Messages from the Earth and the Sky are constantly being set before us all. But oft times we are not looking or listening. The carriers of these messages will appear as the Wind, the Water, the Bird or the traveller we meet on the road that winds through the landscape of our personal journey.

Safety and Sanctity in the Sacred

I write this piece sitting in the Kohanga at Castle Hill in the South Island. A place of great significance to the first-comers to this land. The ancient Marae sits in the Nest under the ever watchful eye of Marotini. the Kumara Goddess. And overlooking all in this wondrous place, is the Birth Place of the Gods. This is a name that inspires the mind to query and the spirit to soar as high as the surrounding peaks, then on and upward flowing through the clouds, to reach even unto the furthermost stars beyond human sight and understanding. We have, as individuals, a prime purpose during our sojourn on this beautiful planet. And to achieve individual purpose and completion, one must seek outwardly to understand that which resides deep inside. And to this end we long to surround ourselves with beautiful things or go to beautiful places. For those that seek places of peace and serenity, there is to be found an outer reflection of the inner beauty that is within each and every one of us. To walk on the seashore; to sit by a clear running stream; to touch the trunk of an ancient tree; to listen to the wisdom within the stone; to feel the spirit of an unexpected breath of wind. These are the external wonders that are ours, but for the taking.

Thus do we Travel and Search

But within the taking we must always give in return. This is why we should acknowledge the wonder and the blessings that surround us with a prayer of thanks and understanding.

Because we are so connected in every way through the Zero Point Field, our spoken, and indeed the unspoken words, have great import and meaning at these subtle levels.

So, with these thoughts flowing through my mind I left the comfort of the Kohanga to walk to the top ridge, to the place of the Star Walkers, the Navigators. My journey on this day was truly one of wonder and revelation. I will now offer you, the reader, some insight into the journey you may well take on the same trail. One leaves the Marae by a path to the west and travels down along the fence line for perhaps a kilometre. When you come to the small stream that flows across your path, this is your final opportunity to fill a small container, not for drinking, but for the purpose of an offering to the various stones you will sit with. Further along the fence line you will come to a gate that will take you onto the DOC reserve. In line with this entrance you will see a line of stones set alongside the steep path. You are now, about to enter on the next stage of a personal journey, that for some will be steep and slow. Others will certainly not huff and puff as much as I do. Your personal pilgrimage to this special place would have commenced from the time you made a decision to take this journey. The planning, the travel from near or far is a very important lead up to walking the stones. When on the road, one should be open to all that happens around and near you.
Your first stone is one of great import and standing, for this is the Greeting Stone, a place where you may introduce yourself and declare your intention. But first, sprinkle a little water on the stone. And if it is your wish, you may extend a greeting to acknowledge the ancestors who walked the very trail on which you now stand. And at this time you can seek permission to walk this Path. Within the asking comes the permission. This is a courtesy to all who have gone before. For with this declaration comes the reality of where you are and what you are really doing. These words whilst acknowledging the past, will move before you into the future. Time becomes irrelevant on this journey.
You are about to embark on a short walk of immense proportions. The physical body will only travel a short distance. The spirit will travel far and wide.

You are taking the first step on a journey that will be both without and within. As you gaze at the path ahead, you will see the stones that represent a symbolic Pilgrims Way, and as markers offer you a way-station at which to rest and express more of your innermost feelings.

If you are travelling alone, you are not alone. If you are part of a group. a time should be allowed for a moment of quite meditation.
You will find that each of the five stations provide a different energy, thus allowing for a great number of process’s to take place.

The stone will offer a sounding board. But, be wary with your talk as the words put into place will flow freely within the Field, and therefore travel far and wide. The overriding purpose of this Pilgrimage could well be to allow you to express thoughts and dreams, love and blessings. You will find that fear and negativity will diminish, to be replaced with much that is uplifting. This will come to you in a subtle way.

This journey is for your personal enhancement, to bring clarity of purpose, to strengthen your resolve. The five stations will bring us to a sixth and seventh stone. You are now approaching the beginning of the top ridge. You may find that at these stones your journey could become less about self and more about the human family and the environment in which we all live.

The distance between these stones is not fixed, as is much on the top ridge. Time and distance may become distorted in a comfortable way. Thus the sixth and seventh stones are there but not in standalone position.

