(gong profile/description) by Elizabeth Joy Clements...
You've probably seen Elizabeth at some of my events in the last year. At the recent gong training we went to, it was really touching to see her get emotional when explaining how it was my events that introduced her to sound healing and inspired her to go down this path. It's been really fun to be in such an informal mentoring situation. As I'm sure all teachers would say, our students teach us so much. Her journey toward getting her Planetary Gong, Sedna is what led me to getting my Moon gong and her passion, curiosity, and innate healing nature has me excited for our continued collaborations. I'm proud to present her write up here on some of the science behind why the gong is such a powerful sound healing instrument and some of the science and history behind this amazing gong of hers. To experience Sedna for yourself, sign up for our Fall Equinox Sound Journey that is coming up Sunday Sept. 25th, 4:00-6:30 pm at Presence Studio in downtown Bellingham.
(Intro by Ruby Koa)
SEDNA
Sound existed long before language was created. The whole world is powered by sound.
“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” -Nikola Tesla
The gong is an ancient sound instrument reverberating with the primordial essence of our existence. The sound of the gong is the nucleus of the world. Since Sedna is tuned to the note C, it is associated with the root chakra. In addition, Sedna’s tone, the global base of all scales, is considered to be the natural frequency of the human heart, and one of spiritual significance. Sedna emits a strong sense of grounding and heart opening, a universal baseline of all creation.
By incorporating the gong energy into sound baths, the archetypal and mythic qualities of the universe may be evoked. The experience can be collective and unifying but also unique to each person. Sound Energy has the power to unearth, stir up, and bring to surface things beyond the veil. We may notice unexpected thoughts or feelings from deep within the subconscious. Some people laugh, some cry, some fall asleep, and others have out of body experiences. By being open and curious, each moment offers an opportunity to practice loving awareness.
We may ask, why is this coming forward? What can I learn from this experience?
“…To perceive the vibrations and to reverberate with them means to bring your life - or simply yourself - in tune with the all.” -Hans Cousto
((((((((((o))))))))))
Invite your awareness to the earth, to the ocean, to the arctic.
picture the vast horizon
feel the crisp cool air against your skin as it takes your breath away-
Imagine the blinding snow, the glistening sea ice
The bright, white light
The glaciers
ice burgs, shifting, swaying, creaking and groaning-
Now take a dive, deep beneath the surface.
Way way down, below, into the sea-
down
deep within the underworld…
Sedna …as the mythical goddess
The legend of Sedna is an Inuit creation myth, passed down from one generation to another through the fluid oral tradition. According to mythology, from Greenland to Alaska, Sedna is the goddess of the sea, the mother of all marine life. She can be cold, dark, turbulent, creating powerful storms to release her emotional energy. In a trance, shamans visit Sedna underwater, diving down to comb her hair, to soothe her. When appeased, she is calm, generous and nurturing, providing a bountiful hunt for the people.
Water, a force of nature, the elemental energy essence of Sedna, the ocean, the underworld, the unseen, the mystical beyond, spirit world, from which the creative flow of life may emerge to those who are open to listen, to those who feel to understand, to give thanks, and offer compassion and love in return.
The story of Sedna is a conceptual embodiment, a powerful teaching, reminding us that we are in relationship with the earth, a balance of giving and receiving. When the relationship is out of balance, it can create the social and environmental issues we are currently facing in the world today. We turn to Sedna, to stop and consider how we care for ourselves and each other as part of a whole, our collective body, our spirit, community and mother earth as one.
Sedna …as the astral body
In the outer reaches of the solar system, there is a recently (2003) “discovered” “dwarf planet” which astronomers have named Sedna. It was initially named The Flying Dutchman, after a ghost ship, because its slow movement had previously camouflaged its presence, eluding observers. Even though it’s one of the reddest planets in the solar system, it’s said to be the coldest, most distant object known, with its surface composed largely of a mixture of water and various gaseous ices. Inspired by the frigid, polar climate of the earth’s arctic ocean, scientist thought it fitting to name the body after the Inuit goddess of the sea, Sedna.
