder Profiles page.  Welcome aboard, Bill!

The meeting convened in order to celebrate life, food, beverage and the pleasure of being together! 

All rights reserved.  No part of this material may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,  without the written permission of the author, Melissa L. Applegate.