This is where you make the choice of the two final markers. They will talk to you. And after spending many wonderful moments in this space, you can now make your way to the east along the top ridge. As you make your own path through the tall mountain grasses, you will come to many groups of stones and imposing features. Sit before an alter in a gigantic open roofed cathedral. Sing or chant or pray, and the walls will join with a chorus of reflected sound. Walk through ancient open classrooms where in times gone by wisdom keepers sat with the most promising of all the young people from throughout the land. The mountains surrounding this most blessed place cocoon the valley of the Nest of the ancient people.

In the distance you will see a monumental structure shaped in place by ancient people to acknowledge Marotini, the Kumara Goddess. The pull of this single giant stone is so great that you have little understanding of the sheer size and beauty of this monument until you draw close. One often feels very strong emotion when you realise the strength of the spirit that is bound by love and honour within the stone. She dominates the valley landscape with majesty, providing all who travel the main highway the chance to view and ancient work of art. But for all of that, so many travellers do not acknowledge her. We can make up for that. So, when we come around to checking the attitude of the sun, or our watches, do not be amazed at how much time has passed. When the time comes to make your way back along the ridge you will come to a stone standing alone, to the left, that displays a circular opening.

On this, my most recent visit I offered a blessing to this stone to acknowledge the little grotto within. The water I carried on this occasion was taken from the Tears of Christ given into my care by a Seer and Wise Man on my recent visit to Golden Bay. I had sat spellbound as this great magician told me of the vision he had of a weeping Jesus Christ. He sat in wonder at the appearance and was overwhelmed by the amount of tears shed by the vision. He than reached for a bible to seek an explanation. Being a man of great courage and conviction he opened a page at random. His finger pointed to a verse in Thomas where he saw that the frost that fell on the ground in the winter was the breath of God. He immediately hurried outside into the garden, making his way over the frosty ground to the place of the medicine wheel. There he found that the special herbs and plants within the wheel were covered in a very heavy frost. He took a container and commenced to collect the frost and the icicles.

From the vision came the reading, then came the frost. His deep understanding and belief supports the fact that the waters thus gathered are indeed very potent for healing the ills of the body and the mind.

Mindful of the vows I took when I was accepted as a full Knights Templar in the Supreme Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem I perceived that it was my duty to find special places or people who would benefit from the Tears. So my journey, and that of my travel companion Raywyn has been an oddessey around the South Island. We have encountered many folk, some old friends and many new friends. We have received and gifted much on our journey, travelling with no timetable and long distant destination. We have sat with a Tibetan Buddhist monk, walked the mountains and rivers with many wise people. Been among the first to visit a massive stone that had travelled from the Arahura River to be placed within a powerful energy site dowsed by Hamish Miller on a recent visit.

There is magic in the air, and it permeates everything we do and see. The vows of a modern-day Knight are very much to administer to the sick and needy, to offer protection to pilgrims and to do works of honour and integrity. Thus a purpose can be served for the good of all people.
In suggesting you make this journey to the Mountains of the south Island, it may well be there is another, more comfortable journey that you know should be taken to one of the special places that abound throughout this landscape. And if all these possibilities elude you, take a journey with the mind alone. Bring out the photo album, find pictures of places that are of special significance and focus your attention on the memory you retain of that visit. And on future journeys carry some water from a fresh, running source with which you may offer a few drops to the stones and the trees at the places you visit. Any place that you acknowledge in this manner will then respond to the sincerity of your purpose. We are all part of, and connected to, everything that lives and breaths, sits and flows in this land. It is an easy shift to open ourselves to the potential within, by acknowledging that which resides on the outer. Each new day brings a new set of challenges, Often we are so engrossed in the ordinary and the mundane, we lose sight of who we really are. We know how to live in this world, and why we are here. But for all of this, it is so easy to misplace our focus. So be of good heart and plan a personal pilgrimage. Or even better, bring together a group to quest for that which will enli- ven the personal journey. Travel well, and be well for we are always walking within the sacred.