This planetoid is said to have an exceptionally elongated, elliptical orbit, taking approximately 11,400 years to make a complete cycle around the sun. We are able to view it, now, because it’s currently approaching the innermost apsis (axes), of its eccentric orbit, reaching perihelion around 2076. It has one of the largest orbits in the solar system, so when at its outermost point, it reaches far beyond the boundary of interstellar space, into the depths of the unknown.
There is much speculation and uncertainty around how Sedna came to be. Multiple theories have been postulated, including that it’s a member of the inner Oort Cloud, or perhaps part of the scattered disc. It has been said that it was tugged into place by a passing star, or several stars within the Suns birth cluster. Others suggest it could be the result of influence of a binary companion to the sun (responsible for the earths mass extinctions due to cometary impacts). Some believe it is evidence for many other unknown planets, beyond the Kuiper belt, possibly, the hypothesized giant Planet 9.
In spite of these proposed stellar encounters, these modern myths, Sedna continues to defy attempts of scientific classification, holding valuable secrets to the formation of our solar system. The awe of mystery tickles our human curiosities!
Sedna. …as the gong resonance
The 38” Paiste gong Sedna is tuned to 128.10 in the 3rd octave (C3/c-). This is the specific vibrational frequency of the planet Sedna, based on the Cosmic Octave, a formula recognized by mathematician, hippie, and musician Hans Cousto. By applying the formula to astronomical cycles or molecular frequencies, connections with music and colors and other ranges can be made visible or audible. “Through the law of the octave it is possible to convert the whole solar system into sound… These primal sounds are based on a genuine mathematical foundation but “they unite all three principles: science, veneration of beauty and meditation.”
The effect of these frequencies can be seen visually by observing nature. Sacred geometry, the golden ratio, fractals, and others are all sound in physical form. Mandalas or Yantras are another structural example of this phenomena. The practice of biophilic design mimics the innate intelligence within our environment, further expanding on this source of wisdom. By studying cymatics, scientists continue to harness energy wavelengths and discover the secret life of sound.
Since Sedna is tuned to the note C, it is associated with the root chakra. In addition, Sedna’s tone, the global base of all scales, is considered to be the human heart natural frequency, and one of spiritual significance, as explained by the Solfeggio frequencies, proposed by Rudolf Steiner. Sedna emits a strong sense of grounding and heart opening, a universal baseline of all creation, resonating with the natural frequency of all living.
However, one singular frequency doesn’t exist in a vacuum. There are layers upon layers of frequencies, in this vast, complex space. As wavelengths co-create together, the multidimensionality of reality is. Infinite influencing factors come to be the present moment, bringing a unique existence to each. Depending on the energies involved, such as environmental circumstances like temperature, or bio-electromagnetism, the emotional state of each person, a variety of outcomes may transform.
By incorporating the gong energy into sound baths, the archetypal and mythic qualities of the universe may be evoked. The experience can be collective and unifying but also unique to each person. Sound Energy has the power to unearth, stir up, and bring to surface things beyond the veil. We may notice unexpected thoughts or feelings from deep within the subconscious. Some people laugh, some cry, some fall asleep, and others have out of body experiences. By being open and curious, each moment offers an opportunity to practice loving awareness. We may ask, why is this coming forward? What can I learn from this experience?
“…To perceive the vibrations and to reverberate with them means to bring your life - or simply yourself - in tune with the all.” -Hans Cousto
Elizabeth Joy Clements
Sound Facilitator, Guest Teacher in Training
First introduced to Sound by Ruby Koa, at Inspire Studio, Elizabeth knew the beautifully meditative but powerfully transformative energy immersion felt like meeting the embrace of a long lost friend, coming home, food for the soul. This experience began her relationship with sound, which she continues to explore, currently, by learning and sharing the gift of sound and guided visualization with others. Elizabeth is so thankful for the incredibly gracious and welcoming community of mentors and fellow sound travelers. For her, the acceptance and accessibility of the practice is a space full of curiosity, discovery and infinite creative potential!
For more information on Sedna’s Energy Frequencies visit:
Click HERE for our upcoming sound healing events!