Sir Gary Cook DSc. PhD. KtJ KGCStA.KCStV. KtJ.
Integrity Research Foundation
PO Box 8756,
Auckland 1035

Email Gary Cook

The black river worn basalt boulder makes a comfortable place on which to sit. The Waipoua River is running low, but the voice of the waters is still strong. A nearby shoal funnels the swiftly flowing waters into a number of shallow rapids that laugh and chuckle reflecting the forest green of the trees that overhang the river banks. The clouds are low on the forest at this early morning time, and wind borne showers bless the landscape in refreshing waves that flow over the steep hills.

Wisps of mist linger, slowly caressing the tree tops. All is still at this moment. I am caught up in the magic that nature so easily produces every time I visit this forest. I try to relax into the writing of my notes, but the air of expectancy is high. There is a feeling that something is about to happen.

I look to my diary notes from the past six days, to find the most interesting point at which to start to tell you, the reader, of the events that have occurred around me.

I have stopped writing again. I look hopefully at the forest on the opposite bank seeking to see the folk that I have sensed are watching. I put my thoughts into voice and present a Karakia, or prayer, that will hopefully establish my intention with the silent, hidden watchers.

A perfume of sweet smelling flower nectar wafts around me carried by a gentle breeze that has risen from up river. The aroma is so strong that my senses are sweetened and awake for what is to follow.

Sounds rise on this gentle breeze, and a song is carried toward me. Then the emoticons” title=”facebook smileys emoticons“>smileys emoticons” title=”facebook emoticons” title=”facebook smileys emoticons“>smileys emoticons“>chatter of distant voices. Then stillness. Being the worldly person that I am, I quickly stand and walk up the bank behind me to see if there are people walking along the forest road. The voices have gone. The road is empty. The perfume is stronger.

Once again, an open heart and a desire for contact has been fulfilled. The forest, a haven for many small and subtle creatures, has provided a place of connection with the Patupaiarere.

The scene shifts. Back to the mundane. I have to finish this article and select suitable pictures to add to the stories I am about to share with you.

The week commenced with a dawn rendezvous on the west coat beach at the small coastal village of Omamiri, a comfortable drive north west from Dargaville.

It was an ebb tide, and the cloud covered sky reflected darkly on the wet sand. Then, the distant emoticons” title=”facebook smileys emoticons“>smileys emoticons” title=”facebook emoticons” title=”facebook smileys emoticons“>smileys emoticons“>chatter of a helicopter engine and the sleek Robinson 44 came into view, circled over the beach and quickly landed a little distance for our vehicles.

This was a day that had been long in planning to seek further proof of the site of a 2nd world War German U-boat that was said to have been scuttled of the coast in this area in late 1944 or early 1945.

The story we have been given tells of the crew coming ashore at this remote place, bringing with them a number of wooden cases that contained much in the way of valuable works of art and artifacts. The one point that has held my interest for the past 4 years we have been investigating the possible sinking and the validity of the story, is that one of the items that came to these shores is the legendary Ark of the Covenant. This is one aspect of the events that took place more than 60 years ago, that has captured my interest. As a Temple Knight of the Supreme Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, it is beholden on me to pay attention to such stories, and to either prove or disprove this event. Members of the Knights Templar declare much with the oath of allegiance.

So, here we are on the beach again. Low tide beach searches with metal detectors and a high powered magnetometer had so far failed to find any trace of wreckage. We were about to sling the magnetometer under the helicopter on a 30 meter wire and fly a search pattern over the breaker line. On board would be the technician Nick Freeman and maritime archaeologist, Noel Hilliam.

For more than one and half hours the little chopper flew a grid pattern up and down the coast.

As I write this story, the data collected from this flight is being collated and further analysed.

Early indications do not show a strong reading, but a promising strike at the very end of one of the runs is to be further investigated.

So whether or not these events did take place, the story as it stands today is worthy of our interest and further investigation.

Let us now move forward a few days to another investigation in the Waipoua Kauri Forest.

The adjoining Waipoua Forest that is soon to be transferred to a local Iwi as part of a claims settlement, has provided much in the way of speculation as to the origins of the ancient people who had left a legacy of more than 2000 surveyed stone sites and structures. Radio carbon dating has placed early occupation at 960 years ago. Timber milling and stock damage has done much to the integrity of many of the stacked stone features. Access has always been difficult, and now that the land is being moved into different ownership may be lost to the outside world.

With this in mind, I have been following up on the stories of pig hunters and local residents on the location of many more stone sites that lay outside the claimants area of interest.

I made a foray into the Kauri forest area on Thursday with accomplished dowser, Gordon Heathcote to look for alternative stone sites. We crossed the Waipoua River near the DOC headquarters and spent a number of hours searching among the relatively open forest on the northern banks. We forded the river a number of times to get around steep banks making our way further west and down river.

We noted a number of stone heaps spread over a wide area and one location that had laid stones.

Our first journey to these places was very exciting and will hopefully open up sites that will be fully accessible to all that may wish to visit. It is not my wish to impose any sense of the history behind the people that lived at these sites, however indications are that these places were inhabited a long, long time ago.

The stones rest under a deep cover of forest humus, and are set under the umbrella of ancient Kauri and towering Totara. The forest offers this place a protection from wandering stock and the predation of modern timber milling. The Kauri Forest of Waipoua is indeed a place of well kept secrets. Our next journey to this area will entail a search for a vast stone amphitheater like structure that has been sighted by hunters on number of occasions over the past 20 years or so.

On the Friday morning I returned to the forest to visit Tane Mahuta and to walk the ricker forest track to visit the twin trunk Kauri that in the past has been a personal launching place for much of the pattern of my writing and the directions of my many journeys of discovery through these regions.

I was not to be disappointed on this day. My camera was able to capture the flare of energy around the twin trunks and the unique spectacle of water droplets falling from the leaves of the Kauri from a height of more than 12 meters above, to swim and float downward to shower me with the strength and wonder of this pheromone.

The forests and waters of this land constantly speak with an inner language to which we are always open, but often are to busy to pay attention too. We have but to stop and listen.

Saturday has arrived, and I am preparing to leave the camp and head back to Auckland, first calling on Noel Hilliam to plan our next beach journey.

Noel was busy putting the finishing touches to a machine that would help to move sand from around shipwreck sites. The 100 km beach is the scene of more than 150 shipwrecks, of which only 86 have been identified. and within the sites we are examining are the wrecks of a Spanish and a Portuguese ship. Archival research in Europe has, to this date provided us with information from the log books of these early explorers, that tells of ship wrecks in New Zealand, and of the French Dieppe maps that date from 1550. This tells us that French, Spanish and Portuguese explorers reached, and mapped, these shore well ahead of Tasman and Cook. When proven, this information will go a long way to extending the European contact dates and explaining the number of Maori family names that can be traced back to these early explorers.

What an exciting and interesting country we live in.

Three hundred years after the arrival of the Polynesian Maori in New Zealand there was a strong contact with these early sailors. We believe that more personal information will become available from private family documents and records that were kept by the Church in Europe. The Captain of the Portuguese ship was Gaspar Corte Real, who challenged by the epic voyage of Columbus set out on a voyage of discovery that included landing in New Zealand.
Within this information we may find in depth reference to the people that were met in New Zealand.

A recently released map of Chinese origin shows a map of the world that was created following the epic voyages of the fleets of Admiral Zheng He in 1421. The islands of New Zealand are easily recognizable, and Gavin Menzies Author of the “Chinese Fleets of 1421” explains the early Chinese interest in New Zealand as a possible source of alluvial gold found in the rivers of the South Island.

We then went to look at a sample of timber that had been recovered from the nearby beach 3 nights previous. Noel explained that this was part of a ship’s mast, the base still secured to the keel structure, and the timber a close grained hardwood that probably came from equatorial forests. This leads us to believe that this was a large ship, constructed in either South America or the Philippines. A sample has been sent away for analyze. And as we looked at the timber we discovered what appeared to be the head of copper nail.

A surface search of the beach around this site recorded a strong response on the metal detector , but at this stage an accurate assessment of whether this is metal or bronze will have to be carried out in a few weeks time when the tides are more favorable. Timber previously taken from another wreck site has proven to be of an Asian origin and from a tree that would have been felled in about 1530.

All in all, we are steadily progressing this part of our research. When results are finally published, this will provide a platform to explore even further into the deeper history of this land. To bring forth more on the Waitaha Ta Whiro, Maruiwi, Nga Hue and those who came before.

The door is still firmly open for Martin Doutre to further research his theories on the Pre Celt contact in this land.

Copyright January 2010. 
Integrity Research Foundation.
PO Box 8756
Auckland 1035.
email Gary Cook